help re: s-video needed - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

FrankBlack · 10-29-2003, 11:55 PM

Although I feel that my DVD player (it's a Toshiba SD-1200) offers stunning clarity, I'm tempted to purchase an S-video cable to enhance it even further. But after reading through other posts on the topic, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on whether or not a Monster s-video cable will provide a noticeable improvement -- an improvement worth the cost. A lot of people are recommending bettercables.com, but I'm not looking to spend that much. I just want something of decent quality for the money (idealy, looking for a bargain under $30-40 on Ebay).

I did a quick search on Amazon.com for 3-4ft Monster cables. I don't know what double shielded means. I guess that's an improvement because the cost is higher. (Is it worth it?) What's better, the $40 double-shielded or the THX? And what's the difference between SV-8 and SV-4? There's a high resolution cable for $17 and a kits that come bundled with audio cables. Are these bargains?

- Monster Cable MVSV3-1M Monster Super Video 3 Double Shielded S-Video Cable. (3.28 ft.) $40
- Monster Cable B SV1SV-1M Monster Standard S-Video Cable (3.28 ft.) $15
- Monster Cable THX V100 SV-8 S-Video Cable $25
- Monster Cable THX V100 SV-4 S-Video Cable $20
- Monster Cable MVSV2-1M Super Video 2 3.28-Foot High Resolution S-Video Cable $17
- Monster Cable SV2AV25-1M MonsterVideo 2/Interlink 250 A/V Connection Kit (S-Video) 1 m. set (3.28 ft.) $40
- Monster Cable I203 ASVP-1M S-Video POD 203 (High Performance All-in-One Audio/S-Video Cable 1 m. set (3.28 ft.) $33
- Monster Cable THX V100 SVO-4 Monster Standard THX-Certified S-Video/Fiber Optic Kit 4 ft. $35

I read a recommendation for MIT cables: better than Monster, not as expensive as BetterCables. The AVt 3 S-Video Interconnect (1m) is $25 from the MIT online store. Should I consider this?

If someone could give me some guidance on what to look for or recommend some alternatives (or just tell me what's the 1m cable to get for under $30-40...) I'd really appreciate it. -- Matt

tomdkat · 10-30-2003, 12:00 AM

Welcome to DVD File.

If you're pondering switching to S-Video cables, my first questions would be are you using composite video right now and can you use component video connections instead? If your TV supports component video, skip S-Video and go straight to component. What kind of TV are you connecting your SD-1200 to?

Peace...

FrankBlack · 10-30-2003, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Welcome to DVD File.

If you're pondering switching to S-Video cables, my first questions would be are you using composite video right now and can you use component video connections instead? If your TV supports component video, skip S-Video and go straight to component. What kind of TV are you connecting your SD-1200 to?

Peace...

I'm using the composite cables that came with the Toshiba player (purchased Jun. 2000). I'm connecting it to a 36" RCA Diagonal (purchased Nov. 1998). There are no component jacks in the back of the TV, only composite and s-video.

videoworx · 10-30-2003, 02:22 AM

Buy a $5-10 s-video cable. Compare the two signals. If you notice a big difference (which you should on a 36" tv), then let it be. When you compare the image quality of a cheap s-video cable with an expensive (ahem...monster) one, you probably won't notice a thing...Personally, I think Monster cables are a joke (but again, that is purely my opinion).

FrankBlack · 10-30-2003, 03:14 AM

Best Buy carries s-video cables by Acoustic Research for a lot less than Monster. What's their reputation?

PunkMunkey · 10-30-2003, 04:29 AM

Many friends and I use the Acoustic Research Cables and, according to us, they do just as good a job as the Monster Cables for much less (we did in fact do a direct comparison)...I try not to spend more on cables than what I paid for my components...take that for whatever it's worth...

edited:
I should mention that none of us as what one might consider ultra high-end equipment...we fall in the middle of the road, good quality, budget minded category...perhaps more expensive cables make a bigger difference with more expensive equipment...I'm can't be the one to make that call however...

I 8 Piglet · 10-30-2003, 02:37 PM

There are plenty of other online retailers that sell products that are fairly highly reguarded in comparson to monster. The ones that come to mind are the mogomi cables. You can get them over at Svideo.com, thats where I got my 30' component cable for my projector, and it works just fine for me. Their prices are very resonsable.

tomdkat · 10-30-2003, 06:08 PM

Come on people, we all know he must use Monster cables in order to remain a member here....

(just kidding)

Peace...

Dr. Evil · 10-31-2003, 06:56 AM

I use a plain vanilla VGA extension cable to connect my HTPC to my widescreen (it has a VGA-type input port).

I 8 Piglet · 11-01-2003, 03:53 PM

well if his tv doesnt have Component inputs I doubt it has vga...plus I dont think I have ever seen a CRT Tv that has a vga input.

FrankBlack · 11-04-2003, 09:38 PM

Thank you everyone for your help. I'm going to go with either the Acoustic Research or Mogami s-video cables instead of Monster.

