Where can I tap a sync signal for s-video?

[NightWolve]

Thanks to futureman2000, I stopped by my local Radioshack and was able to find all parts needed except a female s-video mount which I guess I gotta buy online. But during my visit, I ran into something interesting. Apparently, RCA/Composite-to-S-Video adapters already exist. Has anybody ever tried these ? I mean, if it's possible just from the composite signal, why wouldn't a good quality TV already better process the signal ? Here are the items in questions:

Bidirectional RCA-to-S-Video Adapter
"This Cables To Go™ RCA-to-S-Video Adapter is an alternative to costly active converters. The Y/C signal separation circuitry provides a crisp picture, perfect for your multimedia setup."
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2486496

Expensive one (This is the one I saw at the store):
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102651

thesteve, what do you think about these?

[thesteve]

a good set will do T least as well........probly better
the color sig punches holes in the luma sig when mixed

[NightWolve]

http://www.jrok.com/hardware/RGBv4/index.html





Hmm, anybody by chance know anything about this encoder, does it work with a TurboDuo ? I'm wondering now if I should give this a shot, go all the way, not just s-video (I noticed that new LCD TVs stopped supporting it, it's down to Composite, Component, VGA and HDMI these days)... The guy wants you to email him for a price, so I'm guessing he gives a "special price" per customer... Anyhow, I'm somewhat interested if the price is right and if it works.

[thesteve]

how would that help you
the duo has better composite than that thing can possibly do.

[NightWolve]

The Component output converted from raw RGB via this circuit is worse than the native composite output

[thesteve]

err no the component is good if your display does 240p

[Keith Courage]

Most new LCDs will still take a composite source. It's just not what you are used to seeing. You just need one of those stupid adapters for them. I had to track one down for a friend not too long ago. I mean, how much money are they really saving by not just putting RCA jacks on the TV for you instead of that 3.5mm port? http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/products/2007/130/h130CDRM10-f_mt.jpeg

[thesteve]

lol its real-estate not money
thats what i use on the express

[Keith Courage]

Oh, by all means that makes perfect sense to use it for an express since space is limited. But inside a LCD TV or plasma there is plenty of room. Not to mention if you are throwing down $500-$1000 on a nice TV don't you think TV manufactures could put/build in some composite RCA jacks for you.

[thesteve]

they dont want to remind you its just a tv

[grahf]

Those jrok encoders have been around for a long time, and don't seem to work with PCE stuff for some reason. Not sure if anyone ever got one to work, but there are cheaper RGB to Component options out there.

[NightWolve]

Yeah, you're right, grahf... Bad idea. I asked him about it to be sure:

I have sold at least one in the past for use with the TurboDuo, but they also used one of the sync-cleaner boards, I don't know if it's required to be honest as I've never tested it myself.
From a quick read about the if the sync is very low level, then the encoder may not be able to detect it at all. Also the issue of low RGB levels output from the Turboduo sounds like it would almost certainly need an additional video amp, which the board does not include.

He wanted $50 bucks for the RGB-to-Component-only version BTW, but if you have to play around with an Amp and need this "sync-cleaner", with that level of uncertainty, it's not worth it... I'm the last person that would be able to figure it out. I guess you gotta go with those external devices you see floating around eBay.

@Keith: Yeah, the ones that I was looking at had regular Composite RCA jacks, they didn't have S-Video, though. They're not bothering with S-Video is what I was pointing out - it seems that connection standard might be on the way out with newer TVs.

Anyway, I'll just do the S-Video mod for now. Spent about $5 bucks so far, minus a female S-Video mount which I still need to find.

[Kidpanda]

What about using trimmers? Use a 0.5K and dial it in until you get the best result.
There are vary small ones made that are not much bigger than a resistor.

yea i would think this would be the way to go

[Kidpanda]

What about using trimmers? Use a 0.5K and dial it in until you get the best result.
There are vary small ones made that are not much bigger than a resistor.

yea i would think this would be the way to go

[Duo_R]

man I saw a few initial posts in this thread but missed the rest...lol! Nice work TheSteve and others (like Keith)! I have Component video in most of my Duos, but I do have one that I would like to have Svideo on. I always intended to do the CXA1645 mod but just never got around to doing that. Now Drakon has done basically the same circuit but removed a resistor on the board, I wonder how that changes the picture compared to the way the rest of you have done it?

As far as component converters go I have had good luck with the Atlona RGB to YUV converters. As others have mentioned the Neobitz didn't work so great on the Duos. Nice work



Got a couple of these off ebay for about $45.

http://www.jrok.com/hardware/RGBv4/index.html







Hmm, anybody by chance know anything about this encoder, does it work with a TurboDuo ? I'm wondering now if I should give this a shot, go all the way, not just s-video (I noticed that new LCD TVs stopped supporting it, it's down to Composite, Component, VGA and HDMI these days)... The guy wants you to email him for a price, so I'm guessing he gives a "special price" per customer... Anyhow, I'm somewhat interested if the price is right and if it works.