What are the best video hookups your main TV has/uses?

[Sylentwulf]

What are the best video hookups your main TV has/uses?

ONLY from the options Listed. If your main TV is an RGB Monitor, good for you, it's not an option :)

Not sure how much of this will apply to international users with your funky PAL TV's and all :)

[Arrrhalomynn]

My funky pal tv has RGB through a scart connection, and all my consoles are connected that way.

[stargate]

i thought composite was the same as RF. is composite the AV jacks? i'm confused...

[sisko]

RF uses the coaxial screw on cable.

Composite (or AV or RCA as tehy are commonly called) are those red, white, and yellow cables that come with the modern systems.

on a scale of worst to best, it would go

rf, composite, s video, component

[chadtower]

on a scale of worst to best, it would go

rf, composite, s video, component

Actually, below RF there are the old connectors with two screws and two prongs.

[sisko]

People still have those things?

Didn't those get phased out in the 70's/early 80's?

[Raccoon Lad]

So, I'm the only guy with a coax only TV?

[chadtower]

People still have those things?

Didn't those get phased out in the 70's/early 80's?

Dude a LOT of those TVs are still around. I still have a couple of them.

[chadtower]

So, I'm the only guy with a coax only TV?

Since he's only asking about the primary tv for a household, probably.

[Sylentwulf]

What the hell are those dual-screw-on things called anyways? Antenna jacks?

Frankly, anything below RF is pretty friggin sad :) that's like a car with a crank on it.

[Half Japanese]

Once you move up to S-video or better you'll never go back to composite or RF again. Games like Ikaruga have text that is damn near unreadable due to bluriness, but that's all fixed with an S-video cable!

[wberdan]

so unfair that RGB isnt an option... and what about DVI??!
the two best video connections have no say...

willie

[nesuser2]

s-video.......but the only system i have s-vid for is my DC.......not PS, or Xbox.....or GC.......but they sell a 3 in 1 kit at walmart, made by madcatz.....connects all those systems that way......in one convenient plug. but i really want a tv with RGB input, since i spent all this money on a ps2 component cable...

[chevy_chase]

ive got SCART too, so i think every option works just have to use a different scart plug maybe

[FABombjoy]

What the hell are those dual-screw-on things called anyways? Antenna jacks?

Twin lead, or twin lead antenna. 300 ohm impedance.

Semi-useless trivia: The space between the two wires is critical in maintaining the proper impedance for the signal. Never cut or alter the spacing, or use alternative wiring.

[nesuser2]

kind of unrelated. but is there an alternative to the tv/game switchbox for a coleco? that's the only reason i'm auctioning the untested colecovision, i absolutely hate those things. everything is sitting right here........i just can't bring myself to do it....

[maxlords]

I have component, but irritatingly, I can't afford component cables! I'm not paying bloody $40 for one cable. So I use S-Video on most stuff and composite on the rest. A scant few systems are hooked up via RF still, but not many!

[sisko]

Ditto that max. The only reason I got my component videos for my PS2 is because they were half off.

Monster does make nice cables, but $80 for a 4m subwoofer cable is a ripoff.

Consequently, the only component I have is for my ps2 and my DVD player (but those are just your run of the mill RCA cables any way). Everything else is stuck back in the composite dark ages.

[kingpong]

KBToys.com has XBox compnent cables for $3.99. I picked up a set while ordering a bunch of other stuff (helped me get up to the $99 free shipping), but now I see that they're going to be useless since I don't want to give up the digital audio to my home theater system. I guess the HD AV pack is the only way you can get component video and digital audio out of the XBox, and I'm not about to pay another $20 for that pack and a few bucks more for 3 wires after already having paid $20 for the S-Video AV pack to get digital audio (didn't have a component TV at the time).

[Raedon]

My 27" 1999 Sony Trinitron only has 1 S-Video input.. however, I got the thing for $200 and is the perfect video game TV.

[Raedon]

Actually, below RF there are the old connectors with two screws and two prongs.

Actually, that is still RF..

[Raedon]

but i really want a tv with RGB input, since i spent all this money on a ps2 component cable...

Component and RGB are not the same format.

RGB stands for Red Green and Blue, these are the 3 colours used to display a TV picture. Using RGB the picture is sent as three separate colours corresponding to the three colours used in a TV to display the picture. A high resolution RGB picture can have a bandwidth of over 10MHz and this is without doubt the best way to send picture information to a TV or display. Component video Component video is comprised of a Y signal (this is the luminance being a mixture of red, green and blue), and two colour difference signals, referred to as either V & U or Cr & Cb respectively.. Both require a sync signal to generate the required timing inside the TV so that a viewable picture can be built up.

