[philnavigator]

I know from everything I have read that the picture from an S-video source should be a notable improvement over a composite one, but I have a problem.

I have my PS2 linked via the S-vid/stereo L&R cables directly to my Philips 6006 32in widescreen set, via its S-vid scart (channel SVHS-2). I get sound from a digital link to the AV amp mostly. Anyway, the trouble is that a friend of mine gets a clearer picture from his PS2, via the standard composite connection to his tv. There is nothing apparently wrong with the set, as all other pictures are fine and DVD to the RGB scart is superb, but the PS2 picture is just a bit grainy and flickery.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[monkeysoup]

Have you swapped cables (try his composite lead, give him s-video)? Just to narrow down whether it's the TV or the cable. Try plugging into the front inputs as well if you're going the s-video+2phono to scart-adaptor route (especially cheapo non-gold-contact scart adaptors which are interference city). It could be a dodgy/poor quality/poorly screened lead (not exactly spoilt for choice when hunting down ps2 s-video leads). Certainly, composite should really show up bleeding (esp. red) colours and fuzzy text where there should be solid colour, and sharp high contrast lines (s-video should be nice and sharp and with reasonably strong colour). as for flicker - that might just be the evils of interlacing.

[philnavigator]

The scart adaptor is gold plated, but its a basic Maplin one, whilst there is no S-vid on the front, only composite. My mate has no S-vid at all on his so we can't try that either and the cable is a standard PS2 one they sell in 'Game' for about a fiver.

is there such a thing as a top notch cable and adaptor? I have good quality cables everywhere else on my AV kit.

[monkeysoup]

Don't think good cables exist for consoles - gamers are apparently all spotty 12 year olds playing on a 14in portable. Probably no perceived market etc etc. The only cable I could get was one of those cheapo unofficial dayglo fisher-price ones with a silly name out of game (usual bemused "you DON'T have infinite RGB scarts?" excuses from every shop I asked). But it sounds like you have about the same setup as me, only not working too well. Interference/poor screening on the scart adapter may show up as stray scan lines crawling up the screen, or even faint ghosting of a TV signal. Have you tried anything else (eg. a DVD player) through the scart adapter/s-video arrangement, to narrow down the dodgy component?

[philnavigator]

Thats a good idea, I have a decent S-vid lead lying around in a drawer somewhere, so i will try the DVD player through the same adaptor.

I notice on the PS2 browser that there is Component/RGB settings, but none for S-video specifically, could that be a problem?

[monkeysoup]

Quote:

I notice on the PS2 browser that there is Component/RGB settings, but none for S-video specifically, could that be a problem?

Don't think so - I'd guess the reason for the settings is that component can deliver either an interlaced or progressive scan signal, scarts can deliver composite/RGB/s-video, but s-video is s-video. Play with the settings, but short of an enable/disable the s-video output, there's not a lot you could change.

[mattmanyam]

http://www.monstercable.com/monstergame/ps2/

Monster cable makes nice console cables...pretty cheap too

[Kingwraith]

Quote:

Originally posted by monkeysoup
Don't think good cables exist for consoles - gamers are apparently all spotty 12 year olds playing on a 14in portable. Probably no perceived market etc etc.

Ixos now do a range of console cables /me believes