How do I use the S-Video input on my TV?

Should I use my 1 S-Video input on my TV for digital cable box or for my DVD player? Other input is composite.

• I was told to use the S-Video for the one I watch more, which would be TV, but I watch a lot of DVDs too. I don't want to buy a box to switch the S-Video signal. Seems to me that a TV signal would "need" the better S-Video transmission more than a pre-recorded DVD. Or doesn't it make a difference?

• Answer:

  Actually.. You're better off using the S-Video for DVD. You see you cant get out more than is put in. In other words, broadcasters know that television quality is a mere 400 or less lines of resolution.. Not much detail. So they heavily compress the digital content knowing that you cant tell the difference. Putting S-video on that is like lipstick on a pig. But DVD's on the other hand are pure digital extremely high resolution compared to regular broadcast television. S-Video encodes more color information into the signal meaning much more sharp and vivid colors. You would not notice this so much on TV but would definately notice the difference on a DVD. A couple other notes.. 1) A receiver (which you will need eventually if you want good sound) can act as the "switcher box" feeding your one S-Video input between multiple sources (dvd, tv, vcr, sat, etc) 2) Those boxes are generally $20 and under and not too bad