I have been researching about converting S-video to RCA lately. I have been watching some videos on my laptop to help me study for Step 2 of my boards. I like to watch the videos on TV because it helps me focus, and keeps the hot laptop off of my lap. The only TV output that I have on my laptop is an S-video, which is probably better than RCA, but I only have a 6 foot S-video cable. I have a 12 foot RCA cable, and if I could convert the signals then I could keep the laptop close by, and sit comfortably on my couch.
The above schematic that I drew up is a reproduction of the ascii version that I found here. Most S-video outputs have 4 pin connectors. Some silly computers have a 7 pin output, so you are on your own if you have that. Basically all you do is take the male S-video connector, and connect the appropriate pins together to a RCA connector. You simply need one 470 pf capacitor connected to the “C” pin on S-video.
You can see a pin-out diagram for the S-video connector above. Note that the above connector is the female connector as you would look at it on the back of your device. You have to use a male connector on your project, so just visualize which pin is which.
Pin 1 = Y ground
Pin 2 = C ground
Pin 3 = Y (luminance+sync)
Pin 4 = C (crominance)
The above picture simply shows the pin-out for a RCA connector. Note that the signal is the same as composite video.
This is a fairly straight forward project and relatively easy to do. You just need the correct connectors and you need some wires and solder. I need to get some connectors and build this project myself. [via]
30 Responses to “DIY S-video to RCA converter”
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Does the capacitor have to be 470 pf?
No, you don’t have to use exactly this cap. Anything from 470 pF to 10 nF will work, it may soften the video, but it will work.
I built this the other day from the same site, it works great and I don’t see any difference from the s-video to component as component itself.
thanks mate for the info
That sounds great. I read somewhere that it wasn’t the greatest quality, but it is good to hear that it works good.
Can you give us a link for a more complicated circuit (Pcb) that make the picture as on rca to rca
I don’t understand what you want Ma7amed.
Can you show us how to convert the 7 pins s-video to rca.
thank you… i find to this method… i click your google adsense… ok?
The 7-pin connector is the same s-video as the 4-pin the 7-pin has other uses as well but all four pins on the 4-pin male line up correctly to the 7-pin female. so its the same connection.
I would like to build one of this S-Video to RCA connector. Can some one tell me please what type of capacitor is needed? (electrolytic, mylar..) and at what voltage range will work best?
Thanks a lot.
The figure shows female S-VIDEO socket.
http://circuits.epanorama.net/circuits/svideo2cvideo.html
For:
MLC_Binary - The capacitor is in pf => not ploarised (could not be electrolytic).
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the capacitor is a ceramic capacitor, if this helps
i recently bought an svideo to rca cable for just so cheap i could not resist.
unfortunately it doesn’t work. the laptop believes there is nothing connected to its svideo port and just refuses to turn it on. if i connect via svideo to svideo first and then remove the cable and connect the rca cable, it works. :-\
so there must be one of the connections missing on those cheap cables. anyone have clues? anyone have a schematic of the cable? like all things i guess i have to do this myself to do it right.
i recently made this
it is good for movies but not much esle because text ins hard to read
[...] I found a couple articles with the S-video and RCA pinouts here and here. [...]
Thanks for this great tutorial!
It helped me to make my own and i’ve also written a tutorial based on yours here
http://www.instructables.com/id/SAYNK7DF9T3NNL7/ helped me with this project by telling me to directly solder the capacitor between pins 3 and 4 on the s-video plug and then by soldering wires from pins 1 and 2 to the rca ground and then soldering the wires from pins 3 and 4 to the rca signal. i don’t remember what size capacitor i used but it was ceramic and between 10nF and 470pF closer to the 10nF side. works great. love saving dollars by putting my pack ratted shit to use. if you break the plastic pin out of a ps/2 connection, and the top two terminals, guess what. you have an s-video plug.
Thanks for sharing
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I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
Where can I get the 470 pf capacitor. Are there any online stores from which I can buy it?
Or can you tell me any store I can go and get it?
phil,
470pf is a common use ceramic capacitor. You’ll find it on electronic spare part shop everywhere.
hey guys… i need some help here. i need to connect the s-video of my laptop to a coaxial connector (on the sony video graphic printer UP-895MD) this circuit seems to be the solution after i attached a BNC connector… the laptop recognized that there is a connection on the s-video. so, i think there is a signal going to the printer, unfortunately, it doesnt print. pls correct me if im so wrong on this one… i’m assuming that if i applied a video signal to the printer… it would print anything on the screen since the only input available on the printer was coaxial video in. the printer has a black and white resolution though..the one used to print ultrasound pictures..
Just put mine together! Thanks for a great share!
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Any one know how to get the signal from a webcam USB to connect directly to an RCA television?
what about s video to vga?