No color in PC-to-TV connection

[Gswiss]

I have an HP omnibook xt1000s running under XP Home which I connected to a TV set. Everything works fine except that I don't get any color on the tv set when I play a video DVD. I am using WinDVD 6.

The laptop has an S-VHS plug. The tv set has a scart. I plugged an adapter to the scart which can accommodate three RCA plugs and one S-video plug. I used a cable to connect the two devices through their S-video hubs. I used another cable for the sound which comes out fine (red and white RCA on scart adapter and dual plug into headphones on the laptop side).

I noticed that the female S-Video hub on the laptop can accommodate 7 pins. The S-VHS cable I am using has 4 pins on either side.

By the way, i noticed something similar when using a Pinnacle USB Moviebox to transfer Analog videocam tapes to pc. With a 3-RCA-type plug connection between videocam and Moviebox, image was colored in Studio 9 preview display. When using the S-VHS cable between the two devices, image was black and white on the preview

[Richard_G]

As your TV uses scart, I would think you are in Europe somewhere. The problem may be the cables but more likely the setting on your TV. When using the scart you have to select the appropriate one (AV1, AV2 or whatever). Not all scart sockets are wired for S-Video, you often find a TV has one that is S-Video compatible and one that is RGB compatible. Once you have selected the correct scart input, you should be able to select composite or S-Video. On my Sony, the symbol in the corner of the screen will show AV1 or AV1S depending on what mode it is in. On some TVs you simply step through the options, on others (Panasonic for instance) you select the correct scart socket then switch between composite and S-Video using the coloured teletext buttons on the remote. I've even found some TVs (Hitachi, I think) that have a switch next to the scart socket to select between the two types of input.

Your best bet is going to be to read the TV manual.

[Heavensent]

check pal / ntsc maybe ?

[Gswiss]

Thank you Richard_G, you hit it right on the nail. I also have a European Sony TV model. I was using the wrong Scart hub. I didn't even have to change anything on the TV options menu.

I had already used the TV to play videocam cassettes and I probably had used the appropriate scart hub without realising it.

[Richard_G]

Thanks for the update, glad I could be of help.