What is the difference between YC and SVHS? Can the two be Interchangeable?

S-VHS is a specific format that uses Y/C (separate signal path for Luminance and Chrominance) as part of its specifications. S-VHS was invented by JVC and has a better signal to noise ratio and higher resolution than VHS. It records to a denser magnetic oxide formulation tape, that is the same size (1/2 inch) as VHS. Many components use separate signal paths for Y/C because of better signal to noise ratio and other factors that improve the image.

Thanks Jeff, so in a nutshell, I can plug a SVHS output to a Y/C input?

Ahhh, they are the same. I thought you were saying that.

http://www.studio1productions.com/Articles/YCConnect.htm

Note that there are 2 different concepts here.

S-VHS (also called Super-VHS) is a standard for video tape recorders.

Such a tape deck will usually have an S-Video connection out (with Y/C separated).

Thus, as far as I know, S-VHS is a type of VCR, S-video is a connection standard.

So to sum up: S-video and Y/C output are pretty much the same thing, while S-VHS and Y/C are 2 rather different things.

Thanks for that clarification...that's why the lady at the electronics store looked at me like I was crazy when I asked for a SVHS cable! She kept insisting that it was a S-Video cable, oh well.

All analog comsumer VCR's have Y/C internally split and record in "color under" mode. S-VHS and VHS have exactly the same reduced bandwidth for the chroma components. S-VHS allows more resolution for the luma (Y) part.