s-video vs. composite video vs.

component video

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Component or S-Video?
[Tech : video ] Content 2004 by Lyberty; last updated March 30, 2005
S-Video (Separated-Video) is better than a composite video connection.
But note that the bandwidth of S-video (also written as "S Video") is the same as that of
composite video. The real benefit of an S-video connection is that it can reduce dot crawl,
hanging dots, and crawling edges that appear on the vertical and horizontal edges (respectively) of
some colored objects in the picture. [more]
S VIDEO, originally known as "Y/C Separated video", is one of the higher quality ways to transmit
the television signal from a peripheral device (DVD player, PlayStation 2, whatever) to a television.
The way S-Video works is that it basically separates the color information (Chrominance) from the
brightness (Luminance). By doing this, it reduces things like color bleeding and dot crawl and
greatly increases the general clarity and sharpness of the picture. The reason that this is so is that
televisions are designed to display separate Luminance (Y) and Chrominance (C) signals.
S-Video connector pin-out:

Recommendation: The increase in picture quality that you'll get in platform games (like the PS2)
when you move from composite (yellow-plug) to S-Video is very noticeable and is well worth
spending the extra money to buy the optional cable.
Component (not composite) Video [aka Analog Component Video; Y - Pb - Pr; red-green-blue]:
Uses a three jack cluster of wires with the ends color coded green, blue, and red. (does not
include audio cable).
Y-Pb-Pr, or what we nowadays refer to as component video or color difference video, was
invented to simplify video electronics and reduce the overall bandwidth requirements for
transmitting video compared with RGB. In practice it provides one luminance signal with full
horizontal resolution and two color signals with reduced horizontal resolution.
Y = Luminance, Pb = Chrominance 1, Pr = Chrominance 2
From your DVD player or HDTV set top box to your TV, it is analog, thus its full name "analog
component video".
Also referred to as Y, R-Y, B-Y or color difference video. Some DVD players label the green, blue,
and red jacks Y, Cb, Cr .

Composite Video [RCA or BNC] (aka "yellow-plug" video)

The old "AV" standard connector. The common RCA connector is color-coded Yellow for
Composite video.
The term "yellow-plug video" is recommended to help cut down on confusion between "composite"
and "component" (which sound alike).

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SUMMARY:
The four types of standard video connections described in the following table give you four levels of
video quality. Optimize your viewing experience by using the best connection available for your
connected component. For example, if your DVD player supports a component video connection,
connect the DVD player to your Plasma TV using component video instead of composite video or
S-Video.

Quality Cable and Connector

Connection Description

Best

Component - The video signal is split into

three signals, two color and one black and
white, giving you the best picture. Use
component video to take advantage of the
superior picture found in such signal sources
as HDTV and progressive DVD.

Better

S-Video - The video signal is split into two

signals, giving you an even better quality
picture. For example, text displayed on-screen
using this connection is noticeably sharper
than composite or coaxial (RF).

Good

Composite ("yellow plug") - The video signal

is carried through a single "pin". This
connection type is the one that is most
commonly found on video devices (as of
2004/2005).

Basic

Coaxial (RF) - The video and audio signals

are both carried in one cable. Used for
antenna and cable signals.
(The other three connection types only handle
video, requiring separate connections for
sound.)

But what about those red and white connectors?

Audio Inputs
Stereo Analog Audio connections use red and White color coded "RCA"
connections. These support mono or stereo analog audio.

Building a home theatre: Get a 27" or bigger TV with a component video input.
The only feature you should shop for when buying this TV is a component input (in addition to
composite and s-video). This input is about 1/2 an inch in diameter with about five pins in the
center.

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Component video comes in different non-interchangeable formats (scan rate formats) for regular
TV or HDTV, for example:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Interlaced or 480i from a standard NTSC DVD player : : 480i = NTSC interlaced
video = 640x480 pixels = 480 displayed horizontal lines of resolution
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 480p from a progressive scan NTSC DVD player : : 480p = NTSC progressive
scan = 640x480 pixels = 480 displayed horizontal lines of resolution
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 720p (HDTV) :: 720 displayed horizontal lines of resolution
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1080i (HDTV) :: 1080 displayed horizontal lines of resolution
Note: Typically, standard TVs and HDTVs support only a 60Hz refresh rate.
Component or s-video? ( vs.)
S-Video: separates chrominance and luminance
Component: further separates chrominance into two signals
This is why component is better. Makes a big difference even on an analog tv when using a dvd
player.
Recomendation: Use high quality cables. Gold plated, double shielded, and made for video only.
Note: If your DVD player does not have a progressive scan (480p) button then the signal will be 480i.

continue to part 2 of this article: digital video connections >

Links:

part 2 of this article: digital video connections

A video bus index
good basic advice on building an home theater system
see also:
Dolby Digital, DTS and THX Explained

digital projectors

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digital video connections

Content: Oct 2004 by Lyberty.

