Composite video is the most familiar format. It uses a single cable with RCA or Phono connections, usually colour coded. Composite refers to the fact that all components that make the video signal are combined into a single ‘composite’ signal. This means that the ‘Luminance’ (Black & White detail), ‘Hue’ (Red, Green & Blue colour balance), ‘Saturation’ (the richness of the colour) and sync pulses are all combined. The way in which these components are combined is determined by the colour-encoding format (e.g., NTSC, SECAM & PAL). PAL is the encoding video format used in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Composite video components can interact with one another, distorting the signal. In particular, this can occur when passing through cable, equipment or being recorded and played back.
S-Video
To avoid the picture degradation that can occur with composite video, manufacturers provide a different type of video output and input called S-Video. In S-Video format, the chrominance (all colour information) is kept separate from the luminance (Black & White information) and sync information. This reduces the possibility of interaction. S-Video signals are transferred via twin coaxial or shielded cables, which are usually fitted with a 4-pin mini DIN plug. Most equipment fitted with S-Video connectors also provides standard composite video connectors. S-Video can be recorded on videotape (S-VHS), where the two chrominance and luminance remain separated. In principal, the longer these two components remain separated within a system, the less degradation of the signal. It is generally better to use an S-Video connection as opposed to the lower quality composite video.
Component Video
Component video provides the best picture quality of all analogue formats. In component video, the components of the video signal are separated to a greater extent than S-Video, with less chance of them interfering. Instead of just separating the luminance/sync
and the chrominance (C) information, the chrominance information is further separated into its own two components, the B-Y (blue minus luminance, also called Cb or Pb) and R-Y (red minus luminance, also called Cr or Pr). Although not available on all video equipment, this type of connection is becoming more popular as it produces the best picture quality. The connections found are three RCA/Phono sockets, generally marked Y/R-Y/B-Y or Y/Cr/Cb and often coloured green, red and blue respectively.
RGB Video
RGB is similar to component and consists of the three basic colour components, red, green and blue. Sometimes the sync information is combined with the green video, and sometimes it's separated. It is used primarily in European equipment, where video connections between equipment are made using multi-way SCART connectors (20 pin oblong connectors). Like component video, RGB offers the potential of high image quality. RGB and Component video are not interchangeable and one type cannot be fed directly into the other. Equipment fitted with a SCART connector does not necessarily mean it is capable of handling RGB video. SCART connectors are used to convey all three types of video, Composite, S-Video and RGB.
RF
Well, we're not going to say much about RF. If you're using an RF adaptor we hope it's on your backup TV or something. You can't get any worse than RF.
no $poons for my efforts 
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