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1.
What is S-Video? (to
top)
Short for Super Video, S-Video is one of the high quality
methods of transmitting a television signal from a device such
as a TV, VCR or Camcorder. It separates the color information
(Chrominance) from the brightness (Luminance), which prevents
nasty things like color bleeding and dot crawl, and helps increase
clarity and sharpness. You can greatly improve the image quality
of the image by simply converting to S-Video.
S-Video is a higher quality method
for delivering luminance and chrominance signals. The quality
is improved by eliminating the need for the filtering processes
that degrade video output. The method is simple - don't combine
the signals in the first place. If the signals are always separate,
never combined, then no filtration is required. The resulting
image, captured in the computer's memory, is a more precise representation
of the image originally captured by the camera or recorded by
the VCR. There is only one significant disadvantage to S-Video
- cost. S-Video equipment is generally more expensive than composite
video equipment. Another disadvantage is that S-Video is not
a broadcast standard. Video can only be moved through interconnecting
cables.
2.
What are other options besides S-Video? (to top)
A.
Composite (most common)
By default, most electronic devices that hook up to your television
send a "Composite" Signal. This is by far the most
common of all 4 outputs. The cable has 3 jacks: yellow,white,and
red. One jack sends the audio (left), the second the stereo (right),
and the third the video, respectively. The picture quality is
decent but pales in comparison to S-Video or RGB. The
US PSX only comes with a Composite Cable.
B.
R/F lead
R/F is the worst you can get in terms of picture quality. It
hooks up to your cable, and the picture sucks.
C.
RGB
RGB is the absolute best in picture quality. Better than S-Video.
The reason why RGB looks so great is because there is no additional
decoding involved by the monitor. (The PSX inherently uses an
RGB color system)
3.
Is S-Video THAT much better than Composite? (to top)
In a word, YES! The image is at least twice as sharp, and the
color definition is far far superior. Because of this the image
looks a lot "cleaner". Many fine graphical details
in games only become easily visible with S-Video (some of which
you may not want, more on that later).
4.
What do I need to get S-Video working? (to top)
The
Televsion
First and foremost, you must have a T.V. that has an S-Video
Input Jack. Most newer/higher end T.V.'s have such an S-Video
input. Look in the back of your T.V. If you see anything with
the words "S-Video" on it, you're in business. If not,
then you'll need to buy a T.V. that has an S-Video Input Jack.
See question #11 for some recommendations.
The
Cable
So now that you know your T.V. can accept S-Video input, you
must buy the cable for your PlayStation. This cable is NOT included
with your PSX. Don't go looking in your PSX box for some other
cable that you've missed, it's not there. This cable is manufactured
and made by Sony, and is an "official" PSX accessory,
so it shares the same greyish look as the rest of
your PSX stuff.
5.
Where does the S-Video cable plug in to? (to top)
The Multi-A/V Output on the back of the card or tv. BTW I recommend
NOT using the two Audio jacks from the "integrated"
S-Video cable. Instead, take your old composite cable, ONLY plug
in the two Audio cables (yellow and red) into the old Composite
Audio Out ports on the tv, and then hook it up to the Audio Input
jacks in the back of your capture card. Sort of like using the
integrated S-Video cable only for video and the composite cable
only for audio. Makes a minor improvement in audio quality, because
it's not all packed into one cable at the beginning.
6.
Why can't I use a generic S-Video cable if I already have one?
(to top)
Because thanks to Sony there isn't a "standard" S-Video
output port on the PSX. There is only a Multi A/V output (and
of course the 3 jacks for Composite). Thus you cannot buy regular
S-Video cables because only Sony knows how to make cables that
can plug into the Multi A/V Output. That is why you have to fork
over the exorbant US$30 for the official PSX S-Video cable, although
truthfully you are getting your money's worth because it is a
good quality S-Video cable. Crappy S-Video cables that sell for
US$2 at Radio Shack do not provide the shielding requried to
maintain strong colors and you
get Chromo and Luma crosstalk (which defeats the purpose of using
S-Video in the first place).
However, a properly shielded
S-Video cable won't run you US$30 either, but if you think it's
worth it to hack your own dedicated S-Video port and save $10
or so, be my guest. It involves opening the PSX and buying some
electronic parts at Radio Shack and some good electronic skills.
It would look pretty ugly :) And the results might not be as
good.
7.
So now I've got S-Video... I don't see much of a difference.