10-29-2003, 11:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
FrankBlack Supporting Actor Join Date: Oct 2003	help re: s-video needed Although I feel that my DVD player (it's a Toshiba SD-1200) offers stunning clarity, I'm tempted to purchase an S-video cable to enhance it even further. But after reading through other posts on the topic, there doesn't seem to be a consensus on whether or not a Monster s-video cable will provide a noticeable improvement -- an improvement worth the cost. A lot of people are recommending bettercables.com, but I'm not looking to spend that much. I just want something of decent quality for the money (idealy, looking for a bargain under $30-40 on Ebay). I did a quick search on Amazon.com for 3-4ft Monster cables. I don't know what double shielded means. I guess that's an improvement because the cost is higher. (Is it worth it?) What's better, the $40 double-shielded or the THX? And what's the difference between SV-8 and SV-4? There's a high resolution cable for $17 and a kits that come bundled with audio cables. Are these bargains? - Monster Cable MVSV3-1M Monster Super Video 3 Double Shielded S-Video Cable. (3.28 ft.) $40 - Monster Cable B SV1SV-1M Monster Standard S-Video Cable (3.28 ft.) $15 - Monster Cable THX V100 SV-8 S-Video Cable $25 - Monster Cable THX V100 SV-4 S-Video Cable $20 - Monster Cable MVSV2-1M Super Video 2 3.28-Foot High Resolution S-Video Cable $17 - Monster Cable SV2AV25-1M MonsterVideo 2/Interlink 250 A/V Connection Kit (S-Video) 1 m. set (3.28 ft.) $40 - Monster Cable I203 ASVP-1M S-Video POD 203 (High Performance All-in-One Audio/S-Video Cable 1 m. set (3.28 ft.) $33 - Monster Cable THX V100 SVO-4 Monster Standard THX-Certified S-Video/Fiber Optic Kit 4 ft. $35 I read a recommendation for MIT cables: better than Monster, not as expensive as BetterCables. The AVt 3 S-Video Interconnect (1m) is $25 from the MIT online store. Should I consider this? If someone could give me some guidance on what to look for or recommend some alternatives (or just tell me what's the 1m cable to get for under $30-40...) I'd really appreciate it. -- Matt

10-30-2003, 12:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Welcome to DVD File. If you're pondering switching to S-Video cables, my first questions would be are you using composite video right now and can you use component video connections instead? If your TV supports component video, skip S-Video and go straight to component. What kind of TV are you connecting your SD-1200 to? Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

10-30-2003, 02:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
videoworx Would Make a Good Incubus Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: nowhere near Nebraska	Buy a $5-10 s-video cable. Compare the two signals. If you notice a big difference (which you should on a 36" tv), then let it be. When you compare the image quality of a cheap s-video cable with an expensive (ahem...monster) one, you probably won't notice a thing...Personally, I think Monster cables are a joke (but again, that is purely my opinion). __________________ And let’s not forget the fact that Tron turned the Frisbee into an instrument of righteous smiting.

10-30-2003, 04:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
PunkMunkey Join Date: Jul 2002	Many friends and I use the Acoustic Research Cables and, according to us, they do just as good a job as the Monster Cables for much less (we did in fact do a direct comparison)...I try not to spend more on cables than what I paid for my components...take that for whatever it's worth... edited: I should mention that none of us as what one might consider ultra high-end equipment...we fall in the middle of the road, good quality, budget minded category...perhaps more expensive cables make a bigger difference with more expensive equipment...I'm can't be the one to make that call however... __________________ ...you left me feeling hopeful I'd never see your face again. Last edited by PunkMunkey : 10-30-2003 at 04:32 AM.

10-30-2003, 02:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
I 8 Piglet Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: missing NYC hardcore :(	There are plenty of other online retailers that sell products that are fairly highly reguarded in comparson to monster. The ones that come to mind are the mogomi cables. You can get them over at Svideo.com, thats where I got my 30' component cable for my projector, and it works just fine for me. Their prices are very resonsable. __________________ "I have respect for Beer!" - John Nash "He was a wise man, who invented beer." - Plato My HT v2.1: with x1 screen shots New screen shots 2/4/04 \| My DVD Collection as of 12/15/04

10-30-2003, 03:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
FrankBlack Supporting Actor Join Date: Oct 2003	Best Buy carries s-video cables by Acoustic Research for a lot less than Monster. What's their reputation?

10-30-2003, 06:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Come on people, we all know he must use Monster cables in order to remain a member here.... (just kidding) Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

10-31-2003, 06:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
Dr. Evil Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Microsoft country	I use a plain vanilla VGA extension cable to connect my HTPC to my widescreen (it has a VGA-type input port).

11-01-2003, 03:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
I 8 Piglet Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: missing NYC hardcore :(	well if his tv doesnt have Component inputs I doubt it has vga...plus I dont think I have ever seen a CRT Tv that has a vga input. __________________ "I have respect for Beer!" - John Nash "He was a wise man, who invented beer." - Plato My HT v2.1: with x1 screen shots New screen shots 2/4/04 \| My DVD Collection as of 12/15/04

11-04-2003, 09:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
FrankBlack Supporting Actor Join Date: Oct 2003	Thank you everyone for your help. I'm going to go with either the Acoustic Research or Mogami s-video cables instead of Monster.

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