Component_Cables.jpgRecently Ive been having a lot of discussion with friends about getting HD content on their televisions, which lead me to read up more about the different content that is available. One thing I noticed is that generally, the whole HD thing is completely confusing to most people. And with HDTV prices coming down and all the sales and such over the holidays, more people are starting to buy those televisions and trying to get HD in their home.

The number one thing I get from most people is "I cant tell any difference". I really don’t know how to take that sometimes, mainly because some people are hardcore skeptics that will stick to the "its not worth it" mentality. I know you all have met those people, remember the uncle that wouldn’t ever buy a DVD player cause he insisted that there is no difference in DVD and VHS? Well believe it or not, lots of people are that way with HDTV. And with those people, you cant win them over, so most of the time I usually would just say something like "really? hmmm, the football game I watched this weekend looked pretty good to me" and I’ll leave it alone.

Sometimes though, if you ask a few more questions you’ll realize something….they are not watching HD. they bought their brand new 42inch plasma television, and 5.1 home theater in a box setup, and all of their components are connected via S-video or even Composite.

Another thing, when has HDMI become the only connection that you can use to get HD on your TV? People don’t realize that HDMI is fairly new and people have been using Component for quite a few years. maybe I missed something new that happened recently, but those same people that ask me getting HD on their HDTVs, are always wondering how I get HD on my television if my TV doesn’t have HDMI (I have an older set that didn’t have HDMI…or DVI). A friend of mine spent a full day looking for an HDMI cable for his Xbox360 cause somewhere down the line, he was told that he needs HDMI for High Definition.

High Definition is all good I think, Ive been loving it every since my first HDTV but it is being marketed in a really confusing way. People don’t know what its all about. It really bothers me cause it doesn’t have to be that complicated. If companies stop being so set on throwing around acronyms that noone understand, and start just saying what the device does…in simple English….people might start to understand what the big deal is all about.

It is confusing enough that there are so many inputs in the back of your televisions, but why brag about having 1080P in the television you sell if you don’t explain to the customer that you have to get HD service from your cable or satellite company, which will most likely require a new HD receiver (that they will try to charge you for). Or that you have to spend $50 buck on a cable (cheaper cables here) or that you actually have to go in your Xbox360’s settings to turn HD on (don’t forget the toggle on the cable itself).

To make things a little easier, here is a quick guide to getting things started if you are confused or want to point someone in the right direction in getting HDTV on their televisions.

Article: How to set up your HDTV