EliteVideo BVP-4 Plus

[jcm0320]

I bought one (used) and was trying it out today.

I have messed around with every dial and switch and the picture never appears to change one bit. Do you suppose it's broke? Or could it be because I am using an S-Video->RCA cable since my TV doesn't have S-video inputs?

By the way, the only way to get the picture to appear on the screen is to turn the "split screen"dial all the way to the right. Is this normal?


Thanks.

[aedipuss]

iirc the split screen knob turned all the way to the right is showing only the input video. as it is what, 13 or more years old i would guess it no longer functions.

[lordsmurf]

"S-Video->RCA" -- don't do that.
Pick one, stick to it. Don't use an adapter.

[jcm0320]

So would you guess that it doesn't work or because of the adapter?

[NightFire]

How do you have it hooked in the back and what switches are being used?

[lordsmurf]

I would blame the adapter, as those are known to be finicky.

[jcm0320]

How do you have it hooked in the back and what switches are being used?

The incoming video is connected via S-Video. The output is an S-Video->RCA adapter.

I have basically flipped every switch and turned every dial and nothing happens. I am trying to look for a manual online (in .pdf format) but haven't found one yet.

[StuR]

If you've got a DVD recorder or HDD recorder plugged in your TV (which I imagine you have) plug the Svid out from the ext.TBC box into the DVDRW's Svid input. Select the correct AV channel on TV and the correct Recording Channel on DVDRW and you'll see the picture. Same as if your recording. The DVDRW will convert the Svid input to an RCA comp. signal for you. This at least will give you the chance to test it. I suppose you could use a VCR too, but make sure the correct input and output settings are selected on the DVDRW/HDD or VCR.

[jcm0320]

If you've got a DVD recorder or HDD recorder plugged in your TV (which I imagine you have) plug the Svid out from the ext.TBC box into the DVDRW's Svid input. Select the correct AV channel on TV and the correct Recording Channel on DVDRW and you'll see the picture. Same as if your recording. The DVDRW will convert the Svid input to an RCA comp. signal for you. This at least will give you the chance to test it. I suppose you could use a VCR too, but make sure the correct input and output settings are selected on the DVDRW/HDD or VCR.

Here is my setup:

Panasonic AG-1980 --> EliteVideo BVP-4 --> ADVC 110 --> VCR

The AG-1980 and EliteVideo BVP-4 are connected via S-Video Cable.

The EliteVideo BVP-4 and ADVC 110 are connected via S-Video Cable.

Then the ADVC 110 and VCR are connected via RCA.



Forget what I said before about S-Video->RCA converter. That's only when I was testing the unit and not using the ADVC 110. I still don't see any different when I turned the nobs of the EliteVideo BVP-4 though.

[StuR]

If you just want to test the BVP-4 then simplify the set up to
1980 > BVP-4 > TV (with either Svid. or Comp. to TV, I'm sure it'll output both)
You could add the VCR before the TV too.
Just try and rule out every other problem -like faulty leads- and isolate the BVP-4.
It should have some obvious features like negative or B/W conversion, once you see these
going on and off you can narrow it down to any problems with switches.
At worst I would have thought a switch would be replacable, it may look a different style though.

[classfour]

1. Digital/Analog switch in back = make certain you choose correctly

2. I usually start with all dials set in centered positions - UNTIL I get most of them where I want them!!!! Then mostly leave them alone, except for minor tweaks.

3. If, with the split screen in the center position, you are seeing video (on the left, I think) on one side, none on the other: You're not outputting video, and likely have something set incorrectly.

I do know the BVP4 is a strong unit, and not for the heavy handed.

[jcm0320]

StuR: I tried doing the 1980->BVP4->TV but I had to use an Svideo->RCA converter, so I wasn't sure if that had anything to do with it.

classfour: I've basically flipped every switch and turned every dial... the only one that appears to do anything is the split screen dial.


I'm going to try and use it with another TV. Normally I wouldn't suspect that it's the TV's fault... but this one happens to be very old and already has issues (such as lines that constantly run down the scren.) So it's possible that the color is washed out a little bit and might be affecting what I am seeing/not seeing. Who knows.

It came to me in what appeared to be good condition though (very clean, no scratches) so I would hope that this thing isn't junk.

[jcm0320]

I would blame the adapter, as those are known to be finicky.

Hmm... I must have missed this post earlier. I hope you're right!