S-Video to Component Hack
 

Hola,

Is anyone aware of any means of hacking the s-video port on camcorders or VCR/DVD players and outputting direct to component? I'd like to port from RGB to component, if possible.

Thanks,
Brandt

You can buy connectors that will adapt from almost anything to almost anything else. Try a local "Pro" video shop or check out one of these shops. I used to buy from a shop in Dallas but I can't remember the name of it anymore. Give one of these a call and ask what they can offer.
B&H Photo/Video
Markertek

Thanks for the info Rhett.

Actually, what I'm after is a bit more like this mod:
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Pro...eo/sdikitp.asp
as discussed here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&highlight=sdi

I'm looking for a header on the main pcb where the s-video lead is soldered to see if it would take component out, or possibly, SDI, although SDI is overkill and harder to work with.

Moderator Note: Aha, now I see what you're looking for. The title of your post and its location in the Open DV Discussion didn't make that clear initially. I've moved this thread to our Alternative Imaging Forum where these things are often discussed. I think you'll get a better response there....

S-video to component is no real use since the signal has been
dowgraded, you really won't gain anything. The best (analog wise)
would be if the camera had component out to begin with.

But a far better method is keeping the signal digital and getting
it as full uncompressed data (large!). There is a succesful project
running here on DVi, see this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=20332

The device is currently in beta and will be sold later this year, it
currently is only available for the DVX100 camera.

The official site: http://www.reel-stream.com/

The next camera to be modded is probably going to be the XL2.

Keep in mind that such modifications void the warranty of a camera
and require a different way of shooting etc. (your camera is connected
to a drive to the recording etc.).

It's early days yet but I am on a similar sort of quest. I'm trying to get component from a video cam which delivers it ( or S-Video or RGB or composite ), into a JVC HR-DVS1EU (PAL) deck.

In the manual there is no reference to component-in, but there is component-out via a SCART connector. This is selectable by the deck's menu. However there is a tuner-in via SCART connection and decoder-in via SCART connection.
These may be component-in by another name. I have yet to test.

This is complicated by the cam having a multifunction D-sub socket out and the choice is dictated both by a small switch and the pins chosen to wire to on the D-sub plug.

The cam is a JVC KY-F50 which was ex-demo from the distributor at a discounted price. As well as being C-Mount 2/3", it has a hi-resolution function which is essentially 25P.

(The US version would be 30P, NOT 24P.) The output via S-Video is still in interlaced signal. Maybe RGB only will output the pure 25P imaging however I shall give the component selection a try, for improved signal quality if nothing else. This is all electronic high science I have not the knowing of.

Whilst this is a slightly different enquiry I would nevertheless appreciate any advice on the subject.

Rob,

Yeah, I'm familiar with Juan and Jeremy's project. I'm sure it will do very well.

I was just thinking that there might be a way to get at the board where the s-video jack wires in and take that signal out as component.

Where is the signal downgraded? I've heard that in some DV cameras, the signal is compressed when it gets to the DV daughter card, but that the S-Video is is not subject to the DV compression, just downgraded. I'm looking for something analogous to this for the S-Video port.

Is there a common point where the signal takes its dive from RGB to the output flavor of choice?

Brandt: it's not really known how it is done. And I can imagine
it will vary depending on your camera model.

Do keep in mind you will need a HIGH QUALITY component
capture card that can do uncompressed or low compression
MJPEG (= expensive!!) and you will always need a PC to
capture if you want that quality.

The andromeda device sounds a lot simpler and better to me....