Composite video from dvd versus from camera?

[elliptic]

I've a weird problem with a new portable screen display. It's the Pyle View PLMN9SU. It's an interesting device with composite video input, SD/mmc card support, mini-USB input, AV input, and a rechargeable internal battery. I think it's designed to be display for DVD players and I bought it because it's advertised with 'AV input'. What I'd like to do is hook various cameras to the monitor via composite video and use it as a portable monitor. But no matter how I connect cameras to the monitor I get no video at all. Yet when I connect a DVD player or an old VCR using their composite video output it works fine. So my question is what's the difference from video output from a DVD player and video ouput from a composite video camera. I thought maybe my camera was too hi resolution and dropped back to an old res camera I still get no video.

Alternatively how can I get composite video converted to usb port input. I tried an rca to usb cable laying around and still nada.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Cornucopia]

Couldn't get the manual, but from the photos:
The AV-input jack has a standard 35mm TRRS (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) connection, which supports Composite video + Stereo Audio. The Y-cable splits to Composite (Yellow), LeftAudio(White) and RightAudio(Red) RCA plugs.

If a DVDplayer's composite out (with audio) going to that AV input works, and a Camera's Composite out (Yellow only?) doesn't work, either the setup requires there be an audio signal (even if it's silent), or there is something wrong with the device or with the camera(s). Or the cable has a bad connection in it somewhere (replace cable to check on this).

Tell us more about the actual models (#s) of your devices (cameras, dvd players, etc) and which connections you are using with the camera. It could be you are using an output which isn't really "composite". Does it connect correctly and show video when going straight from camera to VCR composite in? or Camera to regular TV composite in?

RCA-to-USB would just complicate matters...

ISOLATE the offending part of the chain.

Scott

[elliptic]

Couldn't get the manual, but from the photos:
The AV-input jack has a standard 35mm TRRS (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) connection, which supports Composite video + Stereo Audio. The Y-cable splits to Composite (Yellow), LeftAudio(White) and RightAudio(Red) RCA plugs.
Tell us more about the actual models (#s) of your devices (cameras, dvd players, etc) and which connections you are using with the camera. It could be you are using an output which isn't really "composite". Does it connect correctly and show video when going straight from camera to VCR composite in? or Camera to regular TV composite in?

ISOLATE the offending part of the chain.

Scott

I'm trying to get the LTS camera (model CMR8263B) to display on the Pyle View PLMN9SU. The camera has a BNC cable output. I use a BNC to RCA adapter and then plug in to an input port on my TV. Camera video displays as it should. So BNC to RCA adapter works. As you stated the display comes with a 3 (rca composite) to 1 (3.5mm composite plug). I've plugged the composite outputs from my Sony DVD (model BD570) into the AV input on the display. The DVD correctly displays audio and video on monitor. So 3 to 1 cable works as should. While playing the DVD I disconnect the yellow cable from the DVD and connect it to the camera with a female to female rca adapter. I test this adapter with multimeter and signal and ground map through as should without any short,. So audio is still coming from the DVD and video from the camera. Unless audio and video must be synchronized somehow I have audio input from my DVD and Video from the camera simultaneously. No video or audio output.

Also I took audio and video outputs from an old vcr. Audio and video together work on the display. If I disconnect video output audio output stops. If I disconnect audio output video still displays on monitor.

I've tested my video cable/adapter chain end to end and video comes through on my tv input port. To restate my camera has video out like this..

bnc(male) to bnc(female),
TO rca male adapter,
TO rca female/female adapter,
TO rca male/male cable to
rca input video on tv.

camera output works well..some minor noise in video signal. In this test I use the extra (unneeded) adapters to prove final cable is working and female/female adapter has no problems.

[Cornucopia]

I am stumped....

Btw, that sounds like you could do with a more streamlined adapter chain (would improve the "noise").

Scott

[elliptic]

I am stumped....

Btw, that sounds like you could do with a more streamlined adapter chain (would improve the "noise").

Scott

The length of the chain was to prove all links worked. The female-female to male-male at the end are added only to show composite video worked through the female-female adapter.

I'm wondering if this problem has something to do with a need for RF modulation. The Pyle manual refers to this thing as a tv like device with channel up/down controls and PAL/NTSC selection. It's the only thing I can think of is that DVD players and VCRs may add RF on output. Unfortunately the manual is in Chinese-speak translation with horrible misspelling. They tell you for example to stay out of water and to avoid thunder and lightning but leave out technical specifications. I'll never understand why companies providing technology to the U.S. market don't spend a $100 bucks to have a 10-page leaflet correctly translated.

[Cornucopia]

No, RF and composite are 2 totally separate things. Dvd & vcr outputs usually include rf modulation on ch 3 or 4 using an F-type/coaxial connector. Rca rarely contains rf-modulated signals (I would say NEVER, but I'm leaving open the possibility).

Scott

<edit> I'm guessing its the camera. I mean, heck, its a security cam. Those are notorious for using proprietary settings.

[elliptic]

I'm guessing its the camera. I mean, heck, its a security cam. Those are notorious for using proprietary settings.

Two of the 9 comments at Amazon indicate other people cannot get composite video to work. So I'm guessing the other end of the chain. Scott thanks much for the help.