Question Regarding Composite-to-S-Video Adapters

[nildem]

Here's my predicament. While my TV does have both Composite and S-Video rear inputs, they share the same L/R audio inputs and my TV will only allow one video input to be used at once. If I use both at once, my TV will only recognize the S-Video input.

I have several consoles that I would like to hook up to this TV, but I only own composite video cables for them.

I have a monsterous switchbox that is hooked up through S-Video.

I was wondering if one of these (http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?sourceid=qIbKQVtrViHOAlqabt4b&invtid=4PINS-VIDEO) would allow me to hook these consoles up using the S-Video switchbox. ??? I'm not looking for an increase in signal quality or anything, just the convenience of not having to mess around behind my TV whenever I want to play Genesis.

[davidleeroth]

Yes and no. If you connect the adapter to switchbox S-video out (and therefore composite to TV), there shouldn't be problems (of course) but AFAIK composite to S-video (connecting the adapter to switchbox S-video in) requires a more complex separator.

In theory, the signal will be a bit worse than composite but I don't think it will be anything noticeable.

[FABombjoy]

No, that cable won't work. It should, but every one that I've tried simply dumps the chroma signal, so everything will be in black and white. You need to find a composite -> s-video adapter that isn't sold at a computer store.

[davidleeroth]

Thanks for the info, I'm really surprised to hear that.

What's the point of the cable if it dumps the C? I mean how expensive adding a capacitor to chroma line could be when that's all it takes for it to work? x_x

[FABombjoy]

Got me. I tried to use one that came with my video card to convert s-vid to composite and all I got was a B&W picture. Same results for a friend of mine. Of course, YMMV, but I'd seek a different adapter. Another guy I know actually had found a switchbox that would convert composite into s-video. Don't remember the brand, tho.

[davidleeroth]

Just guessing but could it be the video card? AFAIK different manufacturers use a different pin layouts on their cards. Well anyways, if someone decides to put $1.75 down for one, let me know if it works.

[FABombjoy]

I was using it to bench test an s-video mod on a composite-only video monitor. No computer hardware involved.

[john_soper]

I bought a $21 dollar Radio Shack adapter that coverts between composite and s-video. It seems to work fine but the s-video output won't have s-video sharpness. It can't work magic, your tv will always have a better separation filter

[The Manimal]

Got me. I tried to use one that came with my video card to convert s-vid to composite and all I got was a B&W picture. Same results for a friend of mine. Of course, YMMV, but I'd seek a different adapter. Another guy I know actually had found a switchbox that would convert composite into s-video. Don't remember the brand, tho.


I have one that does, and it is a JVC.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD0600000&pathId=94

[davidleeroth]

Got me. I tried to use one that came with my video card to convert s-vid to composite and all I got was a B&W picture. Same results for a friend of mine. Of course, YMMV, but I'd seek a different adapter. Another guy I know actually had found a switchbox that would convert composite into s-video. Don't remember the brand, tho.


I have one that does, and it is a JVC.

http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?productId=PRD0600000&pathId=94

At $800 I would be pretty pissed if it didn't. :P

[The Manimal]

I paid $300 less. It's really nice, though I don't think it converts S-VIDEO to COMPONENT....just:

COMPOSITE <-> S-VIDEO
either way...in case you only have COMPOSITE on your TV/Projector.

You can do all sorts of things with it but I haven't actually taken advantage of the features like recording from sources 1, 3, and 4 to input 5 while recording from sources 2 and 6 to input 8. :P