S-Video cables for capture

[swiego]

Edit: I'm going to update this post as I collect more information, just for kicks

It seems that, except for broadcast-grade equipment, VCRs top out with s-video connectors, and that many capture cards seem to have s-video support either directly or though a dongle. For capture, what s-video cables are being used or recommended? I currently have a cheapo one at least ten years old that's been stepped one, caught in door jams, and has squashed connectors at both ends... need a replacement?

Options from lots of research:

Blue Jeans Cable S-video cable
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/svideo/index.htm
About $42 for the 12 foot
Regarded very highly b/c it uses the Belden 1808A cable which seems to be regarded as the best s-video cable stock out there. BJC has a great reputation for no-nonsense high quality products.

Acoustic Research Master Series MS-220
http://www.araccessories.com/Cultures/en-US/Recoton+AR/Product+Catalog.htm?ModelNum=MS...ductDetail=YES
$50 plus retail but I see these super-cheap on eBay and elsewhere
AR in general seems to be regarded very well as a "great but affordable" cable vendor, and this is their top s-video cable. Comes in 6-foot (MS221) and 12-foot (MS222) lengths.

Tributaries SCV S S-Video cable
http://www.tributariescable.com/catalog_view.php?id=34
$130 for 3 meters (!!!) but I also suspect that these can be had, used, for way, way less. Haven't read much about them, but lots of people seem to pair them up with expensive video equipment. Maybe for a reason, maybe because they're just throwing money around, I can't tell.

Nordost Optix S-Video
http://www.nordost.com/Cables/video-optix-super-s.htm
I ran into these while web surfing. The price is, in a word, ridiculous. There's some anecdotal evidence that these have a pretty powerful impact on image brightness and sharpness; there are screenshots posted on the net that are pretty convincing. However, there's also a great "blind" poll over on avsforum re: the Optix component cables, and most people couldn't see a difference between them and the cheapo varieties, so tread carefully! They sure are pretty looking. If I got a pair, maybe I'd hang them on the wall. They're certainly much cheaper than original paintings and other kinds of wall decoration.

I guess this could be considered a review (based on extensive web surfing!), I wanted to post something b/c I do not see much direct advice on getting a s-video cable. I don't want to go overboard but I do have a lot of s-video equipment and would like to get something decent since it'll probably be the last s-video cable I ever get! (HDMI, hurry up!)

Any opinions greatly appreciated!

[easteast]

Is audio included in the S-video cable?

[redwudz]

IMO, most of the ones you listed are extremely overpriced. The first one you mention uses Belkin cable. You might want to check for the Belkin brand cables instead. They are reasonably priced and will do everything the overpriced cables will. S-VHS cables are not anything that critical. I wouldn't use one at $1.95US, but I think you would be wasting money to pay much more than $25 for a six foot cable.

[swiego]

easteast: there is no audio in a s-video cable.

redwudz: thanks for the reply! I agree, I wouldn't pay more than $20 for a s-video cable. I do believe it is possible to get some of these "overpriced" cables used for much, much less money, however, where they start to look like a value. Can you tell me what cable you are using? I neglected to add Belkin to the list, however they also have s-video cables of varying grades, some of which also are rather expensive. (And as with the others, they are available lightly used for waaaay below retail...)

[easteast]

so how can I get the audio signal if I use S-video?

[BrainStorm69]

so how can I get the audio signal if I use S-video?

You use the composite (red and white) audio connections.

[easteast]

There is only one composite besides the S-video. Is it the same as red and white?

[redwudz]

I'm not sure where you live, but if you can find good cables on E-bay, go ahead. Belkin brand can be ordered from their company or, (cringe) Radio Shack has some good value on some cables, if you get their premium brand (Not Monster brand) if you are in the US.

SVHS is fairly low frequency, it just needs a good brand with sufficient shielding and a good, flexible cable. I do use Belkin SVHS cables. Less than $10US for a six foot cable. But there are plenty of good cable companies out there.

EDIT: Yes, easteast, the red and white are the audio outputs and inputs for sound. The yellow is generally composite video. You plug the red and white into your line input on your sound card with a RCA female to 1/8" male plug adapter that is commonly available at stereo shops.