black and white 2nd monitor?

Question

I've just connected my laptop up to my tv (to use as a 2nd monitor) with this item http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=005&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=150140733003&rd=1&rd=1 and i'm getting picture and sound fine. Yet the picture is black and white. How can i get colour? I've taken a look at the settings and i cant find anything obviously wrong. Please help!

Answer 1

Hiya Sammy,

I'll try to explain why this is happening without being to long winded and supply a possible solution. A bent pin or broken wire could cause this to happen so a doing quick check would be in order. Also, if the television has more than 1 SCART socket, try another as some newer models are compatible.

I believe the problem lies with the SCART adapter.

EXPLANATION:
The S-Video (aka S-VHS in UK) uses 4 pins to carry 2 signals, the brightness "Y" signal and the colour "C" signal. Most SCART equipped televisions support composite video but do not support S-Video and will only receive the Y signal. This means when the S-Video cable is connected to an unmodified SCART adapter with an "S-Video" receptacle, the result is will be a black and white signal.

SOLUTION:
The PC to TV kit you have would need a modification where a capacitor placed in line with the colour signal make it compatible with your SCART. This is quite common in the UK and often occurs when the adapter is purchased from an Australian or American source. I am very surprised that a UK merchant sold this unmodified product to you, even at such a low price.

* A modified S-Video to SCART adapter will provide full colour for your PC to SCART setup.

I can recommend a very reliable American source that understands the needs you require. Please see this page for pleasant details:

http://www.svideo.com/svideoscart.html

They are reasonably priced and will do FREE standard shipping to all European customers.

If you still have doubts or require further information I urge you to read up on this well documented issue:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

http://www.answers.com/topic/s-video-1?cat=technology

I hope this solves the issue for you.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 2

Like they say, purely regulate your computer screen with the help of the menu buttons on it. Monochrome wont be a stable concept on xp as maximum courses you run will "prefer" to be certain a minimum of 256 shade. you will discover this out with the help of purely changing xp's reveal settings. looking on your video card and the drivers put in, you may suited click the laptop and decide progressed and you may see some superb settings there that administration alot. If Nvidia or ATI enjoying cards, they have alot of thoughts the place you may replace the luminance, gamma, shade spectrum etc. dong it that way is likewise stable because of the fact that's going to you to save it as a "profile" so if somebody else makes use of the laptop and that they like that stable shade they'd goto progressed and cargo that old profile.

Answer 3

If you are using a S-Video connection, then I would suspect that one of the wires in the cable is broken.

Try connecting the cable to a different source, like a VCR/DVD/TIVO and see what the picture is like.