Production Glossary
Component Video
Component video is an analog signal which is relayed as three individual signals via a set of cables to provide a clearer signal and a picture of higher quality than a composite video signal.The cable for component video is actually three separate cords that are tipped with coaxial jacks. These tips are red, green, and blue in color, giving the component video cord the nickname “RGB”. The component video signal only transports visual data, requiring the additional use of audio cables. The multiple cables enable the video signal to be protected against interference with each other, which in turn improves the signal quality.
Technically, the analog component video is able to sustain different parts of the video signal with its three cables. The elements that are preserved are the contrast values and brightness (Y signal) and the blue, red, and color data (C signal). There are three types of component video (all made up of two or more individual signals), S-Video, RGB, and YPbPr. All of these options are analog in products for consumers. However there is a digital option of Y Cr Cb for professional level use.
DVDs use component video signals, and when connected to a TV with component video capabilities, will result in a superior picture than the composite video signal used by VHS tapes, laser discs, and TV signals. Another option, S-video, which also provides better quality than composite video, is still inferior to component video. Component video offers multi-scan technology that can transport the stream of video in varying processes to correspond multiple rates of frame for interlaced TVs or progressive-scan.
