DVI/HDMI connection will give you a true Digital feed from the box to your TV as long as your HDTV supports this. This is very noticeably with the DLPs. However, this does not say that component will not give you similar results. For example, Some Sony's HDTV do an analog/digital convertion through component that makes the final image look very similar to the DLPs. The short answer to your question is unless your cable company downsize the component feed to 480p, you are still getting the feed at either 720p/1080i. It is up to your HDTV native resolution after it leaves the box. I do not think there is a provider yet downrizing the component video so you should be safe to know that you are getting HD.
