Deciding Between an HDMI or Component Cable

If you need to run cables from your HDTV to a remote cable box over a long distance, you may be wondering if it is better to use a long HDMI cable or if you should just use a 5-conductor mini RGB cable that has been cut to length. While both options may seem like they would get the job done, you should still with HDMI if you are wanting to get the best picture possible.

The fact is that HDMI can provide full 1080p resolution, whereas a component cable cannot. In addition, an HDMI cable includes multi-channel digital audio as well as digital video all in one cable. When it comes to advanced surround sound formats, such as Dolbby TrueHD, multi-channel PCM, and DTS-HD, you really don’t have any other choice than HDMI because it is the only option that will be able to digitally transmit the signals.

While component cables are capable of supporting 1080p signals, most devices limit the component video output to a 1080i resolution. In addition, if you try to work with component video rather than HDMI, the digital audio will need to be separately taken care of with either a coaxial cable or a fiberoptic cable.

Another reason to go with the HDMI cable is the fact that you need an HDMI capable if you hope to use an upconverter to change standard definition DVDs that are being played with a Blu-ray Disc player. If you choose to use component video, your Blu-ray Disc player will output standard definition DVDs instead. This means they will have either a 480i or 480p resolution and the HDTV will have to take care of the upconversion. If your HDTV doesn’t have this capacity, you will experience a lower resolution.

HDMI is also the better option because it will better prepare you for the future. Currently, there is a sort of “flag” embedded in high definition media that is used to protect against copying high definition content. This flag, which is more accurately called the Image Constraint Token, isn’t currently being used by content providers. If it becomes activated, however, component cables will likely be disabled or the output resolution will be downgraded to 480p. If and when this happens, your HD movie will look like a standard DVD if you do not have HDMI cables in place.

If you are spanning a great distance with your cable, however, you will need to make some special accommodations for your HDMI cable. Once you get beyond 35 to 45 feet, you can’t use a passive cable. If you do, you will lose to much signal. Therefore, you will need to use some EQ/amplification in order to get the desired results with an HDMI cable.