I'm considering buying a second HD-DVD machine when the prices come down this holiday season to use with my older SONY XBR, which is a Cathode Ray TV. It doesn't have HDMI inputs, just component. Is there a converter I can use so I can accept HDMI coming in from an HD-DVD machine? Or, is component enough? What about upconversion of standard discs - would that be compromised without the HDMI?

Thanks!

Regular DVD's will not upconvert over component, but there is no HDMI-->component converter. That said, there is no disadvantage to using component outs for HD material. It looks just as great as output from HDMI.

No, because it's different technology. HDMI is digital and Component is analog. DVI can carry analog, but not HDMI. I suppose there could be a separate box that could do on the fly conversions, but I'm not sure the quality would be what you want.

HDMI is encrypted with HDCP copy protection. It cannot be converted to analog Component video.

Going off that, there are HDMI --> DVI convert cables, and there are DVI --> component cables. I've never tried it, but would that just give you a big blank screen or could it work?

It wouldn't work because you lose HDCP along the chain. Blank screen ahoy.

No, because DVI has 2 different formats - analog and digital version. Well, 3 if you count DVI-I that does both. The DVI --> component cables are the analog versions, where the DVI-->HDMI is the digital version. So, if you try and connect those 2 cables together, you won't get anything.

As other have said, HDMI is a preferred all digital format since it can carry copy protection, whereas analog cannot.

I think this thread answers my question, but just to make sure -

I do not have any HDMI inputs on my TV, just component. If I understand it correctly, there is NO way to upconvert my standard DVDs, right? I would HAVE to have an HDMI connection?

Correct, the DVD Forum requires that DVD upconversion be restricted to HDMI.

Thanks for the quick reply, Josh Z!

I guess I can use that as an excuse to get a new TV, but damn, the thing is only five years old, AND we dropped a good amount of cash on it. Decisions, decisions.

See how it looks via component before making that decision. My set enhanced the picture pretty well on its own before I ran HDMI. If SD movies look noticeably bad to you, then consider a set with HDMI. But as a second set it may very well be sufficient if your budget could use a rest. SD DVD never looked "bad" to begin with in my opinion so I'm not sure it's worth updating your set for the up-conversion. You can still enjoy HD content in all its glory.

Does it have a vga connection? You might be able to use that if you do.

Just to clarify, you're saying your SD DVDs were enhanced via component? Do you have an HD player or just a standard one that upconverts?

That's just it, our SD movies look great to us as they are now, but I haven't seen anything in HD other than a few clips in the stores. I guess my worry is buying an HD player and HD movies and being wowed by the quality, but then going back to watch any of our SD discs and now feeling like they look crummy. I have no plans to upgrade my entire collection, but I don't want a handful of awesome-looking movies and a ton that just look ok. I thought upconverting was my way around that, but without any HDMI ports....

I am very hesitant to repurchase SD movies myself they look so good upconverted. Only the "premiere" titles on my favorites list that I know I will watch many times over.

Now, if you're not talking upconverted... I still don't personally feel that it's worth it, but everyone's priorities and budget are different. Remember, DVD quality isn't "bad." But HD does look pretty sweet. I would rather save my money for new releases in HD and get my money's worth for ones I already own. You own them for a reason. If you're not going to continue to watch them, might as well rent. I have to know I will watch a movie a lot of times to justify a $20+ HD purchase and even more so if I already purchased it in the past.

As for the set, yes some have built-in conversion for all content that is put into them. Some are better than others and it's still not as good as HDMI but in some cases not far off. Mine is a Samsung DLP and it did a great job with SD content. I researched a little and found this one to be good at it... I can't speak to any other brands or types.

Give it a shot and see what you think. You might be happy with what you have, you might feel the urge to upgrade. But do remember that even upconverted HD will never look as good as true HD so you can't be expecting that when you try component.

Just determine if it's worth a new TV.

For the price of that new TV you could repurchase a whole lot of SD movies in HD and get a better result on your current set than upconverting on a new one.

I don't know if it's legal, but there's a DVI/HDMI to RGB converter that CRT projectors owners were waiting for
and it works for vga, RGBHV and Barco port3 inputs :



# INPUT: DVI-D 24p FEMALE Input Port (100% digital) (An HDMI -> DVI-D cable is used to connect to an HDMI source)
# OUTPUT: RGBHV MALE D-SUB 15 (VGA) Output port (video analog signal, 0,7Vpp over 75 ohms impedance)
# Directly connects to the VGA input of your display device. A choice of breakout cable is offered at no additional cost if you wish to use BNC's or Barco Port3 (DB9).
# RGB 4:4:4 (8 bits) digital input (every HDMI source MUST be RGB 4:4:4 compatible)
# Compatible with non-HDCP or HDCP encrypted sources
# Compatible with any RGB Display
# Installs in seconds (Plug&Play)
# 10 bits 175MHz triple video DAC - Inter-DAC : 2%
# Ultra short Analog links (<1 cm) on RGB lines for optimal 1080p quality
# DVI video bandwidth in VGA/RGB outputs: 25-165MHz
# DVI Data Rate - Bandwidth 1.65 Gbps (Single link)
# Maximum resolutions: UWXGA (1920x1200) at 60Hz or SXGA (1280x1024) at 85Hz Computer compatible (PC, Mac)
# Supports *ANY* resolution and refresh rate (as long as you stay below the 165Mhz pixel clock limit). In other words, 1080i/72, 1080i/96, 1080p/60, 720p/60 are all supported as well as 1080p/24Hz. 1080p/72 is just slightly above the 165Mhz limit, but you could reduce the horizontal resolution slightly to 1770x1080@72 at the source or using a scaler. With a good scaler, it is unlikely you would ever notice the 1920->1770 reduction.
# HDTV ready (480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p/48/50/60Hz compatible).
# DVI1.0 compliant / HDMI interoperable and HDCP ready
# HD-DVD and Blue Ray Disc players compatible
# PS3 and XBox360 Elite compatible
# HDCP compatible with embedded keys loaded
# Energy management : DVI et VESA DPMS compatible
# Ultra low power consumption in Standby (3,5mA)
# Maximum power : 0.4A under 5V (at 165MHz pixel clock)
# On-board DC/DC converter (15V to 5V) with extra-low EMI signature
# The +5VDC power is taken directly from the DVI/HDMI line. The optional +5VDC input may be used by providing an external power supply for HDMI cables that are over 5 meters (16 feet).
# Blue LED to display active digital link (the HDFury logo lights up!)
# Low cost solution – Single IC solution
# Small size : 75x56mm black cabinet (Aluminum/plastic/chrome case)
# Installation: the HDfury module is DIRECTLY screwed to the back of the display (into the VGA SUB-D plug or into the 5-BNC connectors or Barco DB9 plug by using one of the extender cables)
# Shortest RGB analog video link as possible
# HDCP rules compliant as there is no end-user access to decrypted analog video once the unit is screwed in place as this module becomes "a part of the display itself"
# Professional factory made (mass-production) using pick/place and reflow/wave solder pro equipment.
# Gold Platted connectors, tracks and material
# EDID detective feature: The EDID eprom can be reprogrammed by your computer through the graphics card ! (for professional users only)
# Warranty: 1 year from the manufacturer (see your invoice for contact information)