IT not night and Day but the little thing like snow and grass and Debree from buildings is sharper. The cables does matter but it not as big as a different swtich from componet to HDMI. Yes it all the same signal The faster and more data it can Transter the better the picture quailty will be. That all. Firefold is good site that is what my dad use at his office to connect His computer to the 26 samsing at his work. I am not dog on firefold. here lol.