Should I get an S-video cable?

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astromanluca

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I have an older TV. It's a 27" CRT and while it still looks okay (obviously crap compared to modern LCD TVs, no need to remind me), it does have an S-video input on the back that is currently unused.

My question is, is it worth it to get a cable for this? I'm not sure if it would even make much of a difference since those old CRTs are so blurry and low resolution, but I might get it if it would help. Has anyone else here tried using S-video on an old TV?
 
[quote name='astromanluca']I have an older TV. It's a 27" CRT and while it still looks okay (obviously crap compared to modern LCD TVs, no need to remind me), it does have an S-video input on the back that is currently unused.

My question is, is it worth it to get a cable for this? I'm not sure if it would even make much of a difference since those old CRTs are so blurry and low resolution, but I might get it if it would help. Has anyone else here tried using S-video on an old TV?[/QUOTE]
Yes, S-Video is a dramatic improvement over composite for any console. That, and why WOULDN'T you want to use the best connection your TV allows? ;)
 
Well, I picked one up from Best Buy this evening after work, and I have to say I can't tell the difference. It's probably just too old a TV to matter. At least I know it's displaying at the highest quality that's available to me. And it wasn't very expensive.
 
I have an old S-Video set, and I have to change inputs to an S-Video input in the settings. It only had one AUX input, and you had to change the settings to let it know to read the S-Video port. If your TV is the same, that could be the reason you're not seeing an improvement.

But I agree with Whip, S-Video is a dramatic improvement over composite.
 
Too bad you jumped the gun on that, I would have sold you my GS S-Video cable for basically shipping. (Had my Wii before my HDTV)
 
[quote name='Hockey37']I have an old S-Video set, and I have to change inputs to an S-Video input in the settings. It only had one AUX input, and you had to change the settings to let it know to read the S-Video port. If your TV is the same, that could be the reason you're not seeing an improvement.

But I agree with Whip, S-Video is a dramatic improvement over composite.[/quote]
Oh, you mean changing the settings in the TV?

I think the TV is auto-sensing. When I plugged in only the S-video cable (not the composite), I got a picture. Switching over to the composite only without the S-video plugged in also gave me a picture, and I didn't have to touch the menus.
 
I have a Sony 27" SDTV I bought in about 1996 that has S-Video and not component, and S-Video is a noticeable improvement over composite.
 
Next time a friend comes over for some gaming, I'm going to ask him to watch the TV while I switch the cables, and vice versa. There wasn't enough of a difference for me to notice when I went around the back and switched the cables, then came around and looked again, but maybe it'll be more apparent if someone's watching the TV the whole time.

Really, I just need to start saving up for an LCD TV or something like that. But they're so expensive! For $500+ I'd rather get a bunch of games!
 
[quote name='astromanluca']Next time a friend comes over for some gaming, I'm going to ask him to watch the TV while I switch the cables, and vice versa. There wasn't enough of a difference for me to notice when I went around the back and switched the cables, then came around and looked again, but maybe it'll be more apparent if someone's watching the TV the whole time.

Really, I just need to start saving up for an LCD TV or something like that. But they're so expensive! For $500+ I'd rather get a bunch of games![/QUOTE]
You should notice the biggest difference in S-Video with text, especially white on a black background. Also you'll notice the entire picture should be sharper with less color crawl.
 
I recently got an HDTV but before that I upgraded all my connections to S-Video and was really pleased with the results over composite.
 
There is virtually no difference between S-video and composite. i have used both types of connection on my dvd player and noticed no difference. you have to be a serious videophile to notice. its still 480i. when you get an HDTV and get the component cables, there is a serious difference.
 
decrot, you are mistaken. Load up Wii sports and specifically bowling. Big difference and more vivid.

Make sure OP that you are unplugging the composite and only plugging in the S-video and whatever audio method you use. Keep the yellow cable plugged in will probably result in the TV defaulting to that connection.
 
I agree with Snake. I really don't consider myself a videophile and before I got my HDTV I was using my normal SDTV. When I bought the S-video cables, right after installing I saw a huge difference just in the channel menu right at the start.

Then recently I got my HDTV and got component. They look nice...but now I see so much of the jaggies people would mention. I guess since it is a large screen everything really is as noticeable. Not to mention after getting my 360 and hooking it up with HDMI, I can more than definitely see a huge graphical difference. Still, I got to admit I've been playing my Wii more than my 360 (thanks so Smash Bros.)...cannot wait for the next Nintendo console! Heh heh.
 
[quote name='Snake2715']decrot, you are mistaken. Load up Wii sports and specifically bowling. Big difference and more vivid.

Make sure OP that you are unplugging the composite and only plugging in the S-video and whatever audio method you use. Keep the yellow cable plugged in will probably result in the TV defaulting to that connection.[/quote]
I use an S-video cable for my Wii. When my Dad was doing something behind the TV he plugged in the composite connection, so I had both composite and S-video connections. When I turned on the Wii everything was really washed out. That might not happen to all TVs, but it was really noticeable on mine.
 
Speaking of cables, is there a cheap component cable to get? I've got a DLP HDTV and really need to upgrade the cables on it.

Is this one any good? Seems really cheap but I know the PS3 guys recommend monoprice for cables.
 
[quote name='Ryukahn']Speaking of cables, is there a cheap component cable to get? I've got a DLP HDTV and really need to upgrade the cables on it.

Is this one any good? Seems really cheap but I know the PS3 guys recommend monoprice for cables.[/QUOTE]

I use some generic cables and they work fine. A lot of CAGs use Monoprice cables and Monoprice cables are just as good as more expensive cables.
 
I'd probably say if I had an extra S-Video cable and it was very easy to use it, I'd use it, but I would make absolutely no extra effort to do so. To my eyes the performance gain is minimal.
Jumping to Component, however, would make a difference on most devices (using component and going 480p instead of composite or svideo 480i on my DVD player made the colors much brighter and better separation, and of course you have to go component or higher to get HD on compatible devices.)
I've bought cables from Monoprice and been pleased with both the price and the quality.
 
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