tetlee pretty much sums it all up
with gamecube you have a variety of cables. Ill write them down from bad to best available:
-RF modulator
-composite cable (yellow/white/red cinch)
-S-video (only compatible with NTSV gamecubes)
-RGB (only compatible with PAL gamecubes)
-component/D-terminal video cable: component=blue/red/green cinch. D-terminal japanese standard=same as component. These cables however, only output video, you'll still need the composite cable for sound.
If you have an HDTV or EDTV i would go with component cables as it anbles 480progressive scan, wich means gamecube produces only progressive frames (whole frames) per second instead of interlaced (half frames). If you have a progressive scan capable TV you'll enjoy a much clearer picture with almost none interference and much more vibrant colors.
However, if you plan to go with component, there are a few things you'll have to keep in mind:
-nsure you have a gamecube with digital out (
http://ramblings.narrabilis.com/imag...cube_ports.jpg left port)
Also you must play only ntsc wich are capable with prog. scan. Almost any nintendo title is. Here is a good site wich refers to the ntsc versions capable of 480p (prog. scan):
HDTV Arcade Discussion -> HDTV Arcade GameCube database
please note that you can play these games with a PAL cube supporting 480p (if you have the digital out that is) , but you'll need to use free loader.
Finaly, you'll need to make up for yourself if you want 480p and/or if you find it worth the hassle finding these games. Also be sure to know wich games support 480p. If you only like/want games wich aren't capable of 480p in either PAL and NTSC version, then dont bother with the component cable but go for RGB instead.
Bottom line: if you have/want 480p games and have a (large) LCD/Plasma tv capable with prog. scan go for component. If not: go for RGB (if you have a PAL cube) or S-video (if you have a NTSC cube)
good luck