Suggestions for converting s-video (C64) to rgb?

[emuola]

I know the conversion process is not easy and it's reaaally annoying, that the best signal the trusty old C64 offers is s-video. What would you suggest? I know I could get me something like Cinemateq Picture Optimizer Plus II or even DVDO Edge, but they're still quite expensive (100€-300€). The quality of the s-video from the C64 (breadbin) is really impressive, but the problem is my tv does not "speak" s-video... (scart is only rgb...)

What do you use for converting s-video to rgb? All my other retro computers output rgb (MSX2, 6128Plus, A1200, TG-16/Turbo Duo, Spectrum +2). All the other systems are nicely available via an active scart switch, but there's no way for the C64 

[Bryce]

I've made a few circuits to convert S-Video to RGB (for my C64 too). Unfortunately there are only two solutions: Cheap with crap quality or extremely expensive. Does your TV have any other inputs such as HDMI? If so, you could try something like this: S-Video & Composite RCA to HDMI Converter AV Adapter - R/L Audio - 1080P Scaler

Bryce.

[The Last Bandit]

SCART can also carry S-Video & composite video. Have you tried one of those little S-Video to SCART adapters ?

[emuola]

I've made a few circuits to convert S-Video to RGB (for my C64 too). Unfortunately there are only two solutions: Cheap with crap quality or extremely expensive. Does your TV have any other inputs such as HDMI? If so, you could try something like this: S-Video & Composite RCA to HDMI Converter AV Adapter - R/L Audio - 1080P Scaler

Bryce.

Yes, that was my impression also... Actually I got an offer of iScan Pro (http://www.centretrading.com/eng/iscanpro.html) for 70€. That should be very good at converting a C64 (pal) to component. The original price of the device (years ago) was something like $800, so it was a real high end scaler.

SCART can also carry S-Video & composite video. Have you tried one of those little S-Video to SCART adapters ?

Unfortunately my Samsung only understands rgb scart.

[chinnyhill10]

Just a word of warning about the s-video out from the C64. Basically it isn't s-video.


Commodore included a chroma and luma output designed for use on their own monitors. By happy co-incidence this was vaguely compatible with s-video when it was introduced onto TV's. However the signal levels coming out of the 64 are quite high and there is a quite alot of circuit interference.


CRT's seem to be remarkably tolerant of this, but LCD's hate it. You end up with chequerboard pattern over the picture.


Both my Samsung LCD's hate both of my C64's s-video outputs as does my scaler. However if I put it through my high end Panasonic VCR I get a perfect s-video signal.


So before spending money on s-video scalers and so on, have a play with your C64 and see how you get on.


The C64 isn't the only computer that suffers like this. I had to put resisters into an Amiga RGB lead to get it to work properly on my LCD (the black level was way too high) and my SNES RGB lead also has a chequerboard pattern problem on it which again indicates a signal level that is too high.


Oddly while I fixed the Amiga problem myself with a multimetre and some resisters, the C64 is beyond me. Tried everything, couldn't be rid of the chequerboard. Got bored and went back to composite!

[emuola]

Just a word of warning about the s-video out from the C64. Basically it isn't s-video.


Commodore included a chroma and luma output designed for use on their own monitors. By happy co-incidence this was vaguely compatible with s-video when it was introduced onto TV's. However the signal levels coming out of the 64 are quite high and there is a quite alot of circuit interference.


CRT's seem to be remarkably tolerant of this, but LCD's hate it. You end up with chequerboard pattern over the picture.


Both my Samsung LCD's hate both of my C64's s-video outputs as does my scaler. However if I put it through my high end Panasonic VCR I get a perfect s-video signal.


So before spending money on s-video scalers and so on, have a play with your C64 and see how you get on.


The C64 isn't the only computer that suffers like this. I had to put resisters into an Amiga RGB lead to get it to work properly on my LCD (the black level was way too high) and my SNES RGB lead also has a chequerboard pattern problem on it which again indicates a signal level that is too high.


Oddly while I fixed the Amiga problem myself with a multimetre and some resisters, the C64 is beyond me. Tried everything, couldn't be rid of the chequerboard. Got bored and went back to composite!

Ok, thanks for the info I'll test the current cable with my other lcd-tv which has a s-video input.