The transition from composite to component - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 05:58 PM

I just picked up a set of Monster 4' Component Cables (I set out to pick up an S-video cable to replace my composite connection, but I couldn't resist).

I'm a newbie at high-end connections though, so bear with me as I ask the following question..

- The guy at FutureShop said that I also need audio connections in addition to the Monster Component cable, and that I can just use my existing composite cables (for audio and video), but just leave the yellow connectors unconnected. Is this true?

- Is it safe to do the above (leave the yellow composite connection unconnected)? .. or should I pick up a set of audio-only connections?

Thanks!

Fightguard · 05-02-2003, 06:12 PM

So you are you are using ANALOG stereo cables(red and while) for your DVD player's audio output and not DIGITAL coax or optical cables?!!?
to answer your question, yes it is safe to leave the yellow unconnected...

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 06:20 PM

One step at a time I guess.. I'm a student, and I didn't have any more cash on me at the time

.. I'll probably pick up better audio connections some time down the line though. Thanks Fightguard!

Fightguard · 05-02-2003, 06:25 PM

okay...but you are missing out on a HUGE part of the DVD watching experience! How much did the monster cable cost you at FS? You would've been better off living with composite video and investing that money in an entry level 5.1 setup...just my $0.02 anyways.

Hey, school out...go sell your textbooks

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 06:30 PM

It was $44.99 Cdn. at FS .. compared to the $29.99 Monster S-Video cable that I intended to get. I looked at it and thought, 'Why the heck not?'

I have been considering a 5.1 setup lately, but they $500+ for a home theater package is a little too steep for me right now ..

Fightguard · 05-02-2003, 06:37 PM

yeah, i know what it's like to be a student on tight budget...
I'm getting by with $200 computer speakers/decoder/amp (Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2500) in my small basement living room for my HT setup.

tomdkat · 05-02-2003, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ben_mku
I have been considering a 5.1 setup lately, but they $500+ for a home theater package is a little too steep for me right now ..

What are you connecting your DVD player to for audio output right now? If you post your equipment list here, or better yet in "Your Home Theater" then we can get a better idea of your setup.

My mom has a 32" Sony Wega flat screen analog TV with a Pioneer DV-440 interlaced only DVD player connected via component video cables and analog stereo audio cables (connected directly to the TV) and she's very happy with her setup.

I think Ben spent his money wisely since he can have great (as great as possible) video quality TODAY without having to invest a ton of money into other gear and have to deal with finding a place to put it, etc.

Take your time, Ben...

Peace....

Fightguard · 05-02-2003, 06:49 PM

yeah, $45 CAD isn't that huge of a hit to the wallet. I didn't know the going rates for monster component cables he picked up, I was (erroneously) thinking he'd spent somewhere in the $100 area

take care Ben

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 06:53 PM

I too only have my dvd player hooked up to my tv for audio..

But the tv ain't all that big (only a 20 inch, but it's a Toshiba flat screen, so I'm happier with that than with the 27 inch ol'fashioned one the dvd player used to be connected to), plus it's up in an unused, small bedroom that we recently converted into my own private little theater

.. so perhaps 5.1 speakers would be too much for that small space..

Anyway, as tomdkat said, I can finally start enjoying the visual quality of my ever-growing dvd collection

Fightguard · 05-02-2003, 06:57 PM

P.S. my apologies if I came off as being maybe a little bit pretentious in my initial posts...everyone has thier own preferences and priorities, and I just tend to put audio ahead of video.

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 07:01 PM

No problem Fightguard, I appreciate the input you and tomdkat have provided!

videoworx · 05-02-2003, 07:02 PM

FYI, on a student budget, you could simply have used the red/white/yellow cables you already own as component video cables. Nobody will notice the difference. And they are much cheaper too...

Ben_mku · 05-02-2003, 07:05 PM

Quote:

FYI, on a student budget, you could simply have used the red/white/yellow cables you already own as component video cables. Nobody will notice the difference. And they are much cheaper too...

Really? I didn't know that.. but then aren't the red and white connections of composite cables used for the audio, whereas all three of the green, blue, and red of component cables are used for video.. how would that work?

videoworx · 05-02-2003, 10:34 PM

Quote:

whereas all three of the green, blue, and red of component cables are used for video.. how would that work?

Well, if the colours are confusing you, tape black electrical tape around them to hide the differences. There is absolutely no difference between RCA-style AUDIO cables and RCA-style VIDEO cables. Only shielding and connectors raise the cost of the cables (or a name, in the case of Monster).

MurDiddlyUrdler · 05-03-2003, 12:39 AM

I would recommend NOT using standard red/white/yellow cables as component cables. These cables (which come with any new player) are typically pretty low quality and will not work very well with component video. I tested these kind of "cheap" cables on my system and the results were VERY disapointing.

