General Category > General Discussion
Console Setup Problem
3rdstar:
Alright, this is a tricky one, so pay close attention. I hope someone here can help me.
I am working on a way to do video reviews of older games. I have a lot of footage from a method that I used a while back that I figure will still work, but there is something odd happening.
This is where it gets confusing.
All of my consoles are plugged into a 4 console switch, which runs into a VCR, where the signal is split between a coaxial output and a standard set of RCA cables. The RCA cables go to my television, and the coaxial goes to the TV capture card on my computer. When running any games in the Genesis/CD/32X setup, the out put is in black and white on my computer where I'm capturing footage, but playing in color on the television. When I switch to any other console on the same switch box, the color comes through fine on the computer, and fine on the television. I tried switching spots on the switch for the Genesis, with the same results.
Okay...I think I explained it correctly. Hope someone has an answer for me. Thanks in advance.
amarthar:
Try plugging the console directly to your capture card. From my experience, when you output the signal through multiple devices it can mess everything up.
3rdstar:
Well, I just tried cutting out the switch box, and plugging straight into the VCR. Same result, even though I get a color signal on the TV.
The reason, again, for the VCR, is so one signal goes to a TV, so there is no delay while playing the game, and one goes to the capture card, which has a second or two of delay.
amarthar:
It could by the VCR. Try plugging directly to the capture card and see if changes anything. If that works then buy a new VCR, if it doesn't then buy a new capture card.
Or you could find a cable for the Genesis that outputs two signals. I once saw such a cable for the SNES/N64/GC (made by Saitek). Don't know if there is one for the Gen.
3rdstar:
I'm pretty certain that it's not the VCR since all of the other consoles are working just fine on this setup. My problem is getting a color signal on the capture card with the Genesis. I will try going direct though, just to see if something odd is happening with the Gen cable.