How Important is HDMI & DVI in a RPTV

[Deathlok2001]

From a link in FAQ:

HDMI is capable of replacing up to eight audio cables and up to five video cables with a single cable. In 2004, the consumer electronics industry started adding HDMI outputs to DVD players and cable/satellite settop boxes. HDMI inputs also started appearing on digital televisions and LCD/plasma monitors. Wide adoption of HDMI-enabled TVs and monitors is expected by the end of 2004.

so HDMI condences a larger amount of cables into a smaller amount & adds audio as well as video


so how important is this feature to a RPTV ( for example, would a RPTV without HDMI being the same as buying a HD set without component imputs....the point is you would never purchase a RPTV without the ability of at least component hookups)



**** i also read in the FAQ that DVI does not produce a better picture on RPTV, but would improve picture quality on other types of HD sets, like LCDs......

so is DVI an important feature to look for in a RPTV

[summerfun]

Right now, you are ok with component cables, but down the road, if Hollywood has their way, you will need DVI/HDMI.

It is not a PQ issue, it is a way for the industry to control copy protection rights. The issue of better PQ on LCD TV is debatable. The theory is less A/D conversion will give you a better picture, but some see it and others don't.

If you’re buying a new HDTV today, I would most definitely buy one with DVI/HDMI, but if you already have an HDTV and it does not have those inputs, I would not loose any sleep. They will make some sort of conversion for your set if it becomes the only way of connection someday down the road.

[DoubleDAZ]

AFAIK, it is only really important to those who will want to archive programming to tape or DVD, etc., hence the copy-protection concerns. I do not see any problems at all with being able to view anything cable/sat offers or time-shift using the various DVRs on the market and supplied by cablecos.

Summerfun's point about what to get if you are in the market for an HDTV is valid. You always want the best/most connections for future upgradeability, etc. DVI will eliminate a lot of cabling as long as all your components support DVI. The same is true of 1394/Firewire, etc., but for most folks who just want to watch TV, the current connections available will most certainly work for a long time to come.

[sillygoose]

AFAIK, it is only really important to those who will want to archive programming to tape or DVD, etc., hence the copy-protection concerns. I do not see any problems at all with being able to view anything cable/sat offers or time-shift using the various DVRs on the market and supplied by cablecos.


For archiving you don't need DVI/HDMI, you need Firewire/IEEE1394.

[DoubleDAZ]

For archiving you don't need DVI/HDMI, you need Firewire/IEEE1394.
Yeah, I don't know WHAT I was thinking, must need some sleep. :sleeping: