Best Composite and S-Video Cables I can buy!

[CCEncoder]

I was looking today at the store and saw all brands and types of composites and s-video bundles and singles but I feel that in order to make the perfect purchase I need to consult with you first... first I want to know if it makes a difference what composite or s-video cable I use are they all the same? my VCR has composites and s-video outputs and my ADVC110 has the same for inputs is not like there is a fiber optic option... so what can you tell me... can it get any better? :P

[jagabo]

S-video is better than composite. Under 20 feet you will see no difference between a $10 s-video cable and $200 s-video cable. Especially with a low bandwidth source like VHS tape.

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?p=1373492

[bendixG15]

I tried diferent "quality" cables in my setup....

Unfortunately, I was unable to distinguish between the cheap and the expensive.

[ZippyP.]

What jagabo said! The build quality of the cables will not affect the signal, but you can get sturdier connectors and thicker insulation which should increase their lifespan. Just don't expect the picture to be any better using "monster" cables.

[BruceSD]

I have used a variety of cables over the years. In my experience, you may have a very, very minor gain using "midgrade" s-video cables ($10-20 individually, $20-30 in a set with audio cables), depending on your equipment and quality of your video source tapes. Extremely cheap or free in the box cables may be poorly made and can cause errors in the picture (I have a few free in-the-box cables which tinted the picture when they were bent in the wrong direction.)

If this is stuff you care about, I'd spend the few bucks extra and get a set of better-than-the-cheapest cables. Philips, GE and Monster Home make S-video and audio cable sets for $20-30 which are well made and work well. Anything more than that for VHS use is, technically, silly.

A word of warning: if you go with any Monster RCA/composite cables, be very careful plugging and unplugging them. They fit *extremely* tight, and can damage you equipment if you are too rough with them; they need to be very slowly twisted off.

[CCEncoder]

I bought a Philips set of "2 composite+1 s-video" it says it has 24k of gold... but it only cost me 15$ does this mean it isn't too good? as you said it should cost around 20-30$ for the combo? what do you think? I bought these:
http://www.dsmiller.com/Images/M62792.jpg
It sold for 8$! here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250056188955
and waited 3 months to sell so I wonder if is all that good despise its look:
Model M62792

[edDV]

I have used a variety of cables over the years. In my experience, you may have a very, very minor gain using "midgrade" s-video cables ($10-20 individually, $20-30 in a set with audio cables), depending on your equipment and quality of your video source tapes. Extremely cheap or free in the box cables may be poorly made and can cause errors in the picture (I have a few free in-the-box cables which tinted the picture when they were bent in the wrong direction.)

If this is stuff you care about, I'd spend the few bucks extra and get a set of better-than-the-cheapest cables. Philips, GE and Monster Home make S-video and audio cable sets for $20-30 which are well made and work well. Anything more than that for VHS use is, technically, silly.

A word of warning: if you go with any Monster RCA/composite cables, be very careful plugging and unplugging them. They fit *extremely* tight, and can damage you equipment if you are too rough with them; they need to be very slowly twisted off.

Amen Bro: The error is going too cheap on cables vs. not spending enough to go high end. Mid range is fine for most. Cables won't get you to high end performance. The expensive boxes might but buyer be'ware.

[FulciLives]

I bought a Philips set of "2 composite+1 s-video" it says it has 24k of gold... but it only cost me 15$ does this mean it isn't too good? as you said it should cost around 20-30$ for the combo? what do you think? I bought these:
http://www.dsmiller.com/Images/M62792.jpg
It sold for 8$! here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250056188955
and waited 3 months to sell so I wonder if is all that good despise its look:
Model M62792

I have that exact same Philips S-Video cable as in your first pic. I bought it at WALMART if I recall. It works fine for me.

I didn't look at the 2nd link.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[jagabo]

Someone go out and buy this cable:

http://www.htmarket.com/ausca.html

Then do some test caps with it and some inexpensive cables and post them.

