Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with component

Can I use a set of high-quality Component video cables as high-quality compsite video cables?

ManInSuit — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:46:47 -0800

Can I use a set of high-quality Component video cables as high-quality compsite video cables? I need to buy three component video cables. I want ones of reasonably good quality. A store near my house is selling a set of decent-looking component video cables (Monster Ultra 600). To my untrained eye, the component video cable set looks a lot like three composite video cables in one box.

Would it make sense to buy those, instead of separate composite cables ? Or is there some way in which component video and composite video cables are different from each other?

Is HDMI hook up necessary for awesome High Def TV?

zzazazz — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:40:06 -0800

I have a new Samsung 1080/120hz hi def LCD yadda yadda yadda... The cable company provided RGB cable when they hooked up hi def cable. My question is whether or not I should get an HDMI cable. Does it make that much of a difference? It looks pretty darn good right now.

Anyone have a component video switch (with audio) they can recommend?

penciltopper — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:18:58 -0800

Lots of video devices with component video outputs, but TV only has one component input. Bought an automatic component video switch from a local big-box store, turned out to be junk. Anyone have recommendations for a quality unit? So it's not in the budget to replace the TV, but I've got 4 Composite devices and only one input for them on the TV. Getting behind the TV and swapping cables to use the DVD player got old really fast.

This is component video (Red, Green, Blue), NOT Composite (Yellow) video.

There is no mix of alternate inputs (using s-video, composite, etc.) or sending one signal through anothe component (run the XBOX through the DVR, etc.) that works. I've tried all the various wiring combinations, and there's no way to make it work without some kind of consolidating unit.

For simplicity's sake, I'd also like a unit that can handle the audio switching for those devices as well.

I found what I thought was exactly what I was looking for with this:
Philips PH61150. It takes Component and Audio inputs from 4 devices, and combines them into a single output to connect to the TV.

It could automatically switch from one device to the other (turn off the XBOX and turn on the DVD player, the switch would handle that), but a pushbutton switch or one with a remote would work too. Problem with the unit I had was that the signal would intermittently drop, especially at times when there was a lot of signal happening (heavy fast visuals in a movie, or intense combat in a game). Getting a few seconds of blank screen in the middle of fighting off a dozen zombies was not what I wanted.

Something like what I'm looking for must exist, but I don't have any friends who get the high-end audio/videophile catalogs. And I'm not fingding a lot of useful information by just googling "component video switch".

Anyone have a unit they like?

Assembling a budget stereo.

Marquis — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:05:37 -0800

I am confused about assembling a relatively budget, quality home stereo system. (long) Some thirteen years ago, I received a Panasonic stereo minisystem (radio/CD/tape) as a gift. It served me well over the years. More recently I added a powered (AudioTechnica) turntable, which I play through the stereo on the AUX setting.

A couple of weeks ago, the Panasonic CD player died. Although the amp is still okay (ie, vinyl works fine), the CD's the thing I use most often.

I have decided I want to buy a new system. I am an adult now, after all. I also work as a music critic, so this seems to make sense. Unfortunately my budget's not very large - for this reason I've mostly invested in quality headphones (Grado HF-1s, Senns) over the past several years. Now, though, I'd like to make a few careful purchases and hopefully have the stereo problem "solved" for a decade or two.

What I am looking for is a system with good sound, that will fill my living-room well. Should include CD player and allow me to bring in my turntable (which has a pre-amp) and plug in my iPod/computer if I like (preferably without swapping out the turntable). Do not need cassettes, radio, home-theatre set-up, fancy iPod dock, etc.

I'm inclined to buy separate components, not one big set at Futureshop or Best Buy. Vintage is also presumably good. I'm a bit confused about what exactly I need, though.

I am particularly confused by all the mixed-up talk of "tuners", "amplifiers" and "receivers". Aren't tuners radios? Can I just forego a tuner? If my receive has two "phono" slots, can I use one of those for a CD player?

I would really appreciate it if someone could suggest what type of components I need to find, and then what kinds (brands, styles, price-ranges, and also tech specs I need) I should try to obtain.

