Can I connect composite cables (Red White Yellow) to component ports (red, blue, green)?

Question

I tried connecting composite cables from my HD DVD player's component out's to my HD LCD TV component in's. The picture quality is sharper than connecting composites through the correct composite ports.

Does this mean that the red/blue/green component cords' necessity for component quality picture is a myth?

Answer 1

The differentiation between composite and component relates to the kind of video signal, and not the cables. The cables themselves may be interchangeable, or not, depending on the specs the manufacturer built them to. You can only be sure of getting a cable that fully meets the requirements of each format by using the right cable. But, as you've discovered, you can interchange them in a pinch. To reiterate, it's the video format that makes the difference in capability.

Answer 2

Component cables (3 RCA) are simply 2 Composite cables of identical length.

But Component cables by-pass a lot of extra electronics in the TV so if the source material (like a DVD) offers component - it will give you a much better picture.

THE RED WHITE YELLOW:

Ok - some of these are all simply video cables.

But - 'Component' video for standard def signals go up to 4 Mhz. 'Component' video for HD signals go up to 35 mhz.

While a cheap set of Yellow/Red/White cables will appear to work for a HD-DVD player - you could be getting loss of focus on fine details and colors wont be as sharp and solid as they could be with proper cables.

CABLES:

Good HD rated cables can be purchased from BlueJeans. But HDMI cables are cheaper:

10 ft Component cables: $68
10 ft HDMI cables: $38

So HDMI is cheaper and sending digital signals to the TV will bypass even more electronics for a slightly better picture.

Answer 3

If you connect the "G" of the RGB to the TV you would most likely get a monochrome (black and white) picture on the TV sets, ala 1950s, if you have the PS3 resolution set to 480 line display. AV television inputs unlike component can only work in the 480 line mode. Don't use the R or B cables.