3. Inside the Box, Continued

A lot of people are wondering what outputs are on the back of the HD-A1. Both audio and video outputs are all gold plated and comprised of pretty much what we expected. Analog audio options include 2 and 5.1 channel outputs while digital outputs include a coaxial and optical. Video outputs include HDMI, component and a pair of s-videos.

About two and a half years ago I made the leap to front projection with the Panasonic PT-L500U projector. At the time I felt it was the best projector for my budget and have been 100% happy with it since. A key to its selection was the inclusion of a DVI output for video that would work hand-in-hand with my up-converting Momitsu DVD player. What I didn't know at the time was HDMI would win the battle of pure digital signals and DVI would be rendered all but obsolete.

I personally know two other friends who are in this same boat and I'm sure there are countless other folks out there wondering if their DVI projectors will work with the new line of HDMI HD devices coming to market. If your projector or video device is HDCP compliant (a little Internet research will answer that question for you) and you're willing to spend roughly $20-$30 dollars for an HDMI to DVI converter, then it's time to put a smile on your face. Using the converter below I was able to seamlessly pass the all-digital signal, without ever converting to analog or buying a new projector with HDMI, from the HD-A1 to my current projector over a DVI cable.

Even more of you own HDTV's with only component video input jacks available. There's been some confusion on how a 720p or 1080i signal will work through these cables, if at all. Here's the exact quote on this issue from the HD-AI instruction manual, page 22:

"HD DVD and DVD video disc creators have the option to include copy protection instructions in their discs that prohibit the output of some standard video or high definition video (original 720p or 1080i or up-converted 480i or 480p) from the COMPONENT OUTPUT jacks. If such instructions are present in the disc you are playing, you must use the HDMI OUTPUT jack to view the disc in a high definition format and the COMPONENT OUTPUT jacks, if activated, will output video only in 480i or 480p resolution."

So there you have it from the horse's mouth. If you aren't able to take advantage of the HDMI digital signal from the HD-A1 or any HD-DVD player, knowing if titles will play through component cables in HD will be a painful and crapshoot. That is unless reviewers continue to receive discs in advance and note compatibility in their reviews.