S-Video and Composite Adapter Output Flickers, is B&W, etc.

Okay, here are the details:
- Bought a new *Mac Pro (2009)* Quad 2.66
- Customized with an *ATI Radeon HD 4870* card
- Current OS version: 10.5.7
- Attempting to use *Apple's DVI-Video adapter* (works fine with my G5)
- Poor, flickering, black & white, duplicate, partial signal appears on TV using either composite (RCA - yellow) or S-Video
- There is *no literature anywhere* that states whether this adapter is supported (or not)
- ATI cards have traditionally (before the 4870, not sure about the previous Mac Pro model's ATI cards) been able to correctly output analog video signals using this adapter
- Apple's phone support personnel say *it should work*
- Tried a *newer adapter at a service provider with no difference* in the results
Any help, advice, etc. is appreciated.
PS - If I can't find a solution that doesn't involve buying anything extra, I'm considering getting the DVI-VGA adapter with a VGA converter box (VGA in, S-Video and Composite out) which seems to be the only viable alternative (as getting a new card won't help when/if I get a Mac Mini for movie watching).

Hi Com,
I don't have an answer for you but maybe in the comments about it someone has said something helpful: http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9267G/A
I think that Apple would like to say all it's adapters work fine but I don't think that's really the case. The VGA to Mini Display adapter I just bought was only able to coax a very limited amount of resolutions from my CRT. Other people are finding other adapters not being up to snuff and buying this one as a cure. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA3Ng&mco=MjE0ODQ2Nw
But even this has it's problems.
I hope someone else writes in to help. I hope there's a work around for you. It's just hard to know what is Apples responsibility to do and yours. Yours I don't believe should be an issue if the adapter worked right.

Similar Messages

Does the video adapter output both S-Video and Composite simultaneously?

I have a multi-zone receiver which converts S-Video to component for the main zone and passes S-Video signals through to zone 2 but does not convert them to composite which is how that zone is set up. I solved a similar problem with my DVD player by connecting both the component output and composite output of the DVD player to the receiver allowing high quality viewing in the lounge room and passable viewing in the bedroom.
I realise the quality from the adapter is questionable particularly for composite but I'm still interested if both S-Video and composite signals are output from the MBP 17" via the adapter simultanesouly.
Thanks,
Max.

I have a follow-up question which may help answer the original question. Does the MBP have to detect the external display when connected via S-Video/Composite in the same way that it has to when connected via DVI? My Dell notebook had so much trouble detecting composite and S-Video connections that eventually I gave up so I'm a little "once bitten twice shy" on this. If the MBP doesn't attempt to detect the external display via S-Video or composite then it must output both S-Video and Composite signals continuously (which would be great).
Thanks,
Max.

Does DVI to Video adapter send both s-video and composite simoutanesly?

Hi,
I´m wondering if you connect the DVI to Video adapter on the new MacMini (DVI to s-video+composite), does the Mini send BOTH s-video and composite at the same time?
If connected to TV and projector, I want to see both simotanesly, not neede to change something in the setup...
The both having same resolution I guess is a must!
Regards,
Pat

Yes, many think, but i´ve havnt heard anyone whoose sure?! Can´t be such a odd thing, connect a Mini to two displays at same same time...

How to get plain old S-video and Composite out from a MBP?

Hi,
this question is about someone's MacBook Pro he newly bought with adapters to get both DVI and Svideo/Composite Out.
He got Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D converter, and a DVI-I to video converter, that cannot be plugged into a DVI-D port. Apple removed the analog capability of its adapter, that's bad. But what's badder is there doesn't seem to have any Mini DisplayPort to Svideo/Composite adapter, as there was with previous generation machines.
How can someone easily output analog video from MBP?

