Use S-Video with Foxtel Digital decoder

[nsu]

There seems to be a great deal of confusion with how to output S-Video from a Digital Foxtel STB. The installers do not know nor they care about getting this to work, I was told by the installer that UEC box does not output S-Video. Ringing Foxtel do not get a clear answer if anything at all. I originally posted the following in the newsgroup. I think I might copy it here for reference purpose.

I had the UEC box installed this morning. Switched the output to S-Video from the menu and used an existing Scart-SVideo lead to connect it to my projector. Had the problem: Blank screen.

The problem I had was caused by the cable. There are two kinds of Scart-SVideo cables. Basically one is used to connect S-Video to TV (TV Scart), the other is used to connect Scart Device (eg. VCR/STU) to S-Video TV (VCR Scart). The problem is all the cables on the market in Australia are TV Scart. I bought one today from DSE and it sure is the TV Scart. Luckily the Scart connector can be opened. A simply modification will make a TV Scart into VCR Scart.

TV Scart uses pin 20 and pin 18 (ground) for Luminance In. (on top of pin 15 for Chrominance In)
VCR Scart uses pin 19 and pin 17 (ground) for Luminance Out. (on top of pin 15 for Chrominance Out)

The only thing one needs to do is to release the pin 20 from the socket and put into the pin 19 position. And pin 18 to 17 if needed.

UEC box does support S-Video output as claimed in the specification.

This should also apply to Pace Foxtel decoder.

I had the choice between UEC and Pace at the installation, I chose UEC because it has digital coax sound output, Pace does not have with a quick inspection. I have read after wards that Pace too has digital sound output and it is optical. Somehow the optical connector is embedded in a 2.5mm stereo connector.

[mddawson]

I have a Pace STB and it also outputs S-video via the scart connections. I have been using switchable (input/output) scart adaptor plugs with no problems.

Unlike the old Foxtel UEC decoder that could be set up with differing outputs from the 2 scarts, the Pace only has one setting that changes both. This means it will not output S-video from one scart and composite from the other. Fortunately an additional composite output that is unaffected by the scart settings is available for hooking up to a VCR.

You are correct that it does have an digital optical output - a 3.5mm optical connection incorporated into a 3.5mm stereo jack. This will output digital audio (up to 5.1) or analog stereo depending on what jack you plug into it.

[nsu]

UEC has two SCART outputs plus a composite output from RCA connector. I will find out if the SVideo setting in the menu affects the RCA connector.

[Ozeagle]

Originally Posted by nsu

The problem I had was caused by the cable. There are two kinds of Scart-SVideo cables. Basically one is used to connect S-Video to TV (TV Scart), the other is used to connect Scart Device (eg. VCR/STU) to S-Video TV (VCR Scart). The problem is all the cables on the market in Australia are TV Scart. I bought one today from DSE and it sure is the TV Scart. Luckily the Scart connector can be opened. A simply modification will make a TV Scart into VCR Scart.

Sorry to pull this thread (slightly) off topic for a second. I just picked up a SCART-SVideo cable to run from the (S-Video) DVD player to the (SCART) TV, however the output is B&W only. Is it possible I've run into the same problem as here, and the modification you mention could fix things?

[jokiin]

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

Sorry to pull this thread (slightly) off topic for a second. I just picked up a SCART-SVideo cable to run from the (S-Video) DVD player to the (SCART) TV, however the output is B&W only. Is it possible I've run into the same problem as here, and the modification you mention could fix things?

Some TV's are not true S-Video input and still require the yellow composite connection to be connected, depending on the TV you have it could be something similar (hopefully not though)

[nsu]

Originally Posted by Ozeagle

Sorry to pull this thread (slightly) off topic for a second. I just picked up a SCART-SVideo cable to run from the (S-Video) DVD player to the (SCART) TV, however the output is B&W only. Is it possible I've run into the same problem as here, and the modification you mention could fix things?

Check your DVD player's settings. You may need to set it to S-video output. Some players do not have separate signal wires for S-Video and composite and need the menu to set up to separate Luminance and Colour. S-video use two sets of signals, ie. separate the lightness signal and colour signal.

Also check your TV setting to make sure the SCART is receiving S-video signal. The original SCART specification did not include S-Video, when added later, they have to share one wire for composite and S-Video.

I doubt you have got the wrong cable, otherwise you will get a blank screen (no Luminance signal).

[nsu]

Originally Posted by nsu

UEC has two SCART outputs plus a composite output from RCA connector. I will find out if the SVideo setting in the menu affects the RCA connector.

Ok, I have checked and can confirm the following.
Once switched to S-Video from PAL in the setup menu, both SCART connectors are set to output S-video. The RCA video output however still outputs composite video, which does make sense.

[SXR]

What do you do with the pin 19 that has been replaced by pin 20?