Component Video is the older of the two technologies we're looking at. It consists of three wires combined into a single cable, and terminating in three colored jacks (red, green, and blue, corresponding to the color signal that they carry) at each end. This makes it very simple to set up, since the plugs on both your television and DVR, cable box, or other home theater component are color-coded. However, Component Video supplies only the video signal, so you will need to run an additional wire for the audio signal. For setups where you're not relying on your television to provide the audio, this means you can skip the middle man, and instead of running a wire to your television, and then back to your receiver or amplifier, you can go straight from the source, cutting down on clutter. This also allows you to select the audio connection of your choice (go for the digital optical cable if your components support it to get the best sound).
HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) is a newer and more streamlined option, as it carries both digital video and surround sound audio in a single cable. This cable is far less colorful, but has the benefit of only having a single plug at each end, which can only be inserted one way. If you're after wiring simplicity, it's hard to beat. Since most folks are looking to have HDTV capabilities, the level of HD signal you've got may determine your cable selection. Component Video supports 720p and 1080i resolutions, and HDMI can support both of these, as well as 1080p (which Component Video can't). So, if you’re planning on viewing stuff in 1080p, HDMI will be the best option for you. For 720p and 1080i resolutions, you should try both and see which looks the best to you.
[Header image courtesy: cogdogblog, Body images courtesy: Wikimedia]
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