Component/svideo switching (1 Viewer)

[James Kellie]

Is there a mid priced receiver that will switch component, s video and composite inputs to a component output?
Failing that, is s video significantly "worse" than component?
Thanks

 

[Nicholas A. Gallegos]

Saying that an s-video connection is significantly worse than a component video connnection would be a stretch. But I would try to use component if your TV can accept the input.
What kind of TV are you using? Generally, the difference that component video makes starts to become the most noticeable on larger (32" and above) monitors.
There are several receivers that offer component video switching. What is your budget? "Mid-priced" can mean $500 to one person and $1000 to another.
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[Bob McElfresh]

Home Theater magazine came up with these numbers for a reference 50" rptv:
Composite - baseline
SVideo - 20% better than composite
Component - 25% better than composite
They noted that a smaller screen shows less difference, a larger screen more.
Most receivers do not CONVERT one signal type to another. The circuit involved in going from composite to SVideo is called a "Comb Filter". It is usually the most expensive part on a TV.
You can buy an outboard converter. A good one by Farajuda is about $15,000. (So now you see why most receivers dont convert )
My advice: Go straight from the DVD player to the TV with component cables.
Run either SVideo or Composite from everything else (including the DVD player) through the receiver.
Now you have the best of both worlds: leave the TV looking at the composite feed from the receiver, and the receiver does all the switching. And you get to see the on-screen display's and it's easy for the family to use.
But for your highest-quality source (the DVD), take the extra step and switch to the Component input for the better picture.
Good Luck.