Htl-hd Cable Questions

[gluck75]

I just received my HTL-HD which I bought used on EBAY. I have to questions as to the optimal way to set this up. Will it make an actual difference(one that I will really notice) if I use component video cables instead of a DVI cable?

Do all DVI cables actually cost $100? Is it really worth it?

Also...how should I set myself up to optimally view the SD stations. I'm assuming that if I use the component or DVI I will have artifacts everywhere. Am I correct? I have inouts available on my TV to use a coax, a composite video or an S-Video cable. What do you suggest?

or

is there a way to tell the receiver to only send out an analog signal on the analog stations???

 

[Neutron]

Mine came with the DVI cable, but I got it directly from Directv.

You can get a DVI-D cable for as little as $10. I use it because my DVD player and Xbox take up the 2 component inputs I have. To me a DVI cable is a DVI cable. No need to spend $100 for it.

 

[slacker9876]

I am hooked up with component and I enjoy it fine. I did for fun hook it up to my 17" LCD using DVI ... I would say better contrast ratio, but that is the display not the connection. Since DVI is all digital with no conversion, I would expect that you would get a slightly improved picture with DVI.

No ... not $100, buy the cheapest DVI-D cable you can find even if this is at Walmart. Coming from a guy that has all Monster Cables ... these only make a difference with analog signals.

The last one I don't know ... I have not tried.

 

[kryten98371]

I'm using the component cables because my HDTV set does not have DVI. Picture looks great to me, but I don't have any way to compare to DVI.

 

[colofan]

I use DVI with my projector and yes it is a bit better than other connection methods but the length limitation is a bit of a problem with you have a front projector 30 feet away.

InFocus also sells a longer cable but be wary about the ability of the unit driving the signals....I have a sat-hd300 and every once and a while I will lose "lock" but by switching modes I can get it back.

 

[ramcm7]

I will be setting up my new HTL-HD soon, myself. Is the component cable that comes with the STB acceptable, or should I seek a higher quality cable?

 

[slacker9876]

I will be setting up my new HTL-HD soon, myself. Is the component cable that comes with the STB acceptable, or should I seek a higher quality cable?

Since component is an analog connection I would look for the series 2 or better monster cable. I have a series 3 and there is a substantial difference between this and the factory cable, specifically in color saturation. I did test it, and the difference on the same equipment was even noticed by my wife who does not notice much in the way of audio/video. For digital connections .. save your money i.e., if you decide to go to DVI all cables are created equal since the signal digital and not analog.