Composite vs. Component?

Question

Whats the difference between composite cables and component cables. They both look kind of the same because they both have three plugs but they have different colors.

Answer 1

Composite cables transfer analog video signals along a single cable, usually yellow in color. Component Cables separate the analog video signal along 3 separate cables (red, blue and green), which provides a better quality video image. There is much more to this, if you have the interest, see link below...

Answer 2

I wish all of you wouldn't answer, if you really don't know the answer.

We all know that component signals are better than composite because component cables transfer the video signal over 3 cables versus 1 cable. More bandwidth, you can get up to HD signals.

But, the question is about the cables and not the signals. With signals aside, the way composite and component cables work are exactly the same. You can interchange the cables and get the same quality signal.

Take the yellow, red, white composite cables and connect it to a TV and DVD player with component connectors. I usually go yellow -> green, red -> red and white -> blue. As long as the colors correspond, then you got yourself some cheap component cables.

Answer 3

Techman is correct but he also being an ****** about it.

The asker used the plural "cables" when asking about composite video, when we all know composite video only uses one cable (the other two are for audio). So it gave the impression the asker really didn't know this, and was the reason the other answerers were giving him a tutorial on the exact make up of Composite Vs, Component.

Answer 4

Composite video actually only uses the yellow colored cable. The red and white color coded cables are for the audio ( left and right channels) and have nothing to do with the video signal.

Component video on the other hand uses the Blue, Green and Red cables for different parts of the video signal. By separating these parts you get a much better resolution. When you use component cables you need a second set of cables for audio.

This is a very simpified answer. If you need to read more about it you can go here ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_video

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video

Answer 5

Although the fella above me has a somewhat believable explanation there are holes in his information. First off, there is no such thing as a 75 ohm RCA termination. It is phsically impossible. The closest 75 ohm RCA end is the Canare RCAP end. So, that stink about a 75 ohm cable doesn't apply when using RCA ends. The reason you are using coax is due to the construction of the cable. It is built for video and can be used for analog and digital audio. To tell you the truth, if you are going 3 to 6 feet between components then you will not notice any degredation of your signal. If you are going over 6 feet then you will most likely ahve problems. Also, that myth about "Monster Cable" is pure marketing hype. They need a reason to jack the prices up on their cable. That's why the make all of this snake oil information up.

Answer 6

Listen to techman2, you will be using a cheaper cable so expect shorter life out of them. Better shielded ones will help with interference from other source cables and power in the future.

Answer 7

They are very similar in appearance, but don't function the same. If you have component jacks on your display, use it over RCA (composite) S-Video or Coax. There is a very noticable difference in picture quality. Each of the three cables carry a different color (no audio) and is like using a bigger "pipe", allowing more resolution (scan lines) to appear on the display.

Answer 8

as far as my feeble mind can remember...component cables (Y,Pb,Pr) or monster cables are basically for video only and it is a step higher than the composite cables when it comes to video picture quality... composite cables carries both video (yellow cable) and audio (white and red) signals...

hope this helps...