Recommendations for Composite Video Cable?


It's a two-part question:

In my decidedly middling HT set-up, will I benefit from upgrading the composite video connections (from digital cable box to TiVo to TV, and from DVD player to TV)? My TV does not accept component or S-video.

If yes, which brands and models of composite video cables do people like?

-Dan
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
Drubin

I was only trying to be helpful, and my mom also taught me to say thanks when someone tried to help me.

Rgds,
DRUBIN; it's very important that whatever cable you get have very good shielding otherwise you'll get a fair bit of interference with it. If there's a reputable dealer near you I suggest you try a few different ones and see which works and that you like best.
Homer J

ps..... I WILL FOREVER REGRET SELLING MY PROTON TV
Thanks everybody. Consensus seems to be that I need a new monitor so that I can move to S-video or component. I have a late-80's 27" Proton TV, which refuses to die and, actually, I really like its picture. My wife seems intent on us getting a plasma or LCD flat screen but it's not in the budget right now. I, on the other hand, think we should get a widescreen CRT since we don't need a big screen in our small TV room anyway. Maybe I'll start lobbying. But I suspect we'll stand pat for a while longer.

On a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best quality and 1 the poorest, where would you place composite, component and S-video?
A few weeks ago, I bought a Philips 963 DVD player from Tweeter ($288 and they paid the shipping). So, what to do with the old JVC? No S connector, much less component video, on the 19" Daewoo in the bedroom. Booked on down to Walmart yesterday and bought a 27" flat screen Sanyo for $277. Now the old JVC hooks up to the component video inputs of the Sanyo and I decided to move the S-VHS VCR to the bedroom also. Who wants to watch tape on a hi def monitor in the living room anyway? As for the picture on the Sanyo...dunno. No one here to help me carry it in, so it's still in the back of the truck. I've seen other Sanyos though and the picture was always great.
I liked Tributaries cheapie stuff. Better than the cheapie straightwire composite cables (ghostbuster?) that I had before. Be sure to get at least 2 meter, and 1 meters seem to be a hard resell on the used market. Plus you'll have more length to work with. YMMV.

Also a power conditioner is a good idea. It'll be a good investment for your next TV (or projector, plasma, or whatever). The monster hts1000 or hts2000 would be a good place to start. Though I am wondering what improvement something like a PS audio plant p300 or a vansevers digital condition would bring over the hts2000?

Darryl is right, I wouldn't invest too much in a TV that doesn't have at least s-video and component inputs. There are a lot of good performing video displays for not that much money. It just depends on what your priorities and budget are. Lots of good standard definition 27-36 flat tube TVs ($300-1000) and $800-1500 SVGA DLP and LCD front projectors. I'm not telling you to upgrade. So don't take my suggestions in a wrong way.
Foxtrot are you perhaps a little tight tonight . You know , like wound the F=ch up ?
I use IXOS cable, acompany from UK. Its prices are comparable to those from Monster, which is equivalent to the overpricing Bose. IXOS website often does marketing about directional soldered cable with good insulation. I usually got mine IXOS shipped from Accessories4less in FL. Tributeries are very good cables, as suggested by Avguygeorge. Accessories$less currently offers Tributaries on clearance, i.e. S-video 3X shield between $29 through $33 whose MSRP were between $90-$130, depending on the length. I recommend that you get the length that you need b/c the shorter the traveling distance, the less chance of distortion and signal loss. In addition, I highly recommend using a power coditioner to your composite video cable. You may be able to see the difference if you have big screen. If you have a small CRT TV, I doubt that you can notice the difference. I have still have one IXOS professional gold series, 3X shields, 2M long composite cable. Email me if you are interested.
(He wasn't trying to be helpful.)

So, those of you who use TiVo and the like, how do you have it connected to your video monitors? It's composite output only, right? Likewise for digital cable, or am I missing something?
I think that Darrylhifi's thoughts are the best answer although I believe that Fostrot was only trying to be helpful and as to Flemke's encouragement, well, no!
Yes things like cables and Power Conditioning {like an ultimate outlet } can improve picture quality, however if your televison will not accept even S Video, I honestly would not , at this point, sink money into cables or Power Conditioners, but rather, save up you money for a new television .
Tributary is one ;Cardas, Synegitc Research, and Analysis are others. I also think a Monster (the 2500) conditioner will help and you can use that now,and with your next tv;when the time comes . I hope my response is in the correct format/forum. I'll hear from foxtrot if it ain't. Hey, do they foxtrot here?? I didn't know that. On a new today question you get an ans. now. --I can't see it makes that much dif. I thing many questions have overlapping properties. Buy,hey I don't run things here,and mom taught me to be nice;cause she knew I'd be wrong---a lot.
I don't know if it will make much of a differance. Transparent, Monster and others make these. I own Transparent on my component video connects and it makes a HUGE difference. Sorry I can't be more help.
I have got custom composite cables made by Zu cable. They are basically a single strand from their well regarded component video cables. Call them & ask about it.
Up yours, pal. I searched the archives quite thoroughly and found little if anything. I chose to post this in HT rather than Cables. Sue me.