In fact, I recognize that these standards are old, which doesn't mean they're not up-to-date. Similar example, VGA connector is old, but perfectly useful, even in 2009. I recently plugged a 22" LCD with VGA and DVI on the same computer (a bland desktop PC), and there was strictly no difference. Same color depth, same crisp display. Even looking at a corner with a magnifier, nothing was different.
So, changing standards just for the sake of it doesn't make any sense.
Agreed that, as a pro, Apple would like me to buy their pro line, but nowhere in the pro line does an easy solution exists for S-Video and composite out. The solution you posted exists, but is unwieldly and not neat at all, if it doesn't break the Mac's connector under its weight. If a manufacturer can do this kind of adapter, Apple can do it better, and make a bigger profit out of it.
For the adapter you posted, I don't ever buy anything that is not at least Mac+Windows compatible, or at a minimum is open-source, so anyone with programming skills can make something. The manufacturer also doesn't give a clue on how this works. I guess some sort of virtual driver sits in the system as a virtual IEEE1394 port so any program requiring FW can work transparently. Still, incompatible with the OS that most manufacturer ship their new PCs with, poor commercial decision, wether you like the OS or not.
Adding FW in the MB unibody design wouldn't have cost anout $30. Rather, we're talking about a 25 cents chip, a 25 cents connector, which they would have rounded up to $20 and still, that was present in previous-gen MB. After all, they are indeed selling a matte screen on the MBP 17" for $50 more, despite them removing a single piece of glass which may cost, well, let's be fair, $5 to manufacture? That's dishonest. And capitalistically justified.
So far, choosing a Mac for one's needs is no easy task: older white MacBooks have the same power as unibodies, excellent connectivity, top notch transfer speeds, BUT are heavier, as not as ecologically friendly nor do they have future-proof RAM standard. The unibodies are sleekier, easily recycled and will be able to be upgraded in the near future BUT is most likely unable to use current devices and have slower transfer speeds.
For Pro models, the newer ones have great efficiency, much power and flexibility with their dual GPU BUT lost the option of matte screen, although their other pro-oriented monitors still default to matte. Only the 17" has the option. If a pro already finds his 15,4" bulky and with ample reserve power, will he buy the bigger and heavier 17"? Probably not.
I understand that Apple way of doing business is keeping only what's essential with no unnecessary options (I'm looking at you, Asus, with you at least 10 different versions of you netbook). But this time, not everyone can find what he or she wants in Apple's line of laptops, as opposed to the iPod thing, where virtually any possible preference is covered.

No S-Video and composite video cable adapters from Apple?

Hello.
Is it me or does Apple's http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables/cable_choo ser not carry any video cable adapters that go to S-Video and composite inputs (an old Panasonic projector TV from Y2K) from MacBook Pros (2008 and 2012 models)? This is just for watching fullscreen videos.
Thank you in advance.

Courcoul wrote:
Might want to canvass Mom & Pop computer stores in the area, that usually don't have such a furious inventory turnover rate as the big chains, and maybe you'll find what you need. Or look in eBay, Amazon, etc. Note that you don't NEED an Apple-labeled adapter, just one that will plug in whatever ports you have left and gives the required output.
OK and thanks. I tried to find on big retailer stores online like Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Office Max, Radio Shack, etc. but had no luck. Or maybe I am not searching correctly (DVI S-Video and DVI composite keywords as two examples)? I did find Apple's on Amazon.com based on the model number from someone on comp.sys.mac.system newsgroup: http://www.amazon.com/APPLE-M9267G-DVI-Video-Adapter/dp/B0000ACOBL/ ...

S-video to composite adapter

This may sound like a silly question, but I was reading the specs on the new PB's tonight and it says that they come with an S-video to composite adapter. I have a PB that I bought in July 2004 that looks exactly like the newest release, but can't find my S-video to composite adapter. Is this a new thing with the new PB's or should I have one as well?
This would come in mighty handy for me is the reason I am asking.
Thanks,
JB

They are standard but luckily they are dirt cheap to just buy another if you lose one. I have a pile of them, some just a S-Video male on one side and an RCA female on the other, maybe an inch long. A few bucks at Radio Shack or computer stores.

Mini DVI to S-video and composite giving complete distorted output!!

