Video Cables

[Outland]

Hey guys,

I was wondering where you all get your analog video interconnects?

I need an S-video cable. I was recommended Monoprice.com, but there appear to be varying opinions about the quality of their analog cables.

Thanks all.

[ChrisW6ATV]

I have always bought my cables from flea markets and similar places, for $1-3 each depending on length. I have maybe had one cable go bad in the past 20 years out of many dozens I have used and repeatedly connected. Monoprice probably sells better quality cables than what I use.

[Outland]

Doesn't using inferior cables hurt the picture?

I too have rarely had a cable outright break, but I've seen cables that let through interference or deteriorate the picture in any number of ways.

[ischmidt]

I've never had a problem with Monoprice's cables (whereas I've had 2 much pricier Best Buy cables that were DOA out of the original packaging and had to be returned). As long as the shield ground has continuity S-video cables shouldn't let interference through.

[lnx64]

I make my own coax.

Both the balun and the 75 ohm jack on my TV here are using RG6 cables I made myself: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...gon/cables.jpg

[Bill R]

I got my HDMI cables from Frys while I was in Chicago. They had a whole shopping cart of 6 foot cables for $1.49. They work perfectly.

[Outland]

Originally Posted by Bill R

I got my HDMI cables from Frys while I was in Chicago. They had a whole shopping cart of 6 foot cables for $1.49. They work perfectly.

I believe HDMI is a different story, as digital connections have a completely different set of requirements.

Schmidt, I have some S-video cables that let through interference that show up as moving 'waves' on the picture, does that mean the cable is improperly made? It's quite thin.

Just wondering, guys.

[ChrisW6ATV]

If you swap those suspect cables with another and the interference goes away, then yes, they are bad. Specifically, it sounds like their shield/ground connections are bad.

I have rarely had trouble with any analog cables at all, and none of my digital cables have gone bad either.

[cbenham]

Originally Posted by ChrisW6ATV

If you swap those suspect cables with another and the interference goes away, then yes, they are bad. Specifically, it sounds like their shield/ground connections are bad. I have rarely had trouble with any analog cables at all, and none of my digital cables have gone bad either.

The only problems I have with consumer grade RCA cables are the connectors
which seem to be made with very thin, cheap metal that will work their way loose and cause an intermittent connection. I did have one triple RCA cable that lost the video ground/shield wire connection on one end that caused moire in the picture.
I've never had a problem with any S-video cables including some I've had for many years.
Cliff