How much better is HDMI?

riddler · 26 May 2008 at 13:43

I'm currently using an original premium cable with my 360, how much better would my picture be if I went for HDMI?

Currently playing on a Hannspree 32" 1080p btw.

R0B75 · 26 May 2008 at 13:47

Well IMO its much better than component (loads of jaggies) and marginally better than VGA (slightly better colour), however, it depends on the TV.

You might find it worse than component for example. Just try it and see. A HDMI cable is only a tenner.

Phemo · 26 May 2008 at 13:51

Yeah it all depends on your TV, only way to find out really is to try it for yourself. I have a Samsung 32 inch and I have two 360s - one is a UK console hooked up via HDMI and the other is a USA console hooked up via component. I personally cannot tell any difference between the two.

NokkonWud · 26 May 2008 at 13:52

Well, for a start you can use 1080p with HDMI.
It depends on the set though.

weringo · 26 May 2008 at 13:54

Depends how good your tv's component input is, if it handles component well, the different between than and HDMI is pretty much unnoticeable.

Phemo · 26 May 2008 at 13:56

NokkonWud said:
Well, for a start you can use 1080p with HDMI.
It depends on the set though.

You can do 1080p via component also. Problem is that a lot of TVs can't accept it. On a supported TV though, 1080p via component is perfectly possible.

wedgie · 26 May 2008 at 13:58

Phemo said:
You can do 1080p via component also. Problem is that a lot of TVs can't accept it. On a supported TV though, 1080p via component is perfectly possible.

Unless you want to upscale DVD's that is.

Phemo · 26 May 2008 at 13:59

wedgie said:
Unless you want to upscale DVD's that is.

Aye, fair point. Only HDMI and VGA can do DVD upscaling.

i-bert · 26 May 2008 at 13:59

R0B75 said:
Well IMO its much better than component (loads of jaggies) .

I've never understood why people say this.

If a game doesn't use AA, then the jaggies are there and there is nothing you can do about it, and all HDMI is going to do is make them show up much worse.

Or am i talking complete crap?

R0B75 · 26 May 2008 at 14:01

i-bert said:
I've never understood why people say this.

If a game doesn't use AA, then the jaggies are there and there is nothing you can do about it, and all HDMI is going to do is make them show up much worse.

Or am i talking complete crap?

No not really, you are right to a degree. However, the difference between component and vga/HDMI on my tv is significant where jaggies are concerned. Therefore my component is poo.

Kreeeee · 26 May 2008 at 14:18

i-bert said:
I've never understood why people say this.

If a game doesn't use AA, then the jaggies are there and there is nothing you can do about it, and all HDMI is going to do is make them show up much worse.

Or am i talking complete crap?

You are talking crap as VGA and HDMI typically have no overscan = less jaggies.

Mlingard · 26 May 2008 at 15:12

Having tried all 3 with my samsung tv i still think vga looks the best and hdmi and component seem to give a similar picture but this is my opinion with my tv .

Amnesia · 26 May 2008 at 16:14

depends on the t.v
component and hdmi are worlds apart on mine...one is crystal clear with nice vivid colours and the other is blurry with washed out colours

KittensCake · 26 May 2008 at 16:35

Depends on the TV, you just have to try it. You can get a decent HDMI cable for £3.50 from a certain place.

Kainz · 26 May 2008 at 17:22

Mlingard said:
Having tried all 3 with my samsung tv i still think vga looks the best and hdmi and component seem to give a similar picture but this is my opinion with my tv .

Ditto. On my R87 Samsung HDMI looks worse off than VGA. I still use the former though but HDMI still looks too sharp and pronounced compared to VGA. Depends on the TV I guess going on experience.

lewism · 26 May 2008 at 17:43

i noticed a bit of an improvement when i went from scart to hmdi. less ghosting.

Kreeeee · 26 May 2008 at 18:03

lewism said:
i noticed a bit of an improvement when i went from scart to hmdi. less ghosting.

You need glasses.

Soulja · 26 May 2008 at 18:12

Mlingard said:
Having tried all 3 with my samsung tv i still think vga looks the best and hdmi and component seem to give a similar picture but this is my opinion with my tv .

VGA was better on my old sammy F71 also. I found that HDMI & Component has a lot of jaggies compared to VGA

Phemo · 26 May 2008 at 18:28

lewism said:
i noticed a bit of an improvement when i went from scart to hmdi. less ghosting.

So you only noticed a bit of an improvement moving from SD to HD? It should be a vast improvement - since moving to an HDMI setup have you set the res up from default 480p?

WatchTower · 26 May 2008 at 23:29

I found I get a better picture with my VGA cable on my LCD monitor than I get with my 24 gold plated HDMI cable on my Dads HD TV down stairs. I thought HDMI was suppose to be better but I was wrong.