[Mayhem]

After all these posts... and I was just about to point out the same thing Raedon just did. RGB and component are different things...

[can_dude]

how about how expensive component chords are? I bought 2 Monster 3 Component cables, 100 bucks US a pop. wooh. pricy.

[Raedon]

Monster cable products are rip off's.. I've used a stereo AV (yellow, red, white) cable as a component just fine.

[robotriot]

i've got a crappy beamer, but it still beats the hell out of any tv ;) takes only s-video & composite.

[spoon]

Those two screw connectors are also know as UHF. I would have to vote for component

[can_dude]

Monster cable products are rip off's.. I've used a stereo AV (yellow, red, white) cable as a component just fine.

True monster cables are a rip off, I got mine at cost (35 bucks a pop) so I couldn't resist, but using A/V wires? That's not the way to go man...first off, component cable have (i belive) a fast, high quality, high capacity transmission, the composite video only has half (if even) the speed, quality and capacity, and audio cables only a fifth...the two components your hooking up with your audio are getting major loss of clarity...If you want a cheap way out, you can use three composite (yellow) connectors and the deterioration isn't that noticible on tvs 36" and under, but i would just get the cheap 30 dollar RCA component connectors for maximum quality at a minimal price...I'll see if I can take some screens of the difference...

[lionforce]

Now which systems use the Component Hook Up? I know Xbox does, can GC and PS2 be hooked up with component cables, I think they can but I'm not sure, how about the Dreamcast, N64, PS1 and Sega Saturn, I don't think component hook up will work with anything below 32bit but again I'm not sure, can anyone post a breakdown of the highest connections for each system?

[can_dude]

only the XBOX, PS2 and GameCube have official component out. Dreamcast, I believe may have a custom, home made component, but I wouldn't look to hard into that. You can get the MadCatz component for PS2 for 10 bucks, and the gamecube one is only available in japan, but can be ordered from nintendo and asian online gaming stores, such as lik-sang.com . The XBOX of course has component, and let me tell you, soul caliber 2 in 720 progressive scan will blow you away. You should also note, that most PS2 games, are not HDTV games. With the component cable you'll get a 480i picture with most games, which is certainly better than the 320i of S-Video or 260i of composite, pales in comparison to 480p, 720p and 1080i.

[weasel2htm]

So, I'm the only guy with a coax only TV?

Don't worry My main TV is a 1989 13" Emerson with RF only. My parents have a 27" Sanyo with S-video and Composite the only game on it is the original Playstation (running RF because all the video jacks are in use and don't want to confuse them with a selector box, the PSX rarely gets used anyway) Most of the games aroiund here are computer of the consoles are in my BR (NES SNES N64) or the attic (oddessy2 with voice module) not hooked up due to lack of space The GBA gets heavy use by my dad.

Also Useless trivia: Some TV stores would tell customers that the Magnavox Oddessy would only work on Magnavox TVs.

[FABombjoy]

component cable have (i belive) a fast, high quality, high capacity transmission, the composite video only has half (if even) the speed, quality and capacity, and audio cables only a fifth

Electricity travels the same speed regardless of the conducting medium. There are no fast/slow cables. There can be a difference in bandwidth, however.

I've cut apart tons of A/V cables. 99% of the time they're all the same type of wire. Absolutely no difference between the audio and video cables.

The signal that requires the most critical quality of cable is composite, since it's the entire video signal in 1 cable. The more you break up the signal, the less the cable quality matters. My Mario Bros. cab has unshielded 18 gauge wire feeding the signal to the monitor, and the picture is flawless. Cut apart a SVGA monitor cable and look at the teensyness of the conductors & shielding, and how they manage to provide a sharp signal to a monitor that uses a helluva lot more bandwidth than a TV set.

Granted, Monster Cable is quality stuff, no doubt about it. But if cheaper cables work fine, then use them.

Cable is like the octane rating on gas. Using the expensive stuff when you don't need to is just throwing money away.

[Anthony1]

I will break down, system by system, the best video source you can get. I'll start with the Atari 2600, and then skip to the NES, and then follow each system from that point forward. I personally went from a 2600 to a NES, so I don't know about Colecovision, Intellivision and stuff like that.


