HDMI is an All Digital  Signal which enables the Source Video and Audio signal to be transferred from A to B  without any sort of compression or signal Loss, The resulting factor of the signal  Preservation is Rich colours and Sharpest Picture Possible as well as lossless Audio, HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, and multi-channel digital audio. supporting 8-channel digital audio, The earlier revisions of HDMI can transfer up to 5 Gbps bandwith of Data. However later revisions of the technology offer Higher bandwith up to 10Gbps.

HDMI supports high-definition Video formats 720p, 1080i, and 1080p up to 4k Resoltions for (HDMI 1.4) It also has the flexibility to support enhanced definition formats such as 480p,

HDMI also supports the Following Audio Signals, LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby TrueHD (24 bit) DTS-HD High resolution, DVD-Audio DTS-HD Master Audio, MPCM

Most equipment manufactured will have HDMI 19 pin connections present, Including SKY HD, Blueray players,  Games consoles, TV's, etc.

HDMI is also compatible with HDCP copy protection which is used to protect the transfer of Audio / Video content in the digital signal,  Many video and audio devices have the HDCP specification in them including Games consoles, Blueray Players,  The HDCP spec is also used on the DVI interface found on Computer Monitors / PC Laptops.

DVI is Capable of Transferring an all Digital Video Signal including the hIgh Definiton Signal. There are 3 Variations of DVI Connections ie, DVI-A (Analogue) compatible with VGA, DVI-D (Digital) Compatible with HDMI, DVI-I (Analogue & Digital) Compatible with both Digital and Analogue Signals. One of the misconceptions when using an HDMI to DVI lead that it will carry both Audio and Video However DVI only carries the Video Signal. DVI Connections are generally used to connect PC / Laptops to Monitors / TV.

DVI is Compatible with HDCP copy Protection which is used to transfer of Audio / Video content in the digital signal

DVI Digital Connections are available in both Single Link and Dual Link Versions, The Dual Link DVI uses 1 TMDS 165Mhz transmitter whereas the Single Link version uses one, This effectively doubles the power and provides an increase in speed and signal quality;

A DVI single link 60-Hz LCD can display a resolution of 1920 x 1200, while a DVI dual link can display a resolution of 2560 x 1600.

Cable Length - The maximum recommended cable length for DVI cables is 5m, However most of today graphic cards can support longer lengths up to 10m, If installations are extended beyond 10m then signal degradation can occur, In these cases the use of DVI boosters can resolve any issues.

Component Video Connections consist of 3 Individual RCA Screened (Coax) Leads, Component Video is sometimes reffered to as Y Pr Pb or Y Cr Cb on todays Audio / Visual equipement, Component Video is the best quality analogue Video connection on the market today, it seperates the Red, Green and Blue signal, The green Cable carries the 'Y' or Luminance, the signal for the Brightness Value and Sync Pulses, The Red carries the Red minus total Luminanace, The Blue Lead carries Blue minus Luminanace, The signal can be delivered in Progressive or Interlaced Modes,  Component Video supports resolutions including 720p, 1080i, 1080p (Only if equipment supports 1080p over component) However most Video equipment only sends the signal via Component Video at a max resolution of 1080i.

Component Video will only carry the Video Signal.