By now, the picture for providing the best quality video signal should be getting clearer. Remember, when designing a distributed video system, route video in the highest quality format that both cost and utility will allow. Figure 4 shows a system design limited to composite video feeds based on the lowest performance equipment item.
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| Figure 4 — A low-performance video system design |
Of course, one need only connect the components by routing only one cable. That cuts the cost overhead and complexity; however, look at Figure 5 where the system performance will be improved markedly with an S-video distribution. Cost will increase modestly for cabling and one external decoder product is required for the VCR. A prudent choice for the VCR would be to select one with S-video output, if possible.
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| Figure 5 — An improved video system design |
Review the outputs available from the video-delivering components in the system. Better yet, if designing from scratch, select only components that will deliver the quality you desire. Most all consumer grade equipment offers at least S-video output today. A close look into the higher grades of DVD players will yield the ability to route component video, which is better yet. In some instances, managing component video may not be convenient since many display and projector manufacturers do not yet support it. Of course, there are high-end video processors that will accept component input along with the other formats and provide the desirable wideband RGB signal feed.
The ideal would be to convert all incoming video to full bandwidth RGB signals at the "head-end" and route only RGB. This, of course, means that the system must utilize a high performance, multiple input processor such as a line doubler, line quadrupler, or image scaler. A high performance processor can be the key to a great system design in terms of video quality, in spite of the higher cost.
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