I've connected the Sony HDTV to the cable box with the HDMI cables. Connected the component cables from the TV to the VCR/DVD player with all the appropriate colors. The VCR/DVD player is plugged in and works but no picture when the TV is on input HDMI, and the VCR player works when on input component 1 but the picture is bluish with large pixels. Do I need to buy a new VCR/DVD player that is specifically for HDTV or is there another way to hook up the one I have?

Hi pattyschwarz

The answer is No, that you don't have to buy a VCR/DVD that is specifically for HDTV.
The hookup you have sounds perfectly normal. Cablebox via HDMI and VCR/DVD via component.
You then have to use the TV control to switch between inputs to watch either the cable box, or the VCR/DVD.

What you may be experiencing is problems with the Picture setup of the HDTV inputs, or problems with he Aspect setting.
Each input has to have the Picture settings set up independently, and the desired aspect.
Your remote may also have an aspect button on it.

If the VCR/DVD picture has large pixels and appears blurry, it sounds like the picture has been digitally zoomed. The aspect you want will need to be set to something like 'Widescreen' or '4:3' (TV Setting) or '16:9' (Movie Setting). They also have settings such as 'Zoom1' 'Zoom2' which is the digital zoom.

Sorry if this is something you know, but I don't know your knowledge level of TVs

The other thing it could be is that your HDTV does not scale picture well. If it is 720p or even 1080p, it has to take the input signal, VCR being something like 480p, and DVD 576p and scale it up to the resolution of your HDTV, either 720p or 1080p. This may result in a picture that appears worse than if you just watched the resolution at 480p or 576p on an old TV.
But this all depends on how good your HDTV is and how good it scales. It shouldn't be so bad it is unwatchable, so this is unlikely.

Hi Gekko,

Thank you so much for responding. You nailed it on the head. It was the picture set up on the VCR. It's working fine now. All this new technology is overwhelming. I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Thanks again.