component video (CV)

Component video is a high-quality video used for magnetic tape recording. It consists of three independent video signals: the luminance signal (Y) and the two color difference signals, R-Y and B-Y or Cb and Cr.

In the PAL television standard, the color difference signals are reduced in level and limited in video bandwidth and are referred to as the V and U signals; in the NTSC standard, as "I" and "Q". In component video, all three signals are transmitted, processed and recorded separately.

The component signal has a higher picture resolution, because in the television studio the full bandwidth of 5 MHz is available to each of the three signals. In addition, the three component signals do not influence each other and have no interference, and there are no cross-color effects because the luminance and the two chrominance signals are separate.