Dear AV people,

Can someone explain to me the differences between HDMI and DVI and the role of an HDTV tuner?

At the moment I think that once we get digital broadcasting, the HDMI socket is the one to use which will also enable HDTV (assuming one has the HDTV tuner?). The DVI is for connecting a DVD player to the plasma assuming your DVD player has a DVI output (digital to digital connection so to speak)?

If I get a new plasmas TV should I check that both HDMI and DVI are on it?

ta
Bruce

HDMI = DVI + audio {all digital}
You can have an adapter to convert a HDMI connector to a DVI connector but the audio signal has to be input using other connections [standard RCA]

You don't need both HDMI & DVI (although it's nice to have both), but I wouldn't buy a screen that doesn't have at least two HDMI sockets.
As for an HDTV tuner...

Current digital tuners (set top boxes and tuners built in to TV's alike) can "see" the HD channels... but they can't actually give a picture from them

It'll be a while before such technology gets built into a telly, and given the breadth of HD content being offered up by Sky and cable, I doubt that you'll get many options on watch to watch a year from now without getting SKY, Telewest or NTL involved in your system.

I think the bigger issue is HDCP - don't matter how many HDMI sockets you have if bugger all will talk to your TV.

HDCP?

thanks
Bruce

Hi-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection

Basically copy protection

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

it seems that the pioneer 32" plasma has only one HDMI output.

has anyone tried using an external box that has multuple HDMI outputs and if so what would you recommend?

thanks

kerry

quote:

Originally posted by jamesm:
it seems that the pioneer 32" plasma has only one HDMI output.

Hmm...
Smallest pioneer plasma I've encountered is 42", not 32"... and certain versions have one HDMI input... some have 2

Guessing you do mean input - a HDMI output on a screen wouldn't be much use

yes meant 43" not 32"--and yes input. a little proofreading would go a long way

in any event, can anyone answer the question?