Need S-Video to Component or HDMI cable/adaptor - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

cheaterdragon1 · 2011-09-19, 05:19 PM

Hi, I have a Samsung LCD TV that I got a year ago. I've had a problem ever since though. I've got a couple gaming consoles, Nintendo 64, & Sega Saturn, but I can't plug them into my TV because the TV lacks an S-Video input. I could buy composite cables for them, but s-video is better than composite. Does there exist some kind of adaptor I can buy that will let me plug in my s-video into the component, or HDMI?

thanks

hugh · 2011-09-19, 05:22 PM

You can buy a S-Vid to component devices. Just google and you should find plenty of retailers who sell it.

No idea if it will make a big difference

cheaterdragon1 · 2011-09-19, 05:27 PM

I have. Maybe I'm blind or something but I don't see any. The ones appearing are 7 pin, when S-Video is 4 pin.

PhotoJim · 2011-09-19, 09:59 PM

One other option is to run an A/V receiver that supports S-Video and will upconvert. My Yamaha RX-A1000 does that, although it's not the cheapest option. unfortunately most low-end receivers don't have S-Video anymore.

57 · 2011-09-20, 12:25 AM

Just use composite - not much difference between the two, or run s-video to the TV with an S-video to composite adaptor.

I doubt that any additional device will "better" the signal since both are SD.

scampbell · 2011-09-20, 09:32 AM

Quote:

One other option is to run an A/V receiver that supports S-Video and will upconvert. My Yamaha RX-A1000 does that, although it's not the cheapest option. unfortunately most low-end receivers don't have S-Video anymore.

S-video was more common 3-5 years ago. You might be able to find an older A/V receiver for relatively cheap with s-video inputs. However, make sure it will upconvert to component - not all boxes did. Look to models several steps up from the base economodel.

If you can't find an AVR with s-video, many of them upconvert composite to component (and newer ones to hdmi).

It is worth pointing out that many AVRs will let you send composite/s-video inputs to Zone 2, allowing you to use multiple machines at once (on separate TVs).

That said, it would probably be easier/cheaper to go the s-video->component adaptor (or s-video->hdmi) route, or just use composite.

Larry · 2011-09-20, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheaterdragon1

I have. Maybe I'm blind or something but I don't see any. The ones appearing are 7 pin, when S-Video is 4 pin.

There are a couple of variants of S-video - one being the standard 4-pin version, but there is also a 7-pin variant which is pin compatible with the 4pin. So you can connect a standard 4-pin S-Video cable to the 7-pin connector and you should be fine.

PhotoJim · 2011-09-20, 11:44 AM

S-Video is noticeably better than plain composite video. It's still SD but the colour separation is more accurate. I could easily tell the difference on my 27" Trinitron. On a bigger TV I suspect the difference would be even more pronounced.

How much money it's worth spending to be able to use it - that's another question.

2011-09-19, 05:19 PM	#1
cheaterdragon1 Rookie Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	Need S-Video to Component or HDMI cable/adaptor Hi, I have a Samsung LCD TV that I got a year ago. I've had a problem ever since though. I've got a couple gaming consoles, Nintendo 64, & Sega Saturn, but I can't plug them into my TV because the TV lacks an S-Video input. I could buy composite cables for them, but s-video is better than composite. Does there exist some kind of adaptor I can buy that will let me plug in my s-video into the component, or HDMI? thanks

2011-09-19, 05:22 PM	#2
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,501	You can buy a S-Vid to component devices. Just google and you should find plenty of retailers who sell it. No idea if it will make a big difference __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2011-09-20, 12:25 AM	#5
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,345	Just use composite - not much difference between the two, or run s-video to the TV with an S-video to composite adaptor. I doubt that any additional device will "better" the signal since both are SD. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2011-09-19, 05:27 PM	#3
cheaterdragon1 Rookie Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2	I have. Maybe I'm blind or something but I don't see any. The ones appearing are 7 pin, when S-Video is 4 pin.

2011-09-19, 09:59 PM	#4
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK, CA Posts: 619	One other option is to run an A/V receiver that supports S-Video and will upconvert. My Yamaha RX-A1000 does that, although it's not the cheapest option. unfortunately most low-end receivers don't have S-Video anymore.

2011-09-20, 11:44 AM	#8
PhotoJim Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Regina, SK, CA Posts: 619	S-Video is noticeably better than plain composite video. It's still SD but the colour separation is more accurate. I could easily tell the difference on my 27" Trinitron. On a bigger TV I suspect the difference would be even more pronounced. How much money it's worth spending to be able to use it - that's another question.