Don't get lost with all these new types of connections. With the RCA, S-Video, Component Video, and Toslink from my DVD player. I have done some reading in hope to clarify your question but I got better results from just trying out the different cables to see and hear what the difference is.

I wanted to achieve the best optimal picture quality from my player and so I tried all connections. With S-video, I was able to get a much better and sharper image onto my Sony TV. A leap from the conventional RCA video! But after reading my DVD operating manual I read that I can get a much better image using the so called “Component Video”, which are the green, blue, and red jacks, plus my TV has the same jacks. My curiosity pushed me to try this, and my first reaction was, WOW! Not only did I get an even better image quality from the S-Video, but now the colors are more real, natural, and less noise.

As for the Toslink jack, I have yet to find out more about it.

HipAudioChick