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TICKET ARCHIVE -> S Video to Hdtv

pwat - Jun 4, 2005 - 2:36 pm

HELP!!! And thanks for reading this.
Just got a new HDTV and am trying to run a S Video cable from my Power G4 via the DVI-Svideo adapter to the TV. The cables all work, but I just got a 2nd adapter and nothing. I thought the first one was not working, so went to the Apple store and got another one. Still no luck.
When I reboot, go to Display, there is my Cinema moniter and nothing else. There is a 2nd screen that says NTSC/PAL. When I click Detect Display, I lose the NTSC?Pal screen and back to just the Cinema one. Never have I been able to detect the TV.
Could the 2nd adapter be bad, or is there something else.

Upgraded to Tiger thinking that would help. NO!!

My G4 is:
Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.6.0f1

My display in System Profiler is:
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX:

Chipset Model: GeForce4 MX
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 64 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0184
Revision ID: 0x00a3
ROM Revision: 2032
Displays:
Display:
Type: Display
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Not Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Display:
Status: No display connected


Thanks!!!

baldprof - Jun 4, 2005 - 4:36 pm

I have an HDTV and have been able to connect to it with an S-video cable from the mini-DVI port on a G4 iBook.
I know for my set (a prehistoric design with a CRT!) that there are several video inputs which can be selected using the remote. Your problem maybe that you have to select the proper input on your TV before your PowerMac will recognize it. I know this is true for me.

Also, does your HDTV have an actual DVI input or one labled HDMI? The reason I ask is that the video quality will be much better with that as the video source. The image quality using S-video sort of sucks a bit, because you are trying to show a non-interlaced image (the computer) through S-video which turns it into an interlaced TV image.

My thought is that you really should try to find a DVI cable to connect from the DVI port on your PowerMac, or if your set has an HDMI input, an adapter/cable combination that can make the connection. Perhaps your local HDTV dealer has one. If you do a google search for DVI HDMI adapter, you will get several hits, such as this one:

http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/...MI-DVI-SL.html

If your local dealer doesn't carry this, get one online. The image quality will be outstanding.

pwat - Jun 5, 2005 - 4:35 am

Thanks for the fast reply. I am still puzzled why others can do it and I cannot. I have tried changing everything imaginable on the TV and nothing works. It does have a S video "source", so I thought it would be easy. I believe the TV had both of the other mentioned outputs and could try that. I would have to buy another cable/adapter with no guarantee of success...that is what is stopping me, but since I cannot get the thing to work S video, I might just as well try another way.
Thanks for your help.
I am still curious about the S Video though.
Phil

baldprof - Jun 5, 2005 - 7:09 am

Okay, now I have re-read your original post.

Here is the key part (I think): "There is a 2nd screen that says NTSC/PAL. "

The NTSC/PAL is what you want. NTSC is the standard for North American television. The S-video is part of that standard. That is what you want. That should work. When you tell it to rescan for monitors it porbably thinks you want to ignore the NTSC option.

Also, do you know anyone with a Powerbook? The 15 inch model has an S-video output port. Try connecting one of those to your TV.

pwat - Jun 5, 2005 - 12:55 pm

Michael,
Thanks again.
The 2nd screen does nothing...I mean, when I click detect displays it goes away and if I look before I do that, there is only my cinema moniter and nothing else. It is set at NTSC. I also checked the TV and there is "no signal". Don't know anyone with a PB.
I am at a loss. Should I spend the money for the DVI cable. I have to check the TV and see what it will accept. My guess is that there is something inherently wrong with my computer unless I have gotten a 2nd bad adapter. I read a bunch of forum messages at Apple.com/support and there seemed to be a problem with the adapter itself. Unfortunately I have no other way to check it and the Apple store doesn't either. They didn't have any suggestions except to try another adapter. It works somewhat, in that the NTSC screen comes on when I first boot and click preferences/display. But there must be something with the S Video.
Any further thoughts would appreciated.
Thanks.
Phil

baldprof - Jun 5, 2005 - 1:50 pm

I checked those discussion forums and there do appear to be a lot of people having trouble getting those adapters to work. I have seen this at some other forums as well. I think there is a problem with the output voltage from the display adapter in your PowerMac not matching up too well with your television.

I don't have an answer to that. The Apple adapter that I use with my iBook G4 works for S-video but the image isn't very good. I suspect that in order to get this to work for you, you may need a different graphics card such as this one:

http://www.macconnection.com/ProductDetail?Sku=5114904

Before you purchase any more adapters/cables check with the manufacturer of your television. They can probably advise you as to what type of DVI cable to get. There is more than one kind.

pwat - Jun 7, 2005 - 10:38 am

Thanks for the help. I think you might have hit on it. Either the card or the adapter and I am thinking the card. Wonder if I get a G5 will I have the same problem.

baldprof - Jun 7, 2005 - 11:25 am

I don't know if a G5 has the same problem. What I do know is that either the card I suggested or the correct DVI cable would be a lot cheaper than a G5. I would ask the manufacturer of your TV about what type of cable to try. That's the lowest cost route.

pwat - Jun 7, 2005 - 12:06 pm

I had a feeling you would think I was going to buy the G5 just to solve the problem. No, not really, but it is a good excuse to think about getting it. You are right about the card/adapter suggestion. One of the messages in the forum stated that a Monster adapter worked fine. That would be cheaper than the card, but I guess I am going to have to experiment unless Samsung can tell me which adapter to buy.
Any other thoughts are appreciated. AGAIN thanks for everything.