The merits of Double Shielded S-Video Cable

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Hey folks...

Thanks for all the responses on my last round of questions. Ya'll have
been a huge help.

Next item up for bid...

I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
(which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
cables) or an s-video cable. I've read that the s-video cable will
prevent signal loss and just generally produce a better picture (all
other stuff being equal), so I planned to buy one. Besides, once I'm
done using it for the transfer, I can use it to connect the dvd player
and TV. It won't be like my firewire cable which will probably spend
40 weeks out of the year coiled up in a drawer.

But when I went shopping for s-video cables, I was surprised to
discover a type called "Double shielded" s-video cables priced a fair
number of bucks higher than the garden variety version. I read a bit
about them. It is claimed that they do a better job of preventing
signal loss and interference and so forth. Additionally, it was
explained that, the greater the distance between the two devices in
question, the greater potential there is for disruption of the signal,
thus, the greater the need for something like double shielded s video
cables.


Well, there will be practically no distance between the VCR and the
video camera (or between the video camera and the computer, for that
matter), so I'm not seeing that as an issue. On the other hand, if
electronic devices can potentially generate interference, there's
obviously plenty of that action afoot. In addition, these are VHS
tapes we're talking about. As they say on the CD inserts, limitations
of the source material might be revealedl. So I'm thinking the double
shielded cable might be worth a few extra bucks to insure that I get
the best possible copies..

Any advice you can give on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


Clay

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 20:24:02 -0500, Clay Smith
<ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote:

>Hey folks...
>
>Thanks for all the responses on my last round of questions. Ya'll have
>been a huge help.
>
>Next item up for bid...
>
>I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
>hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
>of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
>the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
>(which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
>cables) or an s-video cable.


Uhh... after posting this, I went and did some more googling. Which is
where I found this post:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=group:rec.video.desktop+insubject:s-video&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&selm=GAAF9.988%24pc.181686%40news.iquest.net&rnum=5


the author seems to be making a strong case that component is actually
better than s-video.

So anyway, I'm now really confused. Anyone care to enlighten me?


Clay

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"Clay Smith" wrote ...
> I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
> hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
> of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
> the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
> (which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
> cables)

No. That would be "composite" video.

Component video requires THREE separate wires/connectors
PLUS two more for audio left & right.

> But when I went shopping for s-video cables, I was surprised to
> discover a type called "Double shielded" s-video cables priced a fair
> number of bucks higher than the garden variety version.

The snake-oil salesmen are trying to sell you a "boutique cable".
Don't waste your money. There is virtually no practical chance
that you will be able to detect ANY improvement in performance.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"Clay Smith" wrote ...
> the author seems to be making a strong case that component
> is actually better than s-video.
>
> So anyway, I'm now really confused. Anyone care to enlighten me?

Component IS superior to Y/C ("S-Video")
And Y/C IS superior to composite.

You appear to have a choice between composite (likely OK)
and Y/C ("S-Video") which could be sigificantly better.

Don't confuse component video (3-wire + audio) with composite
video (1-wire + audio)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

You are confusing the issue. The google post you mention was talking about
"component" video, which is how DVD players connect, "S-video" and "composite"
are video connections. Composite is not Component video. Composite is the
straight RCA video jack that all VCRs have.

So you only have two ways to get VHS to your computer. Unless you have a S-VHS
VCR, you probably don't have an S-video out port on your VCR, only RCA composite
video jack.

If you do have an S-video out on your VCR, by all means spend the $5 or $10 on
an S-video cable and stop all the hand-wringing about which one is better. It
isn't like it is going to cost you a lot of money. Where you have to watch out
is if someone is trying to sell you a super-duper S-video cable for $40.
Provided both this and the $5 cable are short, 3 to 6 feet, I doubt whether
anyone could tell the difference.


