Confused by SCART, SVideo, RGB, etc.? Here's the skinny

Soldato
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Can't take the full credit for this one, info comes from a magazine (OXM) that makes the fanboys in the graphics forum look tame. However, I've added my own comments as well :)

VGA - PC Monitor, LCD, Projector, Plasma, CRT - Best Option
VGA breaks the signal into 3 channels, Red, Green & Blue. It also has TWO synchronisation channels as well. Use VGA for anything that accepts it in most cases. Of course in the case of LCDs and Plasmas, the signal has to be converted to digital. The quality of the converter plays a big part, and in some cases Component will look better (although sometimes that can be due to a different colour temperature setting on the TV). VGA is progressive and supports resolutions higher than the 360 is officially capable off.

Component - LCD, Projector, Plasma, CRT - Second Best Option
Basically works the same as RGB SCART in principle, however it has a major advantage - high resolution support. Component supports interlaced, as well as progressive - it also supports higher resolutions (such as 1080i).

On a lot of TVs this can offer better image quality than VGA, either due to a better converter, or different default Colour/Brightness/Contrast settings.

RGB SCART - CRT - Third Best Option
The signal is broken up into three channels - Red, Green & Blue. A composite feed is also used to synchronise the three channels.

The signal is interlaced, this means it is NO GOOD FOR PROGRESSIVE SCREENS. It'll work, but image quality won't be as good as it should be. Progressive screens include 100Hz CRTs, LCDs, Plasmas, PC Monitors. Resolution appears to be fixed at 720x288 (720x576 effective over 2 frames). No HD gaming to be found here.

S-Video - Don't use
Chances are you won't use this unless you're American, or restricted to it as the best connection you can have. S-Video is like composite, except it splits the signal into two channels: Chrominance and Luminance. Its better than composite, but no match for RGB SCART, Component or VGA.

Composite - Don't use - Last Resort
Rubbish, keep away from this. Basically, everything goes down a single cable to the TV. Your stuck at the standard PAL or NTSC res (depending on region), its interlaced, and generally rubbish. Last resort only :)

Composite is also used by default with non-RGB SCART sockets, and when using one of those 3 phono -> SCART adapters. Watch out for this.

DVI / HDMI - Not currently used by any console (just relays a VGA signal)
In terms of all current consoles, using DVI or HDMI is no different than component. The SAME signal is sent through the port as with component. Any difference in image quality is due to the TV set (for example, 1:1 pixel mapping on some LCD TVs), or the placebo effect.

Ultimately if any console outputs a genuine digital signal as supported by DVI & HDMI, then the image quality would be superior to all other connection types. For one you would be skipping two conversion steps (Digital > Analogue > Digital), but you would also avoid all the interference inheriant with analogue signals.
 
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Nice post :)
It explains why if you use a SVHS to SCART cable and put it into the RGB Scart socket you get a black and white picture because SVHS is luminance and chromiance and not RGB output.
 
Bonjour said:
So what's best for 100hz teles?

RGB cable and turn off the 100hz mode?

Component :) Then you get a nice progressive image. Alternative is RGB SCART, you can leave the 100Hz on, but the image won't be any better than ordinary TV broadcasts. Going back to 50/60Hz won't really improve quality tbh.
 
Tommer said:
http://www.gamespot.com/features/6139690/index.html

thought that article was worth putting here

I see it doesn't mention RGB scart though, presumably because it's a US article and US televisions don't have scart sockets. I have to say that the difference between composite and s-video in their comparison is almost unnoticeable which is interesting. I think people can exaggerate the difference between different cables sometimes. As I said in another thread, to my eyes the difference between composite and RGB scart on my Xbox(1) is negligible.
 
Boogle said:
Component :) Then you get a nice progressive image. Alternative is RGB SCART, you can leave the 100Hz on, but the image won't be any better than ordinary TV broadcasts. Going back to 50/60Hz won't really improve quality tbh.


Good post but I disagree about 100Hz CRT SD TV's on RGB. Mine is 100 times better than a composite signal when using the RGB SCART. Also composite does support a widescreen signal (my telewest box is running this right now :)) I have no componet inputs on my 100Hz TV and have only seen them on top end units in the past.
 
dirtydog said:
I see it doesn't mention RGB scart though, presumably because it's a US article and US televisions don't have scart sockets. I have to say that the difference between composite and s-video in their comparison is almost unnoticeable which is interesting. I think people can exaggerate the difference between different cables sometimes. As I said in another thread, to my eyes the difference between composite and RGB scart on my Xbox(1) is negligible.

That might be your TV DD.
The difference between composite and SVHS isn't much on my old CRT but the difference between composite and RGB Scart is definitely noticeable.
 
Well it is possible that the colours are slightly more vivid with the RGB scart, but it isn't easy to do a comparison when you need to turn off the console, swap leads and restart again. Subjectively, there is very little difference, if any. My TV is a Philips from 2001, which does specifically (in the manual) accept RGB input.

FWIW I'm using the Joytech advanced scart lead, which I bought in preference to the Microsoft one as it also includes audio phono outputs which I am using.

Just FWIW #2, I have noticed that the Xbox's output in general is 'softer' than my PS2 was, even PS2 with composite vs Xbox with RGB scart. I have heard others say the same thing too incidentally.
 
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Yes I noticed that too with the original XBox, the PS2 IQ is far sharper with SCART maybe that's why jaggies tend to be more prominent, Xbox seems a lot more blurrier/more blended just like N64 was compared with PS1.

I haven't noticed that with 360 though (HD ;)).
 
Dillinga said:
Good post but I disagree about 100Hz CRT SD TV's on RGB. Mine is 100 times better than a composite signal when using the RGB SCART. Also composite does support a widescreen signal (my telewest box is running this right now :)) I have no componet inputs on my 100Hz TV and have only seen them on top end units in the past.

I didn't say composite was better than RGB Scart on anything ;) Just that for best quality on a 100hz CRT you want component because its progressive, failing that you go back to RGB SCART :) I used the TV reference because it'll be interlaced like a TV broadcase, and the same resolution.

I'll update the widescreen composite info, thanks for that :)
 
dirtydog said:
FWIW I'm using the Joytech advanced scart lead, which I bought in preference to the Microsoft one as it also includes audio phono outputs which I am using.
What do the MS ones have for audio out?
 
Note I am talking about the Xbox '1' not the 360 cable which I think? does have RCA audio out so you could connect it to your PC.
 
bit confused,

Component, Vga, DVI and HDMI all support higher res like 720p etc

so whats the best one out of the lot to use if you have the option to use all of them?

im guessing but is it something like HDMI as it doesnt carry audio or DVI for the same reason and its a slight better picture than vga?

Thanks
 
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