HDMI-Compound cable?

[PorPorMe]

What is the difference in the two? besides size. Without getting to tech-is one really any better?
The cable Co. gave me 5 pin compound cable-looks great but I can use just a bout any thing-some I've never heard of before! Which ain't nothin' new.
Just curious more than any thing.

EDIT: Didn't even mention it's HdTV did I? Scatter brained. I shouldn" be touching My computer.

[danrok]

Compound or component?

[PorPorMe]

Component

[Aedan]

It's a tough call as to which is better, HDMI or component. These are my thoughts on it...

Component is analog, and requires five connectors, three for video and two for audio. Most video sources are digital, so they convert their signal from digital to analog. Then, at the HDTV end, the TV converts the signal back from analog to digital. Typically component will only carry up to 1080i. The audio connectors often only support 2 channel audio.

HDMI is digital, and requires a single connector that passes video and digital audio. It can also tell the video source what resolutions are supported. There's no digital->analog->digital conversion at all. Theoretically, the HDMI signal can also synchronise the audio and video better, as the delay in the audio chain and video chain can be communicated, but that doesn't always work as well as it should. HDMI 1.3 supports resolutions up to 2560×1600 in 30bit colour. HDMI audio can handle 7.1 channel audio, if the receiving device supports it.

Given a choice, I'd rather use a good HDMI connection than a good component connection. I'd rather use a good component connection than a bad HDMI connection.

[PorPorMe]

Well, that definitely cleared that up!
Ok-all things being equel-HDMI is better with no way of knowing except to buy the HDMI and see.
On that basis-my component works just fine!
And you know, Aedan, I'll just have to buy one to find out!