RCA vs S-Video vs Component

[LeChuck]

I finally got around to setting up my projector back up after having a house fire many months ago. I finally replaced my screen this week and have everything back in place. It got me wondering though, having to look at the back of these devices again if I should be using a different video cable. I am still using the composite yellow cable (that goes so nicely with the white and red audio cables) but am now wondering if I should switch to component or s-video. Will I notice a huge difference between what I have now if I switch? Which of the three is the best? I have done a little research and have found some answers, but I want to know what you are using. Also, if it helps, I am using a standard def DVD player with an Infocus SP5000 projector. Thanks!

[Astrakan]

In order of worst to best:

Composite/RCA
S-video
Component

In other words, you're currently using the worst of the three. And yeah, you'll notice a marked difference if you upgrade to component. Even if you're not using an HD player.

KM

[LeChuck]

Thanks for the help. One last question: is there a difference between different component cables. I looked on ebay and found them for as little as $10 for 50 feet of cable. I look at radioshack and best buy and it is about $30-$50 for 12 feet. Is it just name brand that is boosting the price or am I going to find the cheaper stuff to be a sham?

[Astrakan]

Well, that is a bit of a can of worms. Some say it doesn't make much of a difference, wheras others swear it makes all the difference in the world.

I'm no expert on the subject matter, but I'd go with something in the middle of the road like those $30-50 cables. I don't think there's much point in spending hundreds of dollars on the ultra high-end stuff. Especially if you're only doing standard-def DVD.

Is your player progressive scan? Upconverting?

Even if the answer is no to both, you should notice a difference. My HDTV only has two component inputs, which until recently were taken up by my Xbox 360 and my PVR, but just last week I switched over my DVD player from s-video to component and was happily surprised with the difference. Even my wife commented on it, and that's saying something.

KM

[LeChuck]

I am going to try the 10 dollar ones because I really need a lot of it and 50 feet for 10 bucks is quite a deal. If it doesn't look much better, I might investigate into getting some more expensive cables. Thanks for your suggestions, they were most helpful.

[sub780lime]

I would be thoroughly surprised if you didn't see a difference even using some really cheap cables. I remember when I first switched from S-video to Component and you going from RCA to Component, prepare to be blown away.

[limacharliewhiskey]

Biggest difference jumping to S-video from composite that I noticed was in text credits.

Difference in S-video to component will be colors being more true and brighter image.

All these were noticeable to me on SD.

You will need at least component to video good quality HD. HD looks pretty crappy through composite.

I use the cheap $7 component cables, and they work fine.

[LeChuck]

Sweet. Can't wait for them to get here! I thoroughly enjoy being blow away from time to time.

[rixrex]

There's definite differences between the three usually, but since I have gotten my Pioneer Elite widescreen, the differences are definitely less significant, due in large part to the what the Pioneer set itself can do, since it has built-in P-scan enhancers and such.

Using only the direct inputs to the set, I've found that there is a very slight difference from VHS composite to VHS S-video, almost nothing is noticable on well-recorded, newer factory tapes. There is actually a better image on Laserdisc composite than S-video, which has more to do with the system of recording on LD and the use of a better comb-filter by the set than the LD player and this is not an unusual finding. Surprisingly, with DVDs, the differences between the three compared side-by-side on the Pioneer set with the same image is negligible. I would think that the differences on lesser quality sets would be more significant.

Since I put all the devices through a DVDO enhancer, all of them are converted into P-scan component output with any necessary scaling done by the DVDO, and that's the absolute best image of all.

[firestorm]

As said, there's definitely a perceivable difference between the three, and I imagine even more so with a long haul like 50ft.

For good to great cables at bargain prices, check out www.bluejeanscables.com and www.monoprice.com. I've personally purchased speaker cable from BJC, and I can say it is excellent stuff (Belden cable is known to be good). However, it's not exactly cheap, particulary video cables, but you can purchase custom lengths. I believe their stuff is about as good as it gets in such a price range. Monoprice, on the other hand, is well known for good products at low prices. For an alternate to Monster Cable or Acoustic Research (i.e. Best Buy, Circuit City), I'd shop there.

BJC would cost over $100, so I'd suggest this:
50Ft 3-RCA Component Video Cable (RG-59/u) $14.50
OR
PREMIUM 50FT 3-RCA Component Video Coaxial RG-6 18AWG 75Ohm CL2 Rated Cable $38
For that length, I would personally go with the higher grade RG-6 cable.

[plissken99]

I'm also a fan of Blue Jean cables, can't go wrong there. I remember the difference I saw going from composite to s-video on a 35in 4:3 TV, it was incredible, on a projector the difference will be massive. Next you need an upconverting DVD player and an HDMI to DVI cable running to your projector. That will yeild an excellent increase in PQ.

[sub780lime]

Since we are throwing out our cable choices, I would throw in Best Deals Cables. Its midpriced, the quality on their stuff is great.