Component Video

A high quality analogue video-only connection, found on video sources such as DVD players, AV amplifiers and receivers, and of course on display devices such as plasma, projectors, etc.

Component Video can also be used for carrying the signal when DVD players have Progressive Scan output.

Most commonly component video uses 3 RCA phono connections in red, green and blue, but it can also use a SCART socket (as in the case of the Neuston Media Centre or an 8 pin DIN style of connector as shown above.

Labelled as "Y" "Cr" and "Cb":
"Y" is luminance, luma, or "Brightness". This describes the level of white (or black). It also contains the composite sync signal for horizontal and vertical control.
"Cr" is the level of Red
"Cb" is the Level of Blue
The green section of the final colour output is derived from the levels of red, blue and white level. Whatever the difference present in the white level, after subtracting blue and red, must be green.

In quality terms component video is better than S-Video, but not as good as RGB or RGBHV quality. However some component video systems carry Progressive Scan, which gives more solid results on flat panel plasmas and LCDs, and projectors. Component video is also less prone to interference than RGB using SCART connections. All these analogue connections are below digital systems in quality.