This question from reader Cassandra came in for PC Magazine lead analyst Robert Heron:

I bought a HDTV for the bedroom from OneCall.com--the [Westinghouse] SK19H210S 19-inch LCD Flat Panel HDTV. Of course I want to use a HDMI cable (it does have RCA output), but none of my current equipment uses HDMI cabling, just RCA and coaxial. Time Warner offers a DVR for an additional $10 per room that will use the HDMI cable, but I already have a VCR/DVD recorder on both TVs and see no need to get a DVR.

Is there way to adapt the HDMI cable to the RCA? Or should I just use the RCA output? I want the best video quality without having to bring in more equipment.

Robert's answer after the jump.

Robert: You want to avoid converting one video port to another format, as it can be costly and it may actually make the picture look worse. If you use a cable box now, I'd ask Time Warner if it offers a version of the cable box that has HDMI output. If it does, that probably isn't any more expensive than the box you are currently using.

I'd also check your current cable box (if you are using one) to see if it has component video output--three RCA-style jacks colored red/blue/green and sometimes labeled as "Y Pb Pr." That is the next-best video connection to use on your TV (HDMI being the best), and odds are that Time Warner has a cable box that provides component video output (if HDMI-enabled boxes are unavailable).

For your VCR/DVD recorder hardware, check and see if it provides an S-Video output (or possibly a component video output--even better!). The goal is to avoid using the composite video outputs (single yellow RCA jacks) as those provide the worst quality among all video connections.

In short, component video output is the best analog video connection to use, and HDMI is the best digital connection to use. If you cannot use either of those with your gear, S-Video is the next best option; S-Video carries analog/standard definition video only.

Also, I suggest online stores such as monoprice.com or bluejeanscable.com for good-quality audio/video cables at low prices.