TV & Home Theater

[Rodney22]

 Here are some of the video connections you may see behind your TV. You can learn more by also watching this video.

 A coaxial cable is the most basic video connection and it displays a standard video connection, in addition to carrying your cable signal

 

A composite video cable is a basic video connection and can display video resolution up to 480i. It’s usually color coded yellow and will not deliver high-definition

 

S video cable, like a composite video cable does not deliver high-definition (only resolution up to 480i), but it looks better than composite.

Hint: Take care when hooking up an S video cable—the pins can break off quite easily.

A component video connection can deliver high-definition images and is color coded green, blue and red. Simply match the green to the green, the blue to the blue and the red to the red when connecting the cables to your television and source.

Hint: Component video connections always go in order of green, blue and red.

Finally, an HDMI cable is the latest cable available for television sets. It offers high definition resolution up to 1080p and can deliver both video and multi-channel audio in one cable—so you can use it with an AV receiver and limit that jungle of cables behind your system.

Hint:Be careful with this one, if you jostle the cable too much, it might break the port, which could potentially be a costly repair.

Message Edited by Rodney on 09-22-2008 03:20 PM

[BB_Gun]

You might also want to mention that while component video connections can handle up to 1080p resolution, most TVs won't accept it. These, like composite and S-video, require a separate audio connection.

Also, HDMI cables convey the video and audio digitally (unlike component), and can handle up to eight channels of sound. They are also the only way to get the new 7.1-channel high-resolution audio formats from Blu-ray.

-BB_Gun

[JDHat]

Is there a limit on cable length? Want to mount a plasma above my closet but that will make cables about 15-20 ft long. Is that a problem?

[bk]

if the cable comes in that length you should not have any problems... there are cables that are custom made in large lengths with boosters on them because of being large, but we are talking like 50ft+.  you should be able to purchase a 16, 25, or 35ft cable without any worries

[kagee]

I just bought an HD LCD TV and was told by Directv that it would cost $99-$100 to upgrade to an HD receiver.  I'm not interesting in paying that much right now since all new TV's are HD.  My question is, what will the effect be if I just connect an HDMI cable from my current satellite receiver to my new TV? Will it have any impact on picture quality? Would I need any additional cables? Thanks!

[kagee]

I'm sorry...I meant $99-$199 to upgrade to a DirecTv HD receiver.  My apologies.

[thebighouse]

It will in prove the picture but if you have a standard satellite box then there is no HDMI port on the back of it. I would suggest the HD-DVR box it is a great box. 

Message Edited by thebighouse on 01-03-2009 11:08 PM