Info on HDMI cables?

[Jeffhs]

I am considering getting an HDMI cable to connect between my flat-screen TV and my DVD player, but at the same time I wonder how much improvement I can expect, compared to connections using standard RF cables, as far as picture quality is concerned. I presently use an RF modulator set to channel 4 to convert the video output from the DVD so the TV can use it. The reason I set it up this way, rather than using an HDMI cable right from the start, is that I was very eager to get my new FP TV working; all I did was connect the RF output cable from the modulator to the RF antenna port of the TV. It worked, so I've just left it alone the four months or so I've had the FP set.

Also, is is possible to use an HDMI cable with a VCR? I have an old (2002 model) Panasonic VCR which I would also like to connect directly to my TV, although since the remote that came with my flat-screen TV is not a universal one, I'm thinking I will have to use two remotes to operate all functions of both devices if I decided to use the direct video inputs (there's a jack panel with six RCA pin jacks, rather than the RF antenna port, to connect them to the set). Crying out loud, this is why I use a universal remote (One For All model URC4041) with my entertainment system -- to keep from cluttering the small table near my easy chair with several different remotes! I am currently using the "aux" function button on the OFA remote to control the VCR, and the remote only has four input selection buttons, so I could not set any of those buttons to control any other device at this time. There is also a button marked Cable/Sat, for use with a cable box or satellite receiver, but I don't think it is possible to remap that button to a video input, as there is no mention of such a procedure in the remote's instruction manual. Actually, there is a procedure outlined in the manual to reassign device keys (which I used to set the AUX key on my remote to operate my VCR, when I first set up the remote), and another procedure to reset certain function buttons to operate certain other functions, but since everything seems to be working well now I don't want to mess things up if I can avoid it.


Thanks in advance.