Two Video Formats

• A video signal contains information for synchronization, brightness and the primary video colors red, blue and green. The composite video format combines all signals together into one, usually available on a yellow, coaxial "video out" connector on a VHS player or other device that puts out a video signal. However, the S-video format separates the sync and brightness from the color information and sends the signal out on a round, four-pin connector from any device that supports S-video, including some VHS players.
  
  

S-video Input

• The input to any device that supports the two-signal S-video format should have a found, four-pin connector. However a seven-pin connector, mistakenly called S-video, could accept other video signal formats as well, including composite or component video, which separates the signal into three parts. A computer or a video card that has either of these connectors may or may not be able to accept the output of a VHS player, depending on the make, model and programming of the card.
  
  

The Video Card

• A video card, depending on its options, can be programmed to send or receive any video format. If it has only a round, yellow connector, it will support composite video with any device with a similar connector. If it has a round, four-pin connector, it will support S-video with any device that supports that format. If it has a seven-pin connector, it may support either composite, S-video or component video, depending on how it is programmed. But it may need an adapter to make the connection.
  
  

Direct VHS Connection

• The video output from a VHS player can be either composite or S-video. The yellow composite output connects directly to yellow input connector on a video card of a computer. If the VHS player puts out S-video on a four-pin connector, it can connect directly to a video card with a four-pin connector. It can also connect to a yellow, composite video connector on a video card by using an adapter that combines the two signals together. However, a composite signal cannot be divided to work in a device with an S-video input.
  
  

The Seven-Pin Connector

• If the video card or computer has a round, seven-pin connector frequently but mistakenly called an "S-video connector," the make, model and programming of the video card dictates which video format it will support. Most will accept an output from a VHS player, but need the proper programming and adapter defined by the manufacturer. Exact instructions may be available from the video card instruction manual or the manufacturer's website.