[FulciLives]

Someone go out and buy this cable:

http://www.htmarket.com/ausca.html

Then do some test caps with it and some inexpensive cables and post them.

LOL

Now that's just retarded !!!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ZAPPER]

Someone go out and buy this cable:

http://www.htmarket.com/ausca.html

Then do some test caps with it and some inexpensive cables and post them.

Yes, quite. I'll have my butler get right to it.

[sphinx99]

A while ago I ended up testing a number of s-video cables. My source was a PC video card with s-video output displaying test patterns; display was a Sony Artisan CRT. What I found is that there can be a difference between the cheapest-of-the-cheap cables and the $10-15 variety, and at that point the difference tapers off.

I ended up getting bluejeanscables (I think that's the name) which were fairly affordably, excellent image quality and excellent build quality.

[edDV]

A while ago I ended up testing a number of s-video cables. My source was a PC video card with s-video output displaying test patterns; display was a Sony Artisan CRT. What I found is that there can be a difference between the cheapest-of-the-cheap cables and the $10-15 variety, and at that point the difference tapers off.

I ended up getting bluejeanscables (I think that's the name) which were fairly affordably, excellent image quality and excellent build quality.

Your lowest quality point was probably the source display card.

A DVCPro camcorder would have been a better test source.

[MOVIEGEEK]

I always buy AR(Acoustic Research) cables,quality+value.

[CCEncoder]

Someone go out and buy this cable:

http://www.htmarket.com/ausca.html

Then do some test caps with it and some inexpensive cables and post them.

Why don't you do it and post it for me.

[CCEncoder]

I always buy AR(Acoustic Research) cables,quality+value.

Are they better then the monsters? I saw monsters go for 25$ svideo combos on ebay... I thought they were up to 70$

[MOVIEGEEK]

I always buy AR(Acoustic Research) cables,quality+value.

Are they better then the monsters? I saw monsters go for 25$ svideo combos on ebay... I thought they were up to 70$

1.There are two types of cables that AR and Monster sellne is a good cable that has standard foil sheilding,the better ones use multiple layers of braided sheilding.When you compare similar cables AR gives you the most bang-for-the-buck:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-20439.html
2.As for ebay I can't comment(other than I don't trust ebay) on the cables because you haven't supplied a link.

[CCEncoder]

I always buy AR(Acoustic Research) cables,quality+value.

Are they better then the monsters? I saw monsters go for 25$ svideo combos on ebay... I thought they were up to 70$

1.There are two types of cables that AR and Monster sellne is a good cable that has standard foil sheilding,the better ones use multiple layers of braided sheilding.When you compare similar cables AR gives you the most bang-for-the-buck:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-20439.html
2.As for ebay I can't comment(other than I don't trust ebay) on the cables because you haven't supplied a link.

Monster s-video cables + audio sell for like 20-25$ on ebay pretty much everyday maybe they aren't top of their line...
290072440264
just search monster s-video audio on buy it now items. Let me know your comments.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Given the consumer level of your hardware, just stick with what you have. Otherwise you're just throwing good money away.

I've spent a lot of time working in laboratories with high tech instrumentation - lots of critical, weak signals to connect from one box of electronics to another (ranging from DC to 100MHz, a few nV). Nothing more glamorous than decent co-axial cable, a soldering iron and connectors purchased from an electronics supplier.

The likes of Monster see you coming......!!!!

[CCEncoder]

Given the consumer level of your hardware, just stick with what you have. Otherwise you're just throwing good money away.

Are you saying none of us should worry about what cables we use as long they weren't the cheapest of the cheap.

You don't think my SLV-r1000 or my AG-1980 will benefit from critical signals? Stick with what I have? don't you think a monster or AR or other good cable can give me better noticiable image quality then my philips?
Any comments...

[jagabo]

don't you think a monster or AR or other good cable can give me better noticiable image quality then my philips?