I have found a good price for lovely PSB Model 40 mk II speakers (freq range-39Hz-21KHz, impedence 6 ohm, sensitivity 1 watt-90db, power-100 watts program), but I have no idea what else I need to fill this system out. Presumably some kind of amp? With what specs? Can I then just use a dirt-cheap CD player? I'm sorta lost.

I'm looking to spend $400-$700, all-in, which I realise is not very much but I think should be able to take me somewhere if I'm able to make patient, prudent purchases.

Thanks for your time!

Component video plus optical audio hook-up for original Xbox?

obiwanwasabi — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:08:05 -0800

What the best way for me to connect my original Xbox to the component inputs on my CRT TV and my Dolby Digital receiver? So we've recently joined the late 20th century with a widescreen CRT TV. It's got component in (but not HDMI), and claims to 'support' up to 1080i. Yes, I know the end result is anything but real HD, but it looks much nicer than composite or even S-video.

I'd like to hook up my original / modded Xbox running XBMC to the TV and my ancient but perfectly OK Onkyo TXDS474 receiver, because apparently I can switch it to NTSC, turn on a bunch of HD modes ranging from 480p to 1080i and get a lovely crisp picture. This was cheap and easy with my PS2, DVD player etc. However, things seem far from straightforward on the cable front for the Xbox.

It seems I can:

- fork over a small fortune to import a secondhand Xbox HD AV thingy, then plug in standard component / optical cables; or

- fork over a slightly smaller fortune for a Monster Xbox component cable, plus a slightly larger fortune for a Monster optical audio cable (because the video cable won't take a standard TOSLINK cable - curse your souls, Monster).

Alternatively, there seem to be some doodads on eBay that claim to do what the HD AV kit does, or what the Monster cable does, for much, much less than a fortune. However, I have no idea if they're any good. I'm terrified I'll end up with something that's just routing composite through component coloured RCA plugs.

So, hive mind, what do you suggest? If you've seen a cheap HD AV kit, or something else that will do the job, or have one of the eBay doodads and are happy with it, I'm all ears.

How can I attach my Wii to a computer monitor?

DMan — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:57:58 -0800

How can I plug my Wii into a computer monitor? So I'm going back to college in about a month, and since I'll be living in a dorm room, I've decided to not bring a TV. One of my roommates is going to have one, but his will be in his bedroom (which is separate from mine) and so that's not really convenient for me.

I have a USB TV tuner (it's an "AVerMedia Hybrid Ultra USB") that I use to watch TV. It has a cable plugin and the yellow, red, and white RCA plugs, although I've never been able to figure out how to use the RCA hookups.

My question is, what can I do to be able to play my Wii on the computer monitor? This would be a no-brainer if the Wii had an HDMI cable, but the best I can get is component. I have a composite cable, but I'd really prefer to use the component one since it allows for 480p. My computer monitor has VGA and DVI plugs, and I'm also fine with using a USB-based solution if that will work. I have those RCA hookups on the TV tuner, but I can't find a single thing in the user manual about how to use them. I'd prefer component anyway, but that would work if someone knows how to set it up.

I hope this makes sense--I can clarify as needed. Thanks for the help in advance!

Help me set up my new 5.1 surround sound speakers!

Effigy2000 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:23:51 -0800

I just bought a 5.1 home theatre system. The speakers are Klipsch; the receiver is a Yamaha RX-V363. I'm having some (read; a lot) setup problems that I'm hoping the hive mind could help me out with. Specifically, I'm having trouble getting sound out of my PS3 and a picture and sound out of my Wii. Hope me! OK, so this is the first time I've ever tussled with a 5.1 surround system so this is a bit new for me. Normally I'm pretty good setting things up like this with a bit of trial and error but I've been at this for a few hours now and I'm at my wits end.

I'm doing some things right though. I have my iPod dock hooked up to the receiver (via the portable connection at the front of the receiver) and sound is running from my ipod through my speakers beautifully. So it's safe to assume the speakers are connected properly.

