S-Video vs Composite

Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

VHS Member Old Skool
I just got my Epson HC720 projector. Our cable runs into a VCR/DVD combo and then out to a 36 monitor with no tuner. So I ran a cheap composite cable that I often use on set for SD monitoring from the VCR/DVD combo to the projector and it looked good, but there ere definitely some scan lines whether it was the TV signal or a DVD. My assumption (feel free to let me know if I am wrong), is that the lines are because it's a crappy cable. I was planning to pop out and get a good 50' composite cable tomorrow, but I was wondering if an S-Video cable was a better option.

We plan to get an uprezzing DVD player and running HDMI for DVDs at some point, but we will always need a way to get the tuner signal and the Wii to the projector, so I want to get something that will work for that long term.

Thoughts? Thanks.
 
S-Video separates the chroma from the luma, so it's better signal. Most of the time, I see a night/day difference between the two.
 
Back in the day I always chose S-Video over Composite when I could, much sharper.

Garbage in garbage out though. VCR blown up on the big screen will look like crap.
 
Once the pain of the projector purchase wears off we'll get an uprezzing DVD player, which was why we went with the 720P projector. Luckily, this is one of those situations where I don't know how much better it could look, so I'm not complaining....yet. :beer:
 
Jim Brennan said:
Thanks David. Do you think that the scan lines are caused by the cable?
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Not necessarily. I'll see scan lines when I play a 60i DVD through a progressive-scan player to a progressive screen through component, even. Not saying it happens with every player and every screen, but I definitely do see it.
 
Jim Brennan said:
Once the pain of the projector purchase wears off we'll get an uprezzing DVD player, which was why we went with the 720P projector. Luckily, this is one of those situations where I don't know how much better it could look, so I'm not complaining....yet. :beer:
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I'd get a blu-ray player. The weakest blu-ray player will do a better job upconverting DVD's than your average upconverting DVD player. And once you see blu-ray on your projector your jaw will drop.
 
David Jimerson said:
Not necessarily. I'll see scan lines when I play a 60i DVD through a progressive-scan player to a progressive screen through component, even. Not saying it happens with every player and every screen, but I definitely do see it.
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Good to know. I figure it's worth it to spring for a better cable since the one I currently have is about as thick as a piece of spaghetti. Odds are that a good S-Video or component (which I didn't realize the DVD/VCR had) cable has to be an improvement.

Batutta said:
I'd get a blu-ray player. The weakest blu-ray player will do a better job upconverting DVD's than your average upconverting DVD player. And once you see blu-ray on your projector your jaw will drop.
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I didn't know that. I assumed they uprezzed the same way.
 
I am seeing BluRay players nearing $100. One at HH Gregg in a local advert was $129. I've seen several models at the $150 range. I expect to see a $99 player by Christmas, with most good brands hovering in the $125-$199 range.
 
Jim Brennan said:
Good to know. I figure it's worth it to spring for a better cable since the one I currently have is about as thick as a piece of spaghetti. Odds are that a good S-Video or component (which I didn't realize the DVD/VCR had) cable has to be an improvement.



I didn't know that. I assumed they uprezzed the same way.
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They all have different chips and various ways of doing it. I used to have a phillips that did an ok job upconverting, but my Sony BDP-BX1 makes them look near blu-ray quality. Blu-ray players just carry more onboard processing power so they do a better job.
 
Component is a (much) better option than S-video or Composite.

Not only will it give you the best SD performance, but the same cables can be used to carry HD, should the need arise in the future.

And a component cable is the same as 3 composite cables. - Depending on the length of the run & your skills; it might be cheapest to buy a roll of coax, attach the correct ends and make your own component cable (just make sure all 3 cables at the same length!).

- Mikko
 
mikkowilson said:
Component is a (much) better option than S-video or Composite.

Not only will it give you the best SD performance, but the same cables can be used to carry HD, should the need arise in the future.

And a component cable is the same as 3 composite cables. - Depending on the length of the run & your skills; it might be cheapest to buy a roll of coax, attach the correct ends and make your own component cable (just make sure all 3 cables at the same length!).

- Mikko
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Thanks for the tips.

PerroneFord said:
I am seeing BluRay players nearing $100. One at HH Gregg in a local advert was $129. I've seen several models at the $150 range. I expect to see a $99 player by Christmas, with most good brands hovering in the $125-$199 range.
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Merry Christmas to me....
 
Yup... if you have Component forget the rest and run with it. As Mikko said, a composite cable can double as a Component cable. Just make sure you match up the ends.
 
And, actually - to flip that last comment upside down. If you pull a Component cable - you can always send Composite down one of the lines instead of using all 3 for Component too! :)

- Mikko
 
The component outs on a DVD/VCR combo will only take the output of the DVD side, though, not the VCR side (which is the part that has the TV tuner). So you'll still need composite for that. For that matter, I would guess that the S-video wouldn't send the VCR/TV signal either, unless you happen to have an SVHS VCR deck (which I doubt, although JVC did make a couple). Don't get me wrong, I totally agree that component is going to give a better DVD signal, but for watching TV and VHS, you'll still need a composite run.
 
Ahhhh, the plot thinnens

That may be a mitigating factor. Since we plan on getting either an uprezzing DVD or BR player in the next 6 months, it might make more sense to stick with composite for now since we will probably go HDMI then. That way we could still use it for broadcast and the kids' odd VHS tapes.

If the cables were cheaper I'd probably just go for component now, but I don't think I'd have much use for a 50' component cable after I witch to HDMI...

...or would I?
 
Jim Brennan said:
If the cables were cheaper I'd probably just go for component now, but I don't think I'd have much use for a 50' component cable after I witch to HDMI...

...or would I?
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If you get a new sound system, get one that converts component or s-video into HDMI, that way it can act as a switcher and you only have to make one HDMI cable run to your projector. By the way, eforcity.com has good, cheap cables.
 
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