Voodoo3 3000 TV Out

[U-96]

I can't seem to get a picture from my Voodoo 3 3000 on my regular PAL TV. Neither desktop or DVD appears there, although I can see a very poor signal, but the tuner doesn't lock it down.
Do I need a particular type of lead or feature on my TV/VCR to get this signal, such as an RF modulator?
I've tried all screen modes, resolutions, shielded coaxial cables, regular phono cables etc. etc.
I'm beginning to think my current AV stuff isn't up to it......

The Voodoo TV out is a video out (phono type) female or S-video female.
I have regular coax (FM aerial-type) female and SCART (Euro-AV) female on my AV equipment as options to connect to.

U-96

PS I know the quality isn't great, but I've got a 22" TV and a 15" monitor, and I want to watch some DVDs from more than 3 feet away! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 12-12-1999).]

[KillerBug]

did you tell the computer to send a signal to the TV?

[U-96]

Oops forgot to mention that above. Yes I am trying to enable TV out using the 3dfx tools on display properties, and thus ticking the enable TV out box http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif. I have also tried different variants of the PAL signal without success.
There IS something there, but not strong enough for the TV tuner to pick up. Whether that's from the lead or from emissions from the monitor or unshielded cabling, I don't know. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

U-96

Sorry socalgal, this should have gone into Video & Monitors forum. Don't hurt me too much http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 12-12-1999).]

[joe111]

Did you have the TV signal input to your card? It might sound too simple a solution but I was once scrambled with my All-in-Wonder card not knowing that NOT all cable TV outlets in the home has the signal. Just a thought.

[U-96]

Wow, I found something to stump Sysopt! That is indeed a rarity - at least I'm not being stoopid http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

OK here's the wiring:

V3 TV Out / S-Video-to-RCA lead / RCA-to-aerial / TV aerial in
---------< <-------------------< <------------------> >

The S-Video to RCA lead is the one that ships with the Voodoo 3. The RCA to aerial (coaxial) is from Radio Shack.
I am enabling TV out in the 3dfx tools tab of display properties, trying various resolutions and colour depths.
I have tried disabling simultaneous TV and monitor output.
I have tried booting up with TV only. The image is scrambled up so much that I can't change properties on the TV.
I've tried playing DVDs (instead of outputting the desktop)
I've tried using a signal booster.
I've tried it on two different TVs.

In each case, I DO get a signal, so I think the V3 is okay. It just doesn't seem strong enough OR on the right frequency - a bit like tuning a TV to a distant station - lots of static, interference, jagged lines etc.
I can only guess that my TVs are incompatible (both PAL, being in the UK)
with an RCA input, or there's something like an undocumented jumper on the board that I need to fiddle with.

I've tried a lot of Voodoo-specific boards to no avail, though that is where I got many of the tricks mentioned above.
If anyone in the UK/Europe has used TV Out successfully, let me know what you did right! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

What I really need is an AV expert. Anyone?

U-96



[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 12-14-1999).]

[Ygor]

It sounds like you are trying to put a non-rf signal thru your tv tuner.
I have not had the opportunity to try what you are doing yet. (My tv with S video input died.)
I believe that the S video is separate video and audio info that is meant to go straight to the audio/video inputs, not thru the tuner. It's not modulated rf, so the tuner can't do much with it.
You'll need a tv with an s video input for what you want to do.

[U-96]

Ygor you have inspired me to try and come up with a solution. I have a Playstation which uses an RF modulator from separate audio/video channels to provide a signal for a regular PAL TV. It's a unit on a lead, so
I'll see if I can hotwire something. It has a 5vDC so I need to arrange power from the PS and video from the PC. This could be fun.
The audio would come from my sound card anyway, as the V3 output is video only.
Bit of a hassle just for a TV picture, but I like tinkering.
I can't justify a new TV set at the moment http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
My guess is that the TV pod with the V3 3500 contains a modulator, so it's not a problem for them.

Thanks again,

U-96

[U-96]

Well that didn't work, but it was worth a shot http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Guess I have to get me a new TV. I think I'll wait until I can get a cheap integrated digital one....

U-96

[flagreen]

Radio Shack makes an RF Modulator which I originally bought for my son's N64. It is the only way I have found to get the TV out working with my V3 3000. They also sell the video cable in different lengths. The modulator costs about $25.00 as I recall. The number "1778575" is on the bottom of it but I don't know if that's a part number or serial number. At any rate I think you'll be disappointed with the results once you get it working. I know I was. Hope this helps.

[Y Cymro]

If you look around (in TV shops,Currys, Dixons,Tandy,RS at a push) you may be able to get a hold of a SCART connector that will interface with your Composite video lead (yellow phono).

It has Audio L/R & Video phonos on one side,into which you plug the leads from your PC,then the SCART plugs into your TV.

I had one for plugging my Super Nintendo into my TV for stereo output.

[U-96]

Thanks guys, I'll try it out http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

My TV was made in 1985, so I'm not that surprised.
However my VCR can handle SCART so I may give that a shot... my main gripe is that the 3dfx support for this issue is rank.

U-96

[Iron_Jackal]

Sorry, I can't help you guys out on the TV out, since I don't use PAL in my area!! However, I thought another Voodoo3 3000 users would be interested in this site!! I was disappointed at the lastest driver version 1.03.04 for their performance and the bugs within some games!!

Anyhow, check out this excellent site and for the hacked driver...

http://www.3dwars.com/3dXtreme/FrameSet1.html

[CocoPops]

The video out on a 3000 is "S-Video", so by plugging it into the aerial socket will have NO effect.

It needs to be fed thru a scart or a S-Video input ONLY.

Lee.
PS It then works fine, although only at 800x600.