Question about HDMI, etc.

[Red Rider]

Okay my roommate is getting an HDTV. 1080p. We are hopefully getting the HD plan from the cable company. I have a 360 with just the component cables. Would buying an HDMI cord make the picture quality better or is it even worth buying? I get since there's no blu ray that only the games will be in HD, but does it still make some of a difference when you watch normal DVDs.

What are some other things you would recommend to get the most out of this television minus something like buying hundreds of dollars more equipment?

[Quark]

Get a decent surround system. Totally worth it.

HDMI does make a difference, but nothing you'll notice at a glance or miss if you don't get it. Make sure your 360 has an HDMI-out, the older models don't.

[kmediavideo]

It really depends. some people are sold that a digital signal (HDMI) will look better than an analog signal (component). It might be worth getting a cable from wal-mart, testing it out, seeing if you can tell a difference, and returning it if you cant.

I personally don't think there is a difference, but it all depends on the hardware that you are connecting.

In terms of getting the most out of the TV, you can't do too much.
The one thing I would say is sound. Get a surround sound system. You don't have to get anything like a bose, but a good sound system will compliment your tv.

[Jake Whelan]

Just don't be an idiot and spend a shitload of money on some ultra amazing gold plated cable, as they are worth fucking nothing. Get some cheap HDMI cable, see how you feel about the picture quality and go from there.

[Special ED]

any hdmi cable works, don't waste your money on name brands. of course, i wouldn't get one that is like $3, but a $15 hdmi cable will perform the same as any other. you will see a major difference and you only have one connection to make, as opposed to 5 with compwnents haha

[Gonzalo]

www.monoprice.com for all of your cable needs. Fuck paying ridiculous retail prices for the same shit.

[Red Rider]

Okay and as for audio, I'm really not looking to spend much more than $150 or so. Can I even get a system for that? What's with these sound bar things I see, are those any good?

[Coopnasty]

Get the HDMI, the picture quality does in fact look a lot better. Go to walmart or best buy they shouldn't be any more then $30.

[MyGlockGoPopPopPop]

newegg.com has some pretty cheap hdmi cables

You will notice a difference, honestly don't buy one from a major retailer cause there is so much mark up on those cables it's ridiculous.

[Turnip Head]

It really, really depends on your TV. My little bedroom one, it seems like everything is a bit more crisper. On my main TV there is a very noticeable increase in quality. That's completely based off watching Blu-rays though.

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

on my parent's tv, hdmi provides a noticeable difference over component cable while watching HD tv channels.

[Turnip Head]

I think SpED /thread'd though. It's worth it just for only having to fuck with one cable connection, instead of that 5 headed beast.

[Special ED]

newegg.com has some pretty cheap hdmi cables

You will notice a difference, honestly don't buy one from a major retailer cause there is so much mark up on those cables it's ridiculous.

im guilty of this haha. wanted one at the moment, so i went to target and got one. may have spent 20.

[*ROYALwithCHEESE*]

sony makes a decemt hdmi for the ps3, thats a bit pricey but you know it will be ok.

If your 360 doesnt have hdmi get a component cable thats used to plug a 360 into a Pc monitor.
Much better then s video and slightly lower than hdmi.

[*crooked*]

costco had 2 for 20 bucks

[rolla4life69]

i have my xbox set up on my 32 inch vizio. i used to have HD component cords which projected at 480i/p . i recently bought an hdmi cable and it now plays at 720i/p . pretty big difference in most games. alot more clear and crisp. for a 3 foot hdmi cable it was 20 bucks at walmart. well worth it.

[leiftheviking | phc]

I have a VGA adapter for my Xbox 360. Looks awesome.
My media center PC runs through HDMI. Looks awesome.

Netflix in HD looks perfect through VGA, much better than the component shit.

ALSO I AM BACK SUCK BITCHES.

[Gonzalo]

ALSO I AM BACK SUCK BITCHES.

Who are you?

[-dnehthend-]

buy a wii, problem solved

[*ROYALwithCHEESE*]

buy a amstrad, problem solved.

[john doe]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024008&p_id=3993&seq=1&format=2