I recently upgraded our small HT set-up with a
Sony WEGA NTSC TV. I was wondering if anyone has
tested componet video vs. S-video from the same
source DVD. My feeling is that the difference would
be very small on cable runs less than two meters.

Anyone have any input?

old,,,

Dude, your so wrong...sorry.

The resolution of the component video is FAR superior to that of composite or S-video video. Set your DVD to 16:9 mode and then set the TV to 16:9 mode and you will be blown away by the picture! I have the exact setup.

Buy the AVIA test DVD to set up the color and tint etc of your system and the Wega is a very difficult picture to beat! Enjoy...

Old,

The difference between two good cables (S-vid and component) will be slight. Maybe in the area of 10-15% improvement. There is a far bigger (night and day) improvement between Composite and component. This is what the majority of AV testers/reviewers agree on.

Matt & Magster -
Thanks! Because of the weight of the Sony and the
location of the shelving, its a 4 hour job to change
anything in my system. Therefore, I need to have everything ready before I begin.

old,,,

I belive my own eyes, not the eyes of some tester/reviewer dude...

Matt,

Guess the majority of us must be wrong then?
Of course this would depend on the cables being compared. I did state "two good cables" would have to be judged. I have a custom made s-video cable that would challenge the majority of component cables on the market. I think the component cables would be clearly better with longer runs of over say 50 feet and not as noticable at shorther lengths.

No, that is my opinion...not your wrong (or anyone else). In my experience S-vid still has some artifacts that component does not.

Matt,

You are right in that sense. Given two similar quality cables then the component cable will be slightly better. But the difference is not as large as you stated. That was my point and not that s-vid was better or as good as component.I have an S-video cable that will leave the cheaper component cables lacking. Of course its a custom made cable with 4 RG59 solid core, teflon insulated cables and no shared shields.

LOL, quite the s-vid cable...

I'm using 3 Belden 1694A for my component.

"Of course its a custom made cable with 4 RG59 solid core, teflon insulated cables and no shared shields"

So, you have no EMI sheilding on your cable...how is this good?
If the sheilds ore not connected, you don't have a 75 Ohm characteristic impedance either.

I think, for now, I'll convert my VHS/VCR to S-Video, run both the DVD S-Video, and the converted VHS/VCR
S-Video through the A/V receiver switch, and set the WEGA to S-Video monitor only. Furthermore, I'll tune the local cable channels at the VCR.

This should give me a pretty good 'wife compatable'
system, because the A/V receiver mode switch will take
care of 90% of the everyday functions.

It's too bad no one makes an A/V receiver capable of
switching mixed inputs to component output, in my price
range ($600.00).

Thanks all,
old...

"It's too bad no one makes an A/V receiver capable of
switching mixed inputs to component output, in my price
range ($600.00)."

Probably because transcoding composite or Y/C to component would add $600.00 to the price.

Automan,

The s-video cable uses 4 runs of belden 1506a cable. They do not use the shield for signal return. The cores are the only part connected. They are therefore heavily shielded. If you check around you will find quite a few of the better S-video cables use a similar design. The picture results are stunning although the cable is stiff and bulky. Not what I would call flexible but the results far outweigh this minor negative. The cable was custom made for me so I cant speak to the importance of 75 ohm rating. But then who cares because the picture more than speaks for itself.

Mag, I'm surprised the shields aren't grounded at one end. I would have added a pigtail (like the 'drain' wire used with foil shields) for this purpose.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

"The cable was custom made for me so I cant speak to the importance of 75 ohm rating"

It is important, which is why it's part of the spec.

If the sheilds are not connected to anything, then your cable is not sheilded.