Do component video cables really make a difference?

[chuckly]

I recently bought a pioneer DVD player and as usual they include the good old RCA (composite) cables to connect it to the TV (I’ve got a wega). So I was looking through the catalog that came with my order and they have a few pages devoted to cables. According to them, upgrading to a good cable can really make a big difference in the image quality. They suggest either a s-video cable or for even better quality a component video cable.

I mainly watch SVCDs that I make from original DVDs using DVD2SVCD or videos that I convert from divx format (usually divx rips) to the SVCD/VCD format.

My question is, in my situation would upgrading to a component video cable really improve the quality of the image displayed by much? Anyone have any experience with these cables?

[gll99]

Component is actually 3 wires for color separation. Toshiba calls it color stream which sort of explains its purpose. There's a whole technical explanation as to why its better. My understanding is that it helps keep the color from bleeding into one another.

In the TV/DVD world, the step up in quality is coax, then (RCA) composite video, then svideo then component video.

If you have 3 good quality rca video connector cables then you can get away with trying those since they also use the same rca tips. Just don't mix the colors up cause it will look weird.

PS:

Your player and TV have to be equiped with the component input/outputs.

It's more about saving the signal you already have with minimal degradation and interference. The original quality will be maintained better but not enhanced.

[Mirror_Image]

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~scdawson/video/

[chuckly]

Thanks guy

I especially liked the link with the pictures, i may try out at least a s-video cable and see how it looks. My concern was that i may not notice much difference because i don't really play dvds, I play mostly vcd/svcd that i burn on my PC.

thanks again.

[rsuave5]

well not sure if you are satisfied with the responses youve gotten but let me add ny 2 cents, i had component cables for my ps2 and i was ok until my brother brought over his which we connected via fire wire and put both on screen at the same time via split screen well he had s video cables and when the title came up i saw what in my eyes was a huge difference! in the clarity and color spectrum.
i now use only the best cables my systems will accept

[offline]

Many DVD players with component out run an inferior DAC to that
which is inline to the S-Video. In these cases you will lose detail
by gaining better color seperation. Most people are fooled into
thinking that component is always better. In my experience it
is almost always worse due to limitations of the display device
or the above mentioned problem with many DVD players.

Keep in mind that detail is less important in smaller displays while
anything from 30" up should show a significant
benifit from greater detail.

[crahak]

Well, S-video is big improvement on composite. But unless you play progressive video on a high end TV or something like that, and with a good player, it won't do much good. I'm not saying it will most definately not, but for SVCD's, I think S-video is good enough. Good luck.

[gll99]

I have 2 very similar Apex DVD players hooked to 2 equal quality TV's with both component and svideo inputs. The TV's also both have 3 line digital comb filters and auto color correction. They are not HDTV but have high lines of resolution.
1 is connected via component video and the other using svideo. You cannot tell the difference. I would have to examine minute details to find flaws and exchange wires and the players to be sure but I think it would be picking at straws.

By the way, Good Component video cables are 8 to 10 times more expensive that a good svideo cable.

[rsuave5]

i beg to differ
i am anal about my picture and i can tell the difference between s video and composite . s video is better that is a fact not my guess or opinion whether or not you can see it often times depends on you . my wife cannot, my sister cannot my brothers and i definately can , so i believe its tied into the vagina.
my gold s- video and fiber optic audio were and still are the most expensive cables at best buy and monster cables web site

[ronrosa]

Chuckly:

I believe they are talking about component cables, not composite.

[LeeBear]

I have 2 very similar Apex DVD players hooked to 2 equal quality TV's with both component and svideo inputs.

That is probably why you cannot see the different gl99 Nothing against Apex DVD players but I doubt anyone would consider them as high quality and like offline said many of the lower end DVD player that have component output uses cheap DACs that won't give you any better picture then Svideo.

But back to the original question asked by chuckly, from my experience component cables do make a difference. On my progressive scan Panasonic DVD player hooked up to a 16:9 34" Toshiba HDTV the component cables give a noticeably more vibrant picture compare to the S-video cable. When I say vibrant I mean the that colours look more saturated, more pure, in a way it almost brightens up the entire image. Whether they're worth the extra money, I'd say definately to a point. I wouldn't go out and spend a few hundred dollars on monster component cables, but I'd pick up some decent $30 one's.

-LeeBear

[gll99]

rsuave5:

I guess by now you realize that we are talking COMPONENT not Composite. You are right svideo is better than composite but not considered better than component.

Mirror_Image posted a very good link. It's a reminder that we may all go RGB in the future, who knows, its the next step up but not too common here yet.

LeeBear:

Can't argue with that, what you say is absolutely true. If you have a progressive scan player by all means go with COMPONENT if you want the best.

chuckly:

If you only want to watch vcd or svcd, I doubt you will see any difference with that source. Components cost more but if that's not an issue by all means go for the gusto. I believe you had some doubts or wouldn't have asked the question.

If all you want to know is which connector/cables are better then the link provided by Mirror_Image answers that question.

Just remember cheap component cables are worst than a good svideo cable so don't go too cheap if you choose those or you'll defeat the purpose.

[chuckly]

Wow thanks for all the responses guys. I'll pick up a good S-video cable (maybe a Monster or AR) this weekend and see if it improves the picture quality and then i may move up to a component cable later.

[SingSing]

Wow thanks for all the responses guys. I'll pick up a good S-video cable (maybe a Monster or AR) this weekend and see if it improves the picture quality and then i may move up to a component cable later.

It should be fine. I am watch SVCD, DVD on a pioneer hook up
to a toshiba large screen with 3 component RCA cables.
I could not tell to much different from the previous s-video cable.

Toshiba manual said component cables are better in producing the
most difficult color signal - Black. I did see the different there.