View source for S-Video (Y/C)

{{Set|Sort order=2}}
'''S-Video''' (Separate Video), also known as '''Y/C''', is an analog video signal format that carries standard-definition video as two separate signals: luminance (Y, or brightness) and chrominance (C, or color). By keeping these two components on separate channels, S-Video avoids the cross-color and dot crawl artifacts inherent in [[Composite (CVBS)|composite video]], delivering a noticeably cleaner and sharper picture. S-Video is commonly found on mid-range to high-end consumer CRT televisions from the late 1980s onward, and is widely regarded by retro gaming enthusiasts as a significant step up from composite.

== History ==

The concept of separating luminance and chrominance for transport predates the formal S-Video standard. The Atari 800 home computer was the first widely available device to offer separate luma and chroma outputs, introduced in late 1979 via a 5-pin DIN connector.<ref name="wp-svideo">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video "S-Video"], Wikipedia.</ref> The Commodore 64, released in 1982, also offered separate Y/C signals through an 8-pin DIN connector, though the term "S-Video" had not yet been coined.<ref name="wp-svideo" />

S-Video was formally introduced and widely popularized by JVC with the launch of the S-VHS (Super VHS) videocassette format in 1987. The S-VHS format recorded luminance and chrominance separately on tape and required a connection that could preserve this separation during playback, leading to the standardization of the 4-pin [[Mini-DIN-4]] connector for S-Video.<ref name="wp-svideo" />

Through the 1990s, S-Video became a common feature on higher-end consumer CRT televisions, DVD players, satellite receivers, camcorders, and video game consoles. In Europe, the [[SCART]] connector could carry S-Video signals (using pins originally allocated for RGB), though not all SCART-equipped devices supported this.

== Signal Characteristics ==

S-Video separates the video signal into two channels:

* '''Y (Luminance)''' — carries the brightness information, including sync pulses. This signal is essentially the same as a black-and-white video signal and contains the full image detail.
* '''C (Chrominance)''' — carries the color information, modulated on a subcarrier at approximately 3.58 MHz (NTSC) or 4.43 MHz (PAL).

Because the luminance and chrominance signals travel on separate shielded conductors, the low-pass filtering required in composite video to prevent crosstalk between the two is unnecessary. This preserves more luminance bandwidth and eliminates the dot crawl and cross-color artifacts that are characteristic of composite video.<ref name="pinoutguide">[https://pinoutguide.com/Audio-Video-Hardware/SVideo_pinout.shtml "S-Video pinout signals"], PinoutGuide.com.</ref>

Both signals use 75Ω impedance, and each signal pin is paired with its own dedicated ground pin in the standard [[Mini-DIN-4]] connector.

== Specifications ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Parameter !! Value
|-
| Signal type || Analog video (two-channel)
|-
| Channels || 2 (Y + C; audio requires separate connection)
|-
| Resolution || 480i (NTSC) / 576i (PAL/SECAM)
|-
| Impedance || 75Ω per channel
|-
| Color encoding || NTSC, PAL, or SECAM
|-
| Standard connector || 4-pin [[Mini-DIN-4]] (most common)
|-
| Alternative connectors || Dual [[BNC]] (Y and C), dual [[RCA (connector)|RCA]], 7-pin locking DUB
|}

== Connectors ==

The 4-pin [[Mini-DIN-4]] connector is the standard connector for S-Video in consumer equipment. Its pinout is:

{| class="wikitable"
! Pin !! Signal
|-
| 1 || GND (Y ground)
|-
| 2 || GND (C ground)
|-
| 3 || Y (Luminance)
|-
| 4 || C (Chrominance)
|}

In professional and broadcast environments, S-Video is often carried over dual [[BNC]] connectors (one for Y, one for C), which provide more robust connections and are standard on S-VHS editing decks and patch panels. Some early Y/C monitors used dual [[RCA (connector)|RCA]] jacks switchable between composite and Y/C input. Professional S-VHS machines frequently use 7-pin locking DUB connectors.<ref name="wp-svideo" />

Non-standard 7-pin, 8-pin, and 9-pin Mini-DIN connectors have been used on various computer graphics cards, sometimes carrying S-Video alongside composite or component video signals with proprietary pinouts.<ref name="wp-svideo" />

== Use on CRT Televisions ==

S-Video inputs became increasingly common on consumer CRT televisions from the late 1980s through the 2000s, typically appearing on mid-range and higher-end models. The input is usually a [[Mini-DIN-4]] socket on the rear panel (and sometimes on a front A/V panel), labeled "S-Video" or "S".

S-Video is the highest-quality connection available on many consumer CRT sets that lack [[Component (YPbPr)|component]] inputs, making it an important option for retro gaming and home theater use. Game consoles that support S-Video output include the Super Nintendo (NTSC models), Nintendo 64, GameCube, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Sega Saturn, and Sega Dreamcast, among others.

For CRT enthusiasts and retro gamers, S-Video represents the practical "sweet spot" for many setups: it is widely supported by both televisions and source devices, provides a significant visual improvement over composite, and does not require hardware modification.

== Quality Comparison ==

S-Video sits in the middle of the analog video quality hierarchy. In order of increasing quality:

# '''[[RF (F-type)|RF]]''' — composite video modulated onto an RF carrier
# '''[[Composite (CVBS)]]''' — luminance and chrominance combined on one channel
# '''S-Video (Y/C)''' — luminance and chrominance on separate channels
# '''[[Component (YPbPr)]]''' — luminance and two color-difference signals on three channels
# '''[[RGBS|RGB]]''' — red, green, and blue carried separately

The most visible improvement from composite to S-Video is the elimination of dot crawl along color transitions and the removal of cross-color rainbow patterns on fine detail. The improvement from S-Video to component or RGB is subtler but includes fuller color bandwidth and reduced color bleeding.

== See Also ==

* [[Composite (CVBS)]] — Lower-quality single-channel analog video
* [[Component (YPbPr)]] — Higher-quality three-channel analog video
* [[Mini-DIN-4]] — Standard connector for S-Video
* [[BNC]] — Professional connector, sometimes used for dual-BNC S-Video
* [[SCART]] — European multi-signal connector that can carry S-Video

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Video signal formats]]