What type of video signal results in lower quality, especially with complex scenes?

Composite video is the type of video signal that results in lower quality, particularly when dealing with complex scenes. This is primarily because composite video combines all video information, including luminance (Y) and chrominance (C), into a single signal. As a result, the separation of color information from brightness can lead to significant issues, particularly in scenes with a lot of motion or intricate details. The mixing of these elements can cause color bleed and reduced clarity, making details harder to discern, especially in fast-moving or detailed images.

In contrast, component video separates the video into distinct components, allowing for better clarity and detail, while HD-SDI and digital video formats support higher resolutions and better compression methods. These formats can manage complex scenes much more effectively than composite video, thus providing superior image quality and overall performance.