Any difference in quality between HDMI and component?

Smurfin · 03-01-2009, 8:31 AM

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 · 03-01-2009, 8:42 AM

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 · 03-01-2009, 8:48 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-01-2009, 9:08 AM

Quote:

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 · 03-01-2009, 9:39 AM

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 · 03-01-2009, 10:16 AM

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 · 03-01-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

sparkymark75 · 03-01-2009, 11:25 AM

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 · 03-01-2009, 12:01 PM

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 · 03-01-2009, 12:40 PM

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.

Dibils · 03-01-2009, 2:32 PM

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 · 04-01-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

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 · 04-01-2009, 12:55 AM

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

redmarkred · 04-01-2009, 7:54 AM

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 · 04-01-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

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.

Paul_T · 04-01-2009, 12:38 PM

To my eyes the difference is minimal.

Seeing as I'm an HDMI port short on my TV I have to keep swapping cables over between the 360 and PS3 -The only time I've noticed an improvement with HDMI on the 360 is in a games menu system, text seems a little sharper - you'll be very hard pushed to notice anything in-game.

I'm of the school of thought that thinks the 360's HDMI is a shoddy afterthought - the PS3's HDMI output is just in a different league, that's not to say the 360's output is bad, but MS only included a HDMI port (and 1080p upscaling) so the 360's spec sheet read closer to PS3's.

Unless you really really want to use HDMI to upscale content to 1080p (another MS afterthought) then I wouldn't bother changing from Component

Just my 2p worth

Munkey Boy · 04-01-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_T

I'm of the school of thought that thinks the 360's HDMI is a shoddy afterthought - the PS3's HDMI output is just in a different league, that's not to say the 360's output is bad, but MS only included a HDMI port (and 1080p upscaling) so the 360's spec sheet read closer to PS3's.

Unless you really really want to use HDMI to upscale content to 1080p (another MS afterthought) then I wouldn't bother changing from Component

Just my 2p worth

I'd agree with this sentiment (though perhaps shoddy is too strong a description) - HDMI was not included for picture quality reasons, but instead to satisfy those people with TVs that didn't have component/VGA inputs (there can't be many of them though?) and make sure people that make the assumption that HDMI = HD don't think the 360 isn't HD. 99 times out of 100, component will serve you just fine.

bommic · 04-01-2009, 2:19 PM

so if you have the non-elite xbox 360 it sounds like most here would not recommend getting one of these to convert to HDMI?

Component to HDMI Converter for Xbox 360 / PS2 / Wii / NTL / Virgin Media / DVD Player / Sky TV / Satellite TV etc.., HDMICONVERTER

and... sorry to hijack the thread.. but how does vga cmpare to component or HDMI?

Munkey Boy · 04-01-2009, 2:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommic

so if you have the non-elite xbox 360 it sounds like most here would not recommend getting one of these to convert to HDMI?

Component to HDMI Converter for Xbox 360 / PS2 / Wii / NTL / Virgin Media / DVD Player / Sky TV / Satellite TV etc.., HDMICONVERTER

HDMI does not inherently have better picture quality than VGA or component, and the only reason to go to the lengths of having such a converter would be because your TV only accepts HD resolutions that way as opposed to component or VGA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommic

and... sorry to hijack the thread.. but how does vga cmpare to component or HDMI?

Depends on which input your TV handles best.

There is no black & white, catch-all answer to this question, have a search through the forum and you see this question being asked every few days. All depends on your TV, and quite often personal opinion.

JusR23 · 04-01-2009, 7:35 PM

I've tried both with my elite and to be honest I can't see a difference (I'm bad for picture quality, it took me 2 weeks to set my tv up when I first had it.....god I love service menus) but that may be down to my tv as I've noticed a difference with my neices tv (budget jobbie from argos).
So I must say its down to what suits you the best.

Paul_T · 04-01-2009, 9:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommic

so if you have the non-elite xbox 360 it sounds like most here would not recommend getting one of these to convert to HDMI?

