colony14author

I've had the Sony KP-57WV600 for about 5 years now. The HD picture is great, but I've always used component conenctions because I've had the same problem with the DVI connection. That is, the picture often gets "out of sync" and shows wavy lines like a misaligned VCR. It hasn't been an issue, because the component picture is terrific. I never bothered to have it fixed, as the set was already out of warranty when I got a new satellite receiver with expanded HD channels.

BUT, now I'm shopping for a high-def DVD player and/or Sony Playstation 3, any of which will have HDMI outputs. I can't use an HDMI-to-DVI converter cable, because of the above wavy-picture problem with the television. If I use component, then I'm afraid I won't get a full 1080i picture because connections that are not HDMI will cause the player to drop the output resolution to 480 - as a result of the HDCP content protection signal included on some DVD content. (The tv supports 1080i, but not 1080p.)

Am I correct? My assumption is that if your player outputs via HDMI, you'd better have an HDCP-compliant input on your tv or you won't get the full 1080 resolution, it will be automatically dropped (by the player's software) to keep you from easily copying a hi-def picture via component cables.

So what do I do? Spend a ton of money on a service call to (hopefully) fix the picture on a five year old set? Or spring for a new TV with HDMI?

Also, I'm moving to Brasil in December, 2007, and I'm afraid the tv may not like the ocean voyage in the 40-foot transport container! And anything electronic is very expensive in Brasil, so if I need to buy something, I'd better buy it here quickly!