Major Analog Video Connections
There have been about four analog video signal formats still being used today that have been used for the last decade or so and you still may have electronic stuff that uses them. The first one is composite, then S-Video and then component video along with Coax. Of the four widely used types the component video is the best and can provide about any resolution, unlike s-video or composite which are basically 480i format. The color signal is split three ways and gives the best color signal. You can easily recognize this cable as they come in what is called a bundled cable with the ends color coded Red, Blue, and Green. They have been around on the previous generation HDTV that received the 1080i signal.
S-Video Cables
S-Video
is a video signal format which has been around for many years now. This
connection preceded the components and has been used on satellite
receivers, DVD players S-VHS VCRs and Personal Video Recorders. The
ends have what is called mini-DIN
plugs and have 4 pins on the inside surrounded by a solid
outer sleeve. S-Video delivers better resolution and color
than a composite cable but not as good compared to the components. The
pins are somewhat strong and less likely to bend or break but these
also didn’t have any locking or twist lock and could also come out or
lose its seating when say moving to vacuum behind your equipment.
Composite
Video Cables
Composite video cables have been around for a long time now. You may best remember them with owning a VCR or CRT TV. These were the first analog cables in early stages of the home theaters. They offered just standard definition video which is carried on a single cable and terminated with an RCA type plug. Sometimes the would have an F-connector or BNC plug on the end and would be color coded yellow. This single cable carried video but would also need the audio to go along with it so another cable would have to be run which would carry the left and right channel audio. As time went on a manufacturer bundled all three cables together and they were color coded Red for audio, white for audio and then the yellow for your video. This was the standard and if you have an old VCR will still work for transferring video to convert to DVD for instance.
RF
Cables
Going
back to the beginning of Cable Television the providers delivered the
TV signal through a coax cable that entered the house and ended up on a
wall plate in one or several rooms and the cable delivery has been
around ever since. The cable started out just delivering Analog TV
signals but now a Digital cable is carrying quality high definition
signals. These cables come with what is called an F-connector
and has a center solid copper wire surrounded by braided outer
shielding. They screw on with a threaded end and have a secure grip. The standard for many years has been the RG59 which carried an analog signal. It is recommended that for broadband CATV or Satellite systems that the newer RG6 be used and especially for long runs of over 100 ft.