SVideo to Projector through Video Selector

[street_preacher]

I had been using a projections system that ran video from different sources (one being a PC) through a selector switch. The DVD player was RCA, while the PC was using the SVideo output of the video card. From the selector I ran a coaxial cable with an RCA adapter (we have a seperate sound system) out of the component video output to the component video input on the projector (again RCA adapter). This worked for sometime, but then we started having issues with projector not receiving an input when the computer was selected. If the PC is connected directly to the projector via an SVideo cable, all is well and good, but when connected through the system, the PC doesn't know it is connected anymore. The DVD signal is picked up by the system.

I do have to say that when we first started having problems, the PC startup screen could be displayed, but after startup, no signal. Now we have no signal at all. I believe there may be an issue with a return signal to the PC. I did notice that the initial cable was corroded, but even using a different cable didn't help, so it may be the card.

Has anyone done this before and maybe experienced what I am seeing? Were you able to fix it without replacing anything expensive?

 

[americanaudiophile]

It sounds like the switcher you are using is converting the Svideo signal from the PC into composite video (single RCA connector) not component video (3 RCA connectors). There is no feedback to the PC to tell it that it is connected or not through Svideo (unlike other PC monitor connections). I would say that the problem is the switcher since the direct Svideo works and the DVD works. That part of the switcher that does the conversion may be bad. Try connecting the PC with composite video (should have this if it has Svideo) or replacing the switch.

 

[street_preacher]

It sounds like the switcher you are using is converting the Svideo signal from the PC into composite video (single RCA connector) not component video (3 RCA connectors). There is no feedback to the PC to tell it that it is connected or not through Svideo (unlike other PC monitor connections). I would say that the problem is the switcher since the direct Svideo works and the DVD works. That part of the switcher that does the conversion may be bad. Try connecting the PC with composite video (should have this if it has Svideo) or replacing the switch.

I might agree with you, except that has been working for about two years, and stopped working about a week ago. At first the person using the system thought it was the switcher, however, after replacement we still had the same problem. I am beginning to the think the SVideo connection on the card is bad, though not dead, as it does work when connected directly. I have tried a different cable with no change.

There is a DVI output on the video card that is unused. If this didn't require feedback for connection, I can get this to work with a DVI -> HDMI adapter cable and an HDMI to RCA component converter (the second device is needed only because the selector only has SVideo and RCA connections). If DVI doesn't need feedback from the connected device, this might be a preferred connection over a replacement card with SVideo.

 

[americanaudiophile]

If you can find an alternate Svideo source (SVHS VCR?) that would help troubleshoot. If the SVideo works direct then I would think it just works. A new card would probably be cheaper and certainly simpler than multiple conversions.