RCA vs. S-video

Question

Being that the new displays only work with the new generation MBP's (I think, right?) I found a great compromise.
I'm now looking for a great t.v. that will serve two purposes. Being my television and main display for the MBP. I just need to know who wins the battle? RCA or S-video.
I'm almost positive I'm not the only one who isn't curious about this, so why not post some recommendations on displays? inches and price aren't a big concern. Though I am not Job's himself.

Answer 1

RCA refers to the shape of the plug. There are two common video formats that use RCA: composite and component.
Composite is an analog signal that combines luminance, hue, and saturation on a single cable using a technique called frequency-division multiplexing. The mixing of the signals introduces some distortion and noise which leads to lower picture quality. A modern HDTV will convert the signal to 480i resolution. The aspect ratio of the picture is not transmitted, but it's basically standard 4:3 TV.
S-Video is similar to composite, but uses a 4-pin DIN connector that separates the luminance from the chrominance (hue and saturation) into two different signals. The result is that the signal is clearer and there's more definition. A modern HDTV will convert the signal to 480i resolution. The aspect ratio of the picture is not transmitted, but it's basically standard 4:3 TV.
Component video uses RCA-style connectors like composite video does, but it uses a separate connector for each portion of the signal (again, luminance, hue, and saturation). The result is the highest possible definition for an analog signal, provided the source. It comes in two flavors, but only one is used in modern TVs: YPbPr. This gives the highest definition of any of the analog video formats and the best color reproduction, though perhaps not as true as RGB composite video (what's used in VGA computer monitors). It's standard-definition 480i like the other 2 above.
If you are going to buy a digital TV, however, you probably want to use a digital input. This has the advantage that you can use the native resolution of your digital TV set, have a perfectly sharp picture, and have the maximum range of colors available. There are two common standards found on HDTV sets: DVI and HDMI. HDMI is the most common. DVI is the native standard for Macs prior to the new display-port MacBook Pros. Adapters to go from your Mac to DVI or HDMI are available. The digital standards provide the best possible picture, but at the cost that the cables need to be <15' in length (less than 10' is best).
One thing to note: the resolution and color range of an HDTV is generally much less than that of an LCD monitor, and they typically cost much more (they incorporate tuners and other controls). The highest resolution of an HDTV is going to be 1920x1080@60Hz.