S-Video Cable

S-Video cable

 

S-Video connection Adapter to join 2 cables
Name: S-Video cable (Separated Video), or Y/C cable

 

Color: Usually black

 

Uses: Transfers analog video

Connector: 4 pin (used for TV video)
7 pin (used for laptops and video cards)
9 pin (used for video cards with VIVO compatibility)

Max Length (standard cable): approx 150ft

The S-Video is another common cable that you’ll find in the box accompanying your new component. It can be used instead of the yellow cable of the RCA style, and it contains 4 pins to transfer video.

The S-Video cable separates the video signal into 2 parts: brightness and color. Those signals are then combined back into a picture in the TV. Since the signals are separated along the cable, the picture is usually sharper than the regular RCA type.

Since there is a lack of bandwidth, the S-Video cable is not intended for HD video. From my research, the cable has a maximum of 480i or 576i resolution.

The main disadvantage to the S-Video cable is that the pins on the connector are usually weak and can bend easily, so be careful trying to plug it in. They can be straightened out (been there, done that), but it should be noted that they can break with little effort… if one pin breaks, you can go and buy a new cable.