How long can an S-video cable be? at DVinfo.net

Peter Wiley · May 5th, 2004, 09:38 AM

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?

Jaime Valles · May 5th, 2004, 10:14 AM

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.

Chris Hurd · May 5th, 2004, 10:18 AM

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.

Ken Snow · May 5th, 2004, 01:08 PM

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

Mike Rehmus · May 5th, 2004, 09:33 PM

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

Mike Cavanaugh · May 6th, 2004, 07:13 AM

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.

May 5th, 2004, 09:38 AM	#1
Peter Wiley Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lewisburg PA Posts: 752	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?

May 5th, 2004, 10:18 AM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	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. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 5th, 2004, 09:33 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	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 __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 5th, 2004, 10:14 AM	#2
Jaime Valles Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New York City, NY Posts: 316	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.

May 5th, 2004, 01:08 PM	#4
Ken Snow New Boot Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 15	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

May 6th, 2004, 07:13 AM	#6
Mike Cavanaugh Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Albany NY Posts: 311	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.