Tech Hut

Every day many people are searching through their high-definition equipment for an interconnection solution by trying to connect HDMI to Component outputs. Unfortunately, this is not a matter of rearranging wires and then having the correct type of connector needed. There is a basic problem with incompatibility in analog versus digital. This problem is much like the transition to digital broadcast TV, which is coming soon, versus rabbit ears which receive analog signals. They are not compatible and leave individuals confused like the poor person in the TV commercial.

Component video is based on an analog format. With analog signals, the voltage signals with the system’s wire are in a particular wave format, and how the wave changes in height is what is important. In theory, it has an infinite number of values between zero and the maximum allowed, like the variable windshield wipers I used to have on an old Thunderbird.

The formats based on digital signaling are HDMI or DVI. Digital data, as you might have heard, just has ones and zeros with a sequence of pulses all at the same level, and they are either totally present or totally missing. The data is then reassembled on the other side using processing equipment. In a 4-bit binary code, you can have one of sixteen different values as four 1s and 0s assembled with a group could be sixteen different combinations. If the pulses received are 1s and 0s, the equipment that detects signals for analog equipment and looks for analog sine waves cannot function properly because they are speaking two different languages.

Often solutions to this problem are quite simple, however. If an output is available, you should use an HDMI or DVI on both boxes. The difference between HDMI and DVI is HDMI carries the audio as well as the video signals. A DVI cable will resolve the issue just as well, with the added expense of an audio cable. In the event that you fall back on component outputs because your HDMI ports are already occupied, you might want to consider using inexpensive HDMI switch boxes that take input from multiple HDMI cables.

If you want to convert Component to HDMI because you heard HDMI is better than Component cables, you need to think twice. There is data backing the assertion that, although HDMI cables in theory offer a superior picture, in reality, given the conversions between resolutions and display formats, component connections often end up delivering a better signal to the television. This is particularly true when dealing with cables longer than 25 feet. So, if you have the option, try both kinds of cables to find out which one delivers the best picture available.

If you’re completely stuck for some reason and must change from Component to HDMI cable, they do make converter boxes, but those boxes usually sell for $200+. However, if you go the other way, you can run into High Definition Content Protection restrictions and not see HDCP protected sources.

With any luck, your HDMI to Component solution will be an easy fix using one of the solutions discussed above. If not, at least you have a good reason to purchase better gear!

For Xbox 360 HD TV Component AV A/V Cable Premium HDTV $6.49

NEW FOR MICROSOFT XBOX 360 COMPONENT HD HDTV AV CABLE $6.49

COMPONENT AV TV HDTV CABLE FOR SONY PSP SLIM 2000/3000 $4.99

NEW COMPONENT 480P AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII HDTV TV $5.05

HIGH DEFINITION HD COMPONENT AV CABLE 480p for Wii HDTV $5.12

6 FT VGA to RCA 3 COMPONENT VIDEO CABLE FOR PC TV HDTV $4.99

FOR MICROSOFT XBOX 360 COMPONENT HD HDTV AV CABLE NEW $6.49

Component HD AV Video Cable 480P for Wii Game System $5.12

Monster Cable Component+Blk Silicone Case For PS3 Slim $15.99

NEW GOLD Component AV Cable 480p for HDTV Wii Nintendo $5.12

For PC HD TV LCD RGB 12 FT VGA to 3 RCA Component Cable $7.59

Premium AV TV HD Component Cable For Sony PSP GO $6.79

NEW For Nintendo Wii 480p Component Cable HDTV High Def $5.12

For Nintendo Wii Remote Skin + AV Video Component Cable $6.49

NEW COMPONENT VIDEO AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII HDTV $0.49

