How long can an S-video cable be?
 

How long can an S-video cable be before the signal is degraded?

I've never seen very long cables for sale, so I assume the answer is under 10 feet.

Anyone know for sure?

I bought a 25' s-video cable to hook up my DVX100 on a Cobra Crane Jib-arm to an NTSC monitor. It worked great. The place I bought it from also sold 50' S-video cables, but I haven't tried that one, and assume the quality can't be that great at that length.

25 feet was fine, though.

Actually you can get S-video cables in long lengths of 50, 75 and 100 feet. I've used 75' cables in the past without problems. Over 100' or so there might be an issue, so you should consider a line amp for extremely long runs, and keep the cables away from sources of interference such as AC power cords, etc.

Very long FireWire cables are available, too.

On that same note, I managed to get a 25' S-Video cable from an online retailer for 7 bucks as a closeout deal. Good deal if you ask me!

Ken

I've made 125 foot S-Video cables to run from a Hi-8 camcorder (I wasn't going to loan them something expensive) to a video projector hung over center-stage. Worked fine

Be careful with the "bargain" cables. I use them to run s-video signals from a camera to a mixer. About 6 months ago I bought 100' cables on-line for about $25. They felt somewhat light. What I found was an unacceptable chroma shift, distorting colors and image.

I got some better cables from Markertek for about $80/100'. They are much, much heavier and I have had no problems with color.