Poor Man's Component to S-Video Converter

So basically you insert the Magnavox in between your cable box and the target recorder and with this you get true 16x9 through S-Video-In without letterboxing? Although I dont currently have an HDTV, this is something to keep in mind for when I do get one...

It depends on whether the recorder in question is doing an analog-to-digital-to-analog conversion between its inputs and its outputs. If you note the characteristic half-second delay between them, that's a pretty sure sign that it is doing the conversion. Note that this is a minor quality hit compared to an MPEG encoding, and even those can be virtually unnoticable at maximum recording quality. So the effect on the signal is no doubt negligible.

I just picked one of these up off of ebay a few days ago. Still waiting for it to ship. In the mean time, am I really going to NEED a remote for it to get it to pass the widescreen signal from component to s-video? I already have a Sony RMVL600 8 device learning remote that actually seems to be pretty good about having most of the features of a factory remote. Are there any special buttons on the remote (like the stupid record pause button for my Sony DVD recorder) that I'll need to track down a factory remote for?

Thanks again for the tip, and to all, have a happy and safe New Year!

Okay, I'll get right on that. Too bad Magnavox doesn't have something cool and helpful like the Sony Style store. They helped me program my VL600 for my RDR-GX330 so I could use the record pause feature. Thanks for the input and research!

I can't believe that someone hasn't just created a component to s-video wire at this point. It seems so simple, to me.

All I want to do is be able to record onto DVD programs that I recorded / stored with my DVRSTB. I want to use the component output of the my DVRSTB into A DVD recorder that accepts component inputs. This is an effort to have my 16:9 HD programs copied onto a DVD in 16:9 without all the bars and stretch distortion. I know that I won't get an HD DVD but if the format looks good that's all I care about. This whole thing is crazy because the manuals that come with the DVDR's don't explain what the limitations are. I am looking at the Phillips DVDR3400 with component inputs.

It will be a bit more than a "wire", but it could be done with a small circuit, all analog. Probably small enough to look like it's just a thick wire, not sure if it would have to be powered or not, probably would though. So more like a black box at that point, with an AC Adapter to power it.

But yeah, I too am surprised one hasn't been built.

I use the Polaroid drm2001G specifically for its component in for the reasons you have desscribed. Other units with component input can be found here...http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=775235

Glad that its working for you.

With many of the Philips products, the quality of the S-video output depends on the record mode setting (WUSIWYG) ... So to get the best input for your second recorder, set the passthru recorder (Magnavox) to its best record mode setting (XP?).

Good info.
Thanks

Good info!

Has anybody successfully used this set up with a SA8300HD box? The problem I seem to be having is that the box won't output component for some reason. The "Y" channel is also the composite video out if the box doesn't detect a component video input on the other side. I normally watch the box hooked directly up to the TV through the HDMI connection, and yes I know the box will only output component or HDMI, not both at the same time. To remedy that, I have an HDMI switch that I use to break that connection. So, when I'm trying to record, everything is very green. The component cable going to the Magnavox is brand new, and I have tried other cables to make sure that's not it. And, I get good color when I play a DVD or VHS tape, so I know the problem is somewhere between the cable box and the Magnavox. I have further verified this by unplugging the Pr and Pb leads from the cable box and there was no change whatsoever to the picture. The box also deselected all resolutions except 480i. I was able to reselect the other resolutions, but given that the Magnavox will only accept 480i, that's kind of beside the point. It just reinforces my assumption that the SA is only outputting composite. Any help would be welcomed at this point!

Yeah, mine's a Passport box too. I'll have to try that when I get home. Seems like it worked at one point without me unplugging the cable, but then I got a new set of shelves and had to break EVERYTHING down and set it back up again. I think my cable provider also pushed out an update that very night. I had trying unplugging the HDMI cable from the switch, but hadn't tried unplugging it from the box. Thanks!

