Customer Reviews

PlayStation 2 Component AV Cable

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I recently tested both Monster's Component cables and Sony's Component Cables and kept the Sony. I have a 53" Hitachi Ditgital HDTV and the difference between the A/V Cables included with the PS2 and the Sony Component cables is night and day! Huge difference, but like the other reviews, you can only really tell on high-end HDTVs, so if you have a regular tv, I would suggest using S-Video or the A/V cables already included with the PS2. DVD's are also great for the component cables, the picture is crystal clear and fantastic compared to the A/V or S-Video connections.

As for the Sony v. Monster comparison, I saw very little difference between the two except that with the Monster Cable, you pay $20 more and GET NO SOUND connection which costs more. But if you have a great sound system set up, and can afford the Monster Cables AND the Optical Digital Audio cables, then buy the best.

Just to re-iterate another review, the quality levels are as follows:
1) Component Video Cables
2) S-Video Cables
3) A/V Cables

But remember, chances are you won't see much of a difference unless you have a High End TV with HDTV or Digital interface, otherwise stick with what you have.

One last comment, make sure you change the PS2 SET-UP (in the configuration screen, with no disc loaded, but the power on) from A/V to Component cables, otherwise you'll get no picture and no sound at all!!!

Disclaimer: This review is being written primarily with HDTV owners in mind.

Anyhow, first thing's first: people with standard televisions will notice little to no difference using component video cables. I've tried this firsthand using many sets from Sony (their XBR line), Toshiba, and Panasonic non-HDTV direct-view televisions with color difference ("component") inputs, and have had to really look hard to notice a difference (if any at all), between component and S-Video. Half of the perceived difference, I believe, is due to a mental expectation that the image will be inherently better. ....

However, using an HDTV direct-view set, such as the Panasonic CT-34WX50, CT-36HX40, Sampo SME-34WHD5, et al., as well as some of the better-quality front-projection and rear-projection HDTV units, result in a subtle, yet discernable difference and is the only way to go, IMO. .... Combined with a digital TosLink cable for PS2 audio, and you have an excellent video game and movie-watching unit. However, why would anyone use the PS2 as a DVD player on an HDTV when you can buy a 3/2-pulldown progressive-scan DVD player that will yield spectacular and superior results?

Not sure, but HDTV owners should purchase these cables to maximize their PS2 to the fullest. Standard TV owners should just stick with S-Video, such as the PS2 S-Video offering from Monster Cable.

I was absolutely stunned at the picture quality that I got on my HDTV using component cables, especially with the games designed for progressive scan. It has revitalized my PS2. This along with optical digital audio has made it possible for me to put off buying one of the next gen systems for while.

So, why did I say not to buy these? For the same price you can get the cables designed for the PS3. From a functionality standpoint the ones for the PS3 are identical to the ones for the PS2. However, the ones for the PS3 have gold plating on the connectors, are 10' long, and have better cable casings. And don't pay the extra money for the monster cables - these are great.

As has been mentioned numerous times before, you will really only notice a BIG difference with high def TVs. However, even if your TV is low def, there are instances where you might want to buy better cables, especially if you have a big screen TV.

Low def, 27" or smaller - stick with the composite.

Low def, larger than 27" - If you are currently using composite upgrade to either s-video or component depending on the inputs you have. But if you are already using s-video, no need to upgrade.

High def - No brainer, go component!

First, for the uninitiated, a short explanation of common video connectors:

Composite - this is where video comes on one plug (usually colored yellow). Since all video signals are meshed together on one connector, there is some loss of quality.

S-Video - much better than composite, since most of the video signals are seperated out to seperate wires within the same cable. Its popularity has come with DVD players as people want to access the better quality that DVD video offers.

Component - the highest quality. Each video signal is isolated into it's 3 primary components (not the same as RGB, but similar in concept). You usually only find this type of connection on HDTV's, but some "normal" tv's, such as my 27" Panasonic, have this as an opion alongside s-video and comosite.

I got this cable right away when I purchased my PS2. It's a decent cable, but if you want this sort of serious quality, I'd go for the Monster Cable version instead, which I have since purhcased. Note, however, that the Monster Cable version does not output audio (you need to use the PS2's optical audio out in that case, which I now do), while this Sony one has both the component video and the stereo audio plugs on it. But if you're hard-core enough to demand component video instead of s-video, you'll want to use the optical audio-out anyways.

Just a quick thought to anyone having problems with these cables...Make sure you go into the options menu on your PS2 (the one with the time & date options) and change the output from RGB to component. The picture will not straighten out until you do this. At least, this was the solution to the only problem I had with mine. Also, any game that supports this setup must be changed to progressive scan in the game's option menu as well. Hope this helps.

I just wanted to clarify some "technical" information that Will from Chicago wrote in his review.

He mistakenly says that audio and video signals are separated in s-video and component video cables. This is totally wrong. Any video cable, be it composite, s-video or component has absolutely NOTHING to do with audio. Period. Audio is carried by completely different cables.

Composite (standard) video combines chrominance (color) and luminance (black/white) into a single wire. S-video separates these two types of signals onto two different wires, producing a sharper picture because there's no "bleeding" of data between the two.

Component video uses three separate wires to conduct luminance and two chrominance signals, producing the sharpest, most accurate pictures. Most direct-view televisions nowadays utilize component video as their "native" format internally.

Okay, so now that I made that little rant, I want to point out that these component video cables from Sony include a set audio cables. Just keep in mind that audio doesn't travel over the video portion of the cables.

If you have component outputs on your television, component cables are the way to go. They offer 200 more lines of resolution, offer a much clearer and detailed picture, and i'll explain it's progressive scan feature. When using normal cables or s-video cables, you only see 30 frames of motion per second. That is .5 of each actual frame. Now use component cables with a progressive scan TV and you have 60 frames per second of motion. That is full fluid motion, great picture, and aswome detail. Get any component cables now, and get great quality!

This is one of the best things you can buy for your PS2. If you have a t.v. with these inputs, you should go and get them. The games look so much more alive then ever before. When watching DVD's it takes you one step closer to beening at the movie theater. Toy Story 2 looked drop dead gorgeous. It's really kind of hard to explain how much better it look's. Imagine watching a t.v. with sun glass's on, then watch it with out the sun glass's. That's how much better it look's. I hoped this review helped you. Now go and buy them already.

When I first got my HDTV, I tried my PS2 on it, and although the widescreen feature was nice, the picture was grainy. I was disappointed, but I knew I must have missed something. That something is these cables. If you want your games to look good on your HDTV, you NEED these cables. Such a difference, I can't believe I got such an improvement for this price. Seriously, if you spent the money on the tv, spend on the money on the cables, cause you're only as strong as your weakest link.

If you have a HDTV, it is a must own! First thing to do before hooking these is to go to the your PS2 setting and change the video source, then plug them, turn your PS2 on, sit back and be prepare to be amazed by the huge difference. The picture is sharper, cristal clear and the color are a lot more vibrant. Don't forget that some games allow Progressive Scan like GT4 or God of war, and it looks even better.
My only little complain is that if you own a A/V receiver, the audio cables and the video cables are too close together, which makes them too short to be separated so it can't reach the A/V receiver. Even if they are next to. You don't have the choice but to hook the audio components directly to the TV. (Check the picture to understand what I'm saying).
Fortunatly, I had already a separate THX Optical cable for the audio witch is better so that didn't affect me at all. I just hope some will take note of this.