Atari 2600 - With the good ole classic Atari 2600, you have to go with RF. Of course, that is unless you get it modified for S-Video output. Because alot of the newest TV's don't really like the old RF signal, if you are a 2600 junkie, it's a good idea to get your 2600 modded for S-Video output. Our very own FABombjoy does this mode for trade or cash. I highly recommend it. He can also put two audio plugs on the back of the 2600, so that you get the mono sound in both sound channels for hookup to a stereo reciever.

NES - Unfortunately for NES fans, the NES came out before it was popular to inlcude RGB capability in video game consoles. Also, it is impossible to do a S-Video mod to a NES system. So basically we are stuck with composite for the NES. But definitely use the composite over the RF output.

TurboGrafx-16 - The TurboGrafx-16 can be modded to output an incredible RGB signal, and that is definitely the way to go. Contact the_matthew@yahoo.ca if you want to have your Turbo modded for RGB output. Otherwise, go with the composite output and stereo sound from the TurboBooster. And last but not least, well actually it is least, is the RF output. To be avoided if possible.

Sega Genesis - The Sega Genesis can output RGB very easily, without modifying the actual console. In fact the Sega Genesis probably has the easiest RGB output of any system. So if you think you can make your own RGB cable, this is the system to start with first. The Genny also outputs composite video of course, and if you get a Wondermega or JVC X'eye, you can actually get S-Video output out of it!

Super Nintendo - The Super Nes outputs a RGB signal, and I can tell you that once you see Super Ghouls and Ghosts in RGB, you will never go back. So if you love the SNES, do yourself a favor and see it in it's RGB glory. Also, the Super NES is one of the first video game systems to feature standard S-Video output. You can even use a GameCube S-Video cable for it! It also outputs composite video, and of course RF.

Sega CD - see "Sega Genesis" above.

Atari Jaguar - The Atari Jaguar outputs a RGB signal, and it looks outstanding via this signal. You can also get a Jaguar S-Video cable, and if you are using a regular TV, and it has S-Video, then it's highly advised to use S-Video with the Jag. The Jag also outputs a composite signal, and crappy old RF.

Panasonic 3DO - Tragically, the 3DO cannot output a RGB signal. The best you can get with 3DO is S-Video. The good news, is that the S-Video plug is right on the back of the system, so you don't have to buy a special S-Video cable, you can use any old S-Video cable. It also has the composite and RF plugs right on the back too. If you have a 3DO defintely use the S-Video output. That is the best way to go with the 3DO.

Sega 32X - see "Sega Genesis" above.

Sega Saturn - The Saturn outputs a RGB signal, and once you see Astal or Nights in RGB, you will never play your Saturn via any other method. You can also get a S-Video cable, and of course composite and RF.

Sony Playstation - The good ole PSone outputs a RGB signal, and once you see Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in RGB, you will never go back to S-Video or composite. The PSone also outputs S-Video, and you can use a PS2 S-Video cable too. And of course the PSone outputs composite and RF.

Nintendo 64 - The Nintendo 64 will output a RGB signal, if you get it internally modified. You can contact the_matthew@yahoo.ca for that. Note that a PAL N64 cannot be modded to output RGB, and that certain U.S. N64's won't output RGB either. The N64 can also output S-Video, and you should definitely use that if you don't have a RGB monitor and a RGB modded N64. The N64 will also do composite and RF.

Sega Dreamcast. - The Sega Dreamcast, was the first video game console to feature progressive scan 640 x 480 display. This was achieved through the VGA box. The progressive scan display, when hooked up to a PC monitor, or a HDTV that accepts VGA signals, is about the best you can get, without going to HDTV resolutions. So the VGA box, would be the best way to hook up the Dreamcast. The Dreamcast is also capable of RGB output. About 95 percent of the Dreamcast library worked in progressive scan, but there were a couple of games that didn't, but these games do work in RGB. So RGB is definitely a very good option for the Dreamcast, but RGB is an interlaced signal, and VGA is progressive scan, so I would say the VGA box is the best way to go. The Dreamcast also has S-Video output and composite output, and even crappy RF output.

Sony Playstation 2 - The Playstation 2, has a FEW, I repeat "FEW" games that work in 480p progressive scan display. So for those few games that actually do run in 640 x 480 progressive scan mode, the best way to view them would be via the component output, while in RGB mode, hooked up to a TV that can handle wide band (progressive) component output. However, because only a handfull of games use 480p on the PS2, it's better to just go with RGB display. In fact, you can use the RGB cable that you already have been using with the PSone. And let me tell you, when you see Vice City in RGB, you will never play your PS2 any other way, then in pure RGB. You have to go into the PS2 menu and select RGB output. You actually have to do that for the 480p output as well. So, because of the fact of so few games being progressive scan, I would say that analog RGB output, would be the No. 1 choice, followed by the progressive scan component output for the games that support it. Then you have the regular component output. This is for TV's that have component inputs, but don't have progressive scan capabilities. This is a little better than S-Video, so definitely use the component cables if you TV has component inputs. Then of course, comes S-Video, and after that is composite and the dreaded RF display.

