Last generation of graphic cards with HDTV s-video?

[markbeloved]

Which were the last and fastest models of graphic cards to have HDTV s-video out?

I know Nvidia 7600GT had s-video. Any later than that?

 

[bradly1101]

S-Video is SD not HD.

 

[markbeloved]

A s-video can output 1366x768 (WXGA) 1080p 720P to a component Y/Pb/Pr input, that is still classed as a High Definition format and is a higher definition than standard definition of 480i but not true HD of 1920x1080 1080p.

S-Video is a analogue signal not digital but with a component cable attached to the s-video output, certain graphic cards are made to send a Y/Pb/Pr 'HDTV-out' as well as a s-video video signal that supports higher resolutions and progressive scan such as 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p which is still higher than a standard definition of 480i.

and that's what i meant by HDTV, it's connected to the s-video output.

HD is all these formats

720p HD (1280×720 progressive @50 & 60 Hz)
1080i HD (1920×1080 interlaced @50 & 60 Hz)
1080p HD (1920×1080 progressive @24, 50 & 60 Hz)

But yes s-video is SD.

 

[VirtualLarry]

My 9600GSO cards all have S-video outputs, and came with component-out adapters. So did my HD4850 cards.

 

[Fallen Kell]

S-video is not an HD signal. At its best, it can only do 720x125. Above 125-140 horizontal lines, it can not properly display the color information at NTSC spec (as there is not enough bandwidth in the 3.58MHz signal rate used in the S-video standard). Now, you "can" encode the signal to get more resolution out of it, but to do so, the display would need to also know how to read the signal at a faster rate than the standard, or how to read a different color encoding which limits the color space used in the image to allow for an increase in the scan lines the data represents. Again, both of which require the encoding end of the video and the decoding end to support those alternative methods, and in essence, just use the wires to implement a completely new encoding scheme on the cable.

Otherwise, all you are displaying is a horizontal line doubled 720x480 interlaced video (as the 120 horizontal color information lines double to 240, which is then used to create the interlaced frames) upscaled to your TV's native resolution (or in the case of setting an output resolution other than 720x480i on a PC, a signal downscaled to 720x480i and then upscaled to the TV native resolution).

 

[Charlie98]

S-video is not an HD signal. At its best, it can only do 720x125. Above 125-140 horizontal lines, it can not properly display the color information at NTSC spec (as there is not enough bandwidth in the 3.58MHz signal rate used in the S-video standard). Now, you "can" encode the signal to get more resolution out of it, but to do so, the display would need to also know how to read the signal at a faster rate than the standard, or how to read a different color encoding which limits the color space used in the image to allow for an increase in the scan lines the data represents. Again, both of which require the encoding end of the video and the decoding end to support those alternative methods, and in essence, just use the wires to implement a completely new encoding scheme on the cable.

Otherwise, all you are displaying is a horizontal line doubled 720x480 interlaced video (as the 120 horizontal color information lines double to 240, which is then used to create the interlaced frames) upscaled to your TV's native resolution (or in the case of setting an output resolution other than 720x480i on a PC, a signal downscaled to 720x480i and then upscaled to the TV native resolution).

Not to derail the OP... I just hung my old 1080p panel upstairs as a workout TV, connected to the DVD player with S-video. Is this why the picture is so crappy? Would component be better? Or do I need to go spend the money on an HDMI-out DVD player?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Not to derail the OP... I just hung my old 1080p panel upstairs as a workout TV, connected to the DVD player with S-video. Is this why the picture is so crappy? Would component be better? Or do I need to go spend the money on an HDMI-out DVD player?

The reason is that old 1080p panel has a so-so scaler. Component would be better as it is HD, but if that is not good enough you need something with an internal scaler (aka has a HDMI port).

 

[Charlie98]

The reason is that old 1080p panel has a so-so scaler. Component would be better as it is HD, but if that is not good enough you need something with an internal scaler (aka has a HDMI port).

Clarification: the TV is fine... it has something like 692 HDMI inputs (or close to it... ) it's the old DVD player that only supports component or S-vid.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Clarification: the TV is fine... it has something like 692 HDMI inputs (or close to it... ) it's the old DVD player that only supports component or S-vid.

Very few TVs have a nice scaler. Normally only high end models. People pay hundreds for scalers for SD stuff like old consoles. Component is the way to go if you got it.

 

[Charlie98]

Very few TVs have a nice scaler. Normally only high end models. People pay hundreds for scalers for SD stuff like old consoles. Component is the way to go if you got it.

I just find that.... astounding! D: ...then why the big push to HDMI, etc?

 

[poofyhairguy]

I just find that.... astounding! D: ...then why the big push to HDMI, etc?

Well HDMI is better for HD sources. Optimally you don't want any scaling, you want every 1080p pixel perfectly filled. A DVD player will never give you that so the best you can get is an optimal picture to the TV scaler which is component. Any cheap DVD player with HDMI doesn't have a scaler worth a darn.

 

[Auric]

My 9600GSO cards all have S-video outputs, and came with component-out adapters. So did my HD4850 cards.

Yeah, they are non-standard mini-DIN jacks which may be pin compatible with and even output S-Video but are not to be confused with that. There were likewise DVI-I to component "adapters". So the capability remained for at least several more generations and across successive buses.

 

[Charlie98]

Well HDMI is better for HD sources. Optimally you don't want any scaling, you want every 1080p pixel perfectly filled. A DVD player will never give you that so the best you can get is an optimal picture to the TV scaler which is component. Any cheap DVD player with HDMI doesn't have a scaler worth a darn.

So, HDMI would be appropriate for a BD player? I just checked... even my BD player has component outs...

Sadly, I originally had my wall wired for component... I pulled the RCAs last month when I put the new TV up.

 

[poofyhairguy]

So, HDMI would be appropriate for a BD player? I just checked... even my BD player has component outs...

Sadly, I originally had my wall wired for component... I pulled the RCAs last month when I put the new TV up.

No, keep that Blu Ray player HDMI.