problems with s-vhs

[myogenic]

i've been using s vhs composite, but have decided to go down the svhs route, but when i hook the lead up, its only in B&W. its probably a school boy error, but i now have no idea how to solve the problem, any ideas?


myogenic (http://www.myogenic.co.uk)

[wellREDman]

svideo consists of two separate signals, the colour information(chroma) and the black/white information (luma),
composite is where the whole signal goes down one wire.

so only getting a black and white signal could be one of a few things,
if you're using an svid cable between two svid pieces of kit then chances are youve got a duff/busted svid cable, which happens a lot as svid is not as robust as composite
if youre trying to use svid cable between kit that is actually composite with those svid to composite adaptors then yr out of luck, cos they merge the signals, not split them properly (although im not 100% on that one, its second hand knowledge )
or it may be that yr kit needs svideo enabled ?
or sometimes ntsc put thru pal kit sometimes comes out BnW?
any help?

[Ollie]

wellredman is basically right

you can't use svhs cables on equipment thats not svhs compatiable, i.e. has a svhs socket going in or out. I made the same mistake and bought a scart iN/out to svhs thinking it would enhance my capture from my vid-deck to computer, but the vid-deck did'nt support s-video and thus came out black and white.
i highly doubt its a problem with the cable. for now looks like your'll have to stick with composite.

ollie

and yeah s-vhs to composite comverters, do i belive just merge the signal down to one cable (comp), and i don't think you can use a little adapter for composite to s-vhs (anyway whats the point its not going to increase the resolution).

[myogenic]

right, well that clears that one up then!

cheers.

[wellREDman]

it is actually a common problem with svhs cables, and bizarely it always seems to be the luma that goes.
if it was me having the above problem it would be the first thing i'd check


oh and (switches to pedantic mode)
there is much confusion between svideo and svhs please try and not add to it ...

SVHS is a type of tape format, uses the same tape cartridge as VHS but records at better quality
Svideo (also known Technically as Y/C component ) is a type of signal as explained above.

you can have one or the other, or both on the same piece of kit.

[holly]

Yep, replace the cable. First thing to go is color. (I've never seen the luma go and leave weird colors, so I think if any of the cable fails it just looks b/w.)

Thanks Red, for being pedantic. It's important to not confuse format names. It's difficult enough to picture what someone is talking about when they are refering to a rig set-up. Much harder when the wrong terms are used.

By the way, Misty, there is a composite to S-vid adaptor from Radio Shack:http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/15/15-1238.jpg
$19.99 Brand: RadioShack
Catalog #: 15-1238 Model: 15-1238

At $20 it's a pricey little doo-dad, but sometimes you don't get to make decisions based on resolution and quality; sometimes you have to go with the cable or switchbay that's already there.

[myogenic]

thank you. I'm just a newbie, so i apologise for using the wrong terminology. I now stand corrected and promise to not confuse you too much more.



I think that its the kit i'm using, as the lead has only just been taken out of its shinny packaging, and i'm plugging it into a scart adaptor, so i'm presuming that what i'm plugging it into is not s-vid enabled.:D

[KillingFrenzy]

If you're going to be buying a bunch of S-video cables and adaptors, I highly recommend:
www.trianglecables.com

If you want sturdy cables for rough treatment at gigs, you might think about getting heavy, professional grade BNC cables. You can even split the y/c signal onto two BNCs for long runs.

I've been happy with the S-Cables from Triangle, but I sort of figure I'll lose one to attrition here and there because they aren't the heavy duty type. I've had pretty good luck so far, and very affordable.

[wellREDman]

Originally posted by holly
Yep, replace the cable. First thing to go is color. (I've never seen the luma go and leave weird colors, so I think if any of the cable fails it just looks b/w.)

the luma signal also contains the sync info i think, so if that went i guess it'd just be a mess

[LEVLHED]

a mess? beauty is in the eye of the rebelle-holder ;)

[wellREDman]

thers controlled mess and uncontrolled mess

[LightFantastik]

I have a different, yet related question...

When using a nice, high-end Epson projector that my friend owns, I've had problems with color signals being B/W. If I go RGB straight into the projector from the computer, we get a beautiful, bright, color image. If I go from the computer to the scan converter (Avermedia), then to the projector via S-Video -or- composite RCA, I get a black & white picture. The odd thing is that the scan converter works fine - if I use it on a regular TV, or other projectors, I get a normal, color signal from any of the outputs. It's only when I use the Epson projector (which has inputs, menus & settings up the wazoo).

Anyone know what's up ?

I could probably figure it out, but my friend is kinda anal about anyone messing with his projector. I'm lucky if he'll let me touch the remote, even though I know more about gear than he does (he just spent a shit-ton of money on it and is overprotective of it).

Thanks in advance :)

[wellREDman]

the beamer works fine with an svid/composite signal sent straight to it tho, form a deck or such?

[VirtualVisuals]

Hmmm... Presuming that you've got quality cables etc etc yadda yadda, I'd say that you are using either NTSC (Never Twice the Same Colour) or possibly even SECAM (although you don't get many SECAM scan converters) going into a PAL projector (or vice versa) or your projector may be 'listening' for of the many different flavours of PAL/NTSC etc.