S-Video out of PC in Black and White

[Casper]

Well, I got the audio from my PC working great, but what I thought would be a slam dunk on the video isn't so grand.

I have my nVidia MX420 with all of the updated drivers (66.93) connected to Video 2 on my Toshiba 51H84. When I activate it (alone, cloned, or dual view) I get only black and white. I have tried everything I can think of to no avail.

Anyone here have an idea how to fix this frustrating issue???

[Ratman]

Are you sure the S-Video cable/connectors are good?

Sometimes the pins get easily bent/broke/pushed in.

[Casper]

The cable is okay... I have read that because the output voltage of the video card is so low, the TV will only respond if you have a high-quality cable. This is just a run-of-the-mill cable. I'll try that someday, but I am trolling for other potential answers out there.

Thanks for the response!

[57U]

S-video from a computer is usually a pretty lousy image on an HDTV anyways. It's likely not worth your effort.

You need to have an appropriate HD connection to view it properly.

[Ratman]

Good advice... but this board doesn't support component or better.

Either way, it should not be "B&W" with a S-Video cable.

For HD resolution(s)... a better video board would be in order.

[Casper]

I know that the resolution wouldn't be all that great, but I was going to give it a shot more or less out of curiousity. Thanks for the tips, but I guess I'll just give up until I get a better video card, or dedicate a computer as a HTPC :)

[Ratman]

FWIW... I have an MX440 and S-video works fine with a 25' connection in a dual mode.

[Casper]

What nVidia driver version are you using? What windows driver are you using on the TV?

...if you don't mind me asking.

[Ratman]

nVidia driver version 5.3.1.6

I don't understand what you mean by 'windows driver on the TV'.

[DVdude]

"Tv-out problems: i see black & white"
Source: http://forum.digital-digest.com/archive/topic/2353-1.html

Here's a brief part of the post by Talasonic:

S-Video connections have 2 signal wires for video. One is Luminance, which is the information for a black and white picture, and the other is Chrominance, which is the color information only. What you are describing could be a faulty connector on the card...

Basically, to have only black and white, all there would need to be is a broken wire or pin on the Chrominance signal wire. That would yield pure black and white from the Luminace wire.

[Casper]

nVidia driver version 5.3.1.6

I don't understand what you mean by 'windows driver on the TV'.

In the device manager, you should have two drivers under monitors, one for the main monitor and one for the TV. I have tried a few different ones to no avail. Just wondering if you used an option I hadn't.

Thanks for the tip DVDude... I'll take a look at the card next time I have the case open. I have a new cable on the way too. I'll let you know what my results are... when I get around to trying it again.

[Ratman]

Nope... only one (computer monitor MX704).

[Casper]

Interesting... don't know what the difference is. Well, IF I figure anything out, I'll be sure to post.