DVI to S-Video

[calibre45]

Hello.

I need to capture video signal from the source (cam block) using only DVI output to HDD-recorder which has no digital inputs, it has s-video and composite in's. The source signal is 1920x1080@50p and cannot be changed. I try to use DVI-S-video converter, so I plug HDMI-DVI cable into the cam block, plug the other end to converter and connect it with display (for test) by S-video cable. And I get nothing (photo can be seen here http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/2803/20121122201742.jpg ). Converter works - I've successfully tested it with my PC on 1920x1080p@60p. The specifications say that converter supports 1080@50/60p, but another line says that it supports 1920x1080@60p.
So the questions I want to ask are:
1. Is 1920x1080p _exactly_ the same as 1080p?
2. Can my problem be solved with the converter I have?
3. If no, is there any non-expensive solution?

Thank you.

 

[steamroller16]

Is this how you have it connected right now?
Cam Block -> (HDMI to DVI cable) -> DVI to s-video converter -> (s-video cable) -> Display

Can you tell us which converter you are using (brand and model number)? Sometimes DVI to s-video converters don't like HDMI sources. If you have a native DVI source, like your PC, it will work perfectly but a camera or a blu ray player might give you trouble.

Anyway, if you can't get your current converter to work, the one linked below will almost certainly work, regardless of what combination of frame rates and resolutions you have to deal with.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011411&p_id=8667&seq=1&format=3#specification

If you are going to buy this, make sure you ask the technical support people on the website if it will do exactly what you need it to do before buying.

 

[calibre45]

Is this how you have it connected right now?
Cam Block -> (HDMI to DVI cable) -> DVI to s-video converter -> (s-video cable) -> Display

Yes, it is connected exactly the way you've described.

Can you tell us which converter you are using (brand and model number)?

Well, I think that it is some kind of Chinese no-name. Nothing is written on it. Here are photos:
http://imageshack.us/a/img593/7843/20121126083852.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/9884/20121126083841.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img194/8779/20121126083831.jpg

Anyway, if you can't get your current converter to work, the one linked below will almost certainly work, regardless of what combination of frame rates and resolutions you have to deal with.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011411&p_id=8667&seq=1&format=3#specification
If you are going to buy this, make sure you ask the technical support people on the website if it will do exactly what you need it to do before buying.

As for me it looks quite the same, but thank you for the link and for your advice - I'll ask support guys.

 

[steamroller16]

As for me it looks quite the same, but thank you for the link and for your advice - I'll ask support guys.

You're right. The converters look the same. Don't buy a new one.

Another thing that I can think of is that the converter does not change frame rates. If you have a 50p source, it only outputs 50p and likewise for 60p.

Is your TV PAL(50p) or NTSC(60p)? If your TV is NTSC, this would explain why the system works with your computer source and not with your cam block source. If the 50p frame rate is not supported by your tv, the diagonal lines in your image would move across the screen. Easy way to check this is to set your computer to output 50 Hz and see what happens.

However, even if your tv doesn't support 50p, as long as your recorder supports 50p, you might still be able to record correctly with the converter. Could you tell me the model and make of your recorder?

Otherwise you might need a pal to ntsc converter or something like that after the hdmi to s-video converter. This can definitely be done for a reasonable price once we figure out exactly what you need.

 

[calibre45]

Sorry, I have somehow missed your reply and have just seen it. The question is still opened for me.

Is your TV PAL(50p) or NTSC(60p)? If your TV is NTSC, this would explain why the system works with your computer source and not with your cam block source. If the 50p frame rate is not supported by your tv, the diagonal lines in your image would move across the screen.

No, diagonal lines don't move. Image is still. Also connection СAMBLOCK DVI ==> TV HDMI (without converter) works great.

Easy way to check this is to set your computer to output 50 Hz and see what happens.

It works with PC perfectly.

However, even if your tv doesn't support 50p, as long as your recorder supports 50p, you might still be able to record correctly with the converter. Could you tell me the model and make of your recorder?

I'm not in the place where I have a recorder now, so I can't take a look at it at this moment, but as far as I remember it is Sony RDR-DC100