I tried to hook up my 20" Sony Trinitron either through S-video or composite to the powerbook without any success. I got completely distorted picutre. I have tried all the video resolution setting that is available on the Displays reference window with the same result. Does anybody out there run into this problem at all.

I have a 12" PowerBook 1.5ghz and had the same problem with garbled video today. When I plugged in the Mini-DVI > Composite/S-Video adapter the PowerBook would consistently think it was attached to an ordinary VGA monitor, and could not sync with the television. This caused a B&W, warped, split in half picture.
I took the adapter back to the Apple store, plugged it into one of their demo units, and saw it behaved the same way. They gave me a replacement and everything has been fine since.
QS2002, 1.4ghz, 1gb, GeForce 4 Ti4600, SATA; 12" PB 1.5ghz, 512mb Mac OS X (10.4.4)

How can I do live streaming with a Mac Book Pro 2011, using a new model of Sony HD camcorder which does not have firewire out/input? it comes only with a component video output, USB, HDMI and composite RCA output?

I need to do live streaming with a Mac Book Pro 2011, using a new model of Sony HD camcorder (http://store.sony.co...ber=HDRAX2000/H) ..this camcorder model does not have firewire out/input ..it comes only with a component video output, USB, HDMI and composite A/V video output..
I wonder how can I plug this camcorder to the firewire port of my laptop? Browsing on internet I found that Grass Valley Company produces this converter http://www.amazon.co...=A17MC6HOH9AVE6 ..but I am not sure -not even after checking the amazon reviews- if this device will send the video signal through firewire to my laptop, in order to live streaming properly? ..anyone in this forum could help me please?
Thanx

I can't broadcast with the built in iSight webcam... how would I zoom in or zoom out? or how would I pan? I've seem people doing it walking with their laptops but that's not an option for me... there's nothing wrong with my USB ports but that's neither an option to stream video because as far as I know through USB you can't connect video in apple operating systems ..you can for sure plug any video cam or photo camera through usb but as a drive to transfer data not as a live video camera... is by firewire an old interface developed by apple that you can connect all sorts of cameras to apple computers... unfortunately my new sony HDR-AX2000 camcorder doesn't have firewire output...
thanx

Video-out adapter (to S-video and composite) giving distorted output.

Recently, we had an anime-fest in my dorm, and we used my laptop (12 inch powerbook G4) with my TV-out adaptor, specifically from Apple (I didn't want to chain two adapters together). While it worked, after fighting with it for a while (the second display properties DESPERATELY need a time-out feature to restore previous settings), finally got it to work.
At which point I noticed that, while playing, the entire video would... shimmer, for lack of a better word. Watching the edge, it would distort slightly, constantly, related to what was being displayed at the time. To me, this seems to say that the analog-out processing is rather crappy, but I'm hoping there's either a way around that, or I got a bad adapter. Is there any hope?
This is all related to the composite output, I have no way to check the S-video out. However. I brought my desktop PC down the next time, and used its video-out (x800 pro. I love it), which worked flawlessly, so I know that it isn't the TV's input or the video file.

*another bump*
Come on, anything? The distortion seems to be predictable, based on what's being displayed. In that case, this could be accounted for prior to anything even being sent to the display, and nullified. I don't suppose anyone has tried?
I know other TV-display adapters have similar issues, but this is larger than most. Something contradictory to Apple's trend.

Mac mini to S video or composite adapter for tv - nothing but horiz lines

Have an older analog Toshiba TV. Can't use HDMI so has to be S video or component. I am not receiving a picture, just horizontal lines. Any help is appreciated.

The component adapter won't work but the S-Video one from Apple should. Try starting in Safe mode and see if you get a usable screen on the TV under conditions of a Safe start.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

One pixel difference between rendered video and composition

I have a non-standard dimensions (767 x 454) in my composition, but the finished render becomes (766 x 454). Does video generated need to have even-numbered dimensions? If not, how can I get it use to 767?
Thanks,

Depends on the CoDec. Most compression methods involving visual compression (MPEG etc.) are indeed based on multiples of 2, 4, 8, 16 and so on, so this is normal. Only algorithms that only use compression on the binary level do not suffer this limitation (QT Animation, PNG etc.) but even then you can find many who are locked into specific resolutions and field settings because they provide optimized routines for standard broadcast resolutions such as e.g. the Avid CoDecs do.
Mylenium

S-video and composite-video, maybe even SCART, in due course

According to Reg Hardware, it's a matter of time.
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/03/21/appletvships/
I for one, hope they are right.

