Component cables vs composite?

Question

Why is there a 30-40% price difference between a RGB cables (set of three) and composite cables Red/white/yellow (set of three). They are basically the same cables. They fit the same slots. In other words, you can take the composite cables and plug them into the component jacks (Just plug in red audio in component red slot, white audio in green slot and yellow video in blue slot) Same bloody thing if you ask me.
I know composite signal is much better than component. But why pay more for the red/green/blue cables? Cant you just put a red/blue/green sticker on the red/white/yellow cables respectively and plug them in the Py slots? Is the copper in the component wires somehow of a different quality than the composit???

Answer 1

Th biggest differences are marketing and the difference in the signal.

You can run RG6 cable(Coax) and place what ever color connector you like on the end of the cable. The quality of the cable will be the same. The quality of the source and the receiver will be different between the two.

Before anyone asks yes I said RG6. If you can find good quality connectors RG59 would be over kill as well. Try it and let me know if you see a difference.

Composite A/V(Yellow, Red, White) can not support the picture quality you get from Component(Red, Blue, Green).

For the true Audiophile you will find nothing of poor quality in their system. For the average HDTV owner you will find various cable and wire set ups that look just as good as the Audiophiles set up. Except the average guy has a lot more money in his pocket.

I feel everyone had some valid points. The main thing to remember is what matters most is what looks and sounds good to you. And of course what your pocket can afford. Or should I say what your wife will let you spend?

Answer 2

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 3

As I said on another page, there seems to be a huge amount of confusion on this issue. Including confusing the issue of ports and with that of types of cable. The word I get (from two DirecTV tech's today)...is that for best picture quality (HD and otherwise) you want to go with the "Component" ports (also referred to as RGB...or Y, Pb, Pr), and this is related to a splitting of the video into three parts. Then, the audio output stays the same (although you do have other options, in the way of digital audio outputs).

Then, the actual-physical-cables (assuming reasonable quality) do not matter that much...and especially...if you are talking a few feet between components (not a twenty or thirty foot run to the other side of the house).

Answer 4

The yellow composite video cable is essentially the same kind of cable as the component video cables but the audio cables are not. Looking at the outside of a set of red, white, and yellow composite cables you will see that the yellow video cable is bigger in circumference. Video cables are specially designed to transmit video signals. They have better shielding and a lower impedance than audio cables. Thus, they are more expensive to manufacture. They are the most expensive part of the red, white, and yellow trio. Three video cables (as with component video sets) will necessarily be more expensive than a set of composite a/v cables. BTW, I'm sure Sheep Cloner (above) is happy with his picture but he could get an even better one if he tried real video cables.

Answer 5

You can't connect Component cables to a Standard TV set because they only have the COMPOSITE (Yellow red and white)

Answer 6

The red, white, yellow is designed for audio and video connection, while the RGB cables are design for video only. Peel back the rubber and they are all wires inside so you can use the cables interchangeably. There is a difference in the guage and materials, so choosing the one designed for that hook up will give you the most efficient transfer of signal with the least resistance and loss of signal strength.

Answer 7

There not the same, RGB cables have special ground braiding for EMI, and usually a larger wire gauge then typical composite RCA type cables, not to mention the gold plating on the connection surface.. High quality RCA type composite cables, like monster cables, adhere to this RGB cable design specification to achieve better performance

Answer 8

Hi. Component cables are far superior to composite because they split the video signal into the three primary colours that combine to make the video image.Next is S.VHS. which separates the audio from the video. and Composite is last.
Cheers

Answer 9

They are basically the same. I had my HD Dish Network box hooked up to my TV with some high end audio cable and the picture looked great. I just used red as red, white as blue, and another red as green. My borther-in-law gets cables at cost from his work so he bought me a composite Monster Cable.

There is NO difference.

Also FYI - the cost prices for a component and a composite cable are almost identical.

Answer 10

Well, the insulation and gage are a little diferent, but I just use composite cables for component divices. I think component is digital so it shouldn't make a diference.