Suddently confused about HDTV/S-VHS output

[BernardP]

I am shopping for a videocard and had somehow understood that the TV output on current videocards was good for S-VHS by default and for component HDTV with the required adapter.

Now, I see this just released Asus card and it is mentionned that the TV output is HDTV-Out. No mention of S-VHS.

I have found this review of the new Asus 7600 GS Top Silent. In the pics, it can clearly be seen that the TV output looks like regular S-VHS output (EDIT: I got that wrong!) and that the component adapter is provided. (BTW, can someone tell what language is this?)

Can I assume that this card will output a S-VHS signal (compatible with my current TV set)? Is there anyway the TV output would not work with S-VHS?

Thanks

 

[SonicIce]

Usually that connector that looks like an s-video port is actually a proprietary port that includes pins for s-video as well as component. the card will come with a cable that you connect your s-video or component device to.

one problem: looking at this card on newegg (i know not exactly the one you were looking at, but still asus 76gt) reveals that that card only comes with a component output adapter and but no s-video. im not sure if the card you're looking at has the ability to output s-video (i dont see why it wouldn't work). some of the adpaters have composite too. hope this makes sense.

 

[BernardP]

I see what you mean SonicIce. An S-Video adapter is needed between the TV output of the card and the TV. My existing S-VHS cable won't fit into the TV-Out of the Asus card you have shown me and of the new card I am asking about.

On the other hand, this MSI 7600 GS card does come with an S-VHS cable, even though one can see that it has the same kind of TV Output as the Asus. However, I would have to find a female to female S-Video plug to extend my connection (I have 20 feet between the computer and the TV)

Alternatively, it must be possible to buy a separate cable with the HDTV plug at one end (to plug into the card) and a female S-Video plug at the other end (for my regular S-Video cable). However, I am unable to find one on Newegg or Radio Shack.

In any case, it seems that Asus has simply decided not to provide an HDTV to S-VHS cable with the above models, while MSI provides such a cable.

 

[SonicIce]

Actually the s-video on the HDTV plug is female, thats why the card comes with it's own s-video cable (which is prolly about 6 feet). check out monoprice.com for cheap s-video cables if you need 20 feet, or just an F-F adapter if you already have a long cable. Also consider this 7600 GT which costs a little bit more after rebate, if you want a more powerful card.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: SonicIce
Actually the s-video on the HDTV plug is female

So my M-M 25-feet S-VHS cable should plug right into it... right?

Also thanks for the link to the EVGA 7600 GT. I am a bit leery of EVGA at the present time because even they admit having problems with some 7600 and 7900 Series models. The model you point out has an an upgraded cooler. I will read up on it. Not worth getting a GS is I can have a reliable GT for the same money.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: BernardP

Originally posted by: SonicIce
Actually the s-video on the HDTV plug is female

So my M-M 25-feet S-VHS cable should plug right into it... right?

Yep.

Here's a pic taken on the worst web cam ever created by man. It's the cable that came with my 6600 GT. The video card end has 9 pins plus the outer jacket since you can't see it in the pic, dunno what they all do. I used the s-video on mine thru an s-video to composite adapter thru a VCR thru coax to my TV before.

 

[BernardP]

Thanks again. A picture is worth a thousand words. All is clear in my mind now :thumbsup: I have to make sure that I have the proper adapter and/or cable between the card's TV-Out and my S-Video cable. Depending on the brand of card I will be going with, I might get the required adapter in the box or might have to buy one separately.

 

[pctwo]

if you're buying for htpc use, consider the 7600gt instead of 7600gs. the gt supports inverse telecine. I don't have the purevideo feature chart link handy, but you can google for it.

 

[SonicIce]

just make sure the card has what you need. the cable for my 6600 GT doesn't fit in my 6800 GT :Q

 

[BernardP]

pctwo: Thanks for the tip, although I am not buying for htpc but want to occasionnally view video files from my PC on my TV set.

SonicIce: so I can't even be sure that a separate cable I would buy would fit the TV-Out on my video card? Nice thing to know! Then I guess any card that doesn't come with a bundled S-VHS adapter (such as the Asus mentionned in my first post) is out.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: BernardP
pctwo: Thanks for the tip, although I am not buying for htpc but want to occasionnally view video files from my PC on my TV set.

SonicIce: so I can't even be sure that a separate cable I would buy would fit the TV-Out on my video card? Nice thing to know! Then I guess any card that doesn't come with a bundled S-VHS adapter (such as the Asus mentionned in my first post) is out.

yea just to be sure get a card that has one, most do anyway.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: SonicIce

yea just to be sure get a card that has one, most do anyway.

Right. Doing a Search on monoprice.com as you suggest reveals that these videocard TV Outputs come in many flavors: 7-pin or 9-pin, with specific variations for various models of ATI or NVidia videocards. What a mess. Much better to make sure of getting the S-Video adapter in the box with the card. Really too bad for Asus, as none of their recent cards, at least on the NVidia side, seem to come with the S-Video adapter.

BTW, I did a whois on the web site I link to for the 7600 GS TOP review and the owner is in Bankok. So, to answer my own question, it must be written in thai.