[cptodd]

I have a question on video cables. In terms of picture quality going from worst to best would it be:


composite / coaxial / s-video / component?


OR


coaxial / composite / s-video / component?


The reason I ask is because I just got a DVD recorder and I want to transfer stuff from tape to DVD-R. Since I only have a choice between coaxial and composite I wanted to know which one was better.

 

[glass]

coaxial / composite / s-video / component

 

[cptodd]

AH! I thought so! thanks lots!

 

[Goi]

Actually both composite and component cables are coaxial cables, normally of the RG6 variety. Component video cables are basically just 3 color coded composite video cables, which are just RG6 coaxial video cables.


If by coaxial you mean the cable TV coaxial cable, then the cable itself is identical to composite cable, its just that composite uses RCA connectors and cable TV coaxial cable uses F-connectors.

 

[cptodd]

so then one is not better than the other? Cable coaxial and composite cables provide the same level of performance (all things being equal)?

 

[Nich]

Just remember to grease them in butter for maximal shielding. The

difference is AMAZING!! I'll never go back to cornoil again.


Nicholas

 

[jpritter]

It's true that the physical cables used in composite and component video cables are of the coaxial type, but if I understand what I think you're asking then the composite connection will definitely give you the better picture.


It's not just the type of cable used to connect two pieces of equipment, it's also how the signal is transmitted on that cable. On pretty much all consumer electronics the coax cable connector (called an F-type connector) is pretty much always a modulated signal, so that it can be connected to older tv's which only accept a signal from an antenna. This is why you need to set your tv to channel 3 when you want to watch your vcr (when it's connected using the coax connector). The video signal passed on a standard composite cable (yellow rca connectors) is more of a "raw" video signal which hasn't been modulated.


So, if you use the coax connector to connect your dvd recorder to your vcr, the vcr will modulate the video and audio (mono usually) and stuff it into channel 3. The dvd recorder will then have to demodulate the video again in order to record it onto a dvd. Any time you have to convert a video signal you're going to lose quality and gain noise, so use the composite connector and separate audio connectors if possible.


Probably more than you wanted to know but hopefully it will be helpful.

 

[Goi]

Not DVI


The statement should read all ANALOG video connections use (or should us) coaxial cable.

 

[jpritter]

Right, I know that all good video cables, regardless of composite, component, bnc, f, rca, whatever, should be done with good coax cable. But that's not really what cptodd appears to be asking. Unfortunately most of the standard vcrs, tvs, and other video gear refer to the modulated f-type connector on the back of the box as a "coax" connector, even though the component and composite connectors are really coax connectors as well. Regardless, you will get a better picture out of a composite connection than you will out of modulated f-type, I don't think there's any argument over that.

 

[Goi]

Well I don't know about SDI, but DVI definitely does NOT use coaxial cable, and DVI IS a video connection, so there.

 

[Goi]

Well, my point was that you said ALL(and you capitalized it as well) video connections use coaxial cables, but I gave a case(DVI) that didn't, so THERE!


Anyway, enough of the mindless bickering.