Nintendo GameCube - The Nintendo GameCube features progressive scan 480p display in "MOST" of the best games on the system. Games like Metroid Prime and Zelda and Mario Sunshine and games like that feature the progressive scan display. However, there are lots of GameCube games that don't have progressive scan support. So be aware of that. Capcom's Resident Evil remake is one of the big games that doesn't support Progressive scan. But for the most part, the prime time games do, so always use the special component cables that can be ordered directly from Nintendo. If your TV doesn't support progressive scan, but does have component inputs, then also use the component cables if possible. If your TV doesn't support component whatsoever then use the S-Video cable. But if you do have a progressive scan TV, then by all means get those component cables, because when you see WaveRace: Blue Storm, in all of it's 480p Glory, you will be amazed! That game looks like it's running in a High Definition mode or something. It really looks like it's 720P! Same thing with Metroid Prime. So after the component feature, you can also use regular RGB. But I think getting the RGB signal out of the Cube is a little bit difficult. I'm not sure if the Cube has to be modded or what. But if you get a RGB cable for the Cube, it's actually a good idea, cause there are alot of Cube games that don't run in a progressive scan mode. And of course you also have S-Video and composite and RF.


Microsoft XBOX - Ok, when it comes to video game signals, the XBOX is king. Why? Very simple, it is the first home video game system to have the ability to output a High Definition video signal. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of XBOX games that support 720p or 1080i HDTV display. NBA 2K3 is one of them. This game looks freaking amazing in 720p on a HDTV that can handle a 720p signal. Dragon's Lair 3D, is one of the few games on the XBOX that is 1080i. This game looks absolutely amazing on a HDTV. Soul Caliber 2 has a 720p mode that is drop dead gorgeous. And for all the games that don't have HDTV modes, well, at least almost 97 percent of them output glorious 480P. So if you have a TV that handles progessive scan signals and has a component input, then definitely do yourself a favor and get the High Definition AV pack. If your TV doesn't handle progressive scan signals, but it does handle component input, then get the regular component cables. If you TV just has S-Video, then go with S-Video. And of course, there is also composite and RF.


Whew. That was a long essay kiddies.

[Sylentwulf]

Monster Cables are NOT $35 at cost for component cables. I can get component Monster brand name cables brand new for less than $30 at the local best buy.

I sell xbox and PS2 component cables for $3-$7 apiece at my store and on ebay. I just wish I could find some goddamn gamecube component cables for less than $30 :angry: :angry: :angry:

Side note - Willie, your damn TV's are always in an entirely separate category and you know it, heheh.

[Blackjax]

Hell, I've never seen a better picture than a PS2 hooked up w/ componant video.

*** Blackjax hugs his JVC iArt

[sisko]

Monster Cables are NOT $35 at cost for component cables. I can get component Monster brand name cables brand new for less than $30 at the local best buy.

I sell xbox and PS2 component cables for $3-$7 apiece at my store and on ebay. I just wish I could find some goddamn gamecube component cables for less than $30 :angry: :angry: :angry:

Side note - Willie, your damn TV's are always in an entirely separate category and you know it, heheh.

Monster cables at cost are 50% off retail. It also depends on the length and "quality" of the cables. There are some that sell for over $2000 (no, thats not a typo) each, and there are some that sell for $20 each.

Personally, I just bought several DSS composite packages at cost for $17 each, and use them just like component video. I think its rather lame of Monster to charge an arm and a leg extra for the word "component", but hey, if people are willing to pay it...

Basically, all it comes down to is the gauge of the wire and gold plated tips.

[Mayhem]

Side note: NTSC Cubes can output component, S-video, composite and be hooked up for RF. PAL Cubes lose component and S-video in favour of RGB output (the former because there's hardly any supporting TVs released in Europe). You can get a custom built RGB cable for NTSC Cubes however, and the picture quality from that is almost as good as component...

[lendelin]

ABOUT XBOX: So if you have a TV that handles progessive scan signals and has a component input, then definitely do yourself a favor and get the High Definition AV pack. If your TV doesn't handle progressive scan signals, but it does handle component input, then get the regular component cables


Wow, great post!! ...and I thought *I* am electronically obsessed when it comes to videogames. Truly, a great and informative post.