If there's money out there for a converter (and there is!) someone will sell one

What adapter needed to connect to S-video or composite video on TV

My MacBook Pro has a mini-display port and I can't seem to find an adapter that will allow output to S-video and composite video. I have the adapter that worked with the Powerbook G4 12".
Thanks

S-Video is limited to 720 x 480. Unless you have a standard TV (not HD-TV), or older projector, S-Video is not ideal anymore. Plus you end up with an almost unusable external display unless all you are showing is video and stills and slides.
A mini-DisplayPort is adaptable to VGA with this adapter:
http://store.apple.com/us/searchresult?p=MB572Z/A
which can be adapted to S-Video fairly easily with a cable such as this one:
http://www.eforcity.com/pothvgasvrc1.html
A mini-DisplayPort is adaptable to DVI:
http://store.apple.com/us/searchresult?p=MB570Z/A
which can be adapted to component here from:
Buy.com (I never shop here, but that's the specs).
However, the audio will not come out of DisplayPort. For that you need a separate audio cable such as this one:
from StarTech if you have a compatible Toslink speaker system.
Otherwise, you can use a standard RCA minijack cable to hook up to your stereo speaker system.
Note the only store links I shop from are Apple from above. I just found these cables on Google, and have no idea how good any of the other stores are.

Mini dvi to s-video/composite adapter doesn't seem to work?

basically i'm trying to hook my rather new 2.53 ghz mac mini to my tv, which basically has rca inputs. so, having seen several laptops hooked to this tv as simply as using an s-video to composite adapter, i figured it would be as simple as getting the mini dvi to composite adapter and i'd be good. well, for some reason this doesn't seem to do anything. the other weird thing is that when i hook the cable from the composite adapter to the tv, i get a buzz out of the speakers as the connection is being made. why is a video signal having anything to do with the audio? plugging my playstation 2 into the same input works fine. why the difference?

Boece wrote:
!http://images2.monoprice.com/productmediumimages/47241.jpg!
+
!http://images2.monoprice.com/productmediumimages/48501.jpg!
That's the setup I've used. Works great for video and photos, but webpage text can be difficult to read.
I used the yellow composite input rather than the s-video. My old tv is inside an “entertainment center” type tv stand and is so friggin heavy, it’s a pain in the axx to move, so I just used the composite plug on the front of my tv. Since the Mac mini is sitting in front of the tv it works great:-)
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2430645&tstart=0
Message was edited by: James Press1

GeForce4 MX using DVI to S-VIDEO / Composite Adapter

Hi peoples,
I'm running a PowerMac G4 Dual-867MHz MDD, with nVIDIA GeForce4 MX Video card.
I want to connect this PowerMac to the TV, so I bought the DVI to S-VIDEO/Composite, to find out that it doesn't work with this video card.
My question is;
is there something I can do to get this adapter working with my current set up, or do i need another video card or something?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers.

A new video card would work. e.g.
ATI Radeon Pro PC&Mac Edition 256 MB. Has two DVI
ports. The DVI to S_Video adapter will work on one
port, the other port can handle a screen up to 30".
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition 256 MB. Better 3D
performance. One DVI port (single-link, no 30"
support), VGA port, and S-Video port. S-Video to
composite adapter included.
There are also used Mac, and modified PC cards that
would work.
Thanks for your reply. 3D performance isn't really required, as it's being used a server machine that will be hooked up to the TV, so it's hard to justify a Radeon 9800 Pro. Hopefull I can find something cheap & nasty, else this baby is going on eBay.
Cheers.

S-Video and Composite Adapter Output Flickers, is B&W, etc.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for