Looking for S-Video Cable Extension Solution
The overall goal is to connect to the S-Video input of my PVM (which works fine -- direct from console to the PVM works great), but not have to plug and unplug each time.
I had success previously with connecting composite to the PVM via console > composite > coupler > composite. So, I thought the same would work with S-Video. It does not. I've tried multiple different cables (which I previously knew worked) as the cable going from the PVM to the coupler.
Is it possible that the coupler is bad? Does it have to do with distance (6ft official cable > coupler > 6ft cable)?
I even tried running the console cable to my stereo receiver and then to the PVM. Same result. Anyone have thoughts on this issue?
I had success previously with connecting composite to the PVM via console > composite > coupler > composite. So, I thought the same would work with S-Video. It does not. I've tried multiple different cables (which I previously knew worked) as the cable going from the PVM to the coupler.
Is it possible that the coupler is bad? Does it have to do with distance (6ft official cable > coupler > 6ft cable)?
I even tried running the console cable to my stereo receiver and then to the PVM. Same result. Anyone have thoughts on this issue?
Comments
When you use a coupler then what happens?
This is what I use.
https://www.amazon.com/S-Video-Coupler-Extender-Adapter-Extension/dp/B0017LYW96
So you get perfect S-video when you have a direct S-video connection, correct?
When you use a coupler then what happens?
This is what I use.
https://www.amazon.com/S-Video-Co...
Yes, a direct connection looks great. I have a coupler similar to what you linked.
The picture when connecting through the coupler or passing through the receiver looks maybe like it's not synced. It's grayscale and jumpy and skewed far to the side.
It could be a signal loss issue. You'd have to take measurements of the signal with and without the extension.
I've wondered if finding a shorter extension would do the trick. Don't have one on hand at the moment.
Keep in mind that using a coupler with two cables has more connections than using one cable plus an extension cable. Just to clarify, an extension cable is a regular cable, but has one male and one female end compared to most cables having male on both ends. In theory, you always want the fewest connections possible.
darkchylde28, I thought about that also. I think you are right and it would be a decent solution, but I'd like to find a way to make this work without including a powered device.
Lincoln, the cables themselves are long enough. I'm trying to set it up to where I can swap different cables for different systems using the S-Video input on the PVM without having to move the monitor and unplug and plug directly each time.
TDIRunner, that is good information about minimizing connections.
darkchylde28, I thought about that also. I think you are right and it would be a decent solution, but I'd like to find a way to make this work without including a powered device.
Lincoln, the cables themselves are long enough. I'm trying to set it up to where I can swap different cables for different systems using the S-Video input on the PVM without having to move the monitor and unplug and plug directly each time.
Any reason why you can't use a switch box? I would be a little concerned about damaging connecitons if you are constantly connecting and removing them.
It's unnecessary, but I enjoy having the option and the correct cables to connect consoles multiple ways, despite varying image quality.
Are you sure your s-video works perfectly when connected directly? I would double check that.
Yes. I am certain.
Length is not an issue. I've used a 50' S-video cable with a coupler.
I think what I'll do next is take the cables and the coupler out to the living room TV where I've got an upscaler hooked up and see how things perform using that S-Video input. Might be able to eliminate one or two variables.
For what it's worth, the image is otherwise good. Interestingly, when I tested the same setup on my flatscreen through an upscaler's S-Video input I did not notice any snow.
Monitor is not the problem:
"PVM... works fine -- direct from console to the PVM works great... direct connection looks great."
Console is not the problem: "Yes. I am certain... s-video works perfectly when connected directly"
Therefore, only cables and connectors can be the problem. Not sure what consoles you are working with, but if the connectors are not proprietary then replacements are inexpensive and easy to find.
I don't understand your update. You say, there is snow in the picture, when the console is "plugged in", even if the console is turned off? That must not be the picture from the console so when does it appear?
So let me get this straight.
Monitor is not the problem:
"PVM... works fine -- direct from console to the PVM works great... direct connection looks great."
Console is not the problem: "Yes. I am certain... s-video works perfectly when connected directly"
Therefore, only cables and connectors can be the problem. Not sure what consoles you are working with, but if the connectors are not proprietary then replacements are inexpensive and easy to find.
I don't understand your update. You say, there is snow in the picture, when the console is "plugged in", even if the console is turned off? That must not be the picture from the console so when does it appear?
You've got everything straight.
The light snow is present on the screen if the console is plugged in (not powered on) and the cables (including extension) is plugged in to the PVM. If the console is switched on the snow is still present. There is no snow if the cable straight from the console is plugged in to the PVM (no extension). There is no snow on the flatscreen when using the cable and extension and plugging in to an upscaller.
I know that you said the monitor isn't the problem because it works with a direction connection, but isn't it possible that there could still be an issue with the monitor that can't accept weaker signals due to cable length? I hate to say it, but maybe it's a minor issue with the monitor that only shows itself in certain situations? If that's the case, it's possible that the issue may get worse down the road and you may begin to see similar issues even with direct, short cable connections. I hope that's not the case, but it's something to consider.
phart010, are you suggesting that the reason there isn't light snow when running the cables through the upscaller is because it is boosting the signal? If so, that makes sense and could pin down the reason for the snow on the PVM to loss of signal strength.
So when you add a wire coupler to increase the length of wire beyond what they had originally designed for, you may possibly be getting a poorer quality of display because the signal has weakened by the time it arrives at your display.
In my post, I was just commenting on the idea of getting a signal booster(amplifier). A signal booster can be placed in between the source of the signal and it's destination to step the voltage back up to pre-loss levels. I think it works good for digital signals, but probably not as well for analog signals, but that's a whole different discussion. Basically all I was questioning is whether a signal booster would introduce input lag. Because I think they may recreate the signal and whenever you recreate a signal there is going to be a little of bit lag introduced.
Im sorry, didn’t solve your problem, just adding my two cents to the discussion
What extension cable did you get? They can vary in quality.
I got one via eBay that was under 6ft: https://www.ebay.com/itm/SVHS-40-S-video-41-Plug-to-Socket-Extension-Gold-1-2m-/261306959737