gtodd01

If anyone could help me out with this question, it would be much appreciated.

I bought a Sony 57 widescreen that has a DVI connection. Is there a huge difference between using the DVI connection vs. using the composite connection? I have a decision to make re: which HDTV receiver to get.... A huges directv receiver which has component input or a Sony DirecTV receiver which has the DVI connection (but is about $210 more expensive). Advice would be greatly appreciated.

57U

People have reported back that there is either no difference or a slight difference, probably dependent on the equipment used.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

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aj327

By the way, you probably just misspoke but there's a BIG difference between composite and component.

I've never compared them side by side myself, but I've heard that the DVI connection is noticably (but slightly so) better than the component connection...and is especially handy if you want to hook your PC up to you tv...and quite necessary when HDDVD players come out.

But as far as spending 210 more dollars to get it for you receiver....given my budget, it wouldn't be worth it.

kidslice

If you have a PC that has a card that supports Video scan rates, than yes, DVI is good. But I have yet been able to find a card that satisfies this condition. In particular, the cards I have do not handle over scan and do not support 1080i.

Now with that said, DVI is only as good as the video processor in the device. HD is YCC. DVI is RGB. Thus the video processor must covert the YCC to RGB. The other aspect is, does the device convert the digital HD to analog prior to converting it back to digital RGB? No one is going to tell you this, but I would be willing to bet that some boxes are doing just this. Why? Because the DVI chipset is usually bolted on to the rest of the video processor, i.e., it is not a one-chip solution.

YPP vs DVI goes along with the debate that some people still believe that vinyl LPs still sound better than CDs. I have both and I cannot tell the difference between the two.

proacman

My Sony 50XBR800 has both component and DVI inputs. My Samsung T165 receiver has both outputs. On a variety of HD material, I could see no difference.

I have a Silicon Image Ultra Scan Line Doubler. It has VGA and DVI outputs. I convert the VGA to component. In this instance, the DVI input to my TV looks better.

What does the above mean? I have no idea. But, I do know that LPs sound better, in general, then CDs. But SACDs and DVD-Audio discs sound even better.

kidslice

"What does the above mean?"?? not sure what you are referring to, but i am going to assume that you a talking about my blurb at the end. The point was analog vs digital, what one is better. I say that it is subjective and based on the particular user. Just like you say that vinyl sounds better than CD. I say there is no difference. The same is true for DVI vs YPP. I again say that there is no difference, while I am sure that others will say that DVI is better because it is digital.

Does the SI USLD account for overscan? That is, do you get the entire PC desktop on you TV screen.

prbeck

I have to back proacman on the question of LP versis CD. The LP's have a much broader audio spectrum. If you put them on an oscillascope, LP's can range from subsonics to ultrasonics.

As to the DVI versus component, it seems to depend on what you are feeding it with.

kidslice

I am not arguing that from a technical standpoint analog has advantages. My point is that it is hard to hear a difference between a CD and an analog LP.

As far as DVI vs Component. Put 720p in and get 720p out. Visually compare DVI to YPP and tell me you see the difference.

Your best bet is 1394. Pass the MPEG-TS right to the receiver. Keep it pure digital as long as possible.

jjmcgraw

I have a 65" Sony and first owned the Hughes E86 and now the Sony HD200. I now use the DVI input with the Sony HD200. I also have my set of "component" cables hooked up as well. When I switch between the DVI and component video modes I cannot see any visual difference in quality. I also do not see any quality difference that I remember from the Hughes to the Sony. The main reason I stepped up to the Sony (and this may not justify the added cost for you) is that I wanted to free up one set of component connections by going with DVI and the bigger reason is I like the stretch modes of the Sony much better. The Hughes is very limited with the stretching and also resolution. There are many more options in the Sony. The Sony's software features and functions are a lot better also. The Sony HD200 also seems to do a better job of picking up my OTA local channels also (locked all of them in right away, where the Hughes had some problems). It also doesn't drop out as much as the Hughes did when the weather is real bad.

But as far a picture quality goes - between the two units I saw no difference and between DVI / component I see no difference. The Sony is a better unit in my opinion but the differences my not justify the cost for you.

Just my experience with both units. Take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck.

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John

Travelnman

Here are my two cents based on using a Hitachi digital 53" 51G500 and a Sony HD200 reciever. Service through DirectTV using a Terk 3LNB HDTV dish. Stock Sony component & DVI cables.

First note using digital cable box the picture on the Hitachi looked pixelated..like an DiVx or MPEG4 type video on a PC. Switching to the DirectTV setup using either connection was simply night and day better than digital cable on the Hitachi, but only slightly better on my analog Sony 50" projection TV.

