How to Connect an S Video Cable

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Last Updated: July 31, 2020

S Video cables, also called Super Video or Separate Video cables, transmit video color and luminance (brightness) information separately, minimizing interference. You can use S Video cables to connect almost any 2 S Video-capable devices, including camcorders, televisions, computers and DVD recorders. If you have the appropriate cable, you can also connect S Video-capable devices to non S-video devices; 1 end of the cable will have the appropriate connector for protocols such as RCA (separate yellow, white and red connectors, once the standard protocol for connecting audio and visual devices).

Steps

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1
Examine the S Video cable and the device you're about to connect it to. Count the number of holes on your computer or handheld device's S Video input and the number of pins in the connector at the end of the cable. If the number of holes matches up with the number of pins, you can connect the cables.
- S Video cables come in 4-pin, 7-pin, and 9-pin varieties. Take a careful look at each end of any S Video cable when you purchase it; you can purchase cables to connect 2 different types of S Video connectors. For example, 1 end of the cable might have a 4-pin connector while the other end has a 7-pin connector.
Slide the male S Video connector into the female connector until they're firmly seated together, lining up the tabs on the cable and the connector.

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In some cases, you must connect the 2 devices before turning them on, or the new device won't be properly recognized.

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Question

Where in the photo above is the S-Video port?

Community Answer

You'll find there is no S-Video port in the photo for step 3, and that it is not very helpful. This port looks like a circle with a lot of holes in it.

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Why do I not have sound after connecting S video?

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S video does not carry sound. You will have to use the red/white, orange spdif, optical cable, or HDMI to transmit sound.

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Tips

The S Video protocol is compatible with both PC and Macintosh/Apple computers. There is no single standard for S Video connectors, but both 4-pin and 7-pin configurations are common.

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Note that S Video cables transmit only video; you need a separate connection to transmit the sound component.

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Some gaming and computer equipment is S Video capable but has a proprietary, multi-protocol-capable connector. Because of this, you may have to purchase a proprietary cable to connect the unit to another S Video-capable device.

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