Two Qs for you:

Yesterday I got the new ProHD component system selector, and had to get a component cable for the XBox. I bought the High Definition AV pack with a component cable since I didn't want to spend a lot of money for a Monstercable. My TV doesn't have progressive scan, nor is it a HDTV.

I noticed that the colors come over more natural, but I really didn't see noticeable improvement in resolutuion (crisper, cleaner pic) over S-video (which I clearly noticed for the GC). Was it a bad buy? Won't I get the same quality picture out of the XBox compared to a regular component cable?? (btw, I never saw a third party component cable for the XBox except for Monstercable, does MS have a regular component cable for the XBox?)


Nintendo GameCube - ...so always use the special component cables that are only, i repeat ONLY for progressive scan TV's. So if you have a TV that has Component inputs, but doesn't handle progressive scan signals, then you have no need for the GameCube component cable.



Are you sure about that for the GC? The old version of the PS2 certainly doesn't have progressive scan, but the games look certainly better in component. Isn't the same true for the GC? Just asking becasue I certainly noticed a significant difference between S-Video and component when I checked yesterday on my non-progressive scan TV and plugged in Metroid Prime and Ikaruga.

Again, thanks for the post, I didn't know that the Dreamcast had progressive scan abilities.

[Anthony1]

lendelin, the component cables that I'm talking about for the GameCube, are the ones that use the digital output on the back of the Cube. I wasn't aware that there were any other component cables for the Cube. The ones that use the digital output, that you have to order directly from Nintendo, will only work with Progressive scan games. I think. You know what? Actually, I might be wrong. Come to think of it, I think I am wrong on that, because I have this one TV that has component inputs, but it will only accept progressive scan component sources. So whenever I plugged the GameCube into it, I couldn't play any of the GameCube games that weren't progressive scan. And on my other TV, my newer TV, before going into progressive scan mode, it sometimes asks, do you want to activate progressive scan mode, and that TV accepts both progressive scan component and regular component, so actually, I think I am wrong. Sorry about that. It was my other TV that had me confused on that.


As for the XBOX and component cables, I believe that they sell two different versions. One if for TV's that can handle High Defintion, and one is for other TV's that have component outputs, but don't handle high definition.

Hope that helps you out, and sorry about the confusion on the GameCube component cables. I will edit that post and fix it. My bad.

[Chunky]

I just use whats ever on the front of the TVs. all 3 of mine have s-video and av in the front. I don't want to use extenion cables to the back where they have component/ one rgb. it's just easier, and since i'm always switching systems and taking them to other rooms or whatever, i am happy with this.

[lendelin]

lendelin, the component cables that I'm talking about for the GameCube, are the ones that use the digital output on the back of the Cube. I wasn't aware that there were any other component cables for the Cube. The ones that use the digital output, that you have to order directly from Nintendo, will only work with Progressive scan games. I think. You know what? Actually, I might be wrong. Come to think of it, I think I am wrong on that, because I have this one TV that has component inputs, but it will only accept progressive scan component sources. So whenever I plugged the GameCube into it, I couldn't play any of the GameCube games that weren't progressive scan. And on my other TV, my newer TV, before going into progressive scan mode, it sometimes asks, do you want to activate progressive scan mode, and that TV accepts both progressive scan component and regular component, so actually, I think I am wrong. Sorry about that. It was my other TV that had me confused on that.


As for the XBOX and component cables, I believe that they sell two different versions. One if for TV's that can handle High Defintion, and one is for other TV's that have component outputs, but don't handle high definition.

Hope that helps you out, and sorry about the confusion on the GameCube component cables. I will edit that post and fix it. My bad.

Thanks for the clarification, Anthony. The component cable I bought is the one from Nintendo itself, and it works fine with my non-progressive scan TV (meaning you got a better pic).

Imteresting read again about your experiences with standard and progressive component connections. Finally I know the meaning of the two component inputs which I saw often described for TVs, and it's very important to make sure that your TV accepts both kind of inputs. I guess the consoles are flexible enough to deliver both, and then it all depends on the games and the TV.

[lendelin]

Another Q to all:

I always assumed (mere speculation) that an HDTV will result in better pic quality even for games which are not High Definition (most of the PS2 games) for the simple reason that there are roughly twice the amount of horizontal lines on a HDTV.

...in other words, is the higher number of horizontal lines always there or does a HDTV produce only more horizontal lines if it's fed with a HDTV source?

Does someone have experience with that? (comparing the pic quality of PS2 games on a standard TV and HDTV)