On a conventional (non-HD,non Plasma, etc) which is better:

S-Video

or

Component cable setup

Like I said I do not have HD, Plasma, or any other HD television, just a standard RCA 32" TV with Componet and S-video inputs in the back. My Xbox 360 is hooked up via component, and the picture is great even without HD. However, if S-video is just as good, i can hook my 360 up to my reciever so i can have one-touch system switching. Right now I have to switch my TV and my Reciever to use my 360 since the 360 is the only thing not running video through the reciever...everything else (Dvd,Gamecube,PS2,Wii,Xbox CE,Cable) is running through the reciever.

 

Component is better than S-Video, HDMI is better than Component.

 

If those are your only choices then component would be the better of the 2.

 

I would hook it so you don't have to switch it back and forth. You're not going to notice a huge difference especially on a 32" older tv.

 

well, its not an old tv, only about 2 years. But I play Halo2 a lot, and with the componet cable i noticed 100% clearer picture, even without an HDTV. Some day, when I get a 42" plasma, i will use HDMI. And if its better than S-Video, i think i shall keep it hooked up how it is...i suppose its not too much of a hassle to switch the tv lol.