I used component once back in highschool. It was for a video graphics unit. The monitors were not in the best condition and so it is kind of hard to judge from that, but I don't think you will get alot of difference from a CRT television. If you have a LCD or plasma TV you might get a more noticeable difference, but I don't have experience with those. Keep in mind though that my experience is from the same time period as yours
