Black/White output when using s-video...

[MiLToS_666]

Hello everybody,

I'm using the following procedure to capture videos from my VHS's:

I'm connecting my PAL Philips VR-600 stereo VCR to my Canon MV-550i mini-DV camcorder using a SCART to S-Video, Composite, Red-White Audio adapter. Then I connect the camcorder via firewire with my PC. The camcorder has this realtime analog/digital feature and so I can capture video directly without recording to tape first.
My problem is that when I use the S-Video connector I get black/white video and when I use the Composite connector everything is OK but the loss in quality is clearly visible...
Anybody has any ideas what causes this simple problem?
I have tried using a different S-Video cable but the result was black/white too...
I have tried connecting a satellite receiver to the camcorder using the same procedure and the same SCART adapter/converter but the result was black/white video, too.
My VCR is capable of NTSC playback on PAL TV's but I don't think there's a conflict there...
Is this adapter faulty? I suppose you know what adapter I'm talking about! It has this IN/OUT switch on one side so you can use it as you wish.

Any help will be highly appreciated!

Take care,

MiLToS_666

[Swan]

My problem is that when I use the S-Video connector I get black/white video and when I use the Composite connector everything is OK but the loss in quality is clearly visible...
I've not found much about the VCR on the web (think it's from 1999, so it's a bit old) but according to the specs I've seen, it doesn't have S-video out.
Are you sure the VCR has S-video out in the SCART?
If it doesn't have S-video out, you'll get a black and white picture, just like you describe.

[MiLToS_666]

Well, I bought my VCR 2-3 years ago...
As I told you, I'm using a SCART adapter.
My VCR has two SCART connectors in the back.
I'm connecting the SCART adapter to one of them and then I connect a special cable that came with my cam to it. The cable is a yellow/red/white composite to mini jack pin that goes to the cam...
I suppose that it's the adapter's fault.
I found a photo of it:
http://www.proconsult.dk/gfx/katalog/stor/kabel4180.jpg
Mine is the same but probably a lot cheaper...:)

Any ideas now?

Take care,

MiLToS_666

[Swan]

Just because the SCART adapter has an S-video out connector doesn't mean that you'll get an S-video signal from the VCR.
Many VCRs don't have S-video out, neither in the SCART, neither as a separate S-video out connector. Usually S-VHS VCRs have S-video out and the VR-600 isn't an S-VHS VCR.

The fact that you get a black and white picture when you use the S-video out to the camera and a proper color signal when you use the composite suggests what I am trying to tell you; your vcr doesn't have S-video. Therefor you'll have to use composite when you capture.

I doubt there's anything wrong with the SCART adaptor. I know exactly what you mean, I use two myself, one in each satellite receiver.

/Maria

[MiLToS_666]

OK, understood!
I had no idea about this actually...

Thanks for your help!

Take care,

MiLToS_666