DVI vs. Component

[bigkahunaps2]

Hello folks, I have a few questions:

I just bought a 36in Panasonic HDTV (Model CT-36HL43) that has a DVI input. I currently have my DVD player connected via Component cables to the TV.

Should I buy a DVD player with DVI output? Will it be a noticeable difference? Does the movie get upscaled to 1080 ?

Thanx, sorry about for the newbie questions!

[Bob W]

Last week I ordered the Bravo D! player which has DVI output plus it playes Divx (mpeg4). http://www.vinc.com/product.asp?id=31&PID=21

When the player arrives I will post my thoughts of the performance. There is a review of the player here FYI http://www.extremetech.com/print_article/0,3998,a=45897,00.asp and some user comments on the player may be found here.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/masterid=1031436/id_type=masterid/ut...7882fbef8b93f6

The only other player I know that even offers this feature is from Samsung and the reviews on that player are not that good IMO plus it sells for $100 more than the Bravo. Also one thing to consider is that the DVI cables are not included with the players and are expensive. The best place to buy the cable is where I bought my 5m cable or here http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_cables.html

[hothandiman]

Interesting question. Unfortunately, I really do not know the answer to it. I have an RCA 38" widescreen HDTV. My DVD player (used to be a JVC, now a Sony Playstation 2!) is hooked up via component inputs. The picture is awesome. I have heard that DVI is better since there is no D/A conversion. A pure digital signal not effected by length of cables etc. The DVI might be more important when HTCP is incorporated into the system.

[Bob W]

The two players I mentioned both offer higher resolutions than other players out there now.

"HIGH DEFINITION RESOLUTIONS
Selectable Scaling of High Definition Resolutions of 480p, 720p, and 1080i"

[MachineMan]

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)
A multi-pin computer-style connection intended to carry High-Definition video signals from digital set-top boxes (HDTV-capable DIRECTV, DISHNetwork, DVD Players, and cable boxes) to HDTV monitors with a compatible connector. The signals are encrypted with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) to prevent recording. DVI is digital and best for Plasma, DLP, or LCD.


Component video
The three-jack component video connection splits the video signal into three parts (one brightness and two color signals). Component video has increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding. A growing number of TVs include component video jacks to provide the best possible picture quality (better than S-video or composite video) when connected to a compatible DVD player. Component is Analog and not as good for Plasma, DLP, and LCD but OK for CRT.

Special wide-bandwidth component video connections are capable of carrying wider bandwidth video signals, like progressive-scan DVD and digital television. All HDTV-ready TVs include at least one set of wide-bandwidth connections for connecting a separate HDTV tuner (or progressive-scan DVD player).


I think component is limited but OK for CRT. DVI is digital and can do true HDTV and has a higher speed.

[bigkahunaps2]

Appreciate the responses 8)

I am also thinking of getting HDTV thru Comcast; that box has a DVI output on it as well.

[bigkahunaps2]

Bob W,
Would be interested in your review. My tv is a Panasonic and I don't think it can do 720P so I wonder if this player would still be worthwhile.
I do like the fact that it plays Divx though as well as -R/+R media....

[Bob W]

Bob W,
Would be interested in your review. My tv is a Panasonic and I don't think it can do 720P so I wonder if this player would still be worthwhile.
I do like the fact that it plays Divx though as well as -R/+R media....

Sure I will post my results. problem is because of the demand for this player they are backed up a good three weeks before shipment to me.

[bigkahunaps2]

Bob, got one off ebay. Should have it next week.......

DVI FOR EVERYONE!!!!!

[Bob W]

Bob, got one off ebay. Should have it next week.......

DVI FOR EVERYONE!!!!!

How much? Also let us know how it works out for you.

[bigkahunaps2]

Got it off eBay for $204 8)

[bigkahunaps2]

Just got my Comcast HDTV box. All I can say is WOW
Althought there are only 5 channels of hdtv programming (less the pay channels) the picture is incredible. I am wondering though, the guy who installed it used COMPONENT cables and not DVI. Will there be an even better picture with DVI ?

Guess I will see tues when the dvd player comes...

[MachineMan]

DVI is digital and best for: Plasma, DLP, LCD
Component is Analog and so is CRT so: OK for CRT.

[drcorby]

I just got the Bravo D1 and hooked it up to my Sony Widescreen through DVI. It is a big difference. Richer colors and sharper picture. I had a sony NS715P DVD player hooked up with top of the line Monster conponent cables and I must say there is a big difference. Remeber the cables you use to hook it up make all the difference. I got a Monster DVI cable.

However the biggest problem with the D1 is it's drive. I have read alot of bad stuff about them and it's true. It wouldn't read some DVD's and it locked up all the time. The good part is that it is just a normal drive hooked up with a IDE cable and a standard DVD Rom power cable. I took my DVD Rom drive out of one of my computers and hooked it up. Now it ROCKS hasn't locked up since.

Good DVD player, Awesome picture through DVI 720p. Too bad Vinc put the cheapest drive they could find in it.

[BJ_M]

Last week I ordered the Bravo D! player which has DVI output plus it playes Divx (mpeg4). http://www.vinc.com/product.asp?id=31&PID=21

When the player arrives I will post my thoughts of the performance. There is a review of the player here FYI http://www.extremetech.com/print_article/0,3998,a=45897,00.asp and some user comments on the player may be found here.
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/masterid=1031436/id_type=masterid/ut...7882fbef8b93f6

The only other player I know that even offers this feature is from Samsung and the reviews on that player are not that good IMO plus it sells for $100 more than the Bravo. Also one thing to consider is that the DVI cables are not included with the players and are expensive. The best place to buy the cable is where I bought my 5m cable or here http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_cables.html

ive got two of the samsung 931 HDTV models here - and after comparing them to the bravo , i thought the picture on the samsung was slightly better .... also - they are built much muich better .. hats off to bravo, who build a great machine at that price point , but im willing to spend a little more ..
there are also 2 other DVI upscale models being sold afak ...

also the samsung DOES come with DVI cables - though they were only 3 feet and i needed longer - so i got 2 (4 really) custom DVI 10meter (33feet) cables from cobalt cables .. awesome cables i must say .. super quality and you can tell the diff even with DVI !

[louthewiz]

I have direct tv high def and it has 10+ channels and growing and it beats the hell out of regular programming And my reciever has rgb and component video out and the rgb is twice as sharp as the component video output since it is also a digital connection..

[BJ_M]

I have direct tv high def and it has 10+ channels and growing and it beats the hell out of regular programming And my reciever has rgb and component video out and the rgb is twice as sharp as the component video output since it is also a digital connection.. :D :cry: :roll: :idea: :idea:

RGB is NOT a digital connection ...

[Bob W]

I'm very pleased with the performance of my Bravo D1 which gets used every day. The only bad thing I can say about this player is that the response time of the IR remote to player is a bit slow, however not a big thing it just a little longer for this player to react to a command unlike other players I have.

[louthewiz]

Youre entitled to your opnion but I was told that the rgb connection is a downconversion of a digital connection..

[MachineMan]

DVI is pure digital but If your TV has a CRT then it will be coverted back to analog. The best would be a Hidef reciever with DVI out to a HDTV Plasma, DLP or LCD screen. However these advantages might only be noticed for larger HDTV's where artifacts are enlarged. I have a Rear projection LCD HDTV but still using Component for DVD and Composite for Sat broadcasts. Waiting for the Hidef reciever prices to drop some.

[BJ_M]

Youre entitled to your opnion but I was told that the rgb connection is a downconversion of a digital connection..

its not an opinion or even conjecture -- as i happen to know a little about video standards....

but read it here for yourself ... or look up rgb or rgbs or rgbhv


http://www.syncblaster.com/gtmfytv.htm

[pijetro]

Can I throw my two cents in???

All this talk about Hi-def confuses me a bit..DVI or not, the best DVD signal you can get is 720x480p..Where is there an advantage of using the 720p capabilities that come with HDTV, or even playing it out thru DVI for that matter??

Does the TV sets have some sort of chip for line doubling?

I realize that DVI is a straight digital signal, but can I assume if you're watching anything but a true HDTV broadcast, that DVI would be unnecessary??

[Bob W]

Can I throw my two cents in???

All this talk about Hi-def confuses me a bit..DVI or not, the best DVD signal you can get is 720x480p..Where is there an advantage of using the 720p capabilities that come with HDTV, or even playing it out thru DVI for that matter??

Does the TV sets have some sort of chip for line doubling?

I realize that DVI is a straight digital signal, but can I assume if you're watching anything but a true HDTV broadcast, that DVI would be unnecessary??

I watch Satellite TV through this device at 1080i or 720p http://www.theprojectedimage.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TPII&Pro...t_Code=AVT3800

And for a DVD player I have the Bravo D1 which has a built in video scaler and outputs via DVI thus I view my DVD movies at 720p (very nice indeed).
http://www.vinc.com/product.asp?id=31&PID=21

[BJ_M]

the samsung (for example) uses the Faroudja scaler/proccessor , regarded as the best of the best ... by up-rezing in the player to HDTV with this chip and sending it out to a dlp / lcd / plasma with DVI input (digital path throughout) -- you can get a mighty fine picture ...

[bigkahunaps2]

However the biggest problem with the D1 is it's drive. I have read alot of bad stuff about them and it's true. It wouldn't read some DVD's and it locked up all the time.

So true! I sold the player I got.
Tested Memorex +R -R, Ritek -R, and more. It had all kinds of loading and playing issues. WTF??

Looks like I'll be sticking with my APEX for a while.....

[Bob W]

My D1 reads memorex discs just fine and never has locked up on any media.