DVI Vs. Component

[SoulMaster]

Hey Guys,
I am not exactly a n00b to Mame but more to building my own Arcade Cab.
I have been shopping for a TV and I am still stuck on what to get.
I have seen a 32 Inch Sony HDTV with DVI in and I was thinking about getting it.
My question is, will I get any better picture if I go Component. The problem is I haven't messed around with DVI before. I guess with DVI you should get a straight conversion. No converting or degrading video, but will I get the picture I want.
By the way, I had another idea too.
Is that ATI DVI - Component Converter compatible with a Nvidia Video Card?
Hopefully I will get something figured out.
If I am going to invest into a expensive TV, I want THE best picture.
Thanks.
SoulMaster

[Mani]

First of all, the DVI input on that HDTV will not necessarily work with your video card (it's hit or miss, ask around on http://www.avsforum.com to know for sure for your video card/HDTV combination). That DVI connection is most likely for the DVI/HDCP standard, where the uncompressed video data is heavily encrypted. DVI/HDCP is supposed to the backward compatible with standard DVI, but in practice this is often not the case.

Second, most people seem to agree that any quality difference between DVI and component is negligible. Most HDTV's can't even resolve all the pixels of HD resolutions. So if you're asking DVI or component, go with component; it's easier and much cheaper to set up.

But really, you don't want to use HD for mame. You will have to scale up the small arcade resolution all the way to HD, and it will look just like MAME does on your PC monitor - pixellated and ugly.

My conclusion - HDTV's are great, I love mine for DVD's and watching HD satellite feeds, but they're not a good solution for MAME. If your main purpose for the television is *not* MAME, then get an HDTV. Just don't spend any time or energy trying to output MAME in HD ... use S-Video.

If you want a good TV for MAME, one of those standard definition flat screens (like the Sony WEGA, Toshiba, Panasonic and JVC also make great flat, less expensive TV's) would be great. But if you want the most arcade authenticity possible get a normal curved CRT television or better yet, an arcade monitor.

Cheers,
-Mani

[Wienerdog]

Is that ATI DVI - Component Converter compatible with a Nvidia Video Card?

No, the ATI HTDV Adapter is not compatible with Nvidia cards.  It isn't even compatibale with all ATI cards.  There are two versions of the adapter that support different sets of ATI cards.

The adapter just tells the video card to output video on certain pins in Component format.  There really isn't anything going on in the adapter.  All of the work is done by the video card, so even calling it a Component Converter is incorrect.  

I have one if you have any other questions.  There are some issues with it, so I will probably go with S-Video or a 9200 if I can put together the cash.

[SoulMaster]

Why would it really matter since the person is going to be some distance away from the TV.
I'm not talking about building a Traditional Upright here or Cocktail.
I'm building a Showcase Cab. You know the ones like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat are used to play on. The person is going to be at least three feet away. That is why I am using such a large screen with that type of input.
SoulMaster

[SoulMaster]

Hey my main thing is the resolution.
It really bothers me to have only access to 640X480 with S-Video.
But do any games really go above that?
If not then I might give S-Video another chance.
Thanks.
SoulMaster

[Mani]

I am not aware of any MAME game that is 640x480. For example, CPS-2 Capcom fighters like SFA3 are 324x288. The only fighters you could get at that resolution are 3d fighters/guilty gear on the dreamcast, output using the VGA adapter, and somehow converted to high def (using a scan converter I guess). I'm not sure that would be worth the trouble.

Also note that s-video does not necessarily do 640x480. It is difficult to gauge the resolution capabilities of analog video transmitted through coax, rca or s-video. Furthermore, television is interlaced which opens up a whole other can of worms. The fact that a 320x240 game displayed on a TV (using good cables) looks about as sharp as TV gets is telling.

One fighter you can easily enjoy in HD is Soul Calibur 2. All you need is an X-Box with the HD kit; it will display a 4:3 high resolution in the center of the 16:9 HD frame. It looks great.

But really, HD benefits most on large displays. The difference in quality on a 32" HDTV is not worth the investment IMHO. HD makes a huge difference on projection-based large displays, where a standard definition image is washed out at best, and unacceptably murky at worst.

-Mani

[SoulMaster]

Actually, when I output to my Advent which has S-Video, I can really only get 640x480 to fit the screen and look good. Any higher and the thing has to scroll. Yes it is true that it is hard to judge though if it is true 640x480.
Though I am still getting the HD TV. This is actually going to be an entertainment center with all three major consoles out right now(Yes I have them all). That is also the reason why I am getting it. Now all I need is a stereo receiver that does DVD with Progressive Output to my TV. Then I will be set. By the way, the console or Control Panel will be moveable. Not Fixed. I want to be able to move it out of the way to play regular console games, watch movies.... Yes as you can tell I am planning to do a lot with this.
SoulMaster