About componant video cables...

[DJ_Izumi]

I've been thinking, which is a bad thing I must say. Now I've been thinking about componant video connections. Componant video (At least in NA, I dunno about Europe, if it isn't that way elsewhere, I'm sorry for not mentioning that) uses 3 independant video cables which are essentualy RCA componant video cables. (Okay, sure, it's just a co-ax wire, and is extreamly simple in reality) But I was wondering why a unified cable was never standardized.

I would think a cable crimped with ends like that of an S-Video cable, or PS/2 computer cable would be able to carry three independant signals just by using a sufficent amount of pins and wire inside the cable.

Any thaughts?

[Ripper2860]

I believe S-Video was essentially just that -- a unified cable.

As far as component video is concerned, and while I am no expert, I can only assume that there are shielding concerns (i.e. cross-talk, signal integrity, etc.) that drove them to a multi-connector design.

[triphop]

I cannot see any reason why there is no single connector for composite video - crosstalk issues can be quite easily addressed with shielded cabling. As far as I understand the Europeans have solved this with a single (bulky) connected called SCART. The three separate connectors are no big deal - its not like you can really mix them up (they are color coded - unless you are color blind of course )

[Ripper2860]

True -- x-talk can be minimized/resolved through shielding. I am sure that the individual compnent cables are already shielded, so that probably only leaves that combining the cables would lead to a large, bulky, and difficult to manage cable like the SCART cable you mentioned.

A 3 fiber optical cable would be nice assuming the optical receiver circuitry required on the TV end would not drive cost up too much.

I don't know about eveyone else -- but I've got more than enough cable clutter and mess as a reult of interconnects, etc. for my home theater setup. The number and flexibility (ability to route) cables needs to really be a focus.

[BSR]

A 3 fiber optical cable would be nice assuming the optical receiver circuitry required on the TV end would not drive cost up too much.

I do believe Component cables are Analog and Fiber Optic can only transmit digital. There fore I don't think this would work.
Eventually DVI will probalby be the standard, but I agree that Fiber optics would probably be a better design, to bad there's not even an option for it for Video.

[Ripper2860]

BSR --

You are correct. The circuitry I was referring to that hopefully would not drive up the price of TV's would be a simple DAC (digital->analog converter) circuit.

In my ideal world there would only be 1 small diameter cable that connects from the A/V receiver to the TV. In my most wildest dreams (at least the one's I can talk about here) there would be 1 universal cable across all components (S-Video was as close as we have come yet) and FIBRE would be the ideal scenario. 1 fibre cable from the VCR to receiver, 1 fibre from the DVD to receiver, 1 fibre from receiver to the TV and 1 fibre cable from the receiver to a multi-GHz/multi-channel RF transmitter (could be built into the receiver) to speakers. The speakers would then be attached to small receivers (via short speaker cable runs) where you are able to select the appropriate input channel (L,R,C, SL, SR, SUB, etc).

[rtkeen]

As a member of the industry, I can tell you a few reasons why a single cable was never standardized ...

1.) All broadcast equipment, and their standards, already existed in the 3-wire format. It was easy to lift the standards and change the ends to phono jacks instead of BNC's.
2.) Digital audio/video formats were just around the corner. Now with 1394 (compressed) or HDMI (uncompressed), you can get digital audio and video on a single small cable/connector. The CEA groups didn't want to waste valuable time trying to make an analog interface easier to use, when the future was obviously digital.
3.) You're going to see component output disappear from STB's (thanks to Hollywood), now that the two main digital interfaces are defined and standardized, complete with content protection. It was realized early that it would take too much time for very little benefit to try to define a single-cable interface that wasn't going to be around for very long.

Next generation digital TV's will all have 1394 and HDMI/DVI inputs.

[rtkeen]

I really don't know how that got posted twice ...

[Tommyknocker]

Is there an echo in here? I hope the low end VCRs will also have fire wire soon.

[lgh529]

3.) You're going to see component output disappear from STB's (thanks to Hollywood), now that the two main digital interfaces are defined and standardized, complete with content protection. It was realized early that it would take too much time for very little benefit to try to define a single-cable interface that wasn't going to be around for very long.

I disagree.

In the pro world, 5 wire RGBHV is pretty standard. Digital is still too expensive and the industry doesn't see a huge picture quality increase for how much it costs. I think analog component video will be with us for a while longer.

And by the way, there is a standard component video connector, its called an HD15, and, unless your using a laptop, your probably using one right now on your monitor. For all the digital that happens in your computer, believe it or not, your video card is still sending out analog signals. (There are exceptions of course)

While digital video switchers and distributors exist and have done for about 2 years now, it isn't moving very fast in the pro world. The consumer world is where digital is driven the hardest, and as everyone knows, the consumer world margins are so small that cable development is left to the pro guys.

[Ste]

Here's another reason why component video won't disappear from STB's. What about in the future when people will use STB's for the purpose of downconverting HDTV signals to work with their standard definition TV's? Many analog TV's nowadays have component video inputs on them, and so far this is the best connection available on these types of TV's. It's possible that wide-band (480p, 720p, 1080i capable) component video jacks may dissapear, but I think the standard (480i only) ones will be around as long as people have regular TV's.

[rtkeen]

You're mixing up composite/SVideo with component. Composite and SVideo outputs (down-converted material) will still remain on STB's. Component outputs, by edict, ARE going to disappear. You can disagree all you want, but the industry has been TOLD that they are to disappear. Expect to see them gone by 2005. You'll be lucky to see an HD DVD player with analog component outputs. Most will be designed with 1394 (w/5C content protection) or HDMI (with HDCP) digital outputs. They'll also have composite/SVideo outputs, but what's the point with buying an HD DVD player with down-converted outputs?

[BSR]

Most will be designed with 1394 (w/5C content protection) or HDMI (with HDCP) digital outputs.

So you don't think DVI (digital video interface) will play into the mix. I only say this because I'm starting to see HDTV's advertising DVI interfaces. Or is this only to be compatible with video cards on computers.

Sorry for being ignorant, but what is STB. Sounds like a nasty disease.

[rtkeen]

DVI is only video, and is the precursor to HDMI. HDMI is backward-compatible, but carries both video AND audio. The consumer electronics (i.e., non-computer) version of DVI was just released 1 1/2 years ago, so DVI is now out there in force. The HDMI spec was released 1 year ago, and you'll start to see it show up in force next year. You'll occasionally see "HDMI/DVI", because they're almost interchangable and compatible.

STB = Set Top Box, such as a cable box, DVD, hard disk recorder, and in some cases even video games are lumped into this category.

[triphop]

In my mind the way to get rid of clutter is a high speed version of bluetooth. The effect will be to simply place the components in close proximity and let the devices find each other. Of course reducing the range will also deal with the issues of power, interference etc, etc.

This is all my dream - I really, really hate the mess of cables that hides behind my stereo, tv, vcr, dvd. The interconnections really are a pain esp. the feedbacks to VCR and STEREO...

[Ste]

Alright, so you're saying that ALL component video will dissapear? I guess that makes sense since component video was supposed to be a "step-up technology" in the first place. But what about all those people with HDTV monitors who only have component inputs for their HDTV interface?

Still, I think that making STB's without a 480i component output is stupid. Many people with analog TV's would still like to hook it up this way.