component video and digital audio question...

[jpolce]

before i get flamed for posting i searched and didnt come up with ****. anyway here are my questions:

1. I am currently using a analog right/left/video cable to connect my dvd to the TV via component jacks(not analog jacks!!!) this works and gives a much clearer picture than analog video but are there seperate color coded specific component video cables? if so, do they increase picture quality, or just match the colors of the cable with the input colors(the colors on the input jacks and cable).

2. this is probably a real stupid question but i have an output for sound that says bitsteam/pcs, this is a digital-coaxial output correct? do i need a specific digital coaxial cable, or can i just use an old a/v cable(red/white analog ones) with just using one input(since i dont need separate cables for stereo)?

thanks for your help..

[edclem]

There are two schools of thought on the cable issue.
Many here will advise you to use fairly cheap 75 Ohm cables available at Radio Shack (or comparable stores) for your connections. Personally, I'm a patron of the other school: the cables do matter. That, however, is another discussion.

To answer your questions:
1. Yes, there are specific cables made for component video connections. They typically start at about $40 for a set, and go up significantly from there.

2. Yes, this is your digital coaxial connection. You don't necessarily need a specific digital coax cable (although that's what I use).


For both of the above connections, you DO need a cable that is rated at 75 Ohms. This is not the same thing as the standard analog audio (the red and white pairs) cable.
Using standard audio cables might work, but you're not getting full performance.

[movieguy65]

For both of the above connections, you DO need a cable that is rated at 75 Ohms. This is not the same thing as the standard analog audio (the red and white pairs) cable.
Using standard audio cables might work, but you're not getting full performance.
__________________
He is right. You can use a 75 ohm cable for both applications. I sell cables. If I didn't get 60% off, I wouldn't invest in them. Hell, I almost don't buy them at that price because I firmly believe that a decent RCA cable from Radio Shack will give you the exact same performance. I do not work for Radio Shack. If I didn't get a discount on Monster Cables, for these cables I would be in Radio Shack buying their "RCA gold series" line or something. They are the best price and are the same thing as the other stuff. Tell them you need four 75 ohm video cables. If you don't believe they are the same, check out all the blind listening tests that tend to prove this hypothesis.

[jpolce]

thanks for the help guys

[niteshade]

I've always been skeptical of paying ridiculously high prices for "brand-name" cables. Currently, all the cables that hold together my HT system are high quality Radio Shack cables. They work great. I've used the more expensive cables and have not noticed a difference (therefore, I returned them). I have my DVD player hooked up through the component video jacks. I'm not using component video cables, though. I'm using high quality 75 ohm gold-plated A/V Radio Shack cables, and it looks outstanding. I paid $15 instead of $70 for Monster cables. After seeing the picture, I just can't justify paying that much more.

Just my 2 cents.