hi there
I just bought a mint Z1 as my B cam (my main being a sony ex1r)

now the problem I have is that the Z1 doesn't have HDMI, and when I use the next best thing,component, to connect to my Bravia 720p the image is not fantastic (certainly not as great as watching for instance a file with a clip shot with the Z1 via the PS3) and I don't mean the obvious difference in quality versus the EX1r

when I initially bought the EX1r I tried to use the component as well, and had a similar disappointed reaction _ I then switched to HDMI and all my problems were solved.(I noticed a HUGE gap between component and HDMI) - is this normal?
is there any issue I might have with component inputs in my Bravia? or maybe the cables? do you suggest I try S-Video instead?
I hate Component!!! in my experience there really is no comparison and HDMI delivers a much cleaner picture...
any help appreciated.
Fed

Federico.
What is your intended delivery format for footage shot with the cameras ? If its Bluray or SD DVD, burn out a project and see what that looks like through normal replay machines. I rarely look at footage from my cameras through an HD TV, The first viewings are on the final delivery format, thats the one that counts.

depends, most of the time it will be DVD or Bluray, other times video files for Internet websites

it's obviously true what you said, but the hdmi allows me to quickly test a shot straight on a big HDTV screen, whereas, and that's the sense of my question, the Component seems to be deteriorating to the point where you don't really get a good perception

Component should be superior to S-Video.

The best would be digital playback through HDMI as you note. Can you play the footage in a different HDV cam that has HDMI? That would give you a reference.

...(I noticed a HUGE gap between component and HDMI) - is this normal?No. A proper component output should be very close to HDMI. Are you sure you are outputting HD via component? It's switchable (page 74).

Component should be vastly superior to S-Video.