Component Video Cable

Even though component video cables and S video cables both split elements of the on-screen picture (output), they aren't exactly the same. The component video cable technology produces much greater clarity, providing a much clearer and brighter image on screen, than the S video technology, because it uses three elements of signal data while the S video uses only two.

Most consumers have electronics devices that have connecting cables with a red, green, and blue cap at the connecting point. These red, green, and blue caps are component video cable and are referred to as RGB (red green blue) signals. Each color-coded cable transmits a separate signal without interference from the other two, which is where the cleaner, sharper picture is created. Component video cable technology provides only visual imaging. Audio output comes from other cables designed for sound only.

The analog technology behind the component video cable can be used for many electronic devices. A computer's monitor, video game systems, DVD, VHS, and LaserDisc players all process video signals differently. The separated elements used in the component video cable allow each device to use the signals as need be to achieve optimum visual quality. It's this adaptability that makes component video cable so desirable.

The component video cable is actually three separate cables bundled together as one cord with three plugs on the end. Each of these three color-coded plugs needs to be inserted in a matching color-coded receptacle. Loose cables or mismatched connections will likely produce poor quality or off-color images.

Many of the more technologically advanced electronic appliances have a hardware or software toggle switch that allows the user to select the type of input / output signal (RGB or component) being used. The wrong signal setting is a common complaint made by users of the PlayStation2 game system but the switch is also common on many DVD players and television sets.