Lost about A/V inputs

[Stix]

So... as the title suggests I'm lost as to the differences between different video inputs, including but not limited to, component video, S-video, Co-axial input and the like. What's the difference, how do they work, and what ends up looking better in what setting?

Thanks in advance.

[SCpoloRicker]

Just got done doing my AV setup...

Ranked from best to worst in terms of quality;

Video
optical? Not sure if this is supported yet on all TVs; its a thin, small cable with clear ends.
Component: three cables, usually green, wtih Red Green and Blue ends. Good to 1080i, or at least 480i
S-Video: Slighty better than standard RCA, but not much. Yellow ends, with several pins in a pattern
RCA: the yellow cord of the three. this just works, thats it.

Audio
optical: Only real option for surround sound. Provided your receiver can make sense of it, will allow as good of sound as you have, i.e. 5.1, 6.1, THX, etc.
RCA: I don't think there is a middle ground. Digital or nada

I currently have a receiver w/ only one digital input and no component out. DVD has component and dig sound. So, for DVDs, audio goes digital from DVD to receiver. Video goes component from DVD to TV. For Xbox, its just RCA to the receiver, and Svid to TV (up to component soon).

Hope this helps. Plenty of techies out there, you'll get sorted.

[skife]

in order from best to worst.


DVI (cables are about $100 a peice)
Component (3 different cables)
S-video
RCA (1 cord for video)
coaxal (i think i'm going to puke)

[Miscue]

Get component video, and optical audio cables.

Here's what the plugs look like:
<img src="http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/prod_images/RXV2500B_02.jpg"><img src="http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/prod_images/RXV2500B_01.jpg"><img src="http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/prod_images/RXV2500B_03.jpg">

My baby: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/r...rs/RXV2500.htm

Tee hee!

[i_baked_cookies]

holy crap miscue

[Miscue]

holy crap miscue

Hehe. I have them plugged into these:

<img src="http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/products/main/M60BlackPairGrillOff.jpg">

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m60ti.html

They're a steal at that price - awesome speakers.

Using this DVD: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...DVD_DVDPlayers

The higher model with HDMI/upconversion wasn't worth double the price to me... so I passed.

My stuff is all connected with optic-cable or component video. It's worth it to get those cables. Hell, I even have my XBox plugged in that way.

[skife]

'que are you an audiophile?

[Miscue]

'que are you an audiophile?

An audiophile on a budget, maybe.

[punkncat]

An audiophile on a budget, maybe.

Well you may be on a budget , but you are right. For now component video and optical audio are the best available.

[Miscue]

Well you may be on a budget , but you are right. For now component video and optical audio are the best available.

What's kind of funny is, I tried cheap RCA cables in place of fairly expensive component cables (they're the same thing, just color coded different) just to see the difference.

As I suspected... none! I just get cheap cable, so long as it's the correct gauge. I spent more on my banana plugs than the cable, because I found some nice crimpless Monster plugs. Typically I refuse to get Monster, but I liked these plugs.

I figure it this way: There's only so many ways you can make copper wire. They may have fancy insulation or something... but NEWSFLASH: It does not protect from EMI! Maybe water...

[Steelrat]

Okay, all the audiophiles in the hizzouse, raise your hands!

DVI is tops for video, but it still hasnt been implemented market-wide. Component video is generally more common, and also a very good interface.

As for the "sound" of cables, I can hear the difference between the monster and kimber cables I use, but not everyone can.

Miscue, nice speakers there. I run a set of Mirage M-5sis, but they are so power hungry I need an Adcom 200 wpc amp, and even that sometimes going into protection. Inefficiency sucks.

[Miscue]

Okay, all the audiophiles in the hizzouse, raise your hands!

DVI is tops for video, but it still hasnt been implemented market-wide. Component video is generally more common, and also a very good interface.

As for the "sound" of cables, I can hear the difference between the monster and kimber cables I use, but not everyone can.

Miscue, nice speakers there. I run a set of Mirage M-5sis, but they are so power hungry I need an Adcom 200 wpc amp, and even that sometimes going into protection. Inefficiency sucks.

An interesting article that's somewhat related to what we've been talking about.

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/interconnects/Cable-Breakin.html

[Steelrat]

Ah, I didn't say expensive cables sounded better. I said I could hear the differences. Its especially noticeable in the bass. A fringe benefit of the good cables is they have good shielding and configurations that help prevent RF interference.

EDIT: Quads arent known for their bass response. They do, however, have an almost magical midrange.