"Clay Smith" <ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:gfkvb0p89nbj33nh60tiol59knsj8fj9ml@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 03 Jun 2004 20:24:02 -0500, Clay Smith
> <ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote:
>
> >Hey folks...
> >
> >Thanks for all the responses on my last round of questions. Ya'll have
> >been a huge help.
> >
> >Next item up for bid...
> >
> >I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
> >hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
> >of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
> >the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
> >(which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
> >cables) or an s-video cable.
>
>
> Uhh... after posting this, I went and did some more googling. Which is
> where I found this post:
>
>
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=group:rec.video.desktop+insubject:s-video&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&selm=GAAF9.988%24pc.181686%40news.iquest.net&rnum=5
>
>
> the author seems to be making a strong case that component is actually
> better than s-video.
>
> So anyway, I'm now really confused. Anyone care to enlighten me?
>
>
> Clay

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 01:49:12 GMT, "SimMike-" <simmike@comcast.net>
wrote:

>You are confusing the issue. The google post you mention was talking about
>"component" video, which is how DVD players connect, "S-video" and "composite"
>are video connections. Composite is not Component video. Composite is the
>straight RCA video jack that all VCRs have.

I've looked back over my posts and I can't seem to find the place
where I confused "component" and "composite." Perhaps you could point
me towards it. I apologize if I made an error.

In any case, just to clarify, I am indeed interested in the difference
in performance between s-video cables and component cables.



>
>So you only have two ways to get VHS to your computer. Unless you have a S-VHS
>VCR, you probably don't have an S-video out port on your VCR, only RCA composite
>video jack.


Well, both of the VCRs we have here are DVD/VCR combos, so both have
the s-video out.



>
>If you do have an S-video out on your VCR, by all means spend the $5 or $10 on
>an S-video cable and stop all the hand-wringing about which one is better. It
>isn't like it is going to cost you a lot of money. Where you have to watch out
>is if someone is trying to sell you a super-duper S-video cable for $40.

Yeah, that's what I was wondering about; the 40 (or 50 or 60) dollar
cable.


>Provided both this and the $5 cable are short, 3 to 6 feet, I doubt whether
>anyone could tell the difference.


Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely take it into consideration.



Clay

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

On Thu, 3 Jun 2004 23:15:03 -0700, "Richard Crowley"
<rcrowley7@xprt.net> wrote:

>"Clay Smith" wrote ...
>> I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
>> hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
>> of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
>> the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
>> (which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
>> cables)
>
>No. That would be "composite" video.
>
>Component video requires THREE separate wires/connectors
>PLUS two more for audio left & right.

Yeah, and my vcr/dvd manual was kind enough to further confuse the
issue by referring to the red/yellow/white cables as the "audio
visual" cables. In any case, upon conducting a more thorough
inspection of the rear end of my dvd/vcr machine, a number of things
are now more clear to me, including the fact that the s-video out
works only for the dvd player and not for the vhs player. So capturing
a vhs tape via s-video is out anyway.

Thanks for the heads up.

I may still get one of the less expensive s-video cables and use it
with the dvd player but an s-video connection .



Clay

 

[Rich]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"Clay Smith" <ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:hrhvb0pj997taflji7re1c0aiqt3rhsb2j@4ax.com...
<snip>

My comments embedded:

> But when I went shopping for s-video cables, I was surprised to
> discover a type called "Double shielded" s-video cables priced a fair
> number of bucks higher than the garden variety version.

Doesn't surprise me.


> I read a bit
> about them. It is claimed that they do a better job of preventing
> signal loss

Possibly

> and interference and so forth.

Possibly

> Additionally, it was
> explained that, the greater the distance between the two devices in
> question, the greater potential there is for disruption of the signal,

Not disruption but loss of signal strength and increased chance of
interference. Like perhaps 0.0021neper/Ft . Most cable losses are in the
connectors.

> thus, the greater the need for something like double shielded s video
> cables.

Depends on the design of the system and S-Video is not a demanding
electronic circuit. RG-6 coax cable for satellite dishes is run about 125
feet and it is more demanding.

>
> Any advice you can give on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Buy a decent (medium price?) S-Video cable
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Clay


S-Video.com offers you The Original S-Video Cables. Don't be baffled by
marketing hype and paid reviews for imitation s-video cables. Read below why
our S-Video Cables are superior to cheap chinese cables and to over-hyped
cables with spooky prices and fancy names. Our cables are made in Japan,
"everyone else's are made in China."

