Is there an easy way to convert component signals to s-video

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I've seen a couple of expensive devices that convert component to s-video (http://www.svideo.com/ypbpr2svideo.html), but I was wondering if there is a simpler way of doing it. Does anyone have any experience in this?

[alec006]

Well what are you trying to convert anyway? Most video game systems have an option for S-Video output or can be modified for it. And sadly there isn't I don't believe, since component video is colour-difference signals YUV or YPbPr luminance (with sync), difference between blue and luma, & difference between red and luma, while S-Video is Y/C, separation of luminance and chrominance. Since they are just a tad different I think you need a transcoder which I don't understand why they cost so much.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

It's a long story, but basically I want to keep certain systems plugged into the TV via component, but before the signals reach the TV I want to split them and have half of everything going to a Dazzle, where I can record it. You can't record in component on a Dazzle. Another way of saying it is that I want to play in component, but record in s-video. Splitting a component signal is easy, but converting one of the splits to s-video, as you said, requires a box of some type. Like you, I don't understand why such a device is so expensive. Maybe it's because it's because there's not that many of them out there, since they are not hi-demand devices.

[Tokimemofan]

Every system except for the Gamecube and the probably the Wii that can do Component can do RGB. Try converting that instead. BTW RGB is available natively on far more systems than Component. The only thing you lose is the ability to rip DVD video discs, but in your setup that wouldn't be easy anyways.

[alec006]

Too bad your TV probably doesn't have a monitor out where you could record in composite. You have a few easy options thou. You could play in S-Video and record via composite, play in composite and record in S-video, or you could split S-Video and then be able to play and record.

Also with modern systems like the 360 & PS3 don't they have HDMI and Multi-Out? I have no idea if you can use both at the same time but if you can you could play using HDMI and output S-video from the multi-out ports. Or use an HDMI to component convertor and record in S-Video. Or, play in component video and record using a HDMI capture device, thou those are expensive as well. Again this is only if the systems will output on both.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Too bad your TV probably doesn't have a monitor out where you could record in composite.

Agreed, my LCD doesn't have a video out, just an audio out.

You have a few easy options thou. You could play in S-Video and record via composite, play in composite and record in S-video, or you could split S-Video and then be able to play and record.

My goal is to play in component, but record in s-video. Those options you mention are easy, but I enjoy the extra clarity that component provides.

Also with modern systems like the 360 & PS3 don't they have HDMI and Multi-Out? I have no idea if you can use both at the same time but if you can you could play using HDMI and output S-video from the multi-out ports. Or use an HDMI to component convertor and record in S-Video. Or, play in component video and record using a HDMI capture device, thou those are expensive as well. Again this is only if the systems will output on both.

I've been able to play and record fine with my PS3. It's like you said. I have an HDMI and S-video cable plugged into it at all times. When I want to record gameplay, I go through the PS3 menu and tell it to output s-video. You can't output both ways at the same time, as you suspected.

So the PS3 is fine, but my goal is to be able to record from my Wii, Gamecube, PS2, and original Xbox. I have them all routed though a component switchbox with four clickable buttons. Right now, when I go to record from one of them, I have to unhook the component connection and temporarily put in a composite or s-video cord. My goal is too eliminate this step (no unhooking). The Gamecube is reasonable because it has a separate output, like the PS3 does, but for the rest of them it looks like I'm going to have to get an expensive box.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Every system except for the Gamecube and the probably the Wii that can do Component can do RGB. Try converting that instead. BTW RGB is available natively on far more systems than Component. The only thing you lose is the ability to rip DVD video discs, but in your setup that wouldn't be easy anyways.

You might be on to something, but I don't completely understand. I'm playing on an LCD TV. It doesn't have any kind of SCART connection.

[Tokimemofan]

You might be on to something, but I don't completely understand. I'm playing on an LCD TV. It doesn't have any kind of SCART connection.

I remember a DIY project I saw a few years ago to convert RGB to s-video but can't find the link but this looks similar. http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/RGB_SVideo

Edit: Ideally you would use a SCART connector for the input on the circuit since cables are easy to acquire online or use RCA connectors. Your total cost should be less than $20, most of that being the AD724 IC

[shadowkn55]

You might want to try this before you take the plunge and buy some expensive converters. I did this on my pioneer dvd player which only does composite/component and hooked it up on my tv that only has composite/s-video inputs. I tried this with an Apple TV as well and it didn't work but another dvd player (Toshiba) I had did. Your mileage may be vary but it's worth a shot. You'll need two cables:

S-Video -> RCA cable (the kind with two cables coming out)
RCA y-cable

So what do you is connect the green plug into the one of the rca ends on the s-video cable that corresponds to the luma signal. Next you take the y-cable and plug in the blue/red cables into the end with two plugs on one side. Then you plug in the other end of the y-cable and connect it to the other rca plug on the s-video->rca cable. If you don't get a picture, swap the green and y-cable. If you still don't get anything, you'll probably need to get a converter.

[APE992]

You might be on to something, but I don't completely understand. I'm playing on an LCD TV. It doesn't have any kind of SCART connection.

I'm not sure I fully gather what you're after, few questions:

1)What console(s) are you wanting to play and record?
2)Are you using anything other than 480i with the component connection?
3)How much are you willing to spend?

