Component vs S-Video, VGA to Component queries

[Inventive Software]

OK, I read somewhere that component was better than composite video, and I don't dispute that. However, it also said that instead of using 3 RCA leads for the component video, you should use S-Video.

Now, I'm no expert, but I do know that 3 RCA component means that the separate colour channels of the picture get transmitted separately, therefore there's less interference. With S-Video, the brightness / luma / whatever you call it is transmitted on a separate pin, and the colour parts are on one pin. There's 4 pins on an S-Video lead, and 2 are ground pins. The question is, is there a better quality with component than S-Video? I can't find a definitive answer, and I fear there isn't one. :(


Second query. :)

Was looking at VGA to component video leads, and wondered how easy it would be to make your own since the R, G and B channels get transmitted on separate pins of the VGA lead. Is it possible to butcher one up? I wasn't planning on it, but thought about it theoretically, since the VGA > component lead looked nicer. :)

[squid_80]

3 Lead Component (Y/Cb/Cr) > S-Video (Y/C) > Composite. (">" = better than :))
VGA to component is not just a matter of connecting wires since VGA = RGB which isn't the same as Y/Cb/Cr.

[shakey]

Component can either be Y/Cb/Cr (or Cp/Cb depending on country) or R/G/B.

If you're talking about RGB component, then yes, a component to vga lead is easy to make,just make sure the scanrates match. 15 and 30Hz are the common ones, one is for pc's the other tv/projecters, can't remember which way round. So if you're going between a tv and a pc, make sure you can set them both to the same scanrate, or you'll need a converter.

if your component is Y/Cb/Cr, then converting to vga (ie. RGB) is an absolute pita. Converters are expensive, and it's difficult to ensure that the scanrates/colourspaces match properly.