s-video/composite cable

SPR3DAVE · 7th March 2003, 02:46

I need to run about 50 ft of cable from my sat. reciever to my computers capture card.
which to use for the best quality....S-Video 0r Composite cable?

Malow · 7th March 2003, 03:33

S-VIDEO..

no doubt...

composite make litles "flikers" in sharp and strong color objects...

or use a "temporal comb" filter like in dscaler

dilly · 7th March 2003, 04:00

Yes, composite is inferior to S-Video, but doesn't S-Video signal degrade terribly at lengths above 6-12ft? Or am I mistaken?

Lyron · 7th March 2003, 04:56

About a month ago I did just this...
Got a 50foot s-video cable (with rca audio) for something like $11 at http://www.partsexpress.com

It's a nice cable, just a LITTLE bit of ghosting. For the most part, you have to look for it before you see it. And excorcist does a good job of removing it.

Spend a bit more like $20-$30 for a nice cable and I don't think you'll have any probs.

Good luck

Malow · 7th March 2003, 07:57

Lyron is wrigth, better use a good cable
i have a good AMBICO 50 meters cable with gold plated connectors...

it just do a liiittle wave in image...

is the best i can have..

John2002 · 7th March 2003, 08:02

50 feet is long for an s-video cable so you may want to spend a bit more like it was already suggested. I got mine from Markertech (http://www.markertek.com/) which sells pro-quality stuff. I spent $15 for my first 50 foot cable and after I replaced it with their unbranded, no-frills s-video cable the image quality from my PC to my TV improved noticeably. It was $50 including shipping.

SPR3DAVE · 7th March 2003, 12:48

now radio shack does sell a amplifier for log runs of s-video cable was wondering if that would help too?

Jeff D · 8th March 2003, 19:53

The most important issue for you is shielding. When dealing with long runs of cable the cable really makes a great antenna.

Svideo is two coax cables each with a shield layer, sometimes you can get svideo a second shielding layer. The easy way to tell is to use a continuity tested and test the metal outter ring part of the cable. Most do not have a second shield. Although there are some cables that do pass this test, but only have one layer of sheilding. This will elimate most of the "noise" and ghosting you guys are seeing.

I make my own cables, belden with and inner shield level of ~98% the outter shield gives about ~95% so the noise is next to nothing. It all depends on how much electrical "noise" you have along the cable path.

My cables are overkill for my current place, there isn't a lot of enoise, despite 3 airports, navy base, tons of satellite communciation, cellular hell, etc.

7th March 2003, 02:46	#1 \| Link
SPR3DAVE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5	s-video/composite cable I need to run about 50 ft of cable from my sat. reciever to my computers capture card. which to use for the best quality....S-Video 0r Composite cable?

7th March 2003, 08:02	#6 \| Link
John2002 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 36	quality cable 50 feet is long for an s-video cable so you may want to spend a bit more like it was already suggested. I got mine from Markertech (http://www.markertek.com/) which sells pro-quality stuff. I spent $15 for my first 50 foot cable and after I replaced it with their unbranded, no-frills s-video cable the image quality from my PC to my TV improved noticeably. It was $50 including shipping.

7th March 2003, 03:33	#2 \| Link
Malow In bytes we trust Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Torres Beach, Brazil Posts: 279	S-VIDEO.. no doubt... composite make litles "flikers" in sharp and strong color objects... or use a "temporal comb" filter like in dscaler

7th March 2003, 04:00	#3 \| Link
dilly Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: maple leafs country Posts: 72	Yes, composite is inferior to S-Video, but doesn't S-Video signal degrade terribly at lengths above 6-12ft? Or am I mistaken?

7th March 2003, 04:56	#4 \| Link
Lyron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 8	About a month ago I did just this... Got a 50foot s-video cable (with rca audio) for something like $11 at http://www.partsexpress.com It's a nice cable, just a LITTLE bit of ghosting. For the most part, you have to look for it before you see it. And excorcist does a good job of removing it. Spend a bit more like $20-$30 for a nice cable and I don't think you'll have any probs. Good luck

7th March 2003, 07:57	#5 \| Link
Malow In bytes we trust Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Torres Beach, Brazil Posts: 279	Lyron is wrigth, better use a good cable i have a good AMBICO 50 meters cable with gold plated connectors... it just do a liiittle wave in image... is the best i can have..

7th March 2003, 12:48	#7 \| Link
SPR3DAVE Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 5	now radio shack does sell a amplifier for log runs of s-video cable was wondering if that would help too?

8th March 2003, 19:53	#8 \| Link
Jeff D Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 152	The most important issue for you is shielding. When dealing with long runs of cable the cable really makes a great antenna. Svideo is two coax cables each with a shield layer, sometimes you can get svideo a second shielding layer. The easy way to tell is to use a continuity tested and test the metal outter ring part of the cable. Most do not have a second shield. Although there are some cables that do pass this test, but only have one layer of sheilding. This will elimate most of the "noise" and ghosting you guys are seeing. I make my own cables, belden with and inner shield level of ~98% the outter shield gives about ~95% so the noise is next to nothing. It all depends on how much electrical "noise" you have along the cable path. My cables are overkill for my current place, there isn't a lot of enoise, despite 3 airports, navy base, tons of satellite communciation, cellular hell, etc.