What is S-Video?
S-Video is an abbreviation for Separate Video and is also known as the Y/C. it is an analogue video signal that carries the video data as two separate signals; these signals are luma (brightness) and chroma (color). The S-Video can be thus contrasted with composite video, which carries picture information as a single component, albeit of a poor quality. Another signal is called component video and this one carries picture components in three separate signals, one luma and two chroma components. Basically, S-video is used to transmitting a television signal from a device such as the camcorder or a game console and by separating the color information from the brightness, it prevents occurrences such as color bleeding or dot crawl, and this helps to increase clarity and sharpness. Compared to composite signal, S-Video images are almost as twice as sharp, and the color definition is superior. Because of these qualities, the image looks “cleaner”.
A. The term S-Video is derived from the way video signal is transmitted. In S-Video the signal is separated into two components, hence the term Separate Video or S-Video. Two 75Ohm coaxial cables and a Mini Din 4 connector are utilized to transmit the two component signals. One of the coaxial cables carries the Luminance Signal (brightness or Y component) while the second 75Ohm coaxial cable carries the Chrominance Signal (color or C component). By separating the video signal into two components a better quality picture is produced than composite video which only utilizes one coaxial cable to transmit both signals.
S-Video (separate or super video) can be found on most modern electronic equipment and is the next step up from composite video that uses RCA cables to transmit data. S-Video uses a mini-DIN plug to transmit a much clearer image than its composite counterpart does. It achieves this by doing away with some of the extra processing involved in producing an audio visual stream. Rather than the usual method of transmitting video where Y and C data streams were compressed into a single stream, S-Video sends the same data via two separate wires surrounded by a single sheath. It is this that improves video clarity and sharpens the image.
S-Video (Separated Video often referred to as “Super-Video”) is a video interface standard found on most audiovisual equipment today. S-Video is a step up from standard composite video, which uses a yellow RCA jack and RCA cable, while S-Video utilizes a mini-DIN plug and S-Video cable. When connecting equipment that has both options, one can choose to use S-Video. S-Video connectors are four or seven-pin mini-DIN plugs. To ensure correct orientation of the pins the connector has a notched, metal sleeve that must align properly with the female jack before it can be inserted. S-Video cables are more expensive than RCA cables and are not always included with products, but can be purchased separately. S-Video delivers a superior picture to composite video by avoiding some of the processing that composite video requires. A video signal is a mixture of two separate data streams: brightness or luminescence, known as the Y stream, and chrominance or color, known as the C stream. The C signal
S-Video is an interface protocol that allows a video component to pass a video signal along to a monitor or recording device in a segregated chrominance (color) and luminance (black and white detail) format. This interface is very effective at eliminating “dot crawl” and other picture anomalies on signals that are received from a component quality source. If the original source is composite (black-and-white and color information have been combined) then the S-video connection offers essentially no advantages. Let’s examine this. On a digital picture, such as the digital channels on your 4DTV IRD, the signal can be sent directly from the programmer to your system with the color and black-and-white information separated. This allows your monitor to display the picture with all the fidelity possible. If the signal is an analog source, such as an analog VCRS or clear feed from your 4DTV, then the color and black-and-white information have been combined at the programmer level and must be s
