How much is the difference between Gamecube S-Video and Component Video?

Alcibiades

Member
I don't have a progressive scan TV yet (but hopefully will soon), and to be honest, I didn't notice too big a difference between RCA and S-Video (although the S-Video was some crappy multi-use that worked with Dreamcast and Playstation also I think).

I just ordered the Component cables so that will hopefully motivate me to get a progressive-scan compatible television (don't know yet if to go small LCD or medium CRT), but on a somewhat dated big screen TV that my family uses, component is an option, and I'm wondering if I would tell the difference between that and S-Video...
 
The difference between any S-Video and composite output isn't considerably large in terms of initial impact.

Try playing some games with a lot of text, small text, on S-Video for say a week and then go back. You'll notice the blurryness of composite, I'd think.

Anyway, the same S-Video cord since the SNES will work in there, so I'm sorta surprised that you of all people haven't bought a dedicated Nintendo SV cord by now.

Oh and the way I've heard it explained is that the jump from composite to SVideo is similar in comparison to the jump from SVideo to component. So, that's what I'd expect at least.
 
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Man, do I miss that game show.
 
some people here will probably tell you that the difference between s-video and component is extreme and there is a definite difference at first sight, even when progressive scan isn't used. My response to them is that they are exaggarating or their tv simple has a shitty comb filter. The difference between s-video and component is negliable when progressive scan is not used.
 
I dunno, SVHS gives less bleeding colors and generally a sharper image, and I live in Europe, where we don't have progressive scan. Anyways, it's generally known that RGB/SVHS cables gives a, well, not extremely much better picture, but considerably. In any case the cables are cheap, just get one.
 
Here's what you can do to see for yourself:

Run the GameCube's digital out into your TV's component input.

At the same time, run the Cube's regular A/V out into your TV's s-video input.

Switch back and forth between the two video inputs rapidly and compare.


You can see the difference most dramaticly in the color values... Something like the title screen of Wave Race: Blue Storm is a good test.

Even so, I don't think it makes such a big difference unless you have progressive scan. I have my PS2 , Xbox, and DVD player running through a component switch, while my Cube has to settle for s-video.
 
"You can see the difference most dramaticly in the color values... Something like the title screen of Wave Race: Blue Storm is a good test."

Yah that's pretty much it. Color bleeding and blurry image is something that s-video has allready improved considerabely. Component takes care of the color information a little better. But as you said the difference isn't big and you will most likely not notice it unless you switch back and forth fast as you said.
 
Component without progressive is still better than S-video. Also component cables are future compatible. So dont worry.

As you said: "I didn't notice too big a difference between RCA and S-Video"

It makes more sense to use component :)
 
Big difference to me. The only advantage S-Vid gives is 'redder' red. The beauty of component is the color seperation, progressive or not.
 
I don't think the difference is extremely drastic, but it's definately there. I think you did good to get the cables anyway--you'll thank yourself when you finally do get a digtial set or a transcoder.
 
DaCocoBrova said:
The only advantage S-Vid gives is 'redder' red.

Which is actually a detriment. Oversaturation of red is a common problem on most NTSC sets. Component helps that problem a bit. Other than color purity and the ability to pass the full resolution image of a 480i game, there is not too much difference between S-Video and Component. Most people wouldn't be able to tell that much of a difference on a good TV/monitor.

However, as others have mentioned, the fact that only Component can pass a progressive signal is the huge, major, colossal, number one reason why it's superior to S-Video.
 
Unless your going to use it for Pro-scan I say your not going to a difference but, I can see a big difference when playing Madden05 in pro-scan than in S-video.
 
For me, using S-video versus composite on my TV is a huge improvement. More vivid colors, sharper edges, etc. Everything looks blurry through composite in comparison.
 
You will be pleasantly suprised by the quality and build of the Nintendo component cables. From the way you mention it you might see a nice upgrade in quality by using the Component cables (the s-video ones you were using sounds like shit).
 
Perhaps it's TV dependant? S-video looked great from my PS2 and Xbox, but was noticably worse with my GC. Note that I use component for them all now.

I was using my N64 S-video cable at the time (since it's the same plug) so maybe that's why...
 
To my eyes, there was a huge difference. S-video was barely a step up from composite for me. My DC s-video cable did a much better job.
 
Ristamar said:
Really? I think my S-video comes out pretty damn good on my Sony.
I agree, the quality of s-video and component is comparable on my Sony flatscreen, though you do notice a deeper color range with component.
 
progressive component vs. svideo = double res, no color bleeding, razor sharp image quality vs. red bleeding, a bit blurry, half res ok picture.

progressive 480p component output runs circles arround svideo
 
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