HDTV inputs

DaMunk · Aug 23, 2005

can anyone help explain the differences between HDMI and DVI inputs?

Lower priced models seem to have DVI and standard A/V inputs where more expensive units have DVI, component and HDMI inputs. Is there a better picture? Clearer signal?

guamster · Aug 23, 2005

Crutchfield is a good source for HD information.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are especially beneficial if you're using a "fixed-pixel" display (like a plasma, LCD, DLP, or LCoS TV). Since these cables permit the video signal to remain in digital form all the way to the screen, you avoid the slight picture degradation that can come with translating the signal from digital to analog, and back.
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HDMI and DVI are the two main options for digital video connections and either cable type will theoretically provide the better picture than component, S-Video or composite connections.

Both DVI and HDMI cables can carry standard-definition and high-definition digital video signals. HDMI is also capable of carrying 2 to 8 discrete channels of digital audio (depending on the capabilities of the source component).
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The difference between the two digital video cables is that HDMI also carries multi-channel digital audio. If you use DVI, you will need to use an optical cable or a coaxial digital cable for your audio connection. The extra audio cable is not necessary with HDMI.