S-Video versus Component/quality of cables important?

[Eric Z]

Hello, everyone-

Currently I am using S-Video cable to go from my DVD to receiver and then from my receiver to my TV. I can also use component cables (I'll have to check to see if my basic Sony Trinitron TV has a component connection), but was wondering about the pros/cons regarding s-video and component.

What about the quality of the cables (s-video, optical, subwoofer)? I see you can spend a ton on cables- is it worth it? I just have the basic cables now from Best Buy (i.e $15 for 3' optical and $15 for 15' subwoofer).

Any help is much appreciated!

Thank you.
Eric

[Mania]

Eric, I just responded to this question in the HT forum. I hope it helps

[mtrycraft]

Hello, everyone-

Currently I am using S-Video cable to go from my DVD to receiver and then from my receiver to my TV. I can also use component cables (I'll have to check to see if my basic Sony Trinitron TV has a component connection), but was wondering about the pros/cons regarding s-video and component.

What about the quality of the cables (s-video, optical, subwoofer)? I see you can spend a ton on cables- is it worth it? I just have the basic cables now from Best Buy (i.e $15 for 3' optical and $15 for 15' subwoofer).

Any help is much appreciated!

Thank you.
Eric

What cables you have are all you really need. Audio is not immune to snake oil claims. :)

Svideo is most likely sufficient. If you try component, you will need to calibrate that input on the TV as you would the Svideo input too.

[foobagger]

If your cables are shielded and have good connector quality, they should be fine. I personally use AR Master Series cables for all my interconnects. They are cheap on eBay (avg $15-$20 per pair), seem to be very well made with locking gold-plated connectors, sound just fine to me, look nice, and are FAT, which makes it easier for me to make a finished loom of all my wiring. I like a neat look behind my gear.
I see very little difference between S-video and component video interconnect on my plasma screen, so use whatever is easier. I personally use component, because my Panasonic DVD-F85 only works in progressive mode with the component outputs. I also feed S-video from my VCR to my Denon pre-pro, which upconverts it to component video.