HDMI or Component? Which is Best?

HDMI or Component: Which is Best?

By Kenny Hemphill

You've just bought a new HDTV, complete with HDMI connector and are delighted that you had the foresight to buy a DVD player with HDMI interface a while ago, even though you couldn't use HDMI at the time.

So you can ignore those component outputs and inputs and plug an HDMI cable between your two favourite bits of home theater kit. After all, HDMI, being all digital, is bound to be better than component, isn't it?

Well, no, actually. Not necessarily. It's true that converting a DVD signal to analog, sending it over component video and then switching it back to digital in the TV will result in a slight degradation of picture quality. And it's true that HDMI removes this issue. However, the degradation in the signal over component is virtually imperceptible and HDMI does introduce a few problems of its own.

Firstly, although DVD players "up-convert" video from 420p resolution to the native resolution of the HDTV (720p or 1080i), the signal still has to be "re-clocked" in the television before it is displayed. Some experts suggest that this re-clocking introduces more artifacts than the process of digital-to-analog-to-digital conversion. And the quality of the processor in the DVD player doing the "up-converting" is important here, if it's not up to scratch that could have a negative impact on picture quality.

Secondly, any equipment with HDMI (or DVI for that matter) connectors must support an anti-piracy measure known as HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection). This takes the form of a code which is embedded into the digital video signal when it’s sent from a content player, such as a DVD player, and must be de- coded by the HDTV or HD projector. This puts additional pressure on the TV's video processor with no benefit to picture quality and so could, potentially, result in a slight loss in picture quality. Using component video connections means that no anti-piracy protection is necessary. None of this means that you should avoid HDMI. However, it does mean that you shouldn't take it for granted that HDMI will always be better than component. The only way to find out which is best for your equipment is to try both and see which one you prefer.

Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of The HDTV Tuner - a guide to the kit, the technology and the programming on HDTV.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Samsung LN46A550 LCD HDTV - A Review

User-friendly and a certified eye candy--two reasons why this TV set is an excellent choice.

Save for some minor slips like images on shown on the set that’s lacking detail and user’s manual isn’t completely helpful, the Samsung LN46A550 is almost a complete package. It is easy to see that this TV is almost perfect.

First up is an image test. We scouted nine 46- and 47-inch high definition sets .And among these; it is the one from Samsung that got attention. This set particularly got a high rating for its Blu-ray discs. The set makes pictures look like they’ve come straight from 35mm print as shown when we viewed Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Vizio’s VO47LF and the Syntax-Brillian’s Olevia 747i followed the ratings of the Samsung.

Speaking of audio, the TV’s audio system isn’t primed for high-end sound experience. But if you’re in for talk and regular shows, then the set’s audio will just be fine and you can omit the surround sound stereo. However, if you prefer to listen to deafening sounds of your movies, an external gadget can easily be used to improve the sound quality.

Yes, this TV is easy to use. It has an icon-based on-screen menu that can be understood easily. Need help? Then there’s an explanation about the menu as well. When you need to check up on options for the current input, all you need to do is to access the separate tools button on the remote control.

This works just like your pc’s mouse. There’s more; when you need to play a connected device, the easy-to-use LN46A550 instantly switches the input to that source. A major feature of the Samsung is the convenience factor. Much of the controls that need to be used can be used automatically, without the need of a few extra steps.

One of the only problems that you will find involves the remote control. It has backlit buttons that are large enough to be viewed by almost everyone, however if you like the picture in picture option and use it frequently, you will have to go through the menu option each time, there are no buttons assigned to it. Another issue with the remote is that you cannot use it to control other electronics such as a VCR because there is no way to program it.

With large and easy to see buttons, you’d think that the remote control is perfect. Not quite. Missing is a helpful PiP button for your easy access to Picture-in-Picture. Also, that ratio button is mislabeled. Who will immediately know what a P-Size is? Playing your devices like DVD will be tasking as well since it isn’t programmable. Well you can still play these devices if you want to, granted that you use the brand’s proprietary Anynet technology. The HDMI ‘s Consumer Electronics Control channel will make it possible.

The set-up guide and bilingual manual is supposed to facilitate that easy set-up. But the opposite happens. The guide is difficult to comprehend for the non-techie person and the manual is long and too complicated. While the price of some flat screen TV’s are too high due to a bad product, the Samsung offers enough options to justify the price.

So why is the LN46A550 such a good buy? That’s because of its features. Its USB port is helpful when you view pictures and listen to music. On the side of the set are the easy-to-access HDMI, S-Video and the USB. Want to change the angle of the set for viewing pleasure? Then you can do that as well, as the set can swivel on its stand. Reasons such as these help make the set a well-rounded HDTV and a winner.