Technology plays a very important role in today’s era especially electronic devices like television and computers, talking about electronic devices cables and wires play an important role here. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and Component are 2 different types of cables used to transfer data. Although there are a lot of differences between them.
HDMI vs Component
The main difference between HDMI and Component is. HDMI transfers data from a single cable/wire but component transmits data through different cables. HDMI works on digital signals whereas component cables work on analog signals. The quality of video transmitted through HDMI cables is higher and quality of videos transmitted through component cables is lower as compared to HDMI cables.
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) It is used for the digital transfer of audio and video from a predefined source to the Screen. It transfers data from a single cable/wire i.e. only one cable is needed for the transfer of both audio and video signals which makes it very convenient and easy to use. It works on digital signals.
Component cables are cables that transfer data and information in the form of audio and video from a predefined source to a screen. It transmits data from different cables i.e. separate cables for audio and video. Component cables usually don’t carry audio it carries only videos a separate cable is required for audio. It works on analog signal.
Comparison Table Between HDMI and Component
| Parameters of comparison | HDMI | Component |
| Definition | HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface it is a cable used to transmit data from one source to another usually a monitor TV or a projector using one cable. | Component cables are cables that transfer data and information in the form of audio and video from a predefined source to the screen through different cables. |
| Signal | HDMI works on digital signals. | Component cables work on analog signals. |
| Wires required | HDMI needs only one wire for transmission of data. | Component needs many wires for the transmission of data. |
| Cables for audio and video | HDMI cable transfers audio and video from the same cable. | Different cables for audio and video in case of component cable. |
| Noise | HDMI cable is not affected by outside noise. | Component cables are affected by outside noise more than HDMI. |
| Quality | The quality of video transmitted through HDMI cables is higher. | The quality of videos transmitted through component cables is lower as compared to HDMI. |
| Bandwidth required | For HDMI bandwidth requirement is higher. | For component cables, the bandwidth requirement is lower. |
| Signal transmission | As HDMI works on digital signals, the signals can be transmitted over long distances. | Signals cannot be transmitted over a long distance. |
| Shape of connectors | HDMI Connectors are flat in shape. | Component connectors are round in shape. |
What is HDMI?
The full form of HDMI is (High Definition Multimedia Interface). It was designed in 2002. It has a silver and flat surface and a black wire. It has different connector types they are: Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, Type E out of these type-A connectors are most commonly used.
It is used for the digital transfer of audio and video from a predefined source to the Screen. The screen may be a monitor or TV etc. It transfers data from a single cable/wire i.e. only one cable is needed for the transfer of both audio and video signals which makes it very convenient and easy to use. It works on digital signals.
HDMI can support high-quality videos. It is less affected by outside noise. As it works on digital signals its signals can be transmitted over long distances. Higher bandwidth is required for transferring information. HDMI cables are now used more than other cables because it is very convenient to use them.
What is Component?
Component cables are cables that transfer data and information in the form of audio and video from a predefined source to the monitor for example from a DVD player to TV screens. It transmits data from different cables i.e. separate cables for audio and video. Component cables usually don’t carry audio it carries only HD videos a separate cable is required for audio.
It has 3 connectors at the end of the cable which is red, blue and green in colour all serve different purposes. The green cable is called y cable, blue is called Pb, and red is called pr. It converts digital data into analog signals and then displays it.
It works on analog signals and it requires lower bandwidth. Although it supports higher video quality it is still lower in comparison to HDMI and is affected by outside noise. As it works on analog signals its signals cannot be transmitted over long distances.
Main Differences Between HDMI and Component
- HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface it is a cable used to transmit data from one source to another usually a monitor TV or a projector using one cable. Whereas Component cables are cables that transfer data and information in the form of audio and video from a predefined source to the monitor for example from a DVD player to TV screens. It transmits data from different cables i.e. separate cables for audio and video.
- HDMI works on digital signals whereas Component cables work on analog signals.
- HDMI transfers data from a single cable/wire but component transmits data through different cables.
- HDMI needs only one cable for the transfer of both audio and video signals from one device to another whereas a component cable requires separate cables for audio and video.
- HDMI cable is not affected by outside noise. Component cables are affected by outside noise more as compared to component cables.
- The quality of video transmitted through HDMI cables is higher and quality of videos transmitted through component cables is lower as compared to HDMI cables.
- For HDMI bandwidth requirement is higher and for component cables bandwidth requirement is lower.
- As HDMI works on digital signals, the signals can be transmitted over long distances but as component cables work on analog signals, the signals cannot be transmitted over long distances.
- HDMI cables have flat connectors and component cables have round connectors.
Conclusion
HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and Component are 2 different types of cables used to transfer data. They both are used for the same purpose but there lies quite a difference between them. Considering the above comparison, we can conclude that HDMI is a better cable option because it transmits data digitally and needs only a single cable to transfer both audio and video which makes it easy to use. Also, HDMI and component cables both support HD videos but the Quality of video transmitted through HDMI cables is higher than that of component cables. In addition to that as HDMI works on digital signals, the signals can be transmitted over long distances and it is not affected by outside noise. Therefore clearly HDMI is better in comparison to component cables.
References
- http://itegam-jetia.org/journal/index.php/jetia/article/view/14
- http://dspace.cusat.ac.in/xmlui/handle/123456789/2212