For SONY PS2 PS3 HD TV HDTV COMPONENT AV VIDEO CABLE $4.99

HDTV Component Cable for Nintendo Wii AV GOLD 480p NEW $5.12

For MICROSOFT XBOX 360 HDTV HD Component Cable Cord NEW $6.49

AV Component Cable +USB Ethernet RJ45 Connector for Wii $19.54

HDTV Component Cable AV GOLD 480p for Nintendo Wii NEW $5.12

HDTV HD Component Cable Cord For MICROSOFT XBOX 360 NEW $6.49

HDTV Component Cable for Nintendo Wii AV GOLD 480p NEW $5.12

Component HD AV Cable HDAV Video Cord For Nintendo WII $5.12

Component HDTV AV High Defini AV Cable For Nintendo Wii $5.12

FOR NINTENDO WII AV AUDIO VIDEO COMPONENT HD CABLE HDTV $5.12

Microsoft XBOX 360 Component HD AV Cable New! $14.99

2 X VGA TO 3 RCA COMPONENT CABLE 6FT FOR HD LCD PLASMA $10.04

6 FT 6FT HDTV 5 RCA COMPONENT VIDEO GOLD PLATED CABLE $7.49

HD AV COMPONENT CABLE FOR HDTV MICROSOFT XBOX 360 US $6.49

DVI-I TO 3 RCA COMPONENT RGB CABLE ADAPTER FOR HDTV 6FT $8.03

Premium Video AV Component Cable Cord for Nintendo Wii $5.05

Component AV Video Cable + Skin for Wii Remote Nunchuk $6.74

For Nintendo Wii Remote Skin + AV Video Component Cable $6.74

For Nintendo Wii HDTV Component Cable AV GOLD 480p NEW $5.12

NEW Component AV Video Cable + AC Power Adapter for Wii $19.81

COMPONENT 480P AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII HDTV TV NEW $5.60

NEW HDTV HD COMPONENT CABLE CORD FOR MICROSOFT XBOX 360 $6.49

FOR NINTENDO WII AV AUDIO VIDEO COMPONENT CABLE HDTV $5.12

Component HD High Definition HDTV AV Cable for Xbox 360 $6.49

L415 Component Video Cable HDTV EDTV for Wii Console $0.99

Component HD Cable for PS2 Playstation 2/PS3 HDTV NEW $4.99

High Definition Component AV Video Cable Cord for Wii $5.12

NEW Tripp Lite Component Video Gold Cable A008-012 $19.45

10FT 3-RCA Video Component RGB to DVI Cable For Blu-Ray $11.94

480P HD Component AV Cable for Nintendo Wii Game System $5.12

FOR MICROSOFT XBOX 360 COMPONENT HD HDTV AV CABLE NEW $6.49

For Microsoft Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable $6.49

COMPONENT HD AV HDTV CABLE FOR MICROSOFT XBOX 360 NEW $6.49

NEW COMPONENT VIDEO AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII HDTV $0.49

3 RCA RGB Component Video Splitter Cable - 1 M to 2 F $7.24

HD RGB Audio Video AV Component Cable for Nintendo Wii $5.05

Component HD TV Audio Video AV Cable for Nintendo Wii $5.12

Component HD AV Cable 480P for Nintendo Wii Game System $5.05

3FT VGA HD15 to RCA Component Cable For Laptop LCD TV $4.05

S0NY Component Video Cable VMC-15VC VMC-30VC to HD TV $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-CX6 HDR-CX6K HDR-CX7 UX1 $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR SR1E SR5E SR7E HC1E HC3E $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR HC5E HC7E HC9E CX6E CX6E $27.99

GENUINE XBOX 360 HDAV HD Component Cable BRAND NEW $2.30

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-FX1E FX7E GV-HD700E $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-HC5 HDR-HC7 HDR-HC9 CX6 $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-SR8 HDR-HC1 HDR-HC3 HC5 $27.99

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-UX7 HDR-FX1 HDR-FX7 FX7E $27.99

For Nintendo Wii Remote Skin + AV Video Component Cable $6.74

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR CX7E UX1E UX3E UX5E UX7E $27.99

25 FEET 5-RCA COMPONENT AUDIO VIDEO CABLE FOR HDTV DVD $19.99

COMPONENT HD AV HIGH DEFINITION HDTV CABLE FOR XBOX 360 $0.99

HD Component AV Cable For Sony PSP Slim Lite 2000 3000 $4.99

6 FT 6FT HDTV 5 RCA COMPONENT VIDEO GOLD PLATED CABLE $7.49

S0NY Component Video Cable HDR-SR1 HDR-SR5 HDR-SR7 SR8 $27.99

480P HDTV COMPONENT VIDEO AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII $5.12

For MICROSOFT XBOX 360 HDTV HD Component Cable Cord NEW $6.49

High Definition Component AV Video Cable Cord for Wii $5.12

FOR XBOX 360 COMPONENT HD AV HIGH DEFINITION HDTV CABLE $0.99

3-RCA Component RGB To DVI Cable For HDTV LCD PC 10FT $11.94

HD Component AV Cable Remote Nunchuk Charger for Wii $31.51

6 FT VGA/HD15/RGB to 3 RCA COMPONENT FOR TV/HDTV CABLE $4.99

Dual Remote Charger+AV Component Cable For Nintendo Wii $12.79

For PS2 PS3 Monster Component Gamelink HD Cable 10FT $13.98

For PSP Go Data Cable AV Component EVA Case AC Charger $14.99

NEW HDTV COMPONENT CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII AV GOLD 480P! $5.12

