Component Video question

[russr]

Are they different type connectors? I have an lcd hdtv that has a YPbPr hook up...what cables do I need? Are RGB component the same as YPbPr?

 

[JonnyBlaze]

rgb is not the same as YPbPr. not sure of the exact technical differences tho. if your coming from a pc, you need an adapter to go from dvi to YPbPr. ati cards have one and i think newer nvidia cards have one also. they also make seperate hardware that will convert it, but its cheaper if your card supports the adapter.

JBlaze

 

[mdahc]

Most ATI cards > X300 series will come bundled with an HDTV dongle with component video output (so choose from X600, X700, or X800). As far as nVIDIA goes, there are currently two Geforce 6200's (by Leadtek and Gigabyte), one Geforce 6800 standard (by Leadtek), and then almost all 6600 GT's come bundled with an HDTV dongle with component video output. If you're really looking to hook your machine up to your HDTV via component video, the 6200 would certainly be the most cost effective, assuming you have PCIe (although you'd be limited with 3D games). If you don't have PCIe on your motherboard, then the AGP 6600 GT (probably eVGA's) would be the most cost effective.

As far as cables are concerned, any component video cable you find (even at Wal-Mart/Radio Shack type places) will suffice. Unless you like wasting your money, don't bother with expensive brands like Monster (everyone uses copper wires...thus copper is still copper no matter how fancy the packaging or connectors).

 

[JonnyBlaze]

yeah, dont waste money on the expensive component cables. iv even used normal audio rca cables and it gets the job done, not saying you should do that tho


JBlaze

 

[russr]

I should mention that this isn't for a PC to hdtv hookup. I'm trying to hook up my progressive scan dvd player to my hdtv. I know I could use regular rca video cables, but I will lose signal quality as those aren't exactly 75ohm, the audio cables are 55ohm.

So RGB is not the same as YPbPr, are all component cables the same? Some are really pricey like the monster ones, but then there's cables at walmart for under $20. Which one should I get? Or more importantly, how much should I spend for a good cable? $20?

 

[Solutions]

"Copper is copper" might be somewhat misleading.... Its true that the inside of the wires will be standard copper but the shielding is what you really pay for. If you are going for the ultimate in quality and have a lot of various other cables nearby (or any other type of interference conductor/inducer) then you may want/need the extra EMI shielding used by the expensive manufacturers (Monster, etc).

If you don't have any extra wires, large speakers, fans, etc near this planned cable run (and don't expect to have any in the future) then I'd suggest using the cheaper cables from Wal-Mart, etc.

 

[russr]

But even the $20 RCA branded component cables at Walmart have this EMI reduction and all.

 

[mdahc]

Originally posted by: Solutions
"Copper is copper" might be somewhat misleading.... Its true that the inside of the wires will be standard copper but the shielding is what you really pay for. If you are going for the ultimate in quality and have a lot of various other cables nearby (or any other type of interference conductor/inducer) then you may want/need the extra EMI shielding used by the expensive manufacturers (Monster, etc).

If you don't have any extra wires, large speakers, fans, etc near this planned cable run (and don't expect to have any in the future) then I'd suggest using the cheaper cables from Wal-Mart, etc.

I had two professors in college who worked for Monster Cable, and both say their cables are no different than the standard cables you buy at Radio Shack (this includes the shielding). All you pay for is the name.

 

[russr]

So it seems like the bottom line is that the $15-$20 cable at Walmart will do.

On a side note, what kind of differences will I see when I set my dvd player to progressive scan via component vs. just non-progressive scan through svideo?

 

[mdahc]

There should be quite a noticeable difference in the amount of visual artifacts/fuzziness since progressive scanning is going to draw everything on your screen line by line (vs. S-video interlaced scanning, which draws only 1/2 the picture per scan). I have a 30" widescreen Sony CRT HDTV (w/ DVI and HD component), and I can tell you the difference is like night and day. You already dropped a load of cash on your HDTV, so why not spend the extra $15-20 for some component cables? If you have a progressive scan DVD player and an HDTV, using S-video is a total waste.

 

[Solutions]

Originally posted by: mdahc
I had two professors in college who worked for Monster Cable, and both say their cables are no different than the standard cables you buy at Radio Shack (this includes the shielding). All you pay for is the name.

Well, the 1st set of no-name components I bought was sh!t. I cut them open to verify that they were shielded and they were....but very poorly. Replacing them with high-end Monsters resulted in a sharper picture for me. I'm not sure how Monster could sell the EXACT cable as another vendor for twice the price. Wouldn't Consumer Reports have picked up on that? Also, if they are all the same then why have so many different styles/models to choose from?
http://www.monstercable.com/home_av/video_cables/component_core.asp

I still think you pay for increased shielding, lower resistance stranded-copper, etc.

 

[PurdueRy]

And thats what Monster wants you to think. I guarantee that if you used an quality built cable other than monster and then switched them blindly, you would not notice a difference. Is that "shielding" they are putting on their making the cable cost $300?

For BETTER cables at a BETTER price go to:

www.bluejeanscables.com
www.accessories4less.com

These get pricier but are MUCH better

www.bettercables.com

 

[russr]

Actually for really good cables that are inexpensive, go here

I'm never buying expensive crap cables again.

 

[PurdueRy]

well, all I am saying is that the ones I posted are along the lines of monster for cheaper or better than monster. Of course you can get decent cables cheaper