but, I figure you would know better than most so, here goes.

I recently bought some new gear (Pioneer Elite AVReceiver, HD DVD player, 5 in-ceiling speakers, sub woofer, etc..) and am waiting for it all to get installed next week. Meanwhile, there seems to be some debate as to how best to hook up my Pioneer (VSX-82TXS) to my TV (Sony KP65WS510) because the TV only has a DVI connector and not HDMI. One group is saying that I need to go component video and the other group is saying to just use a HDMI to DVI cable from the Pioneer to the TV. The video is orginating from a Cox HD DVR box that has an HDMI connector that will go to HDMI in on the Pioneer.

Anyone familiar with this TV's DVI connector and how well it might work with a HDMI to DVI cable or have a similar setup with only a DVI enabled TV?

Thanks

Posting this in the CI forum would do you better. About the DVI to HDMI I have used an adapter once, and the picture really didn't drop in quality by much, I think you would be ok.

The only problem you may encounter is HDCP (High Definition Copy Protection). I found that a lot of conversions as well some of the older TVs (old not necessarily means 10 years - generally speaking 1.5-3 years old) that do have early HDMI or DVI connectivity do not support HDCP. In this case you may have some problems with HDMI. To tell you the truth, I can’t see any difference on my 50” Pana between HDMI and component.

My understanding from a manufacturer...one of those DVI to HDMI connectors(not a cable but the little adaptor) is equal to 20 feet of HDMI cable, this was from several tests conducted in a lab, it was an average over several adaptors

will see if I can find the post/article

Thanks for the info.

I guess I will be using component video cables for the connection

Brand was GEFEN.

I don't believe your TV has HDCP over DVI, so it will not likely accept a signal from an HDMI source. I've used both adapters and adapting cables without a problem, but I would always recommend using the adapting cable over a separate adapter.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com
Surf Audio Video

Plus we have had some problems with the Pioneer Elites and certain cable boxes with HDMI/ DVI. I try to use digital conections between digital devices when possible but there have been many problems with HDMI/DVI connections. The only way to see if it works is to try. Component is always the safe bet.

I'm running 30' of standard, cheapy Infocus cable, with an MDI to DVI adapter on one end and a DVI to HDMI adapter on the other end, from my Pioneer DVD player to my Infocus 7210 pj (onto a 10' wide screen) and the picture is PRISTINE. No 'snow', no artifacts.

rosariorose9

There's not going to be any snow on HDMI...it's a digital interconnect. Only analog interconnects could have this.

Because of this, picture quality is not an issue. The only issues are HDCP. That's an issue practically on everything that has a HDMI jack.

While snow is not an issue with an HDMI or DVI cable, a poor quality cable or a long run can result in "sparkles" (or other digital artifacts) in the picture. This is an issue separate from the HDCP handshake issue that can be present with certain source/display combinations.

Surf, thanks for clarifying my response - 'sparklies' is what I was referring to.

My point was, with 30' of cable, and adapters on either end, there has been no problem transferring a clean image in a very demanding system - this despite the caveat of many that hdmi/dvi will yield sparklies on longer cable runs....

rosariorose9

For those in the Phoenix Metro area - If you do decide to go Cox HD to Receiver in HDMI you will most likely have to give Cox a call and request that the HDCP be disabled in the cable box. Their box sees the HT receiver as a recording device.

You may have to call a few times till someone has a clue. Once you've done that, they will say it takes up to 24 hours to initiate for some stupid reason. After 24 hours you will still have the same problem because they sent the job order to Zambizi.

We gave up and did component from the box to receiver, then the HDMI to the TV. The HDMI upconversion did help their 400disc sony 480i tremendously.

FYI: good luck making the adapter hold onto the back of the TV.

Steve, I am in the Phoenix Metro area and after 3 phone calls and 1 visit to my house by a technician, they replaced my cable box with an 8240HD and the HDMI port now works as it should.