My new DVD player...CABLES?!?!?

BottlesOf · #1 10-19-2005, 01:06 PM

So I recently bought a new dvd player, my previous one was like 5 years old, so I wanted one that would project a gangster image on my HDTV.

I found the right player and it was only like 110/120, so I was pleased, as I thought I'd be spending more. So I hook it up and realize it only has the crappy red/white/yellow analog cables.

I need the RGB component or HDMI cable. I go to BB b/c i have some of my gift card left, but the HDMI cable he shows me is some Monster cable for $150!!!!!!!!!

So my questions are these: Do I need monster cables? Is there a cheaper alternative that has practically the same quality? I have an HDTV but it's not top of the line. I will spend some money to make my DVD image look good, but i'm not an AVphile.

Do I need to go HDMI at all or will the component do the trick?

How much should I be planning on spending, what are my options here?

All input (except analog) appreciated.

astroglide · #2 10-19-2005, 01:12 PM

http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...231&style=

IndieMatty · #3 10-19-2005, 01:14 PM

If these are the cables JBB, ignore my PM.

BottlesOf · #4 10-19-2005, 01:21 PM

Thanks all!

Wow astro, the 6' cable is like <$20. Was I really gona pay 150 for what 20 gives me? that's nuts.

I'm a little unclear on which specific one I should get, but I will go home and look at the connections.

Also, what are "ferrites and net jacket?" Think I should pay the small premium for them?

gmrankin · #5 10-19-2005, 01:31 PM

may be mistaken but unless your dvd player is a upconversion dvd player the best picture you can get is with the component cables (DVDs are at 720p -i think- and HDTV is 1080i). now if you are hooking up you HD cable box you need the hdmi or dvi cables (whichever one your box/tv supports). If you want true HD DVDs you need a specfic player that upconverts the resplution to 1080i, they have them at BB, just ask the salesperson. And on a side note, i got a 6' HDMI cable at radio shack for $50.00. maybe check there, sometimes i need instant gratification so mail order won't always work for me. later

BottlesOf · #6 10-19-2005, 01:40 PM

I'm pretty sure mine has upconversion here's why:

There's a little thing on the front that alllows me to select 1080i. Plus when I went to BB I aske dthe guy to explain the difference between the two most expensive single disc playing players. He said the only real difference was that the LG one had some slot for uploading digital photos? But that picture quality wouldn't differ. So I went with the second most expensive.

gmrankin · #7 10-19-2005, 01:46 PM

makes sence... it probably wouldn't have HDMI hookups if it was able to utlize HD. Check out radio shack, they have sales on their cables pretty often

johnnycakes · #8 10-19-2005, 03:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
may be mistaken but unless your dvd player is a upconversion dvd player the best picture you can get is with the component cables (DVDs are at 720p -i think- and HDTV is 1080i). now if you are hooking up you HD cable box you need the hdmi or dvi cables (whichever one your box/tv supports). If you want true HD DVDs you need a specfic player that upconverts the resplution to 1080i, they have them at BB, just ask the salesperson. And on a side note, i got a 6' HDMI cable at radio shack for $50.00. maybe check there, sometimes i need instant gratification so mail order won't always work for me. later

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh, this is a little off.
First, all DVDs are standard def.
There is currently no such thing as a "HD DVD"
DVDs are encoded at 480.
An upconverting DVD player will take the 480 quality image and upconvert it to an 1080i image before sending it to the TV. But the source is still 480.
It does help but compared to HD content (i.e. HD broadcast channels), it's just a well polished turd (But it's the best available today).

So, your DVD player has HDMI output, but does your TV have HDMI input? A lot of HD TVs have DVI input but not HDMI. If this is the case, you can get an DVI to HDMI cable.
DVI and HDMI are the same video quality. The difference is HDMI carries audio also.
If your TV has DVI input only, you'll need to run audio cables from the DVD player to your TV/receiver.

Standard Def: 480
HD: 720, 1080

Hope this helps.

codewarrior · #9 10-19-2005, 03:46 PM

OK, so what does it mean on the back of the DVD case when it says "mastered in HD"?

gmrankin · #10 10-19-2005, 05:00 PM

[quote
There is currently no such thing as a "HD DVD"

[/ QUOTE ]

I knew when i proof read my post someone would call me out on that... but i didn't feel like retyping it. i think that they got the point from my post though, but thanks anyway.