connecting sony pd170 to tricaster pro

[merina]

I am trying to setup a single camera setup with tricaster pro. I have a sony pd170 and connecting the S-Video o/p to Cam1's S-Video i/p. I am not able to see the camera o/p under camera1. The audio out from the camera goes to the audio i/p of tricaster pro. I can hear the audio well. I changed to Cam2 and Cam3. Still no video. Am I missing any basic thing.
Any ideas?

[Gordon]

Have you changed the camera setup for Cam1 to use S-video instead of composite?

[merina]

Yes Gordon! I did. The audio gets fed in; no video. I am using the regular S-Video cable. Is there a special cable required?

[Quiet1onTheSet]

Yes Gordon! I did. The audio gets fed in; no video. I am using the regular S-Video cable. Is there a special cable required?

Q.1. Is your TriCaster Pro brand new? If not, is this the very first time you've ever tried a Y/C feed to TriCaster PRO?

Q.2. Have you tried swapping out Y/C cables, to see if the one that's currently in use is defective?

Q.3. Is your TriCaster Pro manual at hand, and is the camera's lens cap removed? (Don't answer that one).
;-)
Seriously, I'm wondering if that's a new unit, and also, I'm curious about the possibility of your dealing with a faulty Y/C cable.
Q1

[Gordon]

Also check:
Does a composite cable work? (Maybe there is a problem with the TriCaster inputs.)

Is the S-Video cable all the way in. (The S-Video inputs on the TC seem to be of very high quality and that means that they are a very snug fit).

[Quiet1onTheSet]

Q.4. If brand new, are you using the latest version (TriCaster PRO 2.0)? If so, do note that there may well be two different types of Y/C connections: The first employing