Okay, figured it out over the weekend. The box was working fine, had a good component output even with the HDMI cable plugged in. The Pr input on the Magnavox went out. Also explains why when I'd pull one of the cables out of the back of the SA8300HD to look for a difference in color I wouldn't see one. The Pr input is the top jack. When I pulled the Pb, it pretty much went black and white whether the Pr was plugged in or not. So, anybody want to buy a working MRV700 cheap ? Only thing I can find wrong with it is a bad Pr input.

My Motorola 6412 won't ouput 16:9 480i-

I picked up a Philips DVDR3400 just to record widescreen content via the component video inputs- Come to find out the Motorola 6412 won't output widescreen 480i.

Is this a Motorola STB issue? Or a Comcast issue?

Motorola. I'm in the same boat.

So, just got a Philips DVDR77 off eBay, same problem as before. I'm starting to think it's not a bad Pr input on the Magnavox, but a bad Pr output on the STB. Shame considering how much programming I have saved to it that I won't be able to archive to DVD.

Yeah, that thought occurred to me as well. Not sure if my video output will do 16:9, though. I actually tracked down the problem this morning, though. As luck would have it, I had 2 bad cables. The S-video from the Magnavox/Philips going to the Sony DVDR and the Pr channel of the component cable going from the Sony DVDR to my video switch. If I replaced one of them, but not both, had the same problem. Noticed when I replaced the component cable and wiggled the s-video cable just right it worked. Replaced them both and it looks great! Thanks for all the help everybody. That's why I love this board.

BTW, there's nothing wrong with the Magnavox MRV-700 that I originally bought. If anybody wants it, I'd like to get rid of it. Everything seems to work, although I haven't actually tried to burn anything with it. I know that it at least plays DVDs. I don't have the remote, though. If anybody's interested PM me with an offer. I may post it in the For Sale section too. I just really don't want to deal with eBay.

EDIT: The Magnavox has been sold. Thanks for those who expressed interest! If anybody else has any questions about this type setup with a Philips/Magnavox product, please feel free to PM me.

GFelizardo or thebard,

Did you happen to try setting the 6412 as TV type 16:9 while having the DVI/Component Output set at 480i?

I know that the TV type settings only show 4:3 letterbox or 4:3 pan & scan (not anamorphic), but wondered if keeping the TV type to 16:9 would fool the component in DVD recorder to squish the signal itself? The DVD Recorder might see the wide signal and "fit" it as best it could, which would be 4:3

I'm figure you probably did try this, but I'm grasping at straws to see if this will work before I buy a recorder. I've read posts that say Moto STB 16:9 to DVDR can be done and can't be done...

Porkozone, you should start a separate thread, asking if anyone has made anamorphic DVDs from cable, and what equip. they used to do it, and if anyone has done it with Comcast Moto boxes.

I have had a Comcast 6412P3 for a couple of years, and I recall someone on this forum saying they could make anamorphic recordings in the way I described on the DVR forum, the way you have described here, on a 6412 of some kind. I recall deciding I didn't want to go to the trouble of the constant switching to do it, even if I had a converter. Perhaps subsequent firmware changes have made it impossible, I don't know.

Anyone had any experiences with the Phillips DVDR80 (which has Component In & Out) recording & passing through via S-Video Out: full wide screen 16:9? I was hoping to use it between my TWC SA8300HD and a Panny ES-10. Component Out on the SA8300HD to Component In on the DVDR80 to S-Video Out of the DVDR80 to S-Video In on the ES-10. I want to use the 16:9 DVD-RAM feature on the ES-10? Any ideas if this will work?? I'd be happy if the DVDR80 would record in full wide screen 16:9 but there is no comment of this in the Owners Manual??
Thanks!

Poloroid 2001G recorder no picture thru component inputs or outputs

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I am not getting a picture with the poloroid thru the component inputs from the 8300HD, I have set the 8300HD to 480i Widescreen, but I am not seeing a picture when I turn on the poloroid only when I turn the poloroid off, any advice? I really want to transfer HD recordings (480i) to DVD and return a few DVR's thanks!

thats what it was, thanks nextoo for your help it works like a charm. I send 480i widescreen to the Poloroid and send 480p from the poloroid to the 1080p tv thru component, thanks for all your help, now I can cut down some DVR expenses!