RGB to S-Video Convertor

[dzachau]

I stumbled across a device called a: RGB to S-Video and Composite Video Convertor. Reading a little, the description says S-Video produces a superior picture. Currently I am running my TV cable directly into my Hauppauge 350 TV card. Is an "RGB to S-Video and Composite Video Convertor" a device that could be hooked up to the cable, prior to the cable entering the TV Card, to improve picture quality?? If not, what is this device used for??

Thanks!

[junkmalle]

Is an "RGB to S-Video and Composite Video Convertor" a device that could be hooked up to the cable, prior to the cable entering the TV Card, to improve picture quality?? If not, what is this device used for??

It's for converting a computer's VGA (analog RGB) output to s-video or composite.

[The_Doman]

It's for converting a computer's VGA (analog RGB) output to s-video or composite.

That could be but probably in this case it's only a converter for RGB PAL video.
In europe it's regularly used to convert the RGB (SCART) signal from digital cable boxes to S-video/composite video.
Using S-Video instead of composite can make quite a difference.
Specially if you use the newer PAL Hauppauge cards (150/500) because the composite signal handling is of terrible quality.
http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=4914

But if you only connect you TV-card with the antenna-coax you can't do much with it ofcourse.

[dzachau]

Thanks! OK, let me ask a more basic question: If I want the best possible quality TV picture displayed on my computer Monitor via the Hauppauge 350, what is the best way to do the initial hookup of the cable to the card? I have cable television. Currently I am running the cable directly to the Hauppauge card. Is there a better way to hook up a tv cable to the Hauppauge that improves quality of picture? Would that also involve use of the RGB to S-Video and Composite Video Convertor?

Thanks again!!

[MOVIEGEEK]

Two possibilities:
1.If your cable box has S-Video out use that,if not use Composite.
2.Connect the cable to a VCR and use S-Video or Composite out.

[junkmalle]

probably in this case it's only a converter for RGB PAL video.
In europe it's regularly used to convert the RGB (SCART) signal from digital cable boxes to S-video/composite video.

Ah, OK. Thanks for the clarification.

what is the best way to do the initial hookup of the cable to the card?

Since you're looking at an RGB to s-video converter you cable box must not have s-video out. So it's a matter of which device has the better tuner and how good the RGB to S-video converter is. I don't see much difference between using the cable box + s-video vs my PVR-250's onboard tuner.

S-video is definitely better than composite though:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279561

Using the PVR-350's tuner allows you to record one program while watching another on your TV. If you have digital cable you have to use the cable box to tune the digital channels.

I use both the cable coax and the s-video inputs on my PVR-250. I can record any of the analog stations via coax, and any digital cable stations via s-video from the cable box.