12
DUAL SYSTEM VIDEO CONVERTER
Most of us are familiar with two
forms of TV video: (1) “RF,” which
is how broadcast and cable TV comes
into our homes, and (2) “Composite
Video,” “Baseband Video,” or just
plain “Video,” which is a single
electrical signal (made up of bright-
ness, color, and synchronizing
components) used by most VCRs.
A problem arises when your TV,
monitor, or VCR has to break either
of these signals apart to show it on
the screen or record it on tape. A
lot of processing is involved and
distortions of the image occur.
Several years ago, TV engineers
devised a simple scheme which was
not only relatively inexpensive to
implement but very effective in
reducing these distortions. It is
called “S-Video,” and can be used
with your Dual System Video
Converter.
In this TV-signal system, there
are actually two signals. The
“LUMINANCE” (“Y”) signal carries
the sync and brightness components
of the picture, while the
“CHROMINANCE” (“CHROMA”
or “C”) signal carries the color
component. By feeding these two
signals into your video equipment
separately, S-Video eliminates the
need for the equipment to do the
work of separating the signals
internally. The result is a displayed
image that has more detail and less
color distortion. If you were to
compare two otherwise identical
images, one displayed using Video
mode and the other using S-Video,
the difference in the quality of the
images would be dramatic.
Almost all of the new larger-screen
TVs that have audio/video jacks also
have an S-Video jack just like the one
on the rear of your Converter. If it is
available, use it! You will see a
difference.
Appendix A: S-Video, the Improved
Quality Video Standard
