Coaxial cable vs component cable?

Question

what has better quality when transfering video information

Answer 1

component cable have a lot more resolution and better quality than coaxial, consider this order from best to worst.

hdmi/DVI

component

s-video

composite

coaxial

Answer 2

They are BOTH 75 ohm coaxial cables ... except that component uses three coaxial cables instead of one. See the info from Blue Jeans Cables at the link.

The difference is that component splits the luminence and chroma info over three coax cables, while a single coax cable carries a combined video signal (like composite and S-video) but also includes the audio.

The result is that Component works to 1080p (although usually limited by hardware to 1080i), while coax carries SD signals only.

That said, given the choice there are advantages to HDMI (or DVI) over Component -- at least at distances under 100 feet.

First, if HDCP is present, many component connections won't work or are downsampled to sub-HD resolution, while HDMI will pass 1080p.

Second, HDMI is digital, so there is no need for analog-digital conversion (and potential degradation).

Third, HDMI is more convenient since one cable carries digital HD video and multichannel audio.

Finally, it can be less expensive for short connections (under 10'-15') since one $10 cable (assuming you DON'T buy Monster or the ilk. See 2nd link for why) replaces what need to be relatively expensive cables to get a high quality signal (Component, digital coax or optical).

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Like the other guys -- coax is the worst you can get.

Answer 4

component cable