No.

[CCEncoder]

don't you think a monster or AR or other good cable can give me better noticiable image quality then my philips?

No.

You kidding...

comments anyone...

[edDV]

Ever looked inside your $1000 R1000? (I have one too).

Alot of tin not gold connectors and other cheap consumer construction quality. Also alot of amazing technology that we were lucky to have in the early-mid '90's.
http://www.videomaker.com/article/1784/

What makes you think the cable is that important to picture quality? And if you care about image quality, why use VHS or S-VHS?

I do find it a good playback deck for S-VHS/VHS due to internal TBC/DNR but a bit soft.

[jagabo]

don't you think a monster or AR or other good cable can give me better noticiable image quality then my philips?

No.

You kidding...

There's no magic in getting a 3MHz signal through a pair 6 foot of wires. If you have a very electrically noisy environment you might get less noise using better shielded cables. If you plan on plugging and unplugging them several times a day you may find better constructed cables hold up better. If you live on Venus thicker gold plating might prevent some corrosion.

[CCEncoder]

don't you think a monster or AR or other good cable can give me better noticiable image quality then my philips?

No.

You kidding...

There's no magic in getting a 3MHz signal through a pair 6 foot of wires. If you have a very electrically noisy environment you might get less noise using better shielded cables. If you plan on plugging and unplugging them several times a day you may find better constructed cables hold up better. If you live on Venus thicker gold plating might prevent some corrosion.

u kidding

[edDV]

For playback from your SLV-R1000 or AG-1980 be sure to use an S-Video cable to keep Y and C separate from tape to capture device or monitor.

Use a reasonable quality cable but there is no need to spend over $20 if that. Longer cables >25ft. need better shielding.

We are talking about baseband video here 3-5 MHz not VGA or analog component HD progressive that get up in the 12-60MHz range.

[JohnnyMalaria]

For playback from your SLV-R1000 or AG-1980 be sure to use an S-Video cable to keep Y and C separate from tape to capture device or monitor.

@CCEncoder

Here's the key point:

The cables are there to permit separate pieces of electronics to be connected without having to make a permanent connection (obviously)

The *best* connection would be to directly solder a wire from the signal on the VCR's circuit board to the signal on the digitizer's board.

As edDV points out in an earlier reply, inside your equipment, such connections are tinned, copper tracks.

No-one is "kidding" - but if you want to spend the extra money, go ahead. There may be a placebo effect - you'll *think* the results are better....

[CCEncoder]

The *best* connection would be to directly solder a wire from the signal on the VCR's circuit board to the signal on the digitizer's board.

As edDV points out in an earlier reply, inside your equipment, such connections are tinned, copper tracks.

No-one is "kidding" - but if you want to spend the extra money, go ahead. There may be a placebo effect - you'll *think* the results are better....

You think I'll get higher quality if I connect a wire based on copper from the circuit vcr to my huffyuv card?...
show me how!

[FulciLives]

The *best* connection would be to directly solder a wire from the signal on the VCR's circuit board to the signal on the digitizer's board.

As edDV points out in an earlier reply, inside your equipment, such connections are tinned, copper tracks.

No-one is "kidding" - but if you want to spend the extra money, go ahead. There may be a placebo effect - you'll *think* the results are better....

You think I'll get higher quality if I connect a wire based on copper from the circuit vcr to my huffyuv card?...
show me how!

Dear God in heaven ...

I really hope that CCEncoder's last comment was in jest but ... somehow I have a feeling he/she is serious.

I really just don't have the words to express how I feel right now ... at least not without getting a YELLOW CARD.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[JohnnyMalaria]

You think I'll get higher quality if I connect a wire based on copper from the circuit vcr to my huffyuv card?...
show me how!

What metal do you think most cables are made from? Copper.

You *might* get an improvement with pure gold or platinum wires....

Seriously, though, go out and spend $20 on some cables if you only have the really cheap ones.