Just for trivia, I did read that there were proprietary systems that used component on VHS, probably for scientific or surveillance use in previous decades. Also Betacam SP supposedly used some kind of interleaved component format. I've recreated the technique myself and it looks great!

The professional "VHS" equivalent to Betacam was Panasonic's "M" format, which used VHS shell tapes and recorded in a component format. They later updated it to "M II" with metal tapes to compete with Betacam SP. Both formats flopped. Sony might have lost the consumer market, but they managed to successfully out-market Panasonic in the professional VTR business.

Many Panasonic combo units have component out and even HDMI out. I have one, but like the others said, theres probably not no advantage to playing a VHS through component.

Some interesting tidbits from jmac698 and NJRoadfan.

Like Cyclone82 said,