Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1721)

370 Part V Appendixes
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.
S-Video
S-Video, also known as Y/C, is a higher quality video signal used by high-end consumer
video equipment. The image looks sharper and has better color than composite video
because S-Video keeps the color and brightness information separate on two cables.
Most low-cost analog-to-digital video interfaces have S-Video as their highest quality
video connector.
RCA connector
BNC connector
S-Video connector