To enjoy the benefits of component video I would recommend using something better than a $4 cable. There's not much sense in using a better connection if you're still going to use a cheap cable. A higher quality cable will definitely yield higher quality results.

Jellodyne · 05-05-2003, 02:57 PM

You do gain something from better cables (up to a point), but if you take a moment to consider how much larger the wires are in 3 cheap RCA cables vs any premium S-Video cable you'll see that even a $5 set of component cables is a step in the right direction.

05-02-2003, 05:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ben_mku Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	The transition from composite to component I just picked up a set of Monster 4' Component Cables (I set out to pick up an S-video cable to replace my composite connection, but I couldn't resist). I'm a newbie at high-end connections though, so bear with me as I ask the following question.. - The guy at FutureShop said that I also need audio connections in addition to the Monster Component cable, and that I can just use my existing composite cables (for audio and video), but just leave the yellow connectors unconnected. Is this true? - Is it safe to do the above (leave the yellow composite connection unconnected)? .. or should I pick up a set of audio-only connections? Thanks!

05-02-2003, 06:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fightguard Actor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto	So you are you are using ANALOG stereo cables(red and while) for your DVD player's audio output and not DIGITAL coax or optical cables?!!? to answer your question, yes it is safe to leave the yellow unconnected... Last edited by Fightguard : 05-02-2003 at 06:16 PM.

05-02-2003, 06:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
Fightguard Actor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto	P.S. my apologies if I came off as being maybe a little bit pretentious in my initial posts...everyone has thier own preferences and priorities, and I just tend to put audio ahead of video. Last edited by Fightguard : 05-02-2003 at 07:00 PM.

05-05-2003, 02:57 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jellodyne Actor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN, US	You do gain something from better cables (up to a point), but if you take a moment to consider how much larger the wires are in 3 cheap RCA cables vs any premium S-Video cable you'll see that even a $5 set of component cables is a step in the right direction. __________________ DO NOT SIT NEXT TO DENIS!

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05-02-2003, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ben_mku Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	One step at a time I guess.. I'm a student, and I didn't have any more cash on me at the time .. I'll probably pick up better audio connections some time down the line though. Thanks Fightguard!

05-02-2003, 06:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Fightguard Actor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto	okay...but you are missing out on a HUGE part of the DVD watching experience! How much did the monster cable cost you at FS? You would've been better off living with composite video and investing that money in an entry level 5.1 setup...just my $0.02 anyways. Hey, school out...go sell your textbooks

05-02-2003, 06:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben_mku Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	It was $44.99 Cdn. at FS .. compared to the $29.99 Monster S-Video cable that I intended to get. I looked at it and thought, 'Why the heck not?' I have been considering a 5.1 setup lately, but they $500+ for a home theater package is a little too steep for me right now ..

05-02-2003, 06:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Fightguard Actor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto	yeah, i know what it's like to be a student on tight budget... I'm getting by with $200 computer speakers/decoder/amp (Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2500) in my small basement living room for my HT setup.

05-02-2003, 06:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Fightguard Actor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Toronto	yeah, $45 CAD isn't that huge of a hit to the wallet. I didn't know the going rates for monster component cables he picked up, I was (erroneously) thinking he'd spent somewhere in the $100 area take care Ben

05-02-2003, 06:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ben_mku Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	I too only have my dvd player hooked up to my tv for audio.. But the tv ain't all that big (only a 20 inch, but it's a Toshiba flat screen, so I'm happier with that than with the 27 inch ol'fashioned one the dvd player used to be connected to), plus it's up in an unused, small bedroom that we recently converted into my own private little theater .. so perhaps 5.1 speakers would be too much for that small space.. Anyway, as tomdkat said, I can finally start enjoying the visual quality of my ever-growing dvd collection

05-02-2003, 07:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ben_mku Actor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada	No problem Fightguard, I appreciate the input you and tomdkat have provided!

05-02-2003, 07:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
videoworx Would Make a Good Incubus Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: nowhere near Nebraska	FYI, on a student budget, you could simply have used the red/white/yellow cables you already own as component video cables. Nobody will notice the difference. And they are much cheaper too...

05-03-2003, 12:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
MurDiddlyUrdler Banned Join Date: Aug 2002	I would recommend NOT using standard red/white/yellow cables as component cables. These cables (which come with any new player) are typically pretty low quality and will not work very well with component video. I tested these kind of "cheap" cables on my system and the results were VERY disapointing. To enjoy the benefits of component video I would recommend using something better than a $4 cable. There's not much sense in using a better connection if you're still going to use a cheap cable. A higher quality cable will definitely yield higher quality results.