HDTV's, component inputs, HDMI, and connecting laptops, DV..

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

I am looking at buying one of the Sony 34" Widescreen CRT HDTV's. The
replacement for last years 34"WS HDTV CRT (just coming into stores
now) does not have DVI-input, or (apparently) HD component inputs, but
it does have HDMI input. Last years model had DVI-input and 2 HD
component inputs. I've been reading about HDMI and get the impression
that I could connect my laptop (with DVI out) into the HDTV through
that connection. Yes? I am wondering why they replaced the 2 HD
component inputs with 2 "regular" (whatever that means) component
inputs.

Basically, what I want to do is:

1) occasionally connect my laptop to the TV through some kind of HDTV
input format.
2) connect my XBOX to the TV in HDTV format (some games are HD
compatible)
3) connect a DVD player to the TV in HDTV format (does the format
matter for DVD?)
4) eventually connect a HDTV tuner/decoder/whatever to the TV

I don't want to be plugging and unplugging a whole wack-o-cables
everytime I want to plug my laptop in, or switch from my DVD player to
my XBOX. Having a DVI-input and 2 HD component inputs (like on last
years model), or having a HDMI and 2 HD component inputs seems to make
more sense to me. Then DVD, and XBOX go into the HD component inputs
and the laptop connects to the DVI or HDMI as needed. Maybe I am
missing something. Is HDMI a sort of Hydra input that can handle
multiple input sources when using an adapter?

Thanks.