Composite Video or S-Video

[Denvers Dawgs]

I always thought that S-Video gives a better picture than Composite Video, but a friend of mine told me today that Composite is actually better. So which one is it? Comp or S-Video?

[scottymac]

He probably meant "component" not composite.

[tony123]

I know that svideo separates the colors better than composite. the colors are more vivid as well. But what I am not sure about is does it transmit more lines of resolution?

[lordsmurf]

I know that svideo separates the colors better than composite. the colors are more vivid as well. But what I am not sure about is does it transmit more lines of resolution?

s-video separates luma from chroma, and is entirely apart from the audio ... does not separate colors

[lgh529]

Composite is the lowest resolution video that is possible, unless it's modulated to RF. S-Video is the next step up in quality, then component (RGB or some variation) is the next. The highest quality is RGBHV with requires 5 coax cables. This is also the method that your computer monitor receives its signal from your video card. I have never seen it available in consumer devices.

[Denvers Dawgs]

So then S-video would give a better picture?

[sitlet]

yes, s-video is a better picture than the composite video (rca). if you have the component video, that is the best, but most tvs dont have that unless they were made in the past year or so.

[Denvers Dawgs]

How do I know if I have component video? And what type of wires (description) do I need? Is component the 3 wires that are connected (red, white, yellow)?

[scottymac]

Component video is 3 "RCA" type cables - Red, Green and Blue

S-video is one big cable with 4 pins on the end

Composite is one "RCA" type cable - Yellow (the red and white are audio)