What is best for D/V/D hookup S video ,,or Component cable??

Question

I have jhust replaced my old dvd that was hooked up to a component cables but I can not get any sound , and the S video seems easier , just one cable does it all I have an 8 year old Hitachi 42 in rear projection t.v that has all kinds of in puts I could use

Answer 1

From a theoretical viewpoint, there is no difference in bandwidth in s-video and component cables. However, in practice component cables give better results for three main reasons:

1) If you have a progressive-scan output DVD player, you can only use that on component cables. In general is is better to use the progressive scan output from your DVD player than to let the TV scale 480i to 480p for display.

2) in s-video, the color signal is still modulated onto a sub-carrier, and that must be demodulated to extract the color information. That will cause deterioration of the signal. Component signals do not have to be processed in that way.

3) TV component inputs are designed for high definition signals, which are much larger in bandwidth than regular TV. So even if regular signals are handled by the component circuits, they will be better "preserved" (less high-frequency roll-off) than the normal video (s-video) circuits. So whenever possible, use component, even if the signal is not HD format (it is 480i or 480p).

As pointed out by techman2000, neither of these connections carry sound. Audio must be connected using the red/white audio plugs on the player and TV. If you have a surround system with an A/V receiver, then use the digital audio from the DVD player (either co-ax or optical) to your receiver.

Answer 2

Even though component has 3 cables, it provides much better quality than s-video. Component can go up to 1080i, where s-video can only go up to 480i. Component is the way to go.

As for your sound, s-video and component are only video cables. You still need sound cables. Most people will use optical or coax audio cables and connect it to a surround sound system. If you don't have an AV receiver and forced to connect to your TV, then you will be stuck using the RCA audio cables (red/white).

Answer 3

The best hook-up for a DVD for an eight-year-old TV would be Component Cables if you have them. Second-best would be S-Video. I would not worry about it though, since a TV like that will not be able to use the benefits of using a Component Video cable.

Answer 4

I would use component cables because I have always had great picture and sound quality from them, this also leaves the S-video free for if you eventually purchase a laptop or computer that has an s-video so that you can hook it up to the TV and use the big screen