verk

I'm sure it varies, but I found the picture quality on Xbox 360 over component VASTLY inferior to its picture over HDMI.

Granted, in some cases it makes games look more realistic as it degrades the image quality and crashes the contrast ratio, so it looks more like footage shot with a camera.

However if you want a pixel sharp image with a good contrast ratio, component is NOT the way to go in my experience.  But it does depend a lot on both the console generating the signal and your specific TV.

HDMI certainly seems to handle longer distances better.  I have a 7m HDMI from my Xbox 360 to the TV which works perfectly.  But extend a component cable to 2m from 1m and you see ghosting appear.

I also read that the reason 1080p over component is not commonly available is down to the AACS content protection scheme not working over 1080p.

Although seeing as the Wii U doesn't play DVD or Bluray, I think it would be pretty tight for them to bother using content protection on the output so perhaps you WILL be able to capture 1080p over HDMI.  Although I bet they do protect it due to supporting on-demand services for TV.  This blocking your ability to record things is such a load of crap.