# home theater wiring question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 16, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656 "2002-09-16T06:55:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656/1 "2002-09-16T06:55:34Z")
I notice A/V receivers usually have multiple input and output connectors for video signal, with both S-video and composite (is that the right term for the standard yellow plug?) connectors. Are these receivers usually capable of converting from one type of video signal to another? That is, if I connect a VCR to the composite input, and a TV to the S-video output, does the signal go through? Also, does the signal go to multiple outputs at the same time without screwing up the Macrovision copy protection? I.e. can I connect two TVs to the outputs and see the image on both screens at the same time? I guess these depend on the model, but I’m looking at low-end ($300 range) models that don’t say anything specific about this. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656/2 "2002-09-16T07:10:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by scr4 \* > **Are these receivers usually capable of converting from one type of video signal to another? That is, if I connect a VCR to the composite input, and a TV to the S-video output, does the signal go through?** Mine does not, and mine was in the price range you’re looking at. I had to go out and buy a new VCR with s-video out for this very reason. I believe the salesman mentioned that some of the more expensive models allowed you to do this. I purchased my reciever well over a year ago now, so maybe more of the newer models have this capability. Sorry, don’t know the answer to your second question… ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656/3 "2002-09-16T07:32:37Z")
The yellow cable is an RCA COMPOSITE cable, not to be confused with the better quality, red, green and blue (off the top of my head w/o going to look at my TV), COMPONENT cables that are for high definition signals. The answer to the first part of your question is no. You have to go with either all component, or all S-Video. I am not sure I understand the second part. ---
**Author:** ![fatmac98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3ec8ea/32.png) [@fatmac98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fatmac98)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656/4 "2002-09-16T07:37:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fatmac98 \* > \*\* > > The answer to the first part of your question is no. You have to go with either all component, or all S-Video. \*\* I should have previewed. That line should read “The answer to the first part of your question is no. You have to go with either all COMPOSITE, or all S-Video.” S-Video is supposed to be better, but I honestly cannot tell the difference, and I have pretty quality stuff. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2002, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-theater-wiring-question/128656/5 "2002-09-16T08:11:19Z")
I’ve never done it myself, but could something like [this](http://www.cablesamerica.com/categories.asp?cat%5Fid=6800&source=overture) work in this particular situation?