[Tokimemofan]

For the systems you listed:
Playstation 2 http://us.playstation.com/ps2/access...ector-ps2.html they're quite rare but put it between the Component cable and the system.
Gamecube the cables use separate ports so you don't need anything special.
It's the others I don't know about.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

For the systems you listed:
Playstation 2 http://us.playstation.com/ps2/access...ector-ps2.html they're quite rare but put it between the Component cable and the system.

I don't think that helps me. If that is plugged into the back of my PS2, then there's no way to hook up via component. I want to split component, then have half of it go to the TV, and the other half get converted to s-video just before entering the Dazzle device.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I remember a DIY project I saw a few years ago to convert RGB to s-video but can't find the link but this looks similar. http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/RGB_SVideo

Edit: Ideally you would use a SCART connector for the input on the circuit since cables are easy to acquire online or use RCA connectors. Your total cost should be less than $20, most of that being the AD724 IC

I appreciate the suggestion, but that link shows something that's beyond my understanding. Also, I don't know how I could incorporate that small circuit into my Wii/PS2/ Gamecube/original X-box setup.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

You might want to try this before you take the plunge and buy some expensive converters. I did this on my pioneer dvd player which only does composite/component and hooked it up on my tv that only has composite/s-video inputs. I tried this with an Apple TV as well and it didn't work but another dvd player (Toshiba) I had did. Your mileage may be vary but it's worth a shot. You'll need two cables:

S-Video -> RCA cable (the kind with two cables coming out)
RCA y-cable

So what do you is connect the green plug into the one of the rca ends on the s-video cable that corresponds to the luma signal. Next you take the y-cable and plug in the blue/red cables into the end with two plugs on one side. Then you plug in the other end of the y-cable and connect it to the other rca plug on the s-video->rca cable. If you don't get a picture, swap the green and y-cable. If you still don't get anything, you'll probably need to get a converter.

Thanks. That sounds promising. Do you have a picture or link to a picture that shows the cords needed? I understand what a y-cable is, but not sure about the one with "two cables coming out."

[Tokimemofan]

I don't think that helps me. If that is plugged into the back of my PS2, then there's no way to hook up via component. I want to split component, then have half of it go to the TV, and the other half get converted to s-video just before entering the Dazzle device.

It does composite and s-video but also has a pass-thru port for standard Multiout cables. Normally they're used with guncons or other accessories that need access to a V-sync signal but this version has an s-video port. They were released to provide that capability after the SCPH-500X PlayStations dropped RCA outputs. The PS2 version added an S-video port. I use one myself when I need to do this on a non SCPH-100x PlayStation. There is even one for sale on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Playstation-...item53eb61a9b4

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

It does composite and s-video but also has a pass-thru port for standard Multiout cables. Normally they're used with guncons or other accessories that need access to a V-sync signal but this version has an s-video port. They were released to provide that capability after the SCPH-500X PlayStations dropped RCA outputs. The PS2 version added an S-video port. I use one myself when I need to do this on a non SCPH-100x PlayStation. There is even one for sale on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Playstation-...item53eb61a9b4

Thank you so much, I didn't see the pass-through port the first time I looked at it. If I'm correct in my thinking, I wouldn't be able to play in component while recording in composite (which is the ideal situation) because the PS2 can't output both signals at once. However, it does solve the problem of having to hook and unhook wires whenever I switch between recording and non-recording play sessions. I may have to purchase that device.

I wonder if the original X-box and Wii have a similar device.

[alec006]

Thank you so much, I didn't see the pass-through port the first time I looked at it. If I'm correct in my thinking, I wouldn't be able to play in component while recording in composite (which is the ideal situation) because the PS2 can't output both signals at once. However, it does solve the problem of having to hook and unhook wires whenever I switch between recording and non-recording play sessions. I may have to purchase that device.

I wonder if the original X-box and Wii have a similar device.

The original Xbox actually does have something like the PS2 only without another AV port on the box, it's called the Xbox Advanced AV Pack. It has Composite & S-Video along with analog Stereo audio and a Toslink (Optical) Out. I believe you can use both video and audio outs at the same time.

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-Advanced-.../dp/B0000C6EDK

[Tokimemofan]

Thank you so much, I didn't see the pass-through port the first time I looked at it. If I'm correct in my thinking, I wouldn't be able to play in component while recording in composite (which is the ideal situation) because the PS2 can't output both signals at once. However, it does solve the problem of having to hook and unhook wires whenever I switch between recording and non-recording play sessions. I may have to purchase that device.

I wonder if the original X-box and Wii have a similar device.

No, all outputs are active at the same time, it has active circuitry to do that, hence why you should never use it in combination with an RF unit as they both draw current.

[shadowkn55]

Thanks. That sounds promising. Do you have a picture or link to a picture that shows the cords needed? I understand what a y-cable is, but not sure about the one with "two cables coming out."

This is the cable I use. The two rca plugs each correspond to the different signals (chroma and luma). I believe the white plug is luma and the red plug is chroma.

white plug -> green
red plug -> red+blue (y-cable)

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...6-CABLE/1.html

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

This is the cable I use. The two rca plugs each correspond to the different signals (chroma and luma). I believe the white plug is luma and the red plug is chroma.

white plug -> green
red plug -> red+blue (y-cable)

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a...6-CABLE/1.html

I decided to go ahead and try this. I'll update as soon as the cable arrives. It may not work, but the cord was so cheap, I figure it's worth a try.