Component VS S-video

[sub780lime]

i just picked up some component cables, and the only reason i did was it was an open item at BB marked down from 39 to 19, so which one is better, and why

on a side note, how exactly does component video work, using three cables?

[octopus1256]

Haven't used component yet

[palebluedot]

I love the stability and detail of Component Video. There is a huge difference in quality going from Composite. I've actually never used S-Video.

For a short description of how Component Video works, go here...

http://electronics.cnet.com/electron...7008129-1.html

There is also a link on that page to a Very detailed description. Probably more than you wanted to know.

[Taxi]

S-Video and component video are going to give similar video performance, with a slight (very slight) nod going to component. Usually, the deciding factor for most people will be whether or not your home theater receiver does S-Video or component video switching, just for the sake of convenience.

Composite, of course, is the black sheep of the video connection world, and should be avoided whenever possible.

[Naminator]

They're both pretty similar on interlaced setups (They're essential for HDTV), but once you use component, you'll never go back.

The thing is, a higher-quality component will look much better compared to a lower-quality cable. If you use a low-qual component, you're not going to be too blown away by the difference with S-Video, as I was. But once I shelled out for a $70 Monster Cable, I could not believe the detail that was brought out.

The colors looked incredibly more vibrant as compared to the old component cable which I got with my TV, and the image was cleaner and more detailed.

If you're going to go component, you might as well go all the way. It's really worth it.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by Taxi
Composite, of course, is the black sheep of the video connection world, and should be avoided whenever possible.

This is an interesting comment since I understand that S-Video is a composite video signal....

Peace.....

[I 8 Piglet]

I agree that there is very little noticable diffrence between component and svideo, I use componant for my DVD player and svideo for my PS2 because I only have one of each On a similar note I also cant really tell the diffrence between optical and coax, so I have coax out from the DVD player and optical out of the PS2 (because it only has an optical digital out)

[sub780lime]

these are the cables i bought, and using LOTREE as a reference i have noticed a difference from S-Video, the picture is definately more vivid

[cinemay]

Here is a simplified explanation for those that dont know.

Composite cables have all video information going through one cable. Result: unstable video.

S-Video has it going through one cable, but the connections seperate the blacks for a vibrant picture. It is essentially composite. Result: More stable video with vibrant blacks. Color can be known to dropout.

Component has been around in professional use for years(BNC connections). It seperates the video signal into 3 colors RGB (red, green, blue). Which are the primary colors used in all video. Result: Very stable and vibrant picture when using name brand cables. Generic cables suck. I personally use RCA cables bought for $18. Not the absolute best, but pretty damn good.

[BubbleGumUK]

After a few months or so of composite cables running into my Z9000 SharpVision projector I decided to upgrade (finally!)

Working out what could go where, we settled on a component cable running from my digital cable box (as that was the only output available) and s-video coming from the DVD player.

We did try a couple of switches to see if there was any difference, and yes the jump from composiste was astounding. Interlace defects were gone, color and picture generally more stable all over - a fantastic leap up in quality.

Switching between component and s-video, we found a very little difference. For the s-cable, I had it wired by an engineer friend of mine who used the best available elements, so it is a pretty top-notch cable. Same with the component, but overall what we've ended up with is the best choice anyway, as the DVD really didn't benefit from the extra component signal. We found s-video looked more than fine, and that the digital cable signal benefitted more from having a component cable.

Anyway, whatever, it all looks great (and we have the VHS hooked up via composite, should we ever need to use that...um...it's been a while)!

[sub780lime]

Cables

[deepfry]

As I understand it, the difference between s-video and composite is that in s-video cables there are two wires (in the same cable), one for chrominance (colour info) and the other for luminance (brightness - which I guess you could say is blacks, but it's also whites and grays as well).

S-video separates colour from light/darkness so you don't get colours showing up when two areas that differ highly in contrast are next to each other (look at someone wearing a white and black striped shirt through composite vs s-video cable and you'll see the difference instantly).

Then you have component cables which are one for luminance and two for chrominance, so you get even better colours as opposed to s-video, but as others have said the difference between s-video and component isn't as great as that between composite and s-video.

[Monster]

so then theres really no big diffrence , my new tv has s-video and i have never used s-video, but if there is no big diffrence between the two i will just get a monster s-video cable...

[Dilmo]

To me s-video gives a much better picture.

[I 8 Piglet]

With my projector, there is light years of difference between componant and svideo. I think that is pretty much the case of RPTV as well. I think it may just depend on the size of the display. The thing is now, as oppsed to when this thread was started, there are so many inexpensive component options out there, that unless you already have an svideo cable that you want to use, I cant see opting for svideo over component.

[Iguana Man]

I personally rate them this way;

Composite --> S-Video --> Component.

Going from Composite to S-Video was a large jump in picture quality. This was noticed via video games, dvd playback, and a SVHS deck. These differences I found were noticable even using the out-of-the-box supplied cables. And moreso with your Monster, AR, and even Radio Shack cables.

