Console video quality comparisons

DolbyDigital

Play-asia.com sent me an email saying that they finally restocked their component cables for Wii.

I finally got myself a Plasma tv (Samsung 42") so, I ordered up a set. I also thought, hey, while im doing this, why not get a set of PS2 component cables...THEY ARE ONLY $5.99!!!

So my question is: have you guys seen any good image comparisons of the different video signals of consoles? I am aware of the ones on GameSpot, but I'd like to see others...for PS2 if possible...

I found this one:
http://macdiggs.com/index.php/2006/03/27/ps2-analog-vs-digital/
but im looking to see more.

If you haven't already obtained a set of Wii component cables, I URGE you to go to Play-asia.com and order a set. They are $9.99 US Dollars!!

Sure beats the $49.99 CDN at the big stores where i live...if they ever have them in stock.

It should be noted that I did see a cable there which handles all current (next) gen consoles by having multiple ends with a mini switch.

FaceballMcDougal

So you basically want proof that it's going to look better?

DolbyDigital

FaceballMcDougal wrote:

So you basically want proof that it's going to look better?

Well I can pretty much assume that it will look better, I just want a visual comparison so I know in advance.

TL;DR

Yes.

area

http://mntorankusu.googlepages.com/rfvscompositevss-video%3Afreeforall

No component, but the page shows you just how badly you don't want RF or composite.

mntorankusu

http://mntorankusu.googlepages.com/rfvscompositevss-video%3Afreeforall

This only shows the difference between RF, Composite and S-Video. However, as Component looks slightly better than S-Video (moreso when talking about on an HDTV, with 480p over component), you can use this to get a good idea of the difference.

Edit: Oh, hey, someone else linked to my page. Awesome!

area

mntorankusu wrote:

http://mntorankusu.googlepages.com/rfvscompositevss-video:freeforall

This only shows the difference between RF, Composite and S-Video. However, as Component looks slightly better than S-Video (moreso when talking about on an HDTV, with 480p over component), you can use this to get a good idea of the difference.

Edit: Oh, hey, someone else linked to my page. Awesome!

I went looking for it a while ago when talking to a friend about inputs, mainly because it just shows you the difference straight up, no mess, no fuss. It took me forever to find, so I bookmarked it so I'd never have to do it again

The Burnin8or

Here's a site with some comparison pics for composite vs. component on the PS2 . .

Stormwatcher

Dude, get the component cables ASAP.
Even on a 480i tv the difference is astounding. With progressive scan, it's even more impressive.

DolbyDigital

The Burnin8or wrote:

Here's a site with some comparison pics for composite vs. component on the PS2 . .

Whoa...

Thanks!!

I will be doing my own photo comparisson for the Wii and the PS2 once the cables arrive.

I will take shots from my old tv, and new tv in analogue, s-video (on the ps2) and component. I'll try and post them here too.

The Burnin8or

I remember, a few years back, I had all my systems hooked up to my plasma via component and had played them that way for a while. One time, a friend brought over his Xbox, and we were doing some LAN gaming with his hooked up to my older (but decent) Sony TV via a multi system s-video cable I had. I remember walking back at one point for something, and looking at his screen, and being shocked to how bad it looked in comparison. I actually apologized to him for having to play using the inferior screen (which was still better than his display at the time, but still . . . ) I knew it was inferior, but I had got so used to playing via component that the sight wasn't fresh in my mind.

Animal Spirits

Forgive me in advance for semi-hijacking this thread.

I'm upgrading to S-Video. I have a PS2 and (one of these days) a Wii.

Any experience with the following cables (from BestBuy.com)?

Psyclone PS2 S-video $26
Mad Catz universal S-Video $10.50
React Wii S-Video $20

Is an official Nintendo S-Video cable forthcoming/worth waiting for?

I've heard rumors of sound problems with some of those cables (React, I think). I wanted to know your impressions of any of these or any reasonably-priced alternatives.

FyreWulff

I have the Madcatz universal and can say it looks great in S-Video on GC and Xbox. My brother just got a PS2 (i haven't seen S-video with that yet) but I assume it's still as good.

Animal Spirits

FyreWulff wrote:

I have the Madcatz universal and can say it looks great in S-Video on GC and Xbox. My brother just got a PS2 (i haven't seen S-video with that yet) but I assume it's still as good.

Are there any sound problems (whining, hissing, etc.)?

Xanarios

FyreWulff wrote:

I have the Madcatz universal and can say it looks great in S-Video on GC and Xbox. My brother just got a PS2 (i haven't seen S-video with that yet) but I assume it's still as good.

If anything, shoddy cables maybe be more prone to interference (lack of shielding, etc) but will still give you a surprisingly large increase in overall signal quality. Well worth the upgrade at just about any price.

FyreWulff

Animal Spirits wrote:

FyreWulff wrote:

I have the Madcatz universal and can say it looks great in S-Video on GC and Xbox. My brother just got a PS2 (i haven't seen S-video with that yet) but I assume it's still as good.

Are there any sound problems (whining, hissing, etc.)?

Nope, I've had my Xbox and GC hooked up to my stereo with them and there's no hissing or anything. Surround sound (the kind done with 2 speakers) sounds great too. Then again, i'm not an audiophile, so if one's frequency is slight off or whatever I won't be able to tell.

However, a note: Don't hook up multiple consoles at the same time. Not sure what happens if you hook up all 3, but the GameCube will lose sound and the Xbox's picture will get really dark and muddy. It's still a lot easier to pull/put in hookups into the back of the consoles than messing around with the back of the TV.

[spoiler:a2779916fb] Also make sure you plug the GAMECUBE hookup into the GameCube and not the PS2 one. The ps2 one will work in a GC, you just don't get sound. I've done this accidentally, like, twice, but still a note if you're hooking things up in the dark. [/spoiler:a2779916fb]