Embrace HDMI Today: Why You Should Go Digital

Bill Paul's point about 1080p transmission over component cables makes sense. Component cables have historically been very reliable.

As a former integrator, I can also see how it is more appealing to a custom installer to be able to make up their own cables via Planet Waves, Canare, Liberty and many others to length.

But with the new Digital Performance Level program to rank and certify HDMI cables, along with Simplay checking the sources, I think that it is time that custom installers embrace HDMI and any other digital/handshaking connections.

Personally, I have not had any bad experiences with HDMI in the last year, including on my new Xbox 360 Elite.

Advanced audio applications such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD are just not going to be able to be output on coax or SPDIF connectors -- only on HDMI.

A interesting example of some manufacturers eliminating the component outputs altogether is the Oppo DV-981HD DVD player, with no component jacks on a $229 player.

Aside from these technical reasons, it's too much to ask of the content providers to allow output of 1080p signals via an analog component connector. I say this in light of the recent news reports that indicate that both HD-DVD and Blu-ray may unlock the managed copy DRM on a limited basis by the end of the year.

This, of course, is a boon for the media center manufacturers. It's not going to happen with analog outputs that have no protection.

With more and more receivers now upconverting all the video inputs to a single or double HDMI jack, the days of component video cable will be coming to an end in the next two years.

The other factor often ignored in the HDMI vs. component cable discussion is the amount of labor it takes to make up five RCA/component and L+R audio cables to feed a single source input on a TV. Multiply that by three inputs and compare it to three cables that get quickly hooked up.

While this example does not ring as true to higher-end installers, those up against middle to middle-upper CI-focused retailers and big-box chains will really need to be getting in and out of installs as efficiently as possible to remain competitive.

I'd rather have a bit of inconvenience in cabling now in order to finally get some sharing of HD video content around the house.

Andrew Finkel is an avid gamer as well as the principal of Synergistic Wellness Technologies, a cross industries gaming, consumer, and home healthcare electronics consultancy company. He can be reached at 410-486-4999 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). His Xbox Live Gamertag is CEProgamer and his Playstation Network name is Remixer