Updates or Modifications:
November 2004; March 2005; Oct 2005; December 2006

[tech] article date: November 2004

[-]

Video Connections from a computer to a television (for example, a Plasma high definition television), or from a DVD player to a high definition
monitor/projector.
From "best" to "worst":

HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
HDMI is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital
audio/video interface. HDMI provides an interface between any
audio/video source, such as a set-top box, DVD player, and A/V
receiver and an audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital
television.
HDMI supports standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus
multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It transmits all ATSC
HDTV standards and supports 8-channel digital audio, with
bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and
requirements.
It has 5 Gbps bandwidth of data bandwidth, plenty enough for future
expansion.
HDMI is compatible with DVI-D.

...

Note: HDMI and DVI both transport digital video signals, and are both
capable of carrying the same level of "video quality". The main difference
between HDMI and DVI is that HDMI provides a standardized form of
copy-protection (which means its good for manufacturers, but often
frustrating for users). Also, the HDMI plug is smaller. Since many DVI out
ports are video only, the integrated audio of the HDMI ports is often
touted as well.

DVI (Digital Video Interface: DVI-D or DVI-I)

aka HDCP
Specifically designed for digital devices, DVI-D provides (arguably)
the brightest, most accurate colors and sharpest detail for your
high-definition, all-digital video receiving device.
DVI-D requires data to be transferred in pure digital form in order to
achieve the best-possible performance from your digital devices. To
obtain the highest-possible resolution from DVI (digital video)
technology, a dual-link, 24-pin connection is required. (Single-link
(18-pin) connectors can significantly limit the bandwidth potential of
DVI; Dual-link DVI cables provide the convenience of backwardcompatibility with AV (audio-video) hardware that is singlelink-enabled only.)

DVI-I jack (digital plus analog)

Some Plasma TVs now (November 2004) have DVI-D (HDCP)

inputs, and some DVD players (see example at the bottom of this
page) have DVI-D outputs.
DVI (Digital Video Interface) Inputs
This can be either a digital only connection (DVD-D) or a
combination digital and analog connection DVI-I. Many new DVD's
and STB's (Set top Boxes) for Satellite (DSS) or Digital Cable TV
will have these connectors this year. Many new HDTV's and
Projectors are using this connection already.

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DVI-D output jack

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A DVI connection can be one of three types - DVI-I, DVI-D or DVI-A

(rare!) .
DVI-I:
DVI-I contains both the digital and analog
connections, (DVI-D + DVI-A).
It's essentially a combination of DVI-Digital and
DVI-Analog cables within one cable.
Has 24 pins plus 4 analog pins.
DVI-D:
DVI-D (like DFP or P&D-D (EVC)) is a digital-only
connection. If both devices being connected support a
Digital DVI connection (DVI-I or DVI-D compatible)
and are compatible in resolutions, refresh rates and
sync, using a DVI-D cable will ensure that you are
using a digital connection rather than an analog
connection, without playing around with settings.
DVI-A:
DVI-Analog is really rare. (Why use a DVI connector
when you can use a cheaper VGA (analog)
connector? )
DVI-I P&D-A (EVC) was seen for a while on some
projectors....
click here to view all DVI connector types
DVI output sometimes has selectable scaling (selectable 480p,
720p or 1080i output); this enables users to best match the
characteristics of a video display device.

