question about s-video

statas wrote on 8/4/2003, 1:49 AM
trying to record from mini-dv to s-vhs. is it possible to use any of these outs from my cam?

- audio/video ID-2 that uses a cable to connect with rca jacks
- DV in/out that connects to my laptop with firewire
- digital I/O, dunno what this does?

i'm under the impression i can maintain hightly quality from mini-dv masters if i can use s-video and not rca to connect to my s-vhs recorder, but i'm not sure about this.

Comments

GaryKleiner wrote on 8/4/2003, 2:26 AM
>i'm under the impression i can maintain hightly quality from mini-dv masters if i can use s-video and not rca to connect to my s-vhs recorder, but i'm not sure about this.<

Yes, the S-Video connector is the circular one that accepts a 4-pin cable (4 holes plus a rectangular guide). You use that instead of composite video. The audio is hooked up the same way.

Gary
statas wrote on 8/4/2003, 3:21 AM
ah, my camera (sony pc5) doesn't have that connector. how much quality will i lose with just an rca connection? i'm projecting the video on a 10 foot screen.
Zulqar-Cheema wrote on 8/4/2003, 3:33 AM
I am assuming for some reason you cannot directly use the camera to use as the source to project.

Using RCA ( aka Phono Connector in the uk) will probally lose about 20 odd lines and also the colour will be intergrated into the signal where as the S-VHS keeps it seperated, so can make the bleeding slighty worse.
Is the player going to to have S to the projector?

I have played to a projector on VHS onto a 12x9 screen and it's been acceptable..
statas wrote on 8/4/2003, 3:39 AM
correct, i can't use the camera because it doesn't have an s-video connector. the player (and tapes) and projector have s-video. i'd like to print the best quality if possisble.
jeffy82 wrote on 8/4/2003, 4:57 AM
Statas,
I see you haven't cracked that manual yet, have you? Specifically Page 31. In case you lost it Sony Manuals

Holding the camcorder normally, the little round connector cover under your index finger. Whala S-Video. It's easy to miss if you're holding the camera.
statas wrote on 8/4/2003, 2:30 PM
oh! duh, thanks.

how much quality can be gained by using an entirely s-video system?
GaryKleiner wrote on 8/4/2003, 2:48 PM
>how much quality can be gained by using an entirely s-video system? <

THIS much....oh, you can't see me gesturing :-(

It is not so much a question of how much you gain with S-Video, as how much you are making a compromise with composite.

The most noticable thing to me is the dot crawl around the edges. I spot this all the time at Circuit City and Best Buy when they have the DVD players hooked up via composite.

Gary