Any difference in quality between HDMI and component?

[Smurfin]

Hi all

I have an X-Box elite which is currently connected via HDMI. I'm running short of HDMI inputs on my receiver, and just wondered if there was any difference between HDMI vs component on the 360?

My panel is 1080p native, and I currently output at 1080i from the HDMI. If I went down the component route this would still be output over HDMI to my panel.

Any views, and has anyone done any comparison between the two?

Cheers
Matt

[bianco]

There will be almost no noticable difference, some schools of thought indicate the 360 HDMI port is an afterthought, therefore not as good quality.

The only person the needs to be happy with the picture is you though.

[Smurfin]

Originally Posted by bianco

There will be almost no noticable difference, some schools of thought indicate the 360 HDMI port is an afterthought, therefore not as good quality.

The only person the needs to be happy with the picture is you though.

Cheers. Can't find the component cable atm but hopefully will try it later

[mattclarkie]

Originally Posted by Smurfin

Cheers. Can't find the component cable atm but hopefully will try it later

If you have a Zavvi near you they were selling them for £15 (official ones) which is a good price new.

[nero0410]

I can't tell a lot of difference on my 32" samsung, but can see a slight difference in quality with my sharp projector for the better via HDMI.

So I presume it's personal preference, and differs betwen displays.

tris

EDIT: One advantage with HDMI over component, is that HDMI carries the audio in just one lead too, wheras component only carries the picture, and uses seperate lead for sound.

Of course none of this matters if your going via an amp with HDMI, or it does make a difference if you want DD as you need a seperate dongle for the optical if using the HDMI connection. (this adapter comes with the elite, or purchaseable with a HDMI cable))

[GeordieDan89]

I heard that component can suffer from colour bleed however never saw this myself, I use HDMI and love it, but have heard Component does a good job also.

[Moogle]

Originally Posted by mattclarkie

If you have a Zavvi near you they were selling them for £15 (official ones) which is a good price new.

He has an Elite which comes with a component cable as well as HDMI.

Originally Posted by Smurfin

Hi all

I have an X-Box elite which is currently connected via HDMI. I'm running short of HDMI inputs on my receiver, and just wondered if there was any difference between HDMI vs component on the 360?

My panel is 1080p native, and I currently output at 1080i from the HDMI. If I went down the component route this would still be output over HDMI to my panel.

Any views, and has anyone done any comparison between the two?

Cheers
Matt

It's quite subjective to a point and also will depend on how your display performs with HDMI and component. I have tried both component and HDMI on my 26" Samsung at 720p and 1080i and I can see a difference between the two. It's probably not that significant though. If you play DVD's through your Xbox then HDMI will upscale them where as component will not so that might be something to keep in mind. How you currently output sound from the Xbox may also be something to take into account.

[mparter]

Eurogamer did a review way back in June 2007 when the Elite first came out. As they mention, it's maybe not necessarily the difference between component and HDMI, but how well your particular TV/monitor can handle the conversion of analogue component to a digital signal, where as HDMI is pure digital.

Hardware Test: Xbox 360 Elite Review - Page 5 // Xbox 360 /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More

[Ethan040]

Ive got a Phillips 42in LCD and there is a slight difference it made it more sharper and brighter but now it makes me sit further back from the TV as it hurts my eyes if i watch it too long.

I only switched to HDMI as it was just easier with the one plug rather than 6.

[redporshe]

On my samsung T200HD the difference is visable. The dashboard looks alot sharper and the colours are better. But in games its not as noticable.

[GaMeTiMe]

For me HDMI made a huge difference, but i only have a 27" kinda budget HDTV and the component quality was AWFUL (extremely blurry)

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Moogle

I have tried both component and HDMI on my 26" Samsung at 720p and 1080i and I can see a difference between the two.

I'm surprised on a 26" inch set at more than 3 feet you can tell the difference between 480i and 1080p

[Smurfin]

Changed it over to component and to be honest...no difference....

[redmarkred]

I have a Sony 32"..... I can see no difference between between component and HDMI. It is definately down to the quality of your TV.

[Moogle]

Originally Posted by Miyazaki

I'm surprised on a 26" inch set at more than 3 feet you can tell the difference between 480i and 1080p

You should definitely be able to tell the difference between 480i and 1080p no matter what distance you sit at within reason. It's much harder to tell the difference between 720p, 1080i and 1080p unless you have a fairly large TV an/or are sitting pretty close.