S-Video Cables -- what to look for?

[robjv1]

Just curious -- as my chain of devices gets ever longer (TBC, proc amp, color correctors, DVD recorder, VCR) what types of specifics should we be looking for on the packaging or in the advice of others for S-Video cables that reaches beyond the superficial media-hype stuff? I have noticed that a lot of no-name companies on the internet lately that purport to make excellent cables at boutique prices, but I don’t think the average person has enough knowledge of what to look for the make an educated decision in the matter.

I know that a few of you on here are happy with the Monster Cables and that they have a reputation generally as being excellent cables, but there are no less then six different versions to choose from (in two different subsets, the Monster and M-Series lines – see http://www.monstercable.com/home_av/video_cables/s-video.asp Is it a matter of “throw as much money at it as you can” or is it more that you can trust them to make a good product in general?

For the nature of this work, does buying the top of the line going to get you anything quality wise that say a $20 Acoustic Research S-Video cable won’t? I’ve used some really cheap ones and noticed a big difference between those and slightly more expensive ones.

Also how often do you believe you should replace your cables?

If anyone has any input on composite cables, then I suppose that would also apply to the discussion!

[piano632]

Actually, some of the internet-only cable manufacturers are quite good. I have purchased s-video cables from BetterCables, SignalCable, and CablePro and I thought they all beat Monster's top-of-the-line M1000 Silver s-video cable. Generally speaking, the best cables are the ones that use silver wire, but as you might guess they are also the most expensive due to the price of silver.

http://www.bettercables.com/
http://www.signalcable.com/
http://www.thecablepro.com/

[robjv1]

Good to know, I have heard similar things regarding silver cables. What is it about the properties of Silver over Copper that benefit the quality (perhaps resistance to interference?) of the cables? Thanks for your response.

[piano632]

Quite simply, silver is the best conductor of electricity. But it's high cost makes it much less practical than copper (which comes in 2nd place as a conductor).

[ssj2_goha]

actually gold is a better conductor that silver.

[jagabo]

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

[piano632]

actually gold is a better conductor that silver.

I don't think so. Gold is used on some connectors because it's the only metal that doesn't rust when exposed to air/humidity/water/etc. But I believe gold comes in 3rd place as a conductor behind silver and copper.

See under "Conductor materials":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductor_(material)

[SingSing]

Quite simply, silver is the best conductor of electricity.

[trossin]

Silver is not the best conductor of electricity! Ever hear about super conductors?

[RLT69]

Yup it's silver:

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_1/2.html

But considering the increasing costs of Copper, one wonders if Silver would be cheap enough to displace copper

In regards to SuperConductors - we're talking best conductor of electricity at room temperature and higher. There aren't any superconductors that can work at rooom temperature. So for all Practical purposes superconductors aren't feaseable.

[INFRATOM]

Try www.monoprice.com very reasonable prices and very prompt shipment. I just ordered their best quality cables componant, fiber optic very good quality so cheap relative to stores or monster.

[Nelson37]

Somebody posted some detailed tests on cables not too long ago. I was surprised at the variation, even among the "quality" brands.

Basic consensus seems to be that as long as the runs are short, and you avoid the absolute cheapest crap available, there is not a lot of difference and it is certainly difficult to justify $100.00 cables.

[jagabo]

Somebody posted some detailed tests on cables not too long ago. I was surprised at the variation, even among the "quality" brands.

Basic consensus seems to be that as long as the runs are short, and you avoid the absolute cheapest crap available, there is not a lot of difference and it is certainly difficult to justify $100.00 cables.

I posted a link to that(?) thread above.

[piano632]

AudioQuest S5 - still the reigning king of cable overpricing:
(OK, it's made of solid silver, but still...)

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