There is a Component input in the back of our TV but I don't understand what that is because the DVD player lives happily in AV1 and the leads match the colour code for the AV connection.

Do you think a HD STB will put a picture on the screen? I don't know. I have seen mention of different flavours of digital TV such as 576p and 1080i?. Do HD STB's use the component connection? I would appreciate any insight you might have.

Cheers.

Allan McWaters, , Australia

Component Video is the highest form of analog video input. The AV input you mention is presumably composite video (single RCA lead between yellow sockets).

You'll find Component video outputs on many DVD players and HD digital set top boxes. You can also get component video from the Foxtel IQ box via a SCART adaptor. If you're interested in the best quality, you'll use the highest quality connection you can. What that means for most people is a complicated mishmash of connections and use of various remote controls and so on. For instance:

• DVD and STB connected to TV via component video.
• DVD and STB connected to VCR via composite, thence to TV via composite (thus reducing the quality)
• Mum sits down to use the TV and complains that she hasn't the faintest idea which remotes she needs and which buttons to press.

As for the HD picture, it does depend on the TV. And even if it works, is the picture going to appear any better? You could borrow a high definition STB from a mate, or buy one from one of the chains that has a seven-day return policy.

Paul Zucker