| Every day many people are searching through | | | | Often solutions to this problem are quite simple, |
| their high-definition equipment for an | | | | however. If an output is available, you should use |
| interconnection solution by trying to connect HDMI | | | | an HDMI or DVI on both boxes. The difference |
| to Component outputs. Unfortunately, this is not a | | | | between HDMI and DVI is HDMI carries the audio |
| matter of rearranging wires and then having the | | | | as well as the video signals. A DVI cable will |
| correct type of connector needed. There is a | | | | resolve the issue just as well, with the added |
| basic problem with incompatibility in analog versus | | | | expense of an audio cable. In the event that you |
| digital. This problem is much like the transition to | | | | fall back on component outputs because your |
| digital broadcast TV, which is coming soon, versus | | | | HDMI ports are already occupied, you might want |
| rabbit ears which receive analog signals. They are | | | | to consider using inexpensive HDMI switch boxes |
| not compatible and leave individuals confused like | | | | that take input from multiple HDMI cables. |
| the poor person in the TV commercial. | | | | If you want to convert Component to HDMI |
| Component video is based on an analog format. | | | | because you heard HDMI is better than |
| With analog signals, the voltage signals with the | | | | Component cables, you need to think twice. |
| system's wire are in a particular wave format, | | | | There is data backing the assertion that, although |
| and how the wave changes in height is what is | | | | HDMI cables in theory offer a superior picture, in |
| important. In theory, it has an infinite number of | | | | reality, given the conversions between resolutions |
| values between zero and the maximum allowed, | | | | and display formats, component connections |
| like the variable windshield wipers I used to have | | | | often end up delivering a better signal to the |
| on an old Thunderbird. | | | | television. This is particularly true when dealing |
| The formats based on digital signaling are HDMI or | | | | with cables longer than 25 feet. So, if you have |
| DVI. Digital data, as you might have heard, just | | | | the option, try both kinds of cables to find out |
| has ones and zeros with a sequence of pulses all | | | | which one delivers the best picture available. |
| at the same level, and they are either totally | | | | If you're completely stuck for some reason and |
| present or totally missing. The data is then | | | | must change from Component to HDMI cable, |
| reassembled on the other side using processing | | | | they do make converter boxes, but those boxes |
| equipment. In a 4-bit binary code, you can have | | | | usually sell for $200+. However, if you go the |
| one of sixteen different values as four 1s and 0s | | | | other way, you can run into High Definition |
| assembled with a group could be sixteen different | | | | Content Protection restrictions and not see HDCP |
| combinations. If the pulses received are 1s and 0s, | | | | protected sources. |
| the equipment that detects signals for analog | | | | With any luck, your HDMI to Component solution |
| equipment and looks for analog sine waves | | | | will be an easy fix using one of the solutions |
| cannot function properly because they are | | | | discussed above. If not, at least you have a good |
| speaking two different languages. | | | | reason to purchase better gear! |