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Video out problems.
http://forum.linhes.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12661		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Gibble [ Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Video out problems.
Ok, so I bought a XFX GeForce 7300GT video card (256mb, Dual DVI)
http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/lis ... nId=303568

My TV didn't have an S-Video in (since this isn't connected to the big screen downstairs) and so I bought a S-Video to Composite cable for a few bucks from a computer store.

I hooked it up, and it doesn't work. If I move the machine downstairs and hook it up with a standard S-Video cable the TV-Out works. But not with this adapter for some odd reason.

It's a 7 Pin S-Video connector, and I'd really like to get this hooked up to the other TV with a composite in.

Any ideas why this won't work? It doesn't display anything, not even on bootup.
Author:  khrusher [ Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Couple thoughts,

Did you try the Composite converter on the tv the s-vid worked?

not that I would expect NO output with S-VIDEO in you X config file, I would guess that you need to set the TvOutputFormat to COMPOSITE
Author:  Gibble [ Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
When I had myth installed, I tried both SVideo and Composite. But this problem exists even before myth is installed and any drivers are setup.

The post and boot process should at least display, but even they don't.
Author:  bruce_s01 [ Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Continued from other thread.

Right, To identify if the cable you have is an adaptor, the Composite connector is a RCA "Phono" style plug or socket, the signal is on the centre pin, ground is the outside sleeve. If the cable you have is a CV cable compatible with your card, there should be a connection from pin 3 to the centre and from pin 2 to the outside metal sleeve. (I got the numbers wrong in the previous message)
If you can get your hands on a cheap multi-meter, set the meter to Ohms (Ω) 200 range. Make sure the probes are in the correct sockets on the meter.
If you touch the the two probes together, they should read 0.00 on the meter, separating them should cause the meter to read "overrange".
While the cable is disconnected, probe the centre part of the RCA connector (making sure you get a good connection) and with the other probe, touch each of the pins on the 7 pin connector (making sure that there is no connection to any other pins at the same time), for a short time but allowing the meter to settle.
If there is a direct connection, the meter should read close to or at 0. note down the pin number where you see this. Repeat for the outer connector surface for the RCA connector.
Hopefully you should find that they match up with the diagram mentioned previously
Quote:
nVidia 7 pin
.

Quote:
not that I would expect NO output with S-VIDEO in you X config file, I would guess that you need to set the TvOutputFormat to COMPOSITE


If there is a "proper" S-Video to CV converter, the output from the card should be S-Video, otherwise part of the Composite signal would not be generated, but if it's just some kind of adaptor cable, the output should be Composite. It really does depend if it's a proper S-Video to CV converter or an nVidia 7-pin Mini-DIN Composite to RCA-Phono adaptor or something else completely different. :)
Sometimes you end up with some kind of proprietary re-use of an existing style of connector, so it's a 7-pin Mini-DIN connector to RCA phono, but it's actually for some completely different purpose.

Hope this helps.

Bruce S.
Author:  Gibble [ Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Makes sense...if my multi-meter has batteries I'll check when I get home
Author:  Gibble [ Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Probed my 7pin cable.
Pin 6 (top center) was the inside of the RCA.
Pin 1 (bottom left) was the outside of the RCA.

Probed my 4pin cable.
Bottom 2 were the inside of the RCA.
Top 2 were the outside of the RCA.
Author:  bruce_s01 [ Thu Nov 23, 2006 4:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for info.
So it appears (if your 7-pin socket conforms to the nVidia style) that neither of your cables are appropriate.
The only things I suggest are:
Getting in touch with your supplier and/or XFX if they could supply you with appropriate cable (it might be worth while confirming from XFX what the pin out is).
Making up your own cable by getting a 7pin MiniDIN plug from an electronics supplier.

Sorry, there's not a lot I can help you with here.

Bruce S.
Author:  Gibble [ Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:07 am ]
Post subject: 
I could take this cable apart and change where things are connected, if I knew what should be connected to what...
Author:  bruce_s01 [ Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think you should get in touch with XFX to confirm the pinout first.

*No responsibility is accepted for any modifications, as any problems could lead to major failures*

Assuming the connector on the card is the apparent nVidia standard, the 7pin connector is basically the 4 pin S-Video + 2 centre conductors. Looking at the connector pin-out, the S-Video signals are on the outer pins (so how your standard S-Video to S-Video cable worked when you set that up), the Composite output is present on the 2 centre conductors.
So assuming the above, the centre pin of the RCA connector, connects to pin 3 of the 7 pin, the RCA shield connects to pin 2 of the 7 pin.

There should be small numbers present on the connector showing what pins are what.

*No responsibility is accepted for any modifications, as any problems could lead to major failures*

Bruce S.
Author:  Gibble [ Thu Nov 23, 2006 3:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks.

I'll give it a try...no worries if something breaks...it just gives me an excuse to upgrade :lol:
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