Connections:
Output: computer (PC) ; progressive-scan DVD player (rare)
Input: plasma TV, LCD TV , or monitor, HDTV/digital satellite
receiver,
[Example: A DVI cable from Belkin, ($80 as of 2005); DVI-D to DVI-D dual-link, reportedly
capable of 1600 x 1200 resolution]

VGA (Video Graphics Array) Inputs

[a ka P C-Vi de o (RGB ); a ka 1 5 -pi n D-s ub ]
VGA inputs are typically used to connect PCs to monitors or other screens. The type of cable
used is a 15 pin VGA cable, which is the same type used to connect regular computer
monitors to processors.
On certain models (such as the Sony PFM series of plasma displays) the VGA input can also
be used to connect analog video components using an RCA-to-VGA cable or S-Videoto-RS232 cable. (The majority of plasma and flat-panel LCD displays only use the VGA for computer use, so
check with your vendor before purchasing an RCA-to-VGA cable.)

RGB Video (VGA) Example:

This is a closer view of the PC-Video (RGB / VGA)
connector on the rear of an 18-inch LCD TV. This
connection is used to connect the TV to an RGB
video input source, such as a computer.
"Connect the 15-pin D-Sub RGB connector on the
computer to the RGB-IN."

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a.k.a. SVGA
a.k.a. RGB (red, green, blue), a.k.a. RGBHV a.k.a. RGB-HV
[ Red Green Blue Horizontal sync Vertical sync;
"RGB-HV" is sometimes used to refer to the video signal used by computers and high definition video. This is
presumedly to distinguish the 15-pin D-Sub RGB cables from other RGB cables.]
SVGA is "a solution for connecting computers to projectors, plasma TVs, LCD or CRT monitors, or flat-panel
receivers". SVGA (Super VGA) transports video signals by separating the signal into each of three primary colors:
red, green, and blue. It carries full resolution of each color on its own wire to allow for clear and bright images, and
also transports sync data; this transport generally exceeds the performance of Component, and is better than
Composite and S-Video connections.
(Note: the VGA connector should not be confused with the "RS-2 3 2 " connector used for "control by wire".)

Component Video
a.k.a. RGB (red, green, blue);
Red, Green, and Blue cables provide true color separation (one cable for each primary color)
and reduced interference for high picture color, clarity, and resolution. These cables are
capable of carrying full high definition (HD) signals, but this capability is usually restricted by
the sending or receiving device (usually as part of the HDMI copy-protection scheme).
[more info: see comparison of composite / s-video / component]

Note for connecting PCs to standard NTSC CRT televisions:

CRTs (using Component Video or S-Video input) can generally only support a maximum of around 640x480 pixels (actually 480 lines at a max of
60 Hz), so computer to TV adapters are not able to clearly display a computer desktop very well. Note that unless your TV is high definition
capable, it's only going to display at 640x480 (at best) so attaching your computer to it by any means will have the same result.
S-Video

S-Video separates brightness from color using two separate conductors to create cleaner, more
accurate signals. It delivers better color accuracy and sharper picture detail than Composite
Video; however, it will not achieve the optimal performance of Component Video, which uses
three cables to separate color into its primary components.

Composite Video
see comparison of composite / s-video / component

Connection Scenario Example: An advertisement for a Widescreen LCD TV lists "Component, S-Video, Composite, and 15-pin D-sub
inputs".
This would mean your best connection from a DVD player would probably be the Component input, and your connection from a PC
would be the VGA (15-pin D-Sub RGB) input.
other types:

"Digital Outs" (audio)

See also "TosLink Fiber Optic Audio Cables" (Optical Out)

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i.link / Firewire / i1384 / IEEE 1394

From FAQ: Q: How fast is 1394?
A: The 1394 standard defines three signaling rates which, in precise terms, are:
98.304, 196.608 and 393.216 Mbits/s (megabits per second).

Example of a media player with many different connections: the DENON DVD-3910 DVD & SACD Player :

Denon DVD 3910 Connection Table

AUDIO
Analogue

Outputs

Line
1+5.1

VIDEO

Digital

Optical Coaxial
1

Analogue

i-link

Component

S-VideoComposite
1

Digital

SCART
1 (RGB)

HDMI

DVI-D

[back to article]

The maximum physical display resolution of the external monitor is 640 480 dots when the aspect ratio is set to 4:3, and 852 480 dots when
the ratio is set to 16:9.
Note: "A/V cable" (audio/video) cable is too generic: it could be an HDMI A/V cable, component A/V cable, Composite (yellow-red-white) A/V
Cable (*), etc.

Links / Further Reading:

- DVI vs. HDMI vs. Component Video -- Which is Better?
(Digital is not inherently better than analog!!!)
- part 1 of this article: comparison of composite / s-video / component
- the afterdawn.com glossary

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