HDTV Video: A Quick Guide to Inputs
5 Comments Published by Joel November 30th, 2006 in Gadgets. Share ThisBecause several people continue to be understandably confused, a list, in order from worst to best, of the differing ways you can send video signals from an output unit—such as a DVD player, cable or satellite box, or video game console—to your television.
For best video fidelity, pick the one farthest down the list that your television supports.
• RF – The little two-pronged screw-in inputs. Worst possible video input available.
• Coaxial – A single metal wire surrounded by a threaded nut. Includes audio.
• RCA/Composite – A single “RCA” connector with a thick metal prong in the middle, surrounded by a metal sleeve. Often colored yellow and paired with red and white stereo audio RCA connections.
• S-Video – Single plug with multiple prongs. Looks like a PS/2 connector used on old mice and keyboards.
• VGA – The very same plug that many computer monitors use. Can support HDTV resolutions.
• Component – Three RCA connectors, all of which are necessary for video output. Can support HDTV resolutions. Is roughly on par with VGA in quality.
• DVI – The same plug used by most new computer monitors; rectangular, usually white with multiple pins and flat prongs. Can support HDTV resolutions and provides a digital signal.
• HDMI – Flat, isosceles trapezoidal plug. Can support HDTV resolutions. Also can carry audio signal, but is otherwise the same quality as DVI.
If we’re outlining basic terminology, it’s worth pointing out that the single RCA video output is generally going to be called “composite” when you’re looking at a spec sheet or advertisement.
Cnet has a visual list of the same information on their TV Buying Guide that I’ve found helpful when making my TV buying decision:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-1016109-5.html?tag=tnav#io
Don’t be fooled into buying the expensive cables where you buy your TV. They have huge markups. Check out monoprice.com for extremely reasonable prices on high end cables:
http://www.monoprice.com
A 3 foot HDMI cable is only $5.80!
I think VGA input looks much better than Component. I’ve run both OTA HD, Xbox XBMC and Xbox360 through both compoenent and VGA and the VGA signal is clearly superior (on my TV anyway – Polaroid FLM3732) The XBMC and 360 signals are actually transcoded to VGA from Component signals currently. So maybe its just an optical illusion, but jaggy lines are much more apparent via component. I just ordered an actual VGA cable for the 360 and will be interesting to see what native VGA looks like.
I have two DVD player/recorders that I’l like to connect to my new flat panel TV (which I haven’t purchased yet).
I don’t quite understand the composite cable connections that are red, blue and green that says for video only. So, what good is that for connecting a DVD player if there is no audio sent through the composite cables? I would not want to watch my DVD’s without audio.
Thanks,
Don Crislip