I have a 720p TV, is it worth it to connect the DVD player to it with an HDMI, or should I just stick with red/white/yellow AV cables?

Why don't you try it and see for yourself.

HDMI would certainly be an upgrade from your composite cables. Does your player upconvert? If so, HDMI is definitely the way to go. If not, switching to component cables might be an option... but, you can find HDMI cables on Amazon dirt cheap, so why go half way?

Because I didn't want to buy the cable if it wasn't going to make much of a difference.

I appreciate the responses, I think I'll give it a try.

I was going to suggest Monoprice as always, but after checking on Amazon, they do have some cheap cables listed that are sold through some other vendors. If you're just going to buy one cable and nothing else, you would save money due to the cheaper shipping (Monoprice shipping starts at around $7 and increments a little with each additional item).

I don't know about the quality of such cables though. Monoprice's cables are reputable and often recommended.

I'm thinking it is worth a whole $7.00 to find out for yourself in your system to your eyes.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

To say HDMI will ALWAYS make a difference or will NEVER make a difference is silly. It is all about the set up and you.

Plus shipping, which would take it closer to $15. There's nothing wrong with getting feedback from people here who may have been in a similar situation. In fact, it's a big reason this forum exists.

To offer some constructive information, I'd ask the OP if his DVD player is capable of progressive output, or of upconversion.

The "red/white/yellow AV cables" will provide the worst picture quality of all the video options. If the OP's DVD player is capable of HDMI, then it would most certainly make a difference, to his or anyone else's eyes, assuming they aren't blind.

OP - is your DVD player capable of progressive output or upconversion?

If you're asking about an HDMI cable, I'd assume that your DVD player has HDMI output, which I don't believe it would have if it didn't upconvert? I haven't checked out all the recent players, so I could be wrong.

As mentioned, using the red/white/yellow cables will give you the worst possible quality from your DVD player, even on an SD TV. If your player upconverts, and HDMI cable will give you near HD quality out of an SD DVD.

It looks like $12.66 for a 6 ft cable shipped (to my zip) via Monoprice.

I bought an HDMI cable from http://www.mycablemart.com, and am very happy with it. But I was able to pick up locally to get around shipping charges.

I agree Salty, I can't imagine it not being a better picture.

But I guess my point is on something like that, a quick google would have answered that "most likely" there would be a improvement.

Having said that, the OP gave us such little information for all we know it is 32" tv that they sit 25 feet from. So indeed the difference likely be unnoticeable. Maybe I should have shown some patience and asked more questions to that end I'll add;

There is some debate as to what is better: HDMI or COMPONENT for the best video quality. However it is fairly widely accepted that both of these, are better then anything else. But again, "seeing" the difference will be up to the set up and individual. Also keep in mind that HDMI can carry both audio and video, so if your hooking only to a TV, you may not need another wire for the audio. If you are hooking to a surround receiver, then it will need to be a newer model to handle the audio. If your receiver cannot handle the audio over HDMI, then it will need two cords, HDMI for video and something like an optical for surround sound audio.

This can give you some options. In the living room, I have HDMI going directly to the TV. This gives me video and audio to the TV. I also have an optical going to the surround sound receiver. This way when watching a movie I can have full on surround sound. However if wife and kids just want to watch the news (or more likely one of their reality shows), they don't have to mess with the receiver, and just use the tv speakers.

What Sdallnct said.

Even though your TV isn't full 1080p; you will no doubt see a difference with a HDMI or COMPONENT cable. The picture will be more detailed and obviously your DVD player is an upconverting one because it has an HDMI option, so your DVDs will look fantastic. If the player has a good upconverting chip, the picture most DVDs will give out will rival the HD broadcasts.

I just tried it, and the difference is night and day! Thanks for all the responses!

However, it should be noted that most upconverting players will only upconvert via HDMI because of copy-protection issues. There are players that can get around this restriction for the component connection, but it usually involves a firmware hack.

Very good point. I always forget about that.

Thanks for the link. I need 50 feet for my HTR, months ago I saw about $5/foot.

I've been wanting to upgrade to an UpConvert player. I can now do it.

I use monoprice and their cables work very well. Works just as well as the Monster one I've tried that cost about $200.
Another place I have that I like is bluejeanscable

$200 is way to much for a freakin cable. Monoprice is what I've been looking for. Ordered my upconvert player from Amazon a few hours ago also. Now I'm thinking of upgrading my 4 year old Yamaha Reciever too.