What are component video inputs vs. composite vs. SVideo?

[Muse]

I'm shopping for an A/V receiver and I see these terms used and don't understand them. Is there a FAQ somewhere that spells this out? Also, I'd like to bone up on how to read an A/V receiver spec. Thanks for the help and guidance.

 

[1Brett]

Google says check here:

www.home-theater-faq.com

I think there may have been popups on that page, but your question and some others are answered there.

Basically, the order of descending quality is component (best) then S-video, then composite (worst). I definitely noticed a difference when switching from composite to S-video. Haven't moved to component yet, to lazy ^H^H^H^H busy.

Good luck!
Brett

 

[lifeguard1999]

A composite video input or output uses a single standard RCA-style jack to pass video signals. This type of connection combines chrominance (color) and luminance (brightness) information, sending it along a single cable.

S-Video allows the chrominance (color) and luminance (brightness) information to be transmitted separately allowing for a better picture.

A component (sometimes seen as YUV or YPbPr or YCbCr) input works by dividing the chrominance (color) signal into color differenced blue (Cb) and red (Cr) components and a separate luminance (Y) component similar to S-Video. It uses three cables (often colored red, green, and blue) as the connector. It has the best picture of the three.

(Side note: There is a difference between YUV and YPbPr and YCbCr, but oftentimes they are incorrectly used interchangeably.)

 

[Muse]

Lifeguard,

Thanks for this great explanation. I was aware of the difference between RCA video and S-Video since I followed the development of SVHS and have a couple SVHS VCR's. I had a hunch that RCA video transmision was called composite but I had no idea what component video referred to. I gather that it's a superior way to transmit video signals from one component to another, whether from a DVD player etc. to an AV receiver or from the receiver (or amp) to a TV or monitor.