Capturing from VHS

[DB83]

OK. Ignore the last rant. One issue eliminated. The culprit could be the metal adapter. But I guess you also tested this tv with a full cabled adapter.

[BrianMcGee]

I've tested with three, but I've a few more here - they're hardly all faulty but you never know!

[DB83]

Well not all scart cables are fully wired. That metal adapter relies on the switch to use the right wires.

Also the full cable adapter must travel in the right direction. Often the scart end is input only.

[DB83]

I'll pick this thread up later. Good night.

[BrianMcGee]

Thanks a million.

Just to keep it updated. I have now tried

VCR Scart Out to TV Scart In - works, but won't work with capture device
VCR Scart Out to TV RCA In - no signal
VCR Scart Out with metal adaptor using RCA-RCA cable -> to TV RCA In - no signal

Tried three different metal adaptors
Tried two Scart -> RCA leads that had "In" marked on the RCA ends
Tried one Scart -> RCA lead that had "Out" marked on the RCA ends

So I've exhausted my supply of relevant cables. Oddness abounds............

[BrianMcGee]

I have also tried DV Camcorder (jack plug output) to TV RCA In, to test the TV RCA in sockets -> works but of course doesn't help.

[2Bdecided]

This isn't an answer, but just thinking aloud...

The differences between RCA (phono) and SCART are...
1. you're using a different cable
2. SCART pin 8 will be active when you play a tape, forcing your TV to select and display that SCART input
3. SCART can carry RGB
4. You can't connect the SCART pins incorrectly (assuming the cable is correct)


No VCRs output tape playback via RGB so it can't be that, though a few rare ones output the onscreen display using RGB.


I've only ever seen one VCR (out of over 200 I've used) that could be prevented from outputting video over SCART. They all output via SCART by default, and you can't stop it. Except from one reasonably modern and very difficult Sony, which confused me totally.


On S-VHS machines, you can switch the SCART connection between composite and S-video, but even on the wrong setting, you still get a picture, just black and white.


Until you said the DV camcorder worked fine via RCA, item 2 looked the most likely culprit. Now it looks more likely to be dodgy cables / sockets. A SCART adaptor will put different forces on the VCR's SCART socket than a standard cable. Try wiggling and waggling it!


btw, loudly buzzing audio sounds like the video is being sent into the audio connection.


Cheers,
David.

[BrianMcGee]

Hi David

Thanks for your suggestions. I struggle to go along with the idea that it might be cables or sockets because I have tried so many. It's not common that in a situation like this I would have so many spare cables and adaptors, but I do (listed in previous post).

Basically the TV AV In works independently, the VCR Scart Out works independently, but no matter which SCART-RCA cables I use, I cannot get the signal from the VCR to the TV.

Which isn't my real problem of course. I want to get the signal from the VCR to the Canopus ADVC110. And I have done this for 100+ hours of footage until about a year or two ago, same gear, same setup.

I'm stumped. I can't see how this is possible.

[DB83]

David,

Recall I did ask the OP to confirm that yellow went in to yellow and not white.

Now I am a wee bit confused about a cable that has 'out' or even 'in' marked on the RCA end. I would prefer now to find a scart/RCA cable that has female connectors on the RCA end - most I can find are male (my own has female) - and while not a direct solution might eliminate some issues.

Tend to agree that this is probably a case of a badly fitting adapter. They only have to be slightly out to give you nothing.

[DB83]

With respect, it might not be the problem but the whole point of the excercise is to ensure that you have a signal over RCA which at present you do not.

[BrianMcGee]

When you say 'adapter' I presume you're referring to the scart-rca adaptor connected to the VCR? If so it doesn't explain how without any adapter, using three different scart-rca cables, the problem is the same - no signal over scart-RCA.

Attached picture of the scart-rca that has 'In' marked on the RCA end. I have tested one that says 'out' too.

[DB83]

On reflection (my cables have rested on the floor for over 16 years) are similarily marked. My adapter is fully wired so it has both 'in' and 'out' wires. Logic dictates that 'in' is the correct choice.

Sorry, thought I was using female. When I checked (it was a long time ago) I am actually using RCA connectors for the longer cable run.

The issue is clearly the sensitivity with the scart connection on the VCR. You may think it is correct but if it is not straight or a little loose........

[BrianMcGee]

Thanks again for your help. What you suggest as the issue would fit perfectly if I could not get a signal from the VCR scart at all. But what baffles me is that a scart-to-scart plugged into the same socket gives a perfect signal which I can play for a long time without interruption at all, and any of a number of identical cables with RCA leads on the TV end give no signal at all. I'm struggling to see how this could mean the scart socket on the VCR is at fault. I suppose I could try buying yet another Scart-RCA cable?

[DB83]

It is down to quality. Scart to Scart cables often have molded connectors which give a tighter fit.

Of course, there is a possibility that the cable is cracked. There would be an even remoter possibility that the other cable is cracked. But I assume you get neither video or audio on the tv. Just for fits and giggles only connect the red RCA to the tv.

Plus : If the cables are so marked I assume there is no switch at the scart end.

[BrianMcGee]

The switch is only on the adapter, so you are correct in saying that there is no switch on the scart-rca cables. Connecting just red RCA to the TV gives no sound.

Think I'm best buying yet another cable just to rule out the possibility that all my RCA cables are knackered somehow.

[2Bdecided]

Check the SCART connectors for missing / damaged / recessed pins.



However, I'm stumped too.


David.

[BrianMcGee]

New Scart to RCA cable ordered Thanks for all the help.

[DB83]

A new cable may solve the issue. I would also consider one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCART-Box-Coupler-Joiner-21-full-pin-F-F-Female-to-Female-Co...ht_1452wt_1177

Then you leave the full scart cable - the one you know works in the VCR - and join that with this adapter to a scart/RCA cable