captured video with RCA cable splitter

[wuziq]

I'm sure someone has encountered this problem before. Here's the deal:

My capture card is a Sabrent TV-PCB05, which uses Philips SAA7134. I am capturing at 320x480 (computer is a bit older) using iuVCR. I connected my PS2 composite video cable to my capture card, *as well as my TV* by using an RCA cable splitter that I got from Radio Shack. That way, I can do the captures but still be able to play using the TV instead of my computer monitor.

The problem is that the colors on the captured video don't look as nice as they do when the video ISN'T split between the capture card and TV. It's like I am watching an old VHS tape or something. Here's a comparison (I have resized to 640x480, ignore the interlacing):

not split:
http://wuziq.com/not-split.bmp

split:
http://wuziq.com/split.bmp

What do I have to do so that the color "quality" isn't lost? Am I doing something fundamentally wrong? Or is there no way around it, except for simply adjusting the levels after capturing? Do I maybe need a special splitter of some sort?

[chipzoller]

I don't have an answer just yet, but I'd like to ask if the difference between the split and non-split frames are using the same cable? If so, why don't you try PS2-> using your splitter cable and a "straight" cable. Because it looks to me like a higher luma level on the split frame, but normally with an inferior cable improperly shielded there would be some signal interference which usually equates to a diminished luma signal.

[wuziq]

The setup is: the male end of one yellow composite cable from the PS2 is connected to the female end of a female-to-dual-male RCA cable splitter. One of the male ends from the splitter is coupled to the yellow composite input cable of the TV, and the other male end is connected to the yellow composite input cable of my capture card.

For the first screenshot, I just disconnected the TV cable from the splitter; then I reconnected it for the second screenshot.

[olyteddy]

All RCA (yellow) Video Input jacks are 'terminated' with a 75 ohm resistor. Without getting into propagation, reflections, etc. suffice it to say it's there to make sure the video signal is 100% used. You have two such terminations (1 on the monitor, 1 on the capture card) so each device is only seeing one half the signal it should. You need a 'Video Distribution Amp' to split the signal. A passive cable split will not work properly. Similar to http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2783643&cp=&sr=1&origkw=video+distribution+amp&kw=video+distribution+amp&parentPage=search

[wuziq]

All RCA (yellow) Video Input jacks are 'terminated' with a 75 ohm resistor. Without getting into propagation, reflections, etc. suffice it to say it's there to make sure the video signal is 100% used. You have two such terminations (1 on the monitor, 1 on the capture card) so each device is only seeing one half the signal it should. You need a 'Video Distribution Amp' to split the signal. A passive cable split will not work properly. Similar to http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2783643&cp=&sr=1&origkw=video+distribution+amp&kw=video+distribution+amp&parentPage=search

This is exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for :thanks:

[chipzoller]

I learn something new everyday, especially here :)
Thanks to you both!
@wuziq, would you please post if this distro. amp solves the issue? I'd like to know for future reference...

[Dot50Cal]

All RCA (yellow) Video Input jacks are 'terminated' with a 75 ohm resistor. Without getting into propagation, reflections, etc. suffice it to say it's there to make sure the video signal is 100% used. You have two such terminations (1 on the monitor, 1 on the capture card) so each device is only seeing one half the signal it should. You need a 'Video Distribution Amp' to split the signal. A passive cable split will not work properly. Similar to http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2783643&cp=&sr=1&origkw=video+distribution+amp&kw=video+distribution+amp&parentPage=search

Id like to extend my thanks to you as well :) Ill post some screenshots showing the differences in a bit from a component input capture card :thanks: