Some questions about image quality..

[Click_Stick]

Originally posted by Videodrone

can somebody please take a minute to explain this whole commodore monitor thing to me? i see people always posting about them...what is the deal? is it a cheap alternative? do they have some magical power or something?

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/s...ight=commodore

[Saint of Killers]

Originally posted by Videodrone
is it a cheap alternative?

Bingo.

[seen]

Well, it looks like component is shaping up to be the low end consumer video answer to VGA. Also, YUV or YCbCr (Component) is the natural color-space of MPEG 2 video for DVD and therefore has the upper hand on RGB when it comes to HDTV because it doesn't require that the color space of the source be converted to that of the destination.

A great book to read on this subject is called Video Demystified by Keith Jack. It is an invaluable source of info on video formats and connections. It does get engineering intensive at times.


seen

[Videodrone]

thx for the help guys...now if i could only stop play mail order monster for my c64 we would be rgbin'

[Melf]

Originally posted by Saint of Killers

What he said.

RF to composite: Big difference.

Composite to S-video: Huge difference.

S-video to component on a non-HDTV: meh.

That's exactly what I was looking for. So, according to what SoK and Chibi said, going from my current S-video (non HDTV) to component is justifiable, considering the costs, but not essential, since the difference in image quality isn't all that much.

Since my TV does have that nice component input, however, I'd like to connect at least the PS2 and Xbox. I can get the GC cable from Nintendo's site later on(I haven't seen it in stores). I'd need a component switch box though. Can these be bought at retail or do they have to be special ordered or bought online?

Thanks for all the input everyone!

[Saint of Killers]

The cheapest place I've ever seen a component switchbox is Here:

http://www.etronics.com/search1.ASP?...11&image1.y=14

Although apparently you can do it cheaper by using two normal composite switchboxes. Just run the video through the first and the audio through the second. I'm a bit wary about going that route, because I figure the signal has to degrade more the more connections you put it through.

Interestingly enough, I took the same route as you. I have my PS2 and Xbox hooked up through component and my Cube is through S-video. I had a Monster PS2 S-Video cable before I got the Sony brand component cables. For less than half the price, the component cables do give slightly better picture quality. I just bought the Microsoft brand component cable when I got the Xbox though, because it's the same price as the S-video cable. I just couldn't be bothered to order the Nintendo component cables when my off-brand S-video cable works perfectly fine and works with my SNES and N64 to boot.

[Despair]

Yes, Get that JVC Component Switch Melf. It works great, and I have my PS2, Xbox and Cube running Component through it, and they all look great. Plus it also have 2 S-video inputs for any other console or DVD player. Definately was worth the money.

[GameCynic]

Much cheaper alternative is to get two composite switch boxes. Run the 3 video signals through one, and the 2 audio channels through the other. Thats what I do w/ my 2 PS2's and XBox and it works perfectly.

[burgundy]

Originally posted by Saint of Killers
The cheapest place I've ever seen a component switchbox is Here:

http://www.etronics.com/search1.ASP?...11&image1.y=14

Although apparently you can do it cheaper by using two normal composite switchboxes. Just run the video through the first and the audio through the second. I'm a bit wary about going that route, because I figure the signal has to degrade more the more connections you put it through.

Interestingly enough, I took the same route as you. I have my PS2 and Xbox hooked up through component and my Cube is through S-video. I had a Monster PS2 S-Video cable before I got the Sony brand component cables. For less than half the price, the component cables do give slightly better picture quality. I just bought the Microsoft brand component cable when I got the Xbox though, because it's the same price as the S-video cable. I just couldn't be bothered to order the Nintendo component cables when my off-brand S-video cable works perfectly fine and works with my SNES and N64 to boot.

Fun shopping tip: If you buy things (cables, switchers, etc.) labeled "component" you will pay about twice as much. Radio Shack sells gold-plated component video-only cables for $50 and gold-plated stereo A/V cables of the same length for $25. Those cables are *identical* save for the color bands around the plugs. There's no reason video quality will degrade more through a two-composite-box setup, since the video and audio are only going through one box each.

The difference between component and S-video for the Cube is noticeable but not huge.

Also realize you can find cheap cables on eBay, but I can't vouch for their quality.

[Saint of Killers]

Originally posted by burgundy
There's no reason video quality will degrade more through a two-composite-box setup, since the video and audio are only going through one box each.

Good point. I guess two composite switchers is the way to go.