Probably a stupid question - RCA -> S-VIDEO

[Dkolacz]

Hello,

I have 2 VCRS and a TBC-1000.

The JVC 9911 has a S-VIDEO output.

My older Sony has RCA output only.

2 questions.....

I realize that adding an RCA -> S-VIDEO adapter to the Sony and connecting to the TBC-1000 via S-Video will not gain me anything, but will I lose anything??? Should I stay with RCA for the Sony???

Also, if tapes are not SVHS, would I be better off using the RCA output on the JVC????

Thanks

[churchie04]

First off, by RCA i believe you mean composite video, RCA refers to the red/white audio cables usually bundled with they yellow composite video cable.

To answer your first question, obviously you won't gain anything. BUT in my experience it is actually possible to loose something. Recently I tried capturing video using a composite->s-video cable on a caputre card and I had a lot of video interference, when i switched to a straight composite cable, all was fixed.

If both devices have composite video then use that. ALways safe to go with the least common denominator with video input/outputs.

[dvd3500]

The more number of links, the weaker the chain.

[edDV]

...

To answer your first question, obviously you won't gain anything. BUT in my experience it is actually possible to loose something. Recently I tried capturing video using a composite->s-video cable on a caputre card and I had a lot of video interference, when i switched to a straight composite cable, all was fixed.

A composite (NTSC or PAL) input first goes to a Y/C (luminance/chrominance) splitter on the capture card. The idea is to keep luminance out of the chroma path and chroma out of the luminance path.

The S-Video input carries Y and C on separate coax (4pins). This input enters the signal path after the Y/C splitter keeping everything separate.

If you use a S-Video to composite adapter in the reverse direction what you are doing is putiing composite into both Y and C bypassing the splitter. This assures that you get maximum luminance contaminating chrominance and maximum chrominance contaminating luminance. This is the worst of all outcomes.

Used in the correct direction at the output, S-Video (Y/C) will sum to composite through the adapter without a problem.

[edDV]

This may make the signal path easier to follow.

...

Also, if tapes are not SVHS, would I be better off using the RCA output on the JVC????

Most people don't realize that both VHS and SVHS split into Y/C components for recording to tape. A SVHS machine with S-Video out will output those Y/C components for either VHS or SVHS directly to the Y/C path of the capture card thus avoiding the infamous Y/C splitter, the source of many crosstalk problems.

If the Y/C components are added into a composite connection, the composite signal must be routed to the Y/C splitter to again separate Y and C.

[ktnwin]

The more number of links, the weaker the chain.

I totally agree, the strongest chain has no link to break - hehe.

[julitomg]

I also have a S-VHS (ET)VCR, and a regular VHS(but not the luxury of a TBC)...whenever I capture from VHS(even from regular Non-S-VHS tapes), I ALWAYS USE the S-VHS Deck because of it´s S-Video Output, and wheter it´s S-VHS or VHS, the quality will be better than to use composite out(RCA type)...just the same as to use a Hi-8deck or camera will benefit(if you use S-Video)your regular 8mm. tapes, and before we get another lecture in video signal specs and theory, what I mean for better quality is the least degradation of your image.
And as it´s been pointed out, simple RCA to S-Video adapters are definitive No No´s...stay away from them, you certainly don´t need ´em