(didn't know where to post this): Need to know what s-video adapter to buy

[canadianjameson]

Hi,

A year or two back I bought one of those was a 24ft s-video to RCA adapter cables to connect my computer to my TV.

The problem is that I recently upgraded my video card to the 7800GTX, and now the S-Video connector I used to plug into the video card will no longer fit because the new card has a TV-Out connector with 9 pins, and the plug i have is a 7-pin connector --> this one http://www.svideo.com/prosvideo24.html (which worked on my last card)

Now I have been trying to identify exactly how I can do this; I'm hoping that you can help me identify the proper solution:
This is my card: http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=0&model=546&modelmenu=1

some of the video-out features of this card are:

* Dual-link DVI capability to drive the industry's largest and highest resolution digital flat panel displays up to 2560x16001
* Integrated HDTV encoder provides analog TV-output (Component/Composite/S-Video) up to 1080i resolution

How can i go about getting this to work with my TV again? What are my options? Do 7-9 pin adapters exist? If nobody knows, where should i look?

Thanks,

Jay

[DB83]

You could always try ebay for the 9 pin connector at

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=s-video+9+pin&category0=

Looking at these, you can then connect your tv by using a long RCA cable. And I'm sure you can get these on Ebay as well.

[redwudz]

That 9 pin socket has more than one video type output. You should have got a adapter with the card that has the regular component, S-Video outputs and plugs into that socket. Then a regular S-video to composite adapter might work. But that depends if it has a separate pin for composite out. That's how my cards are set up, anyway. To go from the 9 pin socket directly to composite, you would have to know which pins to use or you could damage the card.

[canadianjameson]

hmmm, this does look like what i need

http://cgi.ebay.com/9-PIN-S-VIDEO-TO-RCA-TV-ADAPTER-FOR-NVIDIA-ATI-Display_W0QQitemZ11...QQcmdZViewItem

However i need your expert opinion: this looks like i would plug this adapter into my card, and plug the 4-pin s-video cable i have into the adapter.... so then what would i do with the extra RCA ports on the adapter?? I wouldnt need to plug anything into them because the S-Video cable (link in post #1) splits into RCA cables which plug into my TV.

Would i just leave them open?

[DB83]

So your cable only has 4 pins ? I thought you said it had 7.

If it has 4 pins then yes, you should be able to plug that into the adapter.

The other connectors would not be used if you are using a s-video to RCA (tv end) connection and can be left open.

[jagabo]

Something like this?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=220177

[redwudz]

Something like this?

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=220177

That's fairly similar to what came with my Nvidia card, including the 9 pin Din plug, but mine just has component and S-video out, no composite. I haven't tried a S-video>composite adapter with it, though.

EDIT: canadianjameson,

I may be missing something after re-reading your initial post. I understood you were converting a S-Video jack to composite? Composite would also be the yellow RCA jack on that adapter. The other three RCA jacks are the component video. If you are just using composite, then you could also just use a RCA patch cord the right length from the yellow jack to the TV RCA video in.

But your adapter cable apparently plugs into the S-video and the 1/8" audio line out on your audio card. Then it has composite out, and R and L audio, all in RCA plugs at the TV end. Then it should work with that E-Bay or jagabo's adapter.

And I'm sure you are aware RCA composite will give you the lowest quality TV picture, then S-video, then component and then the digital formats of DVI or HDMI for the best.

Sorry for the confusion on my part.

[canadianjameson]

Hi all,

Thank you for your help

I have double checked, and the adapter will in fact work

My video card, the ASUS 7800GTX --> http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=6&l3=0&model=546&modelmenu=1 appears to have multiple video out methods (lol, but just to make sure... if I were to buy a new TV... which one would I use to get the best quality? DVI?)

Thank you all! lol, now i just have to find an adapter distributor that will ship to canada / from canada at a reasonable price

[redwudz]

Good news. As I mentioned, digital TV formats are generally the best. DVI or HDMI, then analog component, then analog S-video, then analog composite, in order of quality.

[jagabo]

You can use a DVI cable if your HDTV has a DVI input. Or a DVI -> HDMI cable if your TV only has HDMI inputs.

Most TV's will overscan HDMI inputs. DVI may not be overscanned.

[canadianjameson]

perfect, thank you all!

oh, and Merry Christmas!