The first problem is that my PS3 isn't giving me any sound. I'm running an HDMI cable from the PS3 to the HDMI port marked 'DVD' on the receiver (see this picture of the back of my receiver for a clearer picture of what I'm talking about). From there of course I run another HDMI cable from the HDMI out port on the back of the receiver to the HDMI In (1) port on the back of my TV, which is a Sony Bravia 40" LCD. I am getting a picture from the PS3 just fine. No sound though, which is a major bummer.

I have a theory about what may be needed to fix this. As you'll see from here's this diagram of the back of my TV, there are two HDMI In ports; HDMI In (2) has audio ports next to it. I'm assuming if I had an audio cable I could run a cable from my receiver to these ports on the back of my TV. I'm just a little confused as I've always managed to run sound and video through the single HDMI cable into the HDMI In (1) port on my TV. I'd test this out but it's night where I am and no shops are open (I need to buy this cable). In the meantime I just want to ask if I'm on the right track here?

As for my Wii, it usually runs through to the TV via component cables. With the arrival of the home theater system, it had been my hope to run the component cables into one of the component cable connections at the back of the receiver. No such luck. Switching to the DTV/CBL channel on my receiver (where I had plugged the Wii cables into), I got both no sound and no picture. I have no theories how to fix this at this stage.

I've also run the auto audio setup thing the receiver has, and I've fooled around with the 'scene' settings like the manual says. No luck.

And I've told the PS3 via it's menu to run sound through the HDMI port. As you can guess, still no luck.

To help you help me (and just in case you missed the earlier links), here's some pictures of the front and back of the receiver. Also here's something of a diagram of the back of my TV. With these pictures I'm hoping it makes it easier for any tech experts out there to tell me exactly what needs to be plugged where.

Please help me!!!

How do I get rid of static/noise when using American electronics with my TV in India?

smersh — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 04:10:43 -0800

How do I get rid of visual static/noise when using American electronics with my TV in India? Most notably, with my Nintendo Wii? I have an Indian Panasonic Plasma TV connected to a US version of Nintendo Wii, an Apple TV, and an Indian DVD player, all going through an American component switcher (this one)

Without the component switcher, there is some visual interference. It's slight, but annoying. With the switcher, it's intense.

How do I get rid of this static? I use good wires, and my outlet strip is also of good quality. What else can I do to have a clear picture?

Decent TV-to-LCD boxes?

onshi — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:25:42 -0800

Are those inexpensive, make-yer-LCD-a-TV boxes decent? Along the lines of this AskMeFi question, I'm looking for a way to pipe Wii through my 19" Widescreen LCD.

I'd ruled out external TV (and s-video, and component, etc.) to LCD boxes as most ran upwards of $200 CDN and none would drive my monitor @ its native 1440 x 900. Enter the Kworld TV 1440 [see Tigerdirect for $50 after rebate, and Newegg].

As a class, are these things any good? Has anyone tried this particular model, or others by Kworld?

Do so-called 'upconverting' DVD players upconvert 480p to 720/1080 over component cables?

drgonzo — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 21:30:39 -0800

Do so-called 'upconverting' DVD players upconvert 480p to 720/1080 over component cables? Is the difference between HDMI and component cables noticeable when watching standard DVDs on an HDTV? Ok, so I'm new to the HDTV game - the wife used her bonus to buy a 32" Sony Bravia. It looks great with the with our new HDTV cable service via HDMI cabling. However, when I loaded up the old DVDs, they appeared very grainy on the DVD player I bought less than a year ago. I went out and bought the Sony upconverting HDMI DVD Player (DVPNS75H), but since there is only one HDMI input on the Bravia, I'm using component cabling to connect the DVD player. Am I dumb expecting this analog source to be upconverted? Should I just have stuck with my old player?

