How to Hook an S Video Cable to a TV
The separate or "S" video format improves picture quality over standard or composite video by delivering the information over two signals. The Y signal carries brightness information and the C signal carries color information. An S-video cable has four wires with a four-pin connector on each end. But some vendors use the term "S-video cable" loosely and in many cases will not carry S-video at all. Be sure your cable has a four-pin S-video connector on each end before buying it.
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Instructions
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Plug one end of your S-video cable into the "S-video out" jack of the equipment that produces the signal. This could be a cable or satellite box, a DVD player, DVR, game console or a computer.
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Plug the other end of the cable into the "S-video in" jack on the TV.
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Turn on both components and adjust your TV to show the external input from the S-video input jack. See your manual for specific instructions.
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Tips & Warnings
Some equipment may have the S-video option but not the connector, and it may have two coaxial input cables connectors marked Y and C. You can buy special cables or adapters to make these connections. If both pieces of equipment have these connections, you can use two RCA type cables.
Some computer video cards have a seven-pin S-video connector. But depending on the card, it could be programmed to put out S-video or other formats onto this connector. See your video card instructions for details.
Some vendors use the term "S-video cable" to define any specialized cable that connects a computer to a TV. These cables may have HDMI, RCA, USB or other connectors and may not carry S-video at all. The type of cable you use to connect a computer to a TV depends entirely on the video card's capabilities and how it's set up. See your video card manual for detailed instructions.
Do not try to force a four-pin plug into a seven-pin jack. You could damage your equipment.
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