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What cables do I need to hook up high definition?

We have a high definition tv and a high definition signal coming from a high definition cable box. My question is, do we need to use component or hdmi cables to connect the cable box and the tv, or can we just use a coaxial cable and still get an HD picture??

Public Comments

1. You definitely need HDMI cables.
2. The hdmi cables. As long as the tv accepts hdmi. There are 2 types of hd connections hdmi and dvi
3. Component, HDMI or DVI connections will all allow high definition signals to be sent. HDMI is the most universal connection especially in terms of what will be most useful when copy protection is implemented more strongly in HDDVD's and Blu-Ray. It is also a pure digital path and therefore will be most immune to noise. DVI is the "same" as HDMI with the exception that it does not typically carry a digital audio. It will result in the same image quality as HDMI Component is a little older connection that has three RCA connectors. Component video consists of three signals. The first is the luminance signal, which indicates brightness or black and white information that is contained in the original RGB signal. It is referred to as the "Y" component. The second and third signals are called "color difference" signals which indicate how much blue and red there is relative to luminance. The blue component is "B-Y" and the red component is "R-Y". Coaxial can transmit a digital signal which can be decoded by a internal or external decoder in the TV for an HD picture. The only case you would ever get to do this for the most part is with OTA(over the air) HD signals. By hooking up any antenna capable of receiving analog stations in good quality you can use your TV's internal ATSC tuner(if it has one) or use an external tuner to receive free local channels in HD. Chances are from your cable box you will be limited to using either Component or HDMI. This is because the cable box must decode the signal and then it can pass it to the TV. Depending on your model of cable box it may allow a digital coax connection, however, it more commonly only sends out the decoded HD stations via the aforementioned HDMI or component. Basically all you need to know is that all these connections should provide nearly the same picture. None are limited to a certain resolution unless the device itself simply imposes a limit. For simplicity sake I recommend you use HDMI when you can and use component if its all that is available. Don't let anyone tell you you NEED HDMI to get HD video however. They are incorrect. Also, don't buy HDMI or component cables from big box retailers. Always buy online from stores like www.monoprice.com. Use the money you save for something more worthwhile.