How to connect a video recorder to a set top box?

Can you connect a high definition television to a digital cable box with a high definition multimedia interface cable and a digital video recorder video cassette recorder with a component cable setup?

• Answer:

  HDTV basics- HDMI, component & composite Yes and No. If I understand the question correctly, you want to connect your cable box to your HDTV via HDMI, your DVR via component cable (Red, Green and Blue RCA connectors), and your VCR via component cables. Your HDTV should accept various video inputs - HDMI, component, and composite (the yellow RCA connector).  Most argue that the HDMI connection will provide the best quality video.  Next in quality is component video.  Last is composite video. Your cable box may or may not have an HDMI connection.  If it does and you subcribe to HD channels from your cable provider, then definitely use HDMI to connect to the cable box.  If you have another HDMI input available on your TV, then connect it to the DVR (if the DVR has the HDMI output).  Your VCR will likely have to be connected via composite cable.  It's a crappy signal but VCR don't provide a great signal to begin with.  Most VCRs only offer a composite (at best) output, anyway.