Hi everyone,

I’ve been struggling for a couple of days now trying to get my Panasonic DMR-EH50 (PAL) to send a signal through the S-Video output. I'm using a Hauppauge USB Live-2 to digitize some tapes, but I just can't get the S-Video port to "wake up."

The weird thing is that the unit IS outputting video, but only through the Component (YPbPr) ports. If I take the Green cable (Y) and plug it into my capture card’s yellow input, I get a perfect, steady Black & White image of the menus. However, if I plug a standard S-Video cable or the Composite (Yellow) cable, I get nothing but a blue screen on my PC and no signal at all on my TV.

Here is what I’ve checked so far:

Progressive Scan is definitely OFF (checked the front panel and the menu).

AV1 Output is set to "S-Video (and Component)". Using RGB the composite output is not working as well.

TV System is set to PAL.

I’ve toggled the Comb Filter and Playback NR on and off, but no luck.

I even tried a different S-Video cable and tested it on a regular (Panasonic) TV to rule out a PC/Driver issue—still no signal.

It feels like the recorder is "locked" into Component mode and has disabled the S-Video and Composite bus for some reason. Since my capture card doesn't have Component inputs, I really need to get that S-Video port working for the best quality.

The DVD drive is currently giving me a "No Read" error, so I'm doing all my testing using the internal "Functions" menu. The unit itself looks like new, in mint condition. Even though the DVD drive isn't reading discs—which I guess is normal after all these years as the laser lens is the first thing to get dirty or fail—the internal board and all its components look (at least visually) in perfect shape.

Has anyone seen this before? Is there a trick or a hidden setting to force the S-Video output to activate?

Thanks a lot for any help!

Any idea could be great!

Change the output in the DMR menu.

Not working using AV1, AV2, AV3 neither AV4. Then, i connect the VHS to the AV1 input, and it seems the Panasonic not having signal. Someone knows any thread when this configuration is explained?

See if there is a menu option to do a factory reset of the settings.

I'll try, thanks!!

Here is a lot to read about settings and much more.
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/...15-DMR-ES25%29

You bought this item used, and it could always be broken. Either bad caps, or bad wiring/solder inside the unit. I've seen that many times before with various recorders/VCRs.

Duds happen.

Those HDD units are really a nuisance for multiple reasons. The non-HDD passthrough units are always more recommended. Less stuff inside, less to go wrong, less nuisances.

I don't think that thread has much value here, in this exact conversation. :hmm:
Maybe for later.

Why not?

On the first page he can see all settings from PAL and NTSC devices.

First, I would connect the DVD recorder directly to the TV to see if there's a picture. Connect it to the TV using the yellow RCA (composite) connector. No other cables should be connected to the DVD recorder.

This is the only possible thing on that page that would apply:

Attachment 20199

... but I'm not sure it applies to the exact model being discussed here. :unsure:

Hello guys!! Thanks for all your feedback!!

I'm going to make a last act of persistence for a few more days, before giving up on this device.

Here's some more info:

1- The VHS player (Sharp) only has two SCART ports. It's an old model, which I use with a SCART to RCA adapter for output (next week I'll have my new S-VHS JVC 7600).

2- This same Sharp VHS player, if I connect it directly to the TV or to the capture card of my PC, either with another SCART adapter or via RCA, works perfectly and is displayed in both cases.

3- My capture card is a Hauppage WinTV-USB-Live-2 Game Capture (Analog/Composite). I've tested it and it works.

4- The software I'm currently using is the one that came with the capture card, WinTV v10. Although I will use VirtualDub in the future, for now it is only for testing.

5- The Panasonic DMR-EH50... this is the one I have problems with. Tests, both on the TV and on the computer (because it seems to be the same), using the Panasonic alone, without VHS, just to see if it works and outputs an image signal:

a) It has SCART, RCA, S-Video and Component ports for outputs/inputs.

b) In the internal configuration of the Panasonic (configuration), I have the combination filter activated for the image, NR deactivated and, in 4:3 connection, progressive deactivated, PAL, AV1 output to S-Video with components (the options are S-Video with components, Video with components or RGB) and AV2 input to RGB/Video (to use my old Sharp with an RCA cable).

c) I try to connect it to the capture card, for example, with an S-Video cable (rear output) and two RCA cables (red/white, also rear output), I configure the software for S-Video input and... NO SIGNAL!

However, if I connect any cable from the green component output to the yellow RCA input of the capture card and select the component input in the software, IT WORKS! WE HAVE AN IMAGE!! (in black and white, but we have one).

d) Now, even though I'm not happy because I want the S-Video to work and the sound to travel where it's supposed to, I'm testing to see if the passthrough works. With this same setup, without changing anything... I'm sending video and audio from my VCR to the Panasonic via RCA with adapters, to the AV2 input, as I configured in the Panasonic setup. After making the connections, I select the AV2 input with the Panasonic remote, put a tape in the VCR, start playing... but no image is getting to my capture card, once again, this time not even through the component output.

It's VERY obvious that I'm missing something. The devices work perfectly, the cables are new and high quality... But whether it's a compatibility issue, codecs, configuration issue... something is not right.

To start with... why can't I connect the Panasonic to my TV (or capture card) via a simple RCA output? Why does it only work with the component output?

I've tried a factory reset, turning it off and on a thousand times... nothing. I've tried changing the internal settings... using ALL the available outputs...

I've also opened the device and checked its components, capacitors, chips, ports, etc... and everything looks to be in perfect condition!

With that, I'd like to 'close' this thread and not bother you any further about this. If you have any ideas or tests I can run, let me know and I'll try them out in the next few days. Otherwise, when my new JVC arrives, I'll do another set of tests to finally decide whether to rule out the DVD recorder.

Thanks again for everything!

That makes a difference to this conversation! You need to wait on the JVC VCR with s-video. SCART adapters are mostly junk. And not all DVD recorders do "crossover" (non-s-video in, but s-video out).

Wait until the JVC arrives, test it again.