Apple Final Cut Express HD - Manual (Page 1042)

1042 Part XIII Appendixes
Types of Video Signals and Connectors
When you capture and output, the type of video signal you use to connect your
equipment is a critical factor that goes into determining the quality of your video. Video
camcorders, decks, and monitors can use different types of signal types, depending on
the environment they are intended for. Consumer equipment usually has limited video
signal choices; professional gear gives you the greatest range of options.
Here are the most common video signals used on today’s video devices:
 Composite
 S-Video (Y/C)
 Component YUV (Y´C
B
C
R
)
 Component RGB
 FireWire (IEEE 1394 or i.LINK)
 SDI
 HD-SDI
 SCART
Composite
Composite is the lowest common denominator of video signals. A composite signal
runs all color and brightness information on a single cable which creates analog
“artifacts,” negatively affecting the quality of the signal. Nearly all video devices have a
composite input and output. This format uses a single RCA or BNC connector.
In professional editing environments, composite video signals are most commonly
used for troubleshooting, for menu outputs, and for low-quality preview monitoring.
For consumer and home use, composite signals are often used to connected VCRs or
DVD players to televisions.
RCA connector
BNC connector