Going from S-Video to Component is a slight to moderate gain, and nothing like the jump from Composite to S-Video...IMO. I also think the quality of the cable is more important when dealing with Component, in order to see the slight to moderate gain in pq.

From what I've read, you may see less improvements when switching from S-Video to Component on TV's smaller than 36". While I can't say this is true for sure, since I never tested it on my 27" Mits (it only had composite), I can say I saw a moderate gain in pq when switching to Component from S-Video for DVD playback on a 52" TV.

So, in my experience the gain from Composite to S-Video is drastic, while the gain from S-Video to Component is moderate given the right equipment/cables.

Side note.....is Component required to get HD? For some reason I don't think you can get HD using S-Video let alone Composite. I may be wrong on this, but if I'm correct, you wan't to keep that in mind.

Now....I'm off to go X-Mas shopping and for once in my life get it all done before the 24th. Wish me luck!

[jmoney]

I only have a 27" Sony Wega, but component still looks considerably better. Especially as far as color saturation goes.

[Pirate]

With my projector, there is light years of difference between componant and svideo.

I agree! On my PJ, component rules all. S-video looks awful on a big screen. If you have progressive scan, theres just no contest IMO.

-PH

[Monster]

ok well for now i will try s-video and see if i notice any diffrence.....

and i need a new surround system... but that can wait...lol

[gltaylor74]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I agree! On my PJ, component rules all. S-video looks awful on a big screen. If you have progressive scan, theres just no contest IMO.

-PH

I would say so since S-Video cannot carry a progressive signal. The bottom line is this: If all you are using is an interlaced player, then it won't make a whole bunch of difference if you use S-video or component. Component does have the technical edge. DVD video is stored in the component format, so using component out from the player keeps the image more true to the source. Using S-video out means that the two chroma channels stored on the disc must be combined into one as S-video only carries two signals (one chroma and one luminance). Therefore, component can carry across all three channels seperately as stored on the DVD, but S-video must downconvert the two chroma channels into one.

If you want progressive 480p, or 720p or 1080i from the newer upscaling players, then you must use either component or DVI/HDMI as S-video will only support 480i.

Composite output is another matter. If you use composite out of a dvd player, all three video signals stored on the DVD (2 chroma and 1 luminance), must be combined into one signal. Your TV cannot display a composite signal, so the TV uses it's Comb Filter to seperate the lumiance from the chroma. The issue is that once the channels have been combined they can not really be perfectly seperated and that the comb filter in most TV's are not that great. Using S-video or component out of the DVD player is better because the luminance and chroma stay seperated and are never combined, therefore the TV can display it without the use of it's comb filter. Note that this only applies to DVD. For other sources such as Laserdisc composite out may be the best output to use, dependent upon the quality of the comb filters inside of the laserdisc player and the TV.

[I 8 Piglet]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Side note.....is Component required to get HD? For some reason I don't think you can get HD using S-Video let alone Composite. I may be wrong on this, but if I'm correct, you wan't to keep that in mind.

Yup you need component or better, no svideo

[leeving]

Originally Posted by jmoney

I only have a 27" Sony Wega, but component still looks considerably better. Especially as far as color saturation goes.

I noticed a drastic jump in picture quality from svideo--> component on my 27" wega, too.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by leeving

I noticed a drastic jump in picture quality from svideo--> component on my 27" wega, too.

Well that's good to know. Like I said earlier, I remember reading the differences were supposed to be negligible on tv's under 36", but hey, I read that a while back. Regardless, it's nice to know that can be ruled out given your replies.

To the PJ/Component gang: I've yet to watch Sat or DVD playback on the Z2 via S-Vid, so I guess I can't make a comparison in that respect, however I have seen my A/V receivers menu via S-Vid and it does look horrendous....so I'll go with you guys on that one.

I wonder if given a PJ as your source makes the original question lean towards component as a 'must'? Just a thought...

[limacharliewhiskey]

For those who use component cables, are you able to still transmit closed-captioned signals to the TV? I've read that because of the way component cables break up the video signal into its components, the closed-caption line, which is part of the video signal, may get stripped out in the process.

I don't know personally anyone who uses component cables, so I've never been able to confirm or refute this. Can anyone who does use component cables let me know? Thanks in advance.

[I 8 Piglet]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I wonder if given a PJ as your source makes the original question lean towards component as a 'must'? Just a thought...

Well I guess that depends on what scaler your PJ uses. My x1 has farudja DCDi, so it will handel svideo much bettern than the new x1a and others that uses lesser grade scalers.

[panhead4life]

Thisw is a pointless poll...obviously component

[Iguana Man]

Well Sublime....there ya have it!

From now on just pm PanHead and get your answers! :p

[Shadowman82]

The difference between Composite and S-Video is like night and day but the difference from S-Video to component is not that huge but there is a difference . Colours will be more vibrant on Component .

When I move out of my parents place I will have to get a TV of my own so I'll probably buy more expensive component cables then .

If your TV or Projector has component then use it , it would be stupid not to .