HDMI Vs. Component

It stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface. Basically, it is a medium for transmitting uncompressed audio-video data in a digital format. This supports up to 8 channels of digital video as well as audio signals simultaneously on a single cable. It transfers information in the form of a digital bit stream.

It refers to a type of video signal that has been fragmented into multiple components. It commonly refers to a kind of analog video, which is transmitted or stored in the form of three separate signal components.

This cable transmits video signals in the analog form i.e., it delivers the signals in the form of varying voltages, which correspond to the red, green, and blue constituents of the video.

• HDMI transmits audio/video signals in digital form, i.e., in the form of serial data stream of bits.
• HDMI video has 8 channels of video, as well as audio signals transmitting capacity in only one cable, giving it a slight edge.

• HDMI cable can support 1080p video resolution which is something that component lacks.
• HDMI scores when it comes to audio quality as well. HDMIs Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD master audio capabilities simply give it the ultimate edge.

• Component video delivers video signals in an analog format i.e., the signal is delivered in the form of varying voltages representing the RGB components of the video.
• A single component cable can carry only one type of a signal at a time - video or audio. Therefore, one needs at least three cables to transmit video signal along with synchronized audio.

• Component supports a maximum of 720p resolutions and 1080i.
• Although, component audio is inherently inferior, combining it with an optical Toslink Cable might just as well give HDMI a run for its money.

Both the types have the capability to support similar video resolution standards, the difference being the way, by which both the cables transmit video signals.

Both HDMI and component, are fundamentally similar as they transmit by breaking up video images using almost similar techniques. Both the cable types end up displaying the same information, but using completely different forms.

To be on the safer side, you must physically check the quality of each type, so that your own eyes decide the appearance of the best one on your screen. Before you come to any conclusion, make sure that the display settings for both the inputs are exactly the same. They can have varying brightness levels, and hence you may reach a wrong conclusion.