What HDMI input should I use?

Question

I recently got a 32" Samsung LED Smart TV. The TV has 3 hdmi inputs: HDMI 1 (DVI), HDMI 2, and HDMI 3. I only own one hdmi cable right now which I switch between using for my laptop to tv and xbox 360 to tv. My question is what is the difference between the regular HDMI 2 and 3 ports and the HDMI 1 DVI. I thought DVI was only digital video but hdmi carries digital video and audio...so then how is the hdmi also dvi..I dont know if I should plug in my xbox to a differnt hdmi port other than 1 or maybe plug the laptop into port 1 for the dvi... Im very confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Also there is a DVI audio in jack which only confuses me more since hdmi carries audio...

Answer 1

First, you should get HDMI cables for each device or get an HDMI switch. Plugging and unplugging HDMI cables is not recommended as they will break and the inputs on your items are not meant to be plugged and unplugged.



HDMI 1 is optomized for computer use. DVI carries only video. If you use a dvi cable you also need an audio cable, so that's why there is a DVI audio jack. HDMI does carry both, DVI only video. If you are using HDMI for your computer and it works, don't get confused, just use it.



I use HDMI 2 and HDMI 3 for other devices as, in my opinion, they are a pure HDMI input rather than the either/or of HDMI 1. Tho it's probably not a big difference so either is fine.

Answer 2

The HDMI/DVI input, as previously mentioned, likely has a small audio input connector near it (on the back of the TV). Since this input is also called HDMI, there's the likelihood that the Audio is selectable somewhere in the TV setup menu, so it CAN be used as a regular HDMI connection, or compatible with DVI - as needed. (though to use with a DVI device like older notebooks, you will need a DVI to HDMI adapter, or DVI-to-HDMI conversion cable)



DVI is a "subset" of HDMI. The Video is the same, but (as mentioned) DVI does not include the audio. DVI was developed first (for Computer monitors), well before HDMI. Then when HDTVs became commonplace, HDMI was developed based upon the pre-existing DVI Video connectivity... just adding Audio to it... and now years later, also have added 3D capabilities to it (in HDMI 1.3).



I also agree that you should use a separate cable for each... shop around, they can be as cheap as $10, or as expensive as $75... and they will all work fine. If you need longer cables (over 10 feet), then you might consider leaning towards the better quality brands. The highest quality HDMI cables can work fine up to 20+ feet.



Blessings!

Answer 3

Only having one HDMI input limits your options. You can always buy a HDMI switcher. I own a HDTV with only one HDMI input and I use a switcher. Still, I’d prefer the TV to have multiple HDMI inputs.

The reason is because the switcher is another component that uses power. And, I wonder if it’s the cause of a slight sync issue with the video and audio. I’d prefer to have a direct connection when possible and not use a switcher.



So, if you can control the HDMI situation on your HDTV then why not go for broke. Get a HDTV that has three or more HDMI inputs.



Two HDMI inputs is fine, but two inputs will eventually put you in the same boat as one input -- either not using HDMI or buying a HDMI switcher.



So, that leaves us with three or more HDMI inputs. I like three or more because we really only connect three components to the HDTV with a HDMI cable -- a video game system, Blu-ray disc player and cable/satellite set-top box.



Chances are that you’ll never connect any more than three HDMI components to your HDTV anyway.

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Answer 4

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RE:

What HDMI input should I use?

I recently got a 32" Samsung LED Smart TV. The TV has 3 hdmi inputs: HDMI 1 (DVI), HDMI 2, and HDMI 3. I only own one hdmi cable right now which I switch between using for my laptop to tv and xbox 360 to tv. My question is what is the difference between the regular HDMI 2 and 3 ports and the...