For Sony PS3 Slim Blk Soft Case+Monster Component Cable $15.99

NEW 3 RCA RGB Component Video Splitter Cable 1M 2F GOLD $7.24

Component HD AV Cable 480P for Nintendo Wii Game System $5.12

For Computer VGA to HDTV RGB Component Video Cable 3' $4.05

25FT 5-RCA COMPONENT HD CABLE FOR BLURAY DVD LCD PLASMA $19.99

New VGA to 3 RCA Component AV Cable For PC RGB LCD HDTV $0.01

Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable-NEW $9.99

Component AV Cable for Nintendo Wii HD LCD HDTV - 480p $5.12

NEW HDTV Component High Def AV Cable For Sony PS2 PS3 $4.99

3 FT VGA to 3 RCA Component Cable For PC RGB HD TV LCD $4.99

6FT VGA to 3 RCA RGB Component Cable for PC TV HDTV LCD $4.99

12Ft Premium VGA to RCA Component Video Cable For PC TV $7.59

HDTV Component AV Gold Cable 480p for Nintendo Wii NEW $5.12

3' VGA to RCA Component Cable Male For PC LCD Projector $4.99

For PS2 PS3 HDTV-READY TV HD COMPONENT AV CABLE 5-WIRE $4.99

Premium HDTV HD AV Component Cable For SONY PSP 3000 $4.99

New HDTV 480p Gold Component AV Cable for Nintendo Wii $5.12

New Sony Playstation 2 & PS3 Gold HDTV Component Cable $4.95

NEW COMPONENT VIDEO AV HD CABLE FOR NINTENDO WII HDTV $0.49

OmniMount TRIAP Adjustable 3 Shelf Wall System w/ Cable Management $149.95 - Do-it-yourself solution that neatly organizes components under flat panel without the need to run the connections through wall- 3 fully adjustable shelves at 1 increments- 6mm tempered glass shelves- Max shelf capacity: 30 lbs- Single-stud mounting- Integrated cable management hides wires- Paintable & trimable covers- Easy to install- Can be used with or without flat panel- Dim: 50"H x 17.5"W x ...

Omnimount Echo A3 Echo Component Tower $249.95 ECHO A3 With unique and contemporary designs, the Moda Collection of home theater furniture strikes an ideal balance of aesthetics and functionality. Each piece in the line which includes tables, wall shelves and wall furnigture is designed with ample space for components and cable management with an emphasis on high design. Ideal as a standalone piece or as a companion to the Echo 50 or 63, ...

6' VGA to 5 RCA Component Cable Steren 253-606IV $10.57 RGB plus V and HDB HD15 to 5 RCAHome theater and HDTV compatible 24k gold-plated connectors 6'...

Belkin 7.5-Inch Cable Ties - Multicolored (52 Pieces) $2.99 Main FeaturesManufacturer: Belkin Corporation.Manufacturer Part Number: F8E625-CManufacturer Website Address: www.belkin.comPackaged Quantity: 52Package Type: RetailProduct Type: Cable TieDimensions: 8" Depth...

Extech 40180 Tone Generator and Amplifier Probe Circuit Finder Kit $38.88 Heavy duty kit with audible tone easily identifies wires or cables...

Component Video Coupler $0.01 Component Video Coupler...

Bell Telephone Company: Underground Cable (1940s) [DVD] $9.99 Underground Cable, a creation of Bell Telephone Company, outlines efforts to waterproof underground cable around the San Francisco Bay area. Some basic engineering principals are explained as well as the importance of keeping below ground wiring dry....

Early Television Electronics and Historical Production Movie: Magic in the Air DVD (1941) $4.99 Listen closely to the narrator in this 1941 film, and you will learn a load of information about the invention of the television. A great informational video, Magic in the Air will teach you the basics of this cinematic novelty, from its basic functions to different techniques directors use to get the best shot. With the emergence of such a discovery, people all over the country were able to enjoy...

Belkin F3U133-10 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Cable (10 Feet) $0.01 You've purchased the USB printer of your dreams, but faulty wiring keeps sending it error filled data. A Belkin Pro Series USB device cable will keep those dream machines error free. Lets you interface an USB device to an USB hub, PC or Mac. This cable features high performance 20-gauge power wires that allow you to maximize the full potential of USB....

Belkin Audio Y Cable Splitter 1-Mini Plug/2-RCA Plugs (6ft) $10.95 This Y Audio Cable allows you to connect multimedia devices (such as stereo speakers and CD-ROMs) to your PC's sound card. It is also ideal for connecting mini-stereo components to stereo equipment. Simply connect the mini-stereo plug to your mini-stereo sound card jack (or mini-stereo device). Then, slide the RCA plugs into appropriate jacks on your multimedia devices (or stereo equipment). Main ...