COMPOSITE VIDEO
A composite video signal refers to an analog video signal format that carries both the luminance (brightness) and chrominance (color) information of a video signal combined into a single waveform.
In the context of CRT displays, the composite video signal is typically generated by a video source, such as a VCR, DVD player or a gaming console and transmitted to the CRT monitor or television. The signal is usually connected using a single cable with RCA or BNC connectors.
Once received by the CRT display, the composite video signal is processed and decoded to separate the luminance and chrominance components. The luminance information represents the black and white details of the image, while the chrominance information conveys the color content.
Inside the CRT monitor, the electron beam scans across the phosphor-coated screen, illuminating the pixels based on the received video signal. The composite video signal controls the intensity of the electron beam to display the desired brightness and color at each pixel location on the screen.
However, it's important to note that composite video signals have certain limitations in terms of image quality and color accuracy. Due to the combined nature of the signal, there may be some loss of detail and color separation, resulting in a slightly lower quality image compared to other video signal formats, such as component video or digital signals.
Despite its limitations, composite video signals were widely used in CRT technology, being compatible with standard television formats like NTSC, PAL, and SECAM. They played a significant role in the era of analog video transmission and were commonly utilized in home entertainment, broadcasting, and video game consoles of the time.