TV Connection cables

You can use several different types of connections to connect your PC running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to a TV or monitor. Depending on the option you choose, you can connect your Media Center PC to many different types of displays, ranging from an HD-ready plasma screen TV to a standard CRT computer monitor. To determine the type of connection you should use, answer the following questions:

How and where do I want to use my Media Center PC?

What do you want to get out of your Media Center PC? Will you use it primarily as a PC or as the center of your home entertainment system in your living room?
What type of connection do both my TV (or monitor) and my Media Center PC support?

If you aren't sure about the connection type your hardware will support, refer to your user's manual or contact your hardware manufacturer.
What level of signal quality do I want when I watch TV or DVD?

The connection type you use will affect your system's performance. For example, an S-Video or composite connection cannot deliver a true high-definition image for HDTV, and the amount of video image information it can carry is restricted.

Use the table below to determine the type of connection you need.

Tip: If your PC and TV/monitor do not share a connection type, you may want to purchase an adapter to convert one end of the cable to a type you can use. Alternatively, if you want to achieve a higher quality signal than your TV or PC (video card) can support, consider purchasing a different video card or a TV that supports the connection type (and signal quality) you desire.

The connection types below are listed in order of quality, with lowest quality (Composite) at the top and highest quality (HDMI) at the bottom.

Connection Type	Looks Like	Connect
RCA/Composite A composite cable carries a video signal that combines the parts of the video image into one signal. While this makes for lower-cost cables and connections, the quality of the image is not as good as other types of cables.		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV.
S-Video S-Video cables separate the signal into two parts, reducing the amount of interference between the source and display and delivering a good quality image.		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV.
Component Video With a component cable, the signals that generate the video image are separated into three individual signals. This keeps the images from degrading when the signal travels over the wire. The result is a high-quality image.		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV.
VGA VGA separates the signal for red, green, and blue to transmit high-resolution images. VGA cables are a standard connection providing high-quality video from a PC to a monitor (or TV).		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV or a computer monitor.
DVI DVI transmits the digital signal in its raw form. DVI cables provide one of the highest quality connections.		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV, a computer monitor, or certain newer high-end video displays.
HDMI HDMI transmits audio and video signals together in an uncompressed format. It is the newest standard digital interface that, much like DVI, provides one of the highest quality connections.		Use to connect your Media Center PC to a TV, a computer monitor, or certain newer high-end video displays.