S-Video quality discrepancy

[HPgloss]

(s-video) (s-video)
Setup: Verizon Fios box ----------------> DVD-recorder (Toshiba DR570) ---------------> TV (standard definition) (KV-27FS100)

I am recording TV shows (standard definition) from Verizon Fios cable, and my goal is to achieve the highest quality possible.
I've already researched which cables I should use, and the highest quality slot my DVD recorder has is S-Video. So I am using S-video cables for both the input (from cable box) and output (to TV), combined with red and white composite (audio).

When I am comparing recordings (all settings equal) of the same video clip from s-video to composite, I am noticing that the composite seems to have a sharper image and better color contrast, whereas the s-video has duller image, colors seem to "inter-blur" slightly, and letters seem slightly more "blocky".

This doesn't make sense, because every single article I've read on s-video vs. composite states that s-video is FAR superior in sharpness, contrast, etc.

So here is what crossed my mind as possible explanations: My specific DVD recorder prefers composite. and/or My TV prefers composite. (or both)

Now, if it is JUST my TV that prefers composite that's okay, but if it is my DVD recorder that prefers composite, then I need to know. What I'm getting at, is that it does not matter if it's the TV's preference because the recordings I am making are meant to be viewed long-term throughout my life in the future when I have a different/better TV(s), but if the Recorder itself does not like s-video then it will look worse no matter what TV I have.

What do you guys think. Am I going to get better long-term quality (across TV types) with S-video, even though it does not look as good as composite on the current TV I have?

[ranchhand]

I was working in business-to-business AV for 10 years before I retired, and in all that time I never saw One (1) S-Video setup that was acceptable quality. In fact, all the tech reps in my sales dept. never spec'd Svideo, it always caused more problems than it helped.

highest quality slot my DVD recorder has is S-Video

If these videos are as important as you say, it is time to get really serious about your equipment quality; if the only option your recorder has is S-video it's time to upgrade. Seriously.

This doesn't make sense, because every single article I've read on s-video vs. composite states that s-video is FAR superior in sharpness, contrast, etc.

Yes, I have read those "expert" opinions, and those writers don't know what they are talking about. These magazine/bloggers only repeat what they have heard from others because they have an article to create and a deadline to meet. S-video is an anachronism from 25 years ago and should have been given a decent burial long ago. Use composit, component, or HDMI for best quality.

[jagabo]

There can be a lot of reasons why composite looks better than s-video.

Some devices generate composite internally then use a cheap composite to s-video circuit for the s-video output. The resulting s-video output isn't as sharp as the composite output and it's full of dot crawl artifacts. A recording device may have a comb filter that does a better job than the one in the source device. So composite recordings will look better than s-video recordings.

Recording devices expect a high quality image from s-video and perform little processing on it. But they expect a low quality from the composite input and may attempt to sharpen the picture, increase the contrast and saturation, etc.