If you want to see some actual specs
http://www.svideo.com/mogami4u.html

Rich

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"Clay Smith" wrote ...
> Yeah, and my vcr/dvd manual was kind enough to further
> confuse the issue by referring to the red/yellow/white cables
> as the "audio visual" cables.

Alas, another case of correct, but not very helpful.

Yellow = COMPOSITE video
White = Left-channel audio
Red = Right-channel audio

If you look closely at your device(s) they are most likely
labled accordingly. These color codes are pretty standard
across most consumer A/V equipment.

Y/C ("S-Video") takes an additional 4-pin mini-DIN
connector and handles video ONLY. You must still use
the white and red RCA cables for audio.

Component video uses three RCA connectors for video
and then you must still use the two additional connectors
for left and right channel stereo audio.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

"Clay Smith" <ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:mk50c0tv5dha74jc61bdp0of9juj05l7ss@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 04 Jun 2004 01:49:12 GMT, "SimMike-" <simmike@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> >You are confusing the issue. The google post you mention was talking
about
> >"component" video, which is how DVD players connect, "S-video" and
"composite"
> >are video connections. Composite is not Component video. Composite is the
> >straight RCA video jack that all VCRs have.
>
> I've looked back over my posts and I can't seem to find the place
> where I confused "component" and "composite." Perhaps you could point
> me towards it. I apologize if I made an error.
>
> In any case, just to clarify, I am indeed interested in the difference
> in performance between s-video cables and component cables.

The post you replied to erroneously referred to composite as component. You
then replied to his post as if he had not made the error. So it looked as
though you were both confused about the difference. Component is superior
to s-video, so a comparison of the difference between the two types of
cables is not really relevant to much of anything. So I'm guessing that you
mean between cables of the same type. In most cases the difference is
probably just snake oil salemanship. But I suppose if you have long runs
then electrical performance (impedance) could be significant. The other
issue would be the quality of the connectors, which may not show up until
they've been used for a while.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop (More info?)

Clay Smith <ClaySmith201@softhome.net> wrote in message news:<hrhvb0pj997taflji7re1c0aiqt3rhsb2j@4ax.com>...
> Hey folks...
>
> Thanks for all the responses on my last round of questions. Ya'll have
> been a huge help.
>
> Next item up for bid...
>
> I'm planning to use my video camera to transfer some vhs tapes to my
> hard drive. I'd like to, as much as possible, prevent any degredation
> of the signal / loss of quality in the transfer process. I can connect
> the vcr to the video camera using either the red/yellow/wihite cables
> (which, if I remember correctly, are called the component video
> cables) or an s-video cable. I've read that the s-video cable will
> prevent signal loss and just generally produce a better picture (all
> other stuff being equal), so I planned to buy one. Besides, once I'm
> done using it for the transfer, I can use it to connect the dvd player
> and TV. It won't be like my firewire cable which will probably spend
> 40 weeks out of the year coiled up in a drawer.
>
> But when I went shopping for s-video cables, I was surprised to
> discover a type called "Double shielded" s-video cables priced a fair
> number of bucks higher than the garden variety version. I read a bit
> about them. It is claimed that they do a better job of preventing
> signal loss and interference and so forth. Additionally, it was
> explained that, the greater the distance between the two devices in
> question, the greater potential there is for disruption of the signal,
> thus, the greater the need for something like double shielded s video
> cables.
>
>
> Well, there will be practically no distance between the VCR and the
> video camera (or between the video camera and the computer, for that
> matter), so I'm not seeing that as an issue. On the other hand, if
> electronic devices can potentially generate interference, there's
> obviously plenty of that action afoot. In addition, these are VHS
> tapes we're talking about. As they say on the CD inserts, limitations
> of the source material might be revealedl. So I'm thinking the double
> shielded cable might be worth a few extra bucks to insure that I get
> the best possible copies..
>
> Any advice you can give on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Clay


You can find the original s-video cable here:
http://www.hookupaudiovideo.com/storegateway/mogami.htm