TV-Out from Radeon 9700 with Composite Adapter

culdraug · 03-09-2009, 09:05 PM

Hi all; I've got an odd sort of problem, maybe someone knows something that could help.

I'm trying to hook up my mother so that she can display her PC desktop on her TV to watch movies on it. Her TV only has RCA inputs, and the Radeon 9700 on her computer only has S-Video out. So, I went out and purchased an adapter to turn the S-Video into composite, and in short, there is no way I can get a signal.

The computer does not detect the TV unless I force detection, but that does not result in a signal on the TV. I've tried cloning the display, extended desktop, adjusting the TV-out's refresh rate and resolution, turning the various devices on in every possible permutation, setting the TV as primary display, unplugging the VGA output to the computer's monitor and restarting the computer - nothing.

Now, I realize the obvious solution is "get a new TV," but that is, unfortunately, impossible. And there is no VCR, DVD player, etc. in the house that accepts s-video input. So given that I'm stuck with this setup, does anyone have any ideas?

And a second question that's not about video cards but is related to this project: I know it's not the optimal setup, but I'm trying to run the audio out into the same RCA cables carrying the video, so I got a Y cable to adapt the stereo output and hooked it up to the TV. Now here's the weird part: if I'm playing some audio on the computer, and I switch the TV to the channel that takes that input, I hear the sound for *just* a split second coming out of the TV, and then it cuts off; this happens every time I change the TV to that channel. So I know the connection is fine, but it seems the TV just doesn't want to play it as soon as it finds out it's doing so. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading, and thanks for any answers in advance; God bless.

**emosun** · 03-10-2009, 03:06 AM

Honestly it sounds like it's the tv. Even if the video didn't work the audio always should. I would say literally try a different tv with composite in. And also hook up a game console or dvd player to the existing tv and make sure the input actually works.

I have this same setup in my living room and it should work.

culdraug · 03-10-2009, 06:21 AM

All righ, thanks very much for the reply; tried routing it through an old VCR I found, and the audio works now (yay!), but no video. I just get the VCR's default blue screen, no matter what I do. So, I'm halfway there - what might cause the s-video out not to give any signal at all, even if it's forced to detect a TV?

Thanks a lot...

**emosun** · 03-10-2009, 08:42 AM

I had a similar problem initially . And it turned out the s-video adapter I was using for whatever reason didn't work , or didn't work the way I wanted. I went to best buy and spent a whopping 20$ on a little s-video to composite adapter and sure enough it worked. Turned out I was trying to use a 8 pin svideo to composite adapter which apparently doesn't work the same as a 4 pin to composite adapter.

In short I got a 4 pin svideo to composite adapter made by AR.

03-09-2009, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
culdraug Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	TV-Out from Radeon 9700 with Composite Adapter Hi all; I've got an odd sort of problem, maybe someone knows something that could help. I'm trying to hook up my mother so that she can display her PC desktop on her TV to watch movies on it. Her TV only has RCA inputs, and the Radeon 9700 on her computer only has S-Video out. So, I went out and purchased an adapter to turn the S-Video into composite, and in short, there is no way I can get a signal. The computer does not detect the TV unless I force detection, but that does not result in a signal on the TV. I've tried cloning the display, extended desktop, adjusting the TV-out's refresh rate and resolution, turning the various devices on in every possible permutation, setting the TV as primary display, unplugging the VGA output to the computer's monitor and restarting the computer - nothing. Now, I realize the obvious solution is "get a new TV," but that is, unfortunately, impossible. And there is no VCR, DVD player, etc. in the house that accepts s-video input. So given that I'm stuck with this setup, does anyone have any ideas? And a second question that's not about video cards but is related to this project: I know it's not the optimal setup, but I'm trying to run the audio out into the same RCA cables carrying the video, so I got a Y cable to adapt the stereo output and hooked it up to the TV. Now here's the weird part: if I'm playing some audio on the computer, and I switch the TV to the channel that takes that input, I hear the sound for just a split second coming out of the TV, and then it cuts off; this happens every time I change the TV to that channel. So I know the connection is fine, but it seems the TV just doesn't want to play it as soon as it finds out it's doing so. Any ideas? Thanks for reading, and thanks for any answers in advance; God bless.

03-10-2009, 03:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,973 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: TV-Out from Radeon 9700 with Composite Adapter Honestly it sounds like it's the tv. Even if the video didn't work the audio always should. I would say literally try a different tv with composite in. And also hook up a game console or dvd player to the existing tv and make sure the input actually works. I have this same setup in my living room and it should work. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

03-10-2009, 06:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
culdraug Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	Re: TV-Out from Radeon 9700 with Composite Adapter All righ, thanks very much for the reply; tried routing it through an old VCR I found, and the audio works now (yay!), but no video. I just get the VCR's default blue screen, no matter what I do. So, I'm halfway there - what might cause the s-video out not to give any signal at all, even if it's forced to detect a TV? Thanks a lot...

03-10-2009, 08:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,973 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: TV-Out from Radeon 9700 with Composite Adapter I had a similar problem initially . And it turned out the s-video adapter I was using for whatever reason didn't work , or didn't work the way I wanted. I went to best buy and spent a whopping 20$ on a little s-video to composite adapter and sure enough it worked. Turned out I was trying to use a 8 pin svideo to composite adapter which apparently doesn't work the same as a 4 pin to composite adapter. In short I got a 4 pin svideo to composite adapter made by AR. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list