Black-and-white video through S-Video connection

[gravesend46]

Hi, I'm trying to capture video using an AverTV 203 card and Power VCR II software. Using my composite connections, everything's fine. However, using S-Video/S-VHS as the source, the picture is in black and white.

Someone else suggested my VCR (which only has a SCART output and nothing else) is not capable of colour output (?) through S-Video.

If this is correct, does anyone know of any cheap-model VCRs that have the appropriate S-Video output?

Thanks in advance!

[ajrecs]

Did you unplug the composite cables when trying the S-video? If they are still plugged in, you may not get color data on the S-video connection.

[Dave B]

Your friend is probably right. Whilst the SCART plug allows both Composite and SVideo signals (but not at the same time) most low end VCRs support only composite output.

If your VCR does support SVideo output then you will probably have to set it as an option within the VCR menus.

For what its worth I can't tell the difference between a Composite source and an SVideo source after the captured video has been encoded to a standard VCD.

BTW.. are you actually from Gravesend in the UK?

[gravesend46]

It's a Sony VCR, the model number of which I don't have, but it's a few years old so I doubt it supports SVideo output. The composite capture was fairly blocky, even at SVCD, although my composite plugs were the cheapest you're likely to encounter - have since upgraded to more expensive gold ones, but haven't yet tried capturing with those.

BTW.. are you actually from Gravesend in the UK?

Yes! Born and bred and follower of the local football club! Do you know it?

[weeyoo]

this happened to me before...it was the cable. there are very small prongs on the ends of the cable, if these get bent, you could lose color. Look inside the plug, monster cable, because it is gold, and soft, is notorious for this.

[Dave B]

Yes! Born and bred and follower of the local football club! Do you know it?

I used to live just down the road. Went to see them play Villa in the FA Cup a few years ago!! :P