|
|
Q: What sort of cables can I use to get a better video picture? A: There are three options (soon to be four - read below) when connecting a DVD player depending upon your TV and DVD player. These are: Composite video (1 Cable) S-Video (1 Cable) Component Video (3 cables) Progressive Scan (1 Cable - dvd players with Progressive Scan will be released in late 99) The most basic way of connecting your DVD player is with a Composite cable. You could use the yellow part of the cable that is provided with your DVD player or purchase a separate Composite Video upgrade. This is not a common cable upgrade, most people consider using an s-video upgrade.  (The picture shows an s-video cable, this is the most basic upgrade for improving video quality)
An S-video cable upgrade is one of the easiest and best ways to upgrade your DVD player cables. The majority of TVs produce in the USA have S-Video. The cable is generally much thicker than composite and can come in a number of forms ranging from the basic s-video cable to the silver s-video cable. Q: What is the best way of connecting a DVD player for video quality? A: If your television has component video inputs and your DVD player has component video outputs then you may consider using a component video cable. This method will give you the best picture quality available.  (This picture shows the back of the Sony DVPS7700 DVD players component video outputs - this connection method will give you the sharpest picture available)Component video is often regarded as being the next step beyond s-video, the benefits include improved color accuracy with less color bleeding. The reason behind this is there is less signal processing between the DVD data stream and the picture tube circuitry. Component Video Cables come in the form is 3 RCA or BNC connectors and should be colored green, blue and red. 
A player with the component video capabilities has three additional RCA connector video outputs each carrying a portion of the video signal. They are the Y, B-Y and the R-Y. The Y carries the black and white (luminance) portion of the picture and other two component outputs carry the color difference signals.
(The above picture shows STRAIGHTWIRE'S Medium component video upgrade cable)
Q: What about progressive scan DVD platers? A: There are a number of DVD players due to be released later this year which will have progressive scan output. This output should be used if you are connecting your DVD player to a HDTV. More information will be posted in this section when it becomes available. CONCLUSIONS As you can see there are a number of options available when connecting your DVD player video picture. You can use the standard $1 cables that come with your DVD player; these while working will not give you the best picture quality. The standard upgrade would be with a s-video cable, this can connect directly into your TV or into a receiver (we suggest your TV). The optimum upgrade would be using a component video cable. Before you purchase a component video cable you need to make sure your TV has component video input and your DVD player has a component video output. Next Step: Improving your audio sound quality |
Why Upgrade Cables?
How to Upgrade Video Picture Quality
How to Upgrade Audio Quality
Test your cable knowledge
Common Cable Misconceptions
| ||||||||
