DTV Express Learning Center:
Video Cables and Connections
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Composite Video
Composite Video cables carry a single video signal that combines the three video subsignals of Luminance, Chrominance, and Sync. Since picture quality is lost when Chrominance and Luminance are stripped apart for display, S-Video or Component Video connections produce much higher quality, and are recommended when availble.
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S-Video
S-Video cables transmit the chrominance (color) and luminance (brightness) portions of a video signal along different paths, providing better color accuracy and detail than the composite video connection. S-Video signal is sometimes known as "Y/C", the symbols for Luminance and Chrominance. The S-Video cable uses a distinctive round, 4-pin "mini-DIN" plug.
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Component Video - Y/Pb/Pr
Component Video is the best method for connecting analog video signals. The Component Video signal is divided onto three separate cables which carry the Luminance (Y), Blue Difference (Pb) and Red Difference (Pr) signals. Component Video connections may use RCA or BNC style terminals and plugs, so be sure to order the correct cable for your system.
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VGA
15-pin VGA Connectors are most commonly used to connect PC output from a video card to a monitor, TV, or projector. The standard VGA cable carries analog RGB signal and uses a 15-pin "d-Sub" connector.
Specialized RCA to VGA cables, commonly used with Projectors and some Plasma Monitors, carry Component Video RGB signal, and connect a 3-pin RCA Component Video source to a 15-pin d-Sub display terminal.
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Cable and Hookup Tips
Follow these general rules of thumb to get the best results from your cables:
Cables should be as short as possible—but not too short! Since even high-quality video and audio signals can degrade over long distances, shorter cable runs help to maximize signal quality. Just make sure you have room to connect all your equipment comfortably.
Don't try to make a short cable reach. Avoid kinks or bending cable at sharp angles—this can damage cable connectors, or the terminals of your A/V equipment. It's better to buy a longer cable, if you must.
Arrange excess cable in an "S" shape or a figure-eight: do not leave it lying in round loops. This can help minimize electromagnetic interference, which can produce static or noise.
Keep power cords away from audio and video cables if you can. Even shielded cords can cause electromagnetic interference and signal degradation. If you must cross cables over power cords, try to do it at right angles.
For interconnects or other audio cables with arrows printed on the outer jacket, hook it up so that the arrow follows the signal from source (DVD Player, CD Player) to destination (Plasma TV, A/V Receiver).
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