HDMI to Component

Several people a day are searching for an interconnection solution by trying to connect HDMI to Component outputs through a cable for their high-definition equipment. Unfortunately, this isn't a matter of rearranging wires and having the right type of connector. There is a fundamental analog versus digital incompatibility problem similar to the upcoming digital broadcast TV switchover versus your current rabbit ears that receive analog broadcast signals. They aren't compatible and leave people confused just like the poor fellow in the commercial.

Analog and Digital Signals are Completely Different

Component video is based on an analog format. With analog signals, the voltage signal on the wire is in a wave format and how the wave changes in height is what is important. Theoretically it has an infinite number of values between zero and the maximum, somewhat like the variable windshield wipers I had on an old Thunderbird. With the HDMI or DVI format, these are based on digital signaling. Digital as you probably have heard, uses ones and zeros with a series of pulses all at the same height and they are either present or missing. At the other end, processing equipment reassembles the information. In a 4-bit binary coding, you can have 1 of 16 different values as 4 1's and 0's assembled as a group can have 16 different combinations. So equipment at the other end of the cable that is detecting signals and looking for analog sine waves would put out total gibberish if it just received pulses of 1's and 0's.

So What Are the Alternative?

Some solutions are very easy. If an HDMI or DVI output is available on both boxes, use those. The difference between DVI and HDMI is that HDMI caries the audio in addition to the video signals. But DVI is just as good and other than the expense of an extra audio cable, that will solve your problem. If you were trying to use the Component outputs because you already had the HDMI port tied up, they make HDMI switch boxes that are fairly inexpensive where you can plug multiple HDMI cables in on one side with one output on the other.

If you are trying to convert Component to HDMI because you heard HDMI is superior to Component cables, not so fast. There are several studies and arguments that show while HDMI cables and digital in theory might be superior, because there are so many potential conversions between different lines of resolution and formats from the origination of the signal until it finally is displayed on your TV, sometimes Component connections end up delivering a better signal and picture. This is especially true when cable lengths start exceeding 25 feet. So if you have the option, try both types of cables and see which one delivers the best picture.

If you are totally stuck for some reason and must convert from Component to HDMI cable, they do make converter boxes but they typically cost over $200. But if you are going the opposite way, even with these boxes you can run into High Definition Content Protection content protection restrictions and not be able to view HDCP protected sources.

So hopefully your HDMI to Component solution is simple to solve with one of the above HDMI or Component cable solutions. Or if all else fails, it makes a great excuse to go out and upgrade your equipment!

About the Author:
Vic Metten spends his days finding the best Buy hdmi cable and dvi-d cable for his clients. As a home theater system installer, Vic can hook up any system with an HDMI cable, a component video cable, or a dvi cable. He even knows the best places to buy an hdmi cable or component cable. After all, it's all part of the job.