How good is playing Blu-ray through component video?

[arkoenig]

I have a DLP video projector (NEC LT240) with native 1024x768-pixel resolution and component video input but not HDMI input. I would rather not replace it, and I would really rather not run an HDMI cable through the wall to where the projector is ceiling-mounted, nor do I want to replace my AV receiver by one that accepts HDMI.

I know that Blu-ray players often (usually?) have component video output in addition to HDMI output, and I suspect that the quality of the component video output, though not up to HDMI standards, is apt to be better than component video from DVD.

My question to the forum: Am I right? How much do I lose by not replacing the whole signal chain by HDMI?

[levick]

If both product support HD out on the component sockets you will be fine.
HOWEVER I think you will find the presents of a HDMI socket suggests you will not have access to the raw HD 1080P 24 frame information on the analogue outputs...Understandably Hollywood wants to secure their hard work...

[MOVIEGEEK]

Blu-ray is limited to 1080i with component, DVD is limited to 480p.
Since your PJ is 1024x768 you won't notice any difference.

[edDV]

Analog component out of a Blu-Ray player will have 1280x720p/59.94 and 1920x1080i/29.97 options same as broadcast TV. Film source 720p will have 3:2 progressive frame repeats and 1080i will have normal telecine. Your DLP projector should support both.

Film source 1080i/29.97 is normally inverse telecine processed to 23.976p in the TV/projector and then frame repeated 3:2 to 59.97p or 5:5 to 119.88p or higher for display.

[arkoenig]

Analog component out of a Blu-Ray player will have 1280x720p/59.94 and 1920x1080i/29.97 options same as broadcast TV. Film source 720p will have 3:2 progressive frame repeats and 1080i will have normal telecine. Your DLP projector should support both.

So it sounds like analog component video already includes all the information the projector is capable of displaying, in which case there is no point in bothering with HDMI unless I also replace the projector. Moreover, DVD is not capable of providing enough information for the projector's full capacity, so Blu-Ray over analog component video will provide an improvement over DVD (assuming that the source material has appropriate information). Yes?

[edDV]

Analog component out of a Blu-Ray player will have 1280x720p/59.94 and 1920x1080i/29.97 options same as broadcast TV. Film source 720p will have 3:2 progressive frame repeats and 1080i will have normal telecine. Your DLP projector should support both.

So it sounds like analog component video already includes all the information the projector is capable of displaying, in which case there is no point in bothering with HDMI unless I also replace the projector. Moreover, DVD is not capable of providing enough information for the projector's full capacity, so Blu-Ray over analog component video will provide an improvement over DVD (assuming that the source material has appropriate information). Yes?

Yes but if your projector is only 1024x768 native, you won't get the full benefit of 1920x1080 Blu-Ray source.

Still, downscale from Blu-Ray has higher quality than upscale from DVD.

[arkoenig]

Yes but if your projector is only 1024x768 native, you won't get the full benefit of 1920x1080 Blu-Ray source.

Understood. On the other hand, I can't see the individual pixels anyway from normal viewing distance; so it may not matter much.

[jagabo]

Keep in mind that Blu-ray players sold after the end of this year (2010) will not be allowed to output high def analog. At the end of 2013 there will be no analog output at all.

[arkoenig]

Interesting. I didn't know that. Sounds like I should plan to buy a Blu-ray player this year if I don't want to replace my entire setup.

[jagabo]

Hollywood drives us into the "Analog Sunset":
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2009/06/hollywood-drives-us-

From what I've read, component outputs are already disappearing. Time to invest in an HdFury2?

[MOVIEGEEK]

Keep in mind that Blu-ray players sold after the end of this year (2010) will not be allowed to output high def analog. At the end of 2013 there will be no analog output at all.

After the US government gave that extension for people with analog tuners I don't think they will turn off analog, or at the very least postpone it.
Too many people have a non-HDMI TV for this to happen, are they going to give a TV voucher this time?

[jman98]

Keep in mind that Blu-ray players sold after the end of this year (2010) will not be allowed to output high def analog. At the end of 2013 there will be no analog output at all.

After the US government gave that extension for people with analog tuners I don't think they will turn off analog, or at the very least postpone it.
Too many people have a non-HDMI TV for this to happen, are they going to give a TV voucher this time?

I hope your're right MOVIEGEEK, but Congress is bought and paid for with Hollywood money. If they actually did stand up to Hollywood it would probably be a first.

[jagabo]

The AACS rules have nothing to do with the Feds. It is a worldwide contractual agreement bewteen AACS and it's licensees.

[MOVIEGEEK]

The AACS rules have nothing to do with the Feds. It is a worldwide contractual agreement bewteen AACS and it's licensees.

That's true but the FTC and FCC can trump the AACS if they sell products in the US.