All right, A/V geeks - I need your help.

[MonkeyFunk]

I have a nice Sony 36" widescreen HD television. But it's probably 4 or 5 years old. It has no HDMI input.

The BF insists that I can't use a blu ray player on it and get any benefit above DVD quality video. But other things I've read say it IS much better using component, just not ideal.

So what's the scoop? This was a very expensive TV when I bought it - top of the line. It just was made before HDMI existed. So will I need a new TV if I want the advantages of Blu Ray?

[Nickster]

1. The difference will be when you get higher resolution video, so the Blu-Ray player will work, but

not nearly as nice as the HDMI connection. I'd rather have the HDMI connection, but I don't think a component connection would make me want to get a new tv.

[MonkeyFunk]

3. So is there some way to quantify the difference?

Will what I see be closer to DVD-quality or full HD w/HDMI-quality?

[Schema Thing]

4. Yes. Quantify it by how sick you feel in your gut

as you watch a movie, knowing that that asshole down the street is enjoying 1920 lines of resolution, 30 times per second.













*numbers chosen for illustrative value only, no research into the specs of blu-ray or hdmi went into this post :P

[MonkeyFunk]

5. That's the problem

my geekazoid bf would be terribly unhappy knowing it's not the BEST quality he COULD be getting.

I, on the other hand, don't actually count the number of lines being displayed and how often they refresh. I just go "ooh! Look at the elephant! Doesn't it look real?!"

[flvegan]

2. Digital v analog

I believe your Blu Ray experience will still exceed DVD quality, so you shouldn't need to buy a new tv if you want the advantages of Blu Ray.

[NJmaverick]

6. You will not notice any real improvement because of the size of the screen

not because of the HDMI input. If you want a better picture, just purchase an upconverting DVD player. You will be able to use all your existing DVDs and for a 36 in screen you will never be able to tell the difference.

[mikeytherat]

7. Component outputs will max at 1080i

Standard DVD is a 480p singal, so you could set the blu-ray player's output for 720p or 1080i and you'll get true "high-def" from blu-ray discs (not 1080p, but much better than 480p).

mikey_the_rat

[IndianaJones]

8. does the tv have a DVI input? nt.