DVI:
Looks like watching a DVD on a quality PC computer. Picture very smooth with no evidence of noise. Bright, vivid, well saturated colors. On some non-HD broadcasts, albeit noisy, the picture looks like someone applied a little too much "smooth" effect in photoshop. Probably caused by digital processing cancelling noise. I haven't seen an HD broadcast yet as I only get the Total Choice channels, but once I get my outdoor antenna to grab WB and CBS in HD I post another comparison.

Component:
Brighter colors, borderline over saturation. Can still see the noise on non-HD broadcasts; especially when view 4:3 in expanded or 16:9 modes.

Using DVD with the composite cables (Spiderman) the picture quality was awesome; though the colors are a little more saturated for my tastes; but can be adjusted using TV settings.

I like DVI mode the best, especially since I run 4:3 shows in 16:9 format. Now the question is do I opt for $100 Moster cable over the oem DVI cable?

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Hitachi 53" HDTV
Sony SAT-HD200

57U

Thanks for the feedback. Although this statement is a bit of an over-simplification, with digital signals, they either get through, or they don't. The cost of the digital cable is therefore usually irrelevant. See the FAQ post on Cables/connections.

Give us some more feedback on DVI vs. Component when you have HD.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

Johnwa

I agree...there should be almost no difference in digital cable quality.I say almost only because I have actually heard a difference in quality in digital audio cables.the introduction of jitter is noticable with digital audio but I am not sure of the exact effect on digital video.By the way I am a firm believer that LP is better than CD but SACD/DVD-A has certainly left me scratching my head a few times trying to pick a winner! Your probably just fine with the OEM cables .... let Monster sell that $100 cable to some rich non-enthusiast that just wants to brag about how much he spent on his "system".

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MITerminator 2 cables

Cody

Greetings all,

I just purchased an RCA Scenium D61W130 HDTV and a Sony HD-200 Directv STB. I am using the included 3m DVI cable for connection. Watching HD signals from Directv I get a perfectly fit picture on my screen when the STB is set to 480p. When I switch to 1080i I get a beautiful picture but an inch at the bottom of the screen is cut off and about 2-3 inches are cut off the left side of the screen. I tried the same test using the component cables and found that the picture is perfectly centered but I still lose about a half inch on the bottom...no biggie. This only happens in 1080i mode. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have. I read through the posts and couldn't find anything quite like this.

Thank you for your time.

Cody

57U

An HD image should perfectly fill your HDTV. Sounds like there is something amiss and you may need to call service.

Hang on for a few days to see if anyone else has any comments and to see if you can find anything in your operating manuals, etc.

Are there any "size settings" or anything like that on the Sony STB? I don't recall any issues like this before either.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

Cody

I am very tempted to say that the problem is with the Sony HD-200. There is a channel add screen on the STB that has nothing to do with adjusting the pictrure, but what it does have is a small PIP of the channel that you want to add/delete/edit. In this PIP screen the image is cut off EXACTLY as it is on full screen. So it would be my guess that the TV is fine because it is simply displaying the image that it is being presented with. Any ideas as to the problem being the DVI cable. I am using the OEM 3m DVI from Sony. I would think that a digital signal would not have a problem as long as it is getting from A to B, and the picture is perfect on 480p. Also, I have heard that people have had problems with the sony software and that it was recently updated. My unit is running on software from January 2k3. Is this the most recent? If it is not could the new software possible address my issue?

Thank you for the quick response 57u...much appreciated.

Near76

I agree with everyone that there is very little difference in quality between DVI and component. To me the major drawback to DVI is that there are no A/V receivers out there that route DVI signals...does anyone know otherwise?

-Matt

57U

DVI switches are very expensive - several hundred dollars. I would expect high end receivers to have DVI switching added, much the same as component video switching was added several years ago.

DVI in receivers will probably not "trickle down" to affordable receivers for several years.

__________________
57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

jbravo1974

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but going with DVI saves you from using a component input. This was one of the reasons I did not go with the cheaper hughes and went with the Samsung which i was able to purchase for only a few $$ more. Both my component inputs are used up and would've had to go back to analog y/w/r. Just my $.02

pradike

Oh Contrare....

My Onkyo 989v2 unit has DVI, and the image/audio outputs are far superior with DVI over any other output - image quality, music, etc. is noticably better with a DLP Projector using DVI input as well - I have a true digital front to back (DVI output DirecTV as well)....and you sure can tell the difference, and so can the 30-35 people I've had over to see it in my theater.

The other issue is longievity. DVI is the technology at the root for near-term new hardware, as well as the nexct generation of PVR (personal video recorders). This should also be a strong consideration.

The only drawback to DVI (as of this time) is the limit to 15 feet of cable length without any "artifical" amplification. IN my case, this was not a factor.