Component to HDMI Converter for Xbox 360 / PS2 / Wii / NTL / Virgin Media / DVD Player / Sky TV / Satellite TV etc.., HDMICONVERTER

and... sorry to hijack the thread.. but how does vga cmpare to component or HDMI?

Unless I misunderstand - why would you need a component > hdmi converter for a 360 when both are options out of the box?

I've tried all 3 connections - I'd say HDMI is a best all rounder but if you want to upgrade your console simply for this connection then I'd say it's not worth it.

As for VGA, the cable I tried was not an official one from MS, and it's commonly acknowledged that 3rd party vga cables for the 360 are mostly naff (mine was a fiver from ebay). As for PQ, VGA is supposed to give sharper images than component but has slightly paler colours. I still use the cable though as I have a 2nd 360 hooked up to my computer monitor.

Also note that VGA doesn't carry sound so make sure your tv has a phono inputs for the audio.

Moogle · 04-01-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_T

Unless I misunderstand - why would you need a component > hdmi converter for a 360 when both are options out of the box?

HDMI is not an option on all 360's only the newer ones. Maybe he doesn't have a spare component or VGA and needs to use HDMI but his 360 does not have an HDMI output.

MarkyPancake · 05-01-2009, 9:48 AM

Every TV handles each input differently so VGA might look the best on one TV but HDMI might look better on another etc.

Personally, I don't like the component picture, it looks jaggy and has overscan. I've been using VGA on my Samsung LE32R41BD for over two years and have never looked back, unless I've had a 50 Hz issue, I even prefer VGA to the 1080p HDMI picture on my other 360 and Sony KDL-40L4000. I can't figure out what it is about the VGA and Samsung combination but it just looks nicer than the HDMI and Sony combination (I'm going to try a VGA cable with the Sony). Like I said though, how the display device handles the different inputs is a big part of the outcome.

Geordiepete · 05-01-2009, 10:24 AM

No real difference for me, i've stuck with component just cause I have an optical lead into my amp for sound.

bommic · 05-01-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moogle

HDMI is not an option on all 360's only the newer ones. Maybe he doesn't have a spare component or VGA and needs to use HDMI but his 360 does not have an HDMI output.

yes thats right, no hdmi on my xbox... i thought it was only the elite that has this

sdb123 · 05-01-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bommic

yes thats right, no hdmi on my xbox... i thought it was only the elite that has this

It was the Elite however now includes all new 360's.

bommic · 05-01-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

Every TV handles each input differently so VGA might look the best on one TV but HDMI might look better on another etc.

Personally, I don't like the component picture, it looks jaggy and has overscan. I've been using VGA on my Samsung LE32R41BD for over two years and have never looked back, unless I've had a 50 Hz issue, I even prefer VGA to the 1080p HDMI picture on my other 360 and Sony KDL-40L4000. I can't figure out what it is about the VGA and Samsung combination but it just looks nicer than the HDMI and Sony combination (I'm going to try a VGA cable with the Sony). Like I said though, how the display device handles the different inputs is a big part of the outcome.

thanks I have just bought a samsung so will test with vga (already have leads somewhere) before forking out for the hdmi convertor thingy

Chrisoldinho · 05-01-2009, 12:26 PM

My Samsung LE32A457 PQ was truly awful out of the box even with a Component lead in and especially via VGA (my 360 doesn't have HDMI).

I have sat literally for about 2 hours fettling and I am finally very pleased with the PQ via Component running at 720p now.

The difference between HDMI and Component is negligable and comes down to how your TV handles both formats however one thing I am 110% certain of, both will look a lot better once you have calibrated them.

Finally, I invested in a Monster Component Cable for my 360 which I know is a debatable purchase but honestly on my TV anyway, it certainly has better brightness and contrast levels now than before and colours seem more vivid without affecting black levels. Possibly a mixture of the placebo effect in there i'm sure but i'm very pleased I spent £20 on it now.

Chris.