#Video Interface/ S-VHS
3 messages in this thread
Hi All:
I have a video interface card from Creative Microsystems, Model
VI2000RF. It sits in the video slot and has four outputs, RF, Chroma,
Luma, and Composite. I have used the composite output with fair success on
my old VHS VCR, to make titles and do some short AmigaVision ditties to
start home videotapes. Now I have a new S-VHS VCR and camcorder, which
makes me think about trying to output to S-VHS. The CMI literature says
the chroma and luma outputs are intended for the Commodore 1700,1800 and
1900 series monitors. Is this the same type of Y/C signal that is neede by
a S-VHS machine ???
Also, the chroma/luma outputs are separate RCA jacks, but the VCR S-VHS
jacks are all some very odd 5 pronged pin. If the signals are in fact the
same can I just buy some Radio Shack type adaptor to connect the two ?? As
you might be able to tell, I'm a little nervous about hooking up several
thousand dollars worth of my two favorite toys if it's going to let the
blue smoke leak out of both of them.
Last question. The CMI instruction sheet says, "Because of design
limitations on the A2000, the RGB connector must be disconnected to get the
best quality of video on a VCR." What does this mean. Should I be
disconnecting my A1080 monitor to improve the quality of output to the VCR?
This point has always confused me, any help would be appreciated.
Bill,
The separate luma/chroma outputs are indeed the same signal that is used by
SVHS. Sadly, there is no adapter to go from a consumer S-connector to two
RCA jacks. However, if you're handy with a soldering iron (or know someone
who is), the solution is pretty simple. If you cut the S-connector off one
end of one of those cables, you will find that the cable is made up of two
separate shielded pairs. Simply connect an RCA plug (which IS available at
Radio Shack) to the end of each of the two shielded wires. Connect the
remaining S-connector on the cable to your VCR and the two RCA plugs to
luma and chroma on your video card. Unfortunately there is no easy way to
tell which is luma and which is chroma, but no harm is done if you've
hooked to the wrong inputs initially; merely switch the connections if you
don't get a viewable image the first time around.
Pete
Bill,
Guess you'd have to call CMI to get the explanation for having to remove
the RGB cable (yes, that does refer to the monitor cable) when using their
product. I use a SuperGen 2000S in my machine, which doesn't suffer at all
if the monitor is simultaneously plugged in. Don't know what "design
limitations in the 2000" they're talking about.
Pete