What does "RF" stand for in RF Modulator?

RF like others have said is for Radio Frequency. This confuses a lot of people because an RF modulator is typically for connection to a Television. But what many people don't realize is that the frequencies used for Television are also on the same bandwidth as those used for Radio. The technology came from the radio industry after their success with being able to broadcast long distances.So now an RF Modulator converts Audio/Video connections (signlas) into a coax cable that the TV essentially "receives".I know this was probably more than you were looking for, but its something that my company talks about when doing trainings relating to connections.I hope this helped.

Can I convert Component Video and Analog audio up to HDMI?

As far as upconverting your component video to HDMI the only real way to do it is through a Audio/Video receiver that has HDMI inputs on it that also does upconverting. There's quite a few products on the market that do it, but you're going to be looking between $700 - $1000 to get a receiver that offers this capability. However if you keep an eye on the promotions, you can catch a good deal on a few products. Check out Circuit City for the Denon AVR887 ($700), and the AVR 987 ($1100). Both units have multiple HDMI inputs, and also will upconvert Composite, S-Video and Component Video up to HDMI. (You can also go higher up the latter with Denon and a few other brands to get more features, but you may not need them). However, there isn't a single product on the market that will allow audio and video to go from analog to HDMI. So if you want to get sound into your Television as well you would run an audio cable from the recevier too.Looking at your system now if you're using the component video jacks, it more than likely for your source (sat/cable), and probably your DVD player. Figure out what is more important to you, between the sources and if you're not getting an HD source from your satellite or cable, switch it to S-Video, and use the component for your XBOX if you don't do something with a receiver, because the XBOX 360 (if that's what you've got) offers HD Gaming through component.I am a national trainer for Denon and Monster Cable, along with numerous other Home Theater related companies, so I get a lot of questions like this on a regular basis.