Are RCA cables and Component cables the same?

tpl1212 — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:34:54 -0800

Can one use RCA cables (red/white/yellow) in component jacks (red/blue/green)? I understand that the jacks carry much different data/signal/whatever, but I was told that there is no need to buy (very) pricey component cables...you can actually just hook up good quality red/white/yellow RCA cables to the component jacks for the same purpose. My backstory: for some reason, I am a complete AV dolt. I don't get it and can't wrap my head around wiring and hooking up my new digital video box, home entertainment receiver, and new LCD tv with all sorts of in/outputs.

So, I went to radioshack (ugh...hate that place, but I was in need of a quick fix to get this all hooked up) and the guy asked if I had component outputs, and that hooking these up with component wires (the three red/blue/green wires) would give me the best possible picture. So I bought some $45 package of Monster component cables (knowing full well that this guy was probably upselling me and raking me over the coals...but not understanding enough to be able to know for sure...hate that feeling).

I got home and my friend who was helping me set everything up mentioned to me that it was merely the inputs that were different; the component jacks were what carried "better" picture data...the cables (within reason) were more or less irrellevant. The cables just carry that signal.

I tested it out...and over the short distance hooked up (about 2'), I noticed no change in picture quality whether the component jacks were connected by dedicated (expensive) component cables or by good quality (but 1/2 or more as pricey) RCA cables.

I found this discussion on Yahoo Answers...but it seems like there if just a lot of back and forth ("yes, they are the same" and "no, they are totally different.").

Should I return these expensive cables and just go with some high quality RCAs in the component jacks? Are dedicated component cables really only marketed for suckers like me?

Thanks!

Component (YPbPr) to VGA?

Kwantsar — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 09:18:15 -0800

Component (YPbPr) to VGA (RGBHV)? Thanks to my cable company and the DMCA, I can't use the DVI-out on my cable box to feed the DVI-in on my monitor. I (think that I) therefore need to use one of these converters. My guess is that they each use this chip, and may be very similar internally. Are they different? Does one get what he pays for?

By 2007, they'll be $8500 apiece

Monster_Zero — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 13:38:23 -0800

eBay Supply & Demand question: I'm trying to get hold of some Gamecube Component video cables, which have recently gone out of production and are going for outlandish auction prices. If I wait it out, will demand decrease and the prices go down, or will this item just become even harder to find and therefore even more expensive? I want component cables for my Gamecube, but in the recent past Nintendo has ceased production of them. These things were not plentiful to begin with, and there are no third-party alternatives to my knowledge.

For several weeks I have been repeatedly outbid on eBay (as I refuse to go any higher than a particular price I have set for myself), and I've watched as auction prices routinely go to twice, and in some cases even three times the original worth. Not to mention the often extortionistic shipping costs.

So, yeah; I guess I'm just wondering if this is going to get worse or better as time goes on. I'm a patient guy - I can keep waiting if need be.

Also, sub-question: Is there a better way to get these things?

How do I convert 7-pin S-video to 4-pin S-video?

spiderskull — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:45:41 -0800

Can I "convert" a 7-pin S-video connector to a standard 4-pin S-video connector by simply cutting off the extra pins? Background story: I'm connecting a DVR with S-Video output to a DVD recorder with component input. I bought this adapter, which unfortunately has the 7-pin connector. If the DVR had component output, I'd just use that. Unfortunately, it doesn't.

I don't want to shell out $20 for the 7-pin to 4-pin adapter, so I'm turning to pliers. The 3 extra connections include a "Component Video" connector, its ground, and an unlabeled one.

Finally, RCA is too low-quality to use, so this was my solution.

Thanks!

Component cables only see in black and white?

joshuaconner — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:15:50 -0800

HomeTheaterFilter: I have a Sony SLV-360 connected to an EIKI LC-X60 projector with component video cable. When I try and watch a DVD on the Sony, it only shows in black and white. How can I fix this?

Tube Amp < $500. Recommendations Wanted.

tommasz — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:21:42 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tube (valve) amplifier kit in the ~ $500 (US) range? I was going to buy one of the Passion Audio Kit i11 amps but the company that offered them, Rotac in Quebec, quit selling them April 1st.