Worth getting an S-Video cable for PS1?

[RetroRich]

is there really that big of a difference? i've read that it makes some games look worse because it brings out pixel jaggedness, etc

[Aussie2B]

YES. A million times yes. I think it's probably more beneficial to PS1 than any other system I upgraded to S-video. Once you get used to playing PlayStation with S-video, it'll look like absolute mud on composite. I can't think of anything that I felt looked worse because of S-video. I could probably say as much for any system I have hooked up via S-video. There aren't any drawbacks to my eyes.

[Dangerboy]

^^^^

I have had PSX in S-Video, 1080p HDMI via PS3, Component via PS2, Upscaled from S-Video through 720p, and SCART to Component via convertor.

On a standard TV, S-Video and Component via SCART adapter are fairly close. S-Video is a bit washed out; SCART brings the colors out like a magic trip. FF8 looked absolutely gorgeous.

On my HDMI monitor, the Upscaler is the best choice.

Totally worth the upgrade though. Just make sure you get a nice S-Video cord, as some of the generic AV / S-Video cords are stinky poo.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Get a Sony S-Video cable. The PS3 one can be bought at several places and works with the PS1 and PS2.

[Zing]

I debated switching to s-video for a long while. The PlayStation composite output is very good. With a CRT containing a good comb filter, the difference is minimal. I have never seen any rainbowing or dot crawl on my Sony CRT, unlike with the Super NES.

However, text and very small details are much more sharp with s-video. Overall, I now believe that s-video is the output of choice. The only minor trade-off is that dithering becomes more noticeable. For example, smoke clouds.

[RetroRich]

is a official sony cable the one to get? anyone have experience with the cheaper ones on ebay?

[theclaw]

SNES/Genesis type 2D games will gain immensely.

PS1 3D is so low res and little to no anti aliasing or texture filters, that I don't see much of a way to help it.

[kedawa]

I've been very happy with the s-video output on the PS1, even with cheaper 3rd party cables.
For games like XCOM that have small text, it's pretty much a necessity.

[BlastProcessing402]

is a official sony cable the one to get? anyone have experience with the cheaper ones on ebay?

I don't know what they're selling on ebay, but I've always used the cheapo ones and never have had issues with them. Most of the ones I have are multisystem ones, and so long as you don't try to hook up more than one system at a time, they're just fine.

The first one I got that was just for PSX had an extra little dealy on it so you could hook a guncon up to it (I guess normally that needs a composite hookup) but I don't play that sort of game (plus my PSX actually had composite jacks right on the system) so I never bothered with it. Not that lightguns work with modern HD sets anyway, but if you were planning to play on an older TV and play these games, just something to be aware of.

[MachineGex]

You will notice a pretty good difference. Even the Sony logo at startup looks much sharper (no bleeding). What I noticed, was darker games like Resident Evil, show the browns and grays more. Instead of just seeing black, you can see texture on walls.