Why? (to top)
Well, if you can't, then you should take a look at what it USED
to look like, with Composite. The moment I first saw my PSX with
S-Video I was astonished at how clear and sharp the picture was,
WITHOUT comparing. I could easily distinguish individual pixels.
8.
Why does S-Video look better? (long and technical) (to top)
First, S-Video is "essentially" the same as Chroma
& Luma, Brightness & Color, or y/c. They all mean the
same thing, in a vague sort of way. Don't get confused here.
A Television set needs a signal
in the form of brightness & color, or Chroma & Luma,
to display a picture.
We all know that to obtain the
best quality in video or audio, you want to keep encoding/decoding
to a minimum and retain the original signal as much as possible
without modification.
The PSX works with RGB. So do
most things with computer graphics. All the images that the PSX
works with are in RGB format. I have just told you that the T.V.
does not accept an RGB signal (see #10 for exceptions), so obviously
at the very least some ENCODING (or converting, whatever suits
you best) is required, in order to display those RGB images on
a T.V.
When you use a composite hookup,
the PSX has to encode the RGB image into a single signal. That
signal is sent to the Television, where a device called a COMB
FILTER in the TV separates the composite signal into Chroma &
Luma.
Because there is "separation" AND "encoding"
involved, a major loss of reproduction quality is observed.
When you use a S-Video hookup,
the PSX has to encode the RGB image into two separate signals,
Chroma and Luma. Well gosh darnit, isn't that what the TV needs
in the first place? Exactly! The T.V doesn't have to touch the
signal at all, it just takes what the PSX sends to it and displays
it, because it is in the right format. The only loss in quality
comes from the "encoding" of RGB -> y/c, and this
results in a minor loss in reproduction quality.
When you use a RGB hookup with
an RGB monitor, it is even better. Now the PSX doesn't have to
encode anything, it just sends the signal as it is, and you get
perfect reproduction quality. The PSX works with RGB, so does
the monitor. A perfect combination. But an RGB setup is not easy
and you are limited to small monitor sizes.
This is better illustrated with
a diagram: (ascii is cheap I know) (to top)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSX | Cable | T.V |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------- -----------
---R(ed)-----}|\ | |--chroma--}| |
---G(reen)---}|----composite---}|T.V comb filter| | Picture |
---B(lue)----}|/ | |---luma---}| |
----------------- -----------
S-Video
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSX | Cable | T.V |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------- -----------
---R(ed)-----}|------chroma----}| |--chroma--}| |
---G(reen)---}| |T.V comb filter| | Picture |
---B(lue)----}|-------luma-----}| (not used) |---luma---}| |
----------------- -----------
RGB
------------------------------------------------------------
PSX | Cable | Monitor |
------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
---R(ed)-----}|----R(ed)--------------}| |
---G(reen)---}|----G(reen)------------}| Picture |
---B(lue)----}|----B(lue)-------------}| |
-----------
This should illustrate it more
clearly. Note how the comb filter is NOT used for S-Video. This
means that T.V's with analog comb filters look just as good as
those with more expensive digital comb filters (ie Sony XBRs)
IF you're using S-Video. However, a T.V. with a digital comb
filter will look significantly better if you're using composite.
Cable T.V, regular VHS and
Laserdiscs are all inherently composite, which is why savvy videophiles
spend the extra US$300 or so on the digital comb filter in their
T.V.
(this gets even more complicated...
the comb filter in the T.V. does get used even with S-Video,
because in the chroma signal are two seaprate signals, i and
q, but this is getting very estoric and I believe understanding
the general picture is more important than being confused left
and right with this tech talk)
(ok, this gets even MORE complicated
with those LaserDiscs that have S-Video... if your LaserDisc
or VHS machine has S-Video then that means there is a comb filter
in your LaserDisc. Whether or not it looks better than regular
composite depends on whether the comb filter in the Laserdisc
is better than the one in your T.V... remember a comb filter
separates a
composite signal into y/c, and a T.V. needs y/c, so this should
clear it up)
9.
What about RGB? (to
top)
People feel that if they're going
to spend their time and effort (and some $$$) on improving their
picture quality of PSX games, then they should shoot for the
highest thing out there: RGB.Well, let me give you some reasons
why aiming for RGB is futile and isn't worth it.
1.
No T.V's today have RGB (BNC) inputs.
Yes it's true. Years ago some
very high end DirectView and Rear Projection T.V's (r/p's for
short) had BNC inputs, but manufacturers realized that this was
a waste even on high-end T.V.'s, since less than 1% of the population
who bought them were using it. The other 99% would probably want
to save the extra cash by dumping the BNC input. And so this
is what
happened. Today, only some Front Projectors (f/p's for short)
have BNC inputs. The Sony VideoScope VPH-1001Q is one of them,
and retails for US$5990. Go to http://www.sel.sony.com, look
up any XBR/XBR^2 and discover for yourself which ones have BNC
inputs (there are none).
2.
Differences are minor
I have compared SFZ2 on my Sony KV27V20 to SFA2 in the Arcade
at SkyGames (local Fairview Mall). All my friends, including
myself, believe the SFZ2 at home looks much better, with better
color saturation. So in order to see the benefits of RGB, you'd
have to have a very good monitor. An old 13" Commodore 1084
RGB monitor might cut it, but umm... 13"?
3.
Display choices are very limited
As already stated, you are limited to either a Front Projector
($5000+), a Commodore monitor (tiny), or an Arcade RGB monitor
(hard to get). There are problems with all of them, whether it's
a gaping hole in your wallet or having all your friends hunched
over by a tiny computer screen, or not being able to use a VCR/LaserDisc
with it.
Unless you're extremely rich
and the Front Projector is peanuts to you, I'd advise you to
stay clear of RGB. It simply isn't worth the money, regardless
of what type of display output you choose. And the difference
is arguably very minor (you could always buy a better T.V and
get better quality with S-Video)
10.
What Television Sets with S-Video do you recommend? (to top)
If you do not own a T.V. with
S-Video, I can provide you with a basic list of recommendations.
I am mostly familiar with Sony's but do know what to avoid with
other manufacturers. I read rec.video often, you should too if
you're considering buying a T.V. and have a particular question
to ask (look for someone named Louis Carliner in that NG, very
helpful person).
In general beware of T.V.'s with
Scanning Velocity Modulation (T.V manufacturers will advertise
this as a feature, but any half-brained videophile will tell
you this is something to avoid as it causes significant ghosting).
The only things you should be looking for are color temperature
settings, and a digital comb filter if you're planning to enjoy
composite sources. Otherwise simply avoid SVM and go for one
with color temperature settings.
Recommended models:
SONY (1996-1997 models)
KV27V20
This is a good choice for those on a budget (like me). The picture
is great, but like most Trinitron's, the reds are very strong.
The good thing about this set is that it does not have SVM (Scanning
Velocity Modulation), which sacrifices sharpness for brightness.
Decent analog comb filter provides good quality composite at
this size. The quality of S-Video on this set is just
about the same as any XBR.
KV27V35
If you need PIP and those extra handy-dandy features, you may
want this one, but beware that it has SVM and you may experience
ghosting. It's been rumored that you can't even turn it off in
Service mode, and need a technician to open
your set up to disconnect SVM. Otherwise it's exactly the same
as KV27V20 in terms of picture quality.
XBR's (32"+)
At anything above 27" you will probably want a Sony XBR,
because with regular T.V. and other composite sources, you will
need a digital comb filter to avoid seeing dot crawl at such
a size. The 32XBR100 is the ultimate in DirectView. Even if you
don't care about composite, big size V-Series often have SVM
and cannot be disconnected by the Service mode.
PANASONIC
I've only been hearing good things
about the Panasonic GAOO series (CT27XF33 is a good choice),
but generally you can only stick with the higher end as they
are the ones with S-Video. Cost more than a V-Series but a little
less than a XBR, but you get a good digital comb filter. You
also get some rudimentary color temperature settings (set it
on Warm, that's close to the NTSC standard). Unsure about how
to disconnect SVM.
HITACHI
Also high on the recommendation
list. I am not too familiar with Hitachi's, but they too have
been getting good reports in rec.video.
TOSHIBA
Yet another good contender. However,
avoid anything in the 27-32" size, almost all of them have
glass comb filters which would make composite rather ugly. Stick
with the Cinema series, as most of them have digital comb filters.
Toshiba has a nice web site (http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/TV/pull.html),
it should be easy to do your own research if you're considering
a Toshiba. Very unsure about the ability to disconnect SVM.
Please avoid Mitsubishi (reputation
for inadequate power supplies), RCA, Proscan, Magnavox, and mostly
anything else not mentioned in this list. If you're buying a
T.V now, don't start scrimping. And if you live in Canada, AVOID
FUTURE SHOP!
Terry Lin {tlin@servtech.com}
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