S-Video Cable Problem

J

Jonslutt

New Member
So I use an S-Video cable to hook up my PC to the TV.

This is the second one I've bought, the first one started to get lines that went upwards until it eventually got too bad and it distorted any image.

Now with this one I just noticed that there are lines going upwards aswell. They're small, but noticible, and it's just how the other one started.

The cable isn't bent or forced or anything.

I was wondering if anyone knew what caused this and if there is any way to fix that.

Thanks in advance.
 
This is a combination of hardware detection as well as software issues for having multiple desktops or cloning one to another(pc to tv). In some cases the tv replaces a monitor. You may have to go into the bios to raise the voltage from 1.5v to 1.6 if there is a draw on current causing the lines you are seeing. If not return that to 1.5v default.
 
PC eye said:
This is a combination of hardware detection as well as software issues for having multiple desktops or cloning one to another(pc to tv). In some cases the tv replaces a monitor. You may have to go into the bios to raise the voltage from 1.5v to 1.6 if there is a draw on current causing the lines you are seeing. If not return that to 1.5v default.
Click to expand...

I'd love you to quote a source on that. If only tech support could pin a problem like that.
 
I have had some fun trying to get an s-video feed out to a nearby tv while not expanding the desktop between the two as well as seeing which setting for input on the tv would work. ATI is known for having the expanded desktop feature in the Catalyst Control Center.
 
I don't know much about computers, could you tell me how to get into the bios and get it to be 1.6v?

Also, is there a way to get the sound to come from the TV?

Thanks in advance.
 
The input from either the onboard or expansion slot sound card would be analog line-in where you would plug in a stereo 1/8" mini-plug into the jack there and the other end of the cable would have two rca type phono plugs usually one red-one black or one red-one white.

Those would plug into the aux output if the tv is equipped for that. If not you have to plug those into the output from a video cassette recorder. The 75ohm cable would plug into the video input on a tuner or tuner/video capture expansion card. Now as far as sending you into the bios to adjust voltages since you have no experience would be disasterous!
 
Could you use composite video instead? Main factor is if you have composite output from tv and input at pc. If you go to composite you can get a cable that has the composite plus audio (usually 3 phono/RCA connectors yellow, red, white)

I've found that s-video makes little difference in my video from satellite receiver. I use it but there is no visible improvement over composite. For some setups there can be an appreciable difference.

Starman*
 
As a rule tv do not have outputs but rather inputs to allow the tv to be used as a monitor. A vcr also has a receiver just as a satallite system does with each having an output for both audio and video alike. The 75ohm threaded jack seen twice on vcrs(one input from cable-one output to tv) is the analog in and out where the out can feed into the 75ohm input on a video tuner/capture device.

As you will note there are rca output for video as well as audio on many vcr models. Those are the composite just like a 75ohm is also composite. With a digital receiver inline you will often see a stereo amplifier used to boost audio to speakers while viewing output on a projection type screen. Some outputs there may be s-video for s-video input and digital sound going into a port on the sound card. In most cases you would still be using analog output for the miniplug input on a tuner or capture device. As far as raising the 1.5v to 1.6v or even 1.7v that is often recommended by tech support at game manufacturers due to the load placed on video cards from the intense graphics incorporated into a game itself.

The temporary increase there is to meet the draw placed on the video card itself and wouldn't be needed for display of video on a pc through a tuner card or video capture device. The voltage increase would be strictly intended during gaming sessions and then reset to the default 1.5v at the end of each session. But since you are now looking at input to a pc as an alternative to s-video out to a tv there would be no need for adjustment in the bios.
 
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S-video outputs on tvs may be common now but were not a few years ago. In fact older standard price vcrs don't have s-video inputs or outputs either (I have 3 that don't). My tv has composite input/output and no s-video. Bottom line as I suggested is that if Jonslutt has composite, use it. If it gives poor performance, back to square one.

If Jonslutt has to buy the audio cable, not a lot more for the additional composite video conductor whether you use it or not.
 
S-video is mainly seen as an output from a video card and an input for a tv from either camcorder or at times from pc. Tvs generally don't have outputs for video and sound since the choice there is to select input from either receiver or an external device. The quality of what is seen from composite sources on either tv or pc depends on the quality of the incoming signal.
 
Well, I started using my TV as a second monitor to view some videos and there it is, worse than before.

I see distorted lines going upwards that cause the image to have bumps going to the left, moving upwards.

Is there anyway I can fix this? Up to now it's only annoying but now and then it gets to the point where the image is distorted too much to be viewable.
 
A tv generally isn't the best item for watching videos from a pc input. The newer HDTVs are more suitable for that. Those are more or less large monitors that just happen to come with a tuner built into them. Often the problem with lines is harmonics bleeding through to the screen from the signal source. It also can depend on how you are patching as well as what is being used as far as shielding is concerned.
 
thats why they make monitors for computers. lol
if its not an HDTV it won't work very well, and things will be blurry. thats just the way regular tvs are.
btw i'd blame the video card before i'd blame the s-video cable.
 
For dual monitor setups ATI seems to come out on top with the Catalyst Control Center being found with a simple right click on the desktop and the advanced tab ready access.
 
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