Steven Sullivan wrote:

Component input/output (3 RCA-style jacks, R/G/B)
refers to analog video information transmission,
and doesn't necessarily imply high definition (though analog high-def
connections have to be component connections) -- it's been
available on TVs/DVD players since long before there was consumer
hi-def. Two other popular analog interfaces are S-video and
composite (a single RCA-type connector, usually yellow).

Again, Component connections are analog, and can be used for
hi-def video. ilink is digital,
a single connection that can carry multichannel hi-rez audio.
ilink has been around for some years, as a computer data
transmission interface (Firewire/IEEE13940.
DVI is a digital video-only interface that can handle
high-def video.
HDMI can handle high-def digital video *and* can also carry
hi-rez multichannel audio, though AFAIK no components
employing it for such combined purpose are yet available.

here;s a nice summary page:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/howto-dvi-hdmi.html

Thanks Steven. I think I have it figured out now. The salesman was full
of crap, the cable company's box certainly does have component out.
Component is the main game right now, and I would imagine you need it
for hi def compatibility.

Gary Eickmeier