Ok, my display supports component and dvi-d with hdcp compliant. I have direct tv hd with dvr and I'm wondering if I should use component cable or digital cable. The hd receiver only supports hdmi while my tv supports dvi-d. I'm not sure if there is hdmi to dvi-d cable is best method? Any opinions?

I use a Hdmi to DVI-D cable on one of my sets with no problems, I bought it from Blue Jeans Cable, Either way you go you should be fine, I doubt if you would notice any difference in picture quality.

Eric, my view also is that there isn't likely to be a visible difference between component and DVI/HDMI cabling. The use of one DVI/HDMI cable can be viewed as neater. HDMI and DVI cables themselves are exactly identical; the only thing that differs is the connectors, and cables with an HDMI connector on one end and DVI on the other are readily available from MonoPrice and other sources if you decide to go that way.

Oh ok, I didn't know if there would be any visible differences between component and digital cables. For some reason I thought it would improve picture since all displays and devices are now going hdmi.

Hi ereed,

There is no inherent superiority in picture quality to HDMI/DVI connections, despite the hype that surrounds HDMI/DVI. The latter are digital connections and involve complex digital anti-piracy "handshaking" which uses up valuable bits that are not devoted to video processing.
Component video connections are analog and fully capable of passing HD video with none of the HDCP digital handshaking baggage.

Depending on your display, component video may deliver picture quality superior to HDMI/DVI. However, if you have a 1080p display, only HDMI/DVI will pass a 1080p signal from 1080p-capable formats (HD-DVD, Blu-ray, etc.).

Try the component video and HDMI/DVI connections and use the one that produces the best image quality, if a difference is visible.

Regards,

I switched from component to HDMI-DVI from my PVR to my TV and did not notice any real difference in picture quality. As Alan suggested the only thing I gained was a more compact wiring arrangement.

I have the cheapie component cables that came with the dvr box, right now the picture is awesome. I have nicer component cables (bettercables.com) from my progressive scan dvd player and I might swap them and see if there is a difference. By the way I plan on buying an oppo player so I can have better quality video from my standard dvds and I'm not sure if I should do component or dvi from the oppo. Since I only have 2 component and 1 dvi inputs I'm not sure which of the two devices would perform better with digital hdmi/dvi cable. The denon dvd player will be my secondary player which uses component. Now just one more component and dvi input left on my display and deciding what to use between the oppo player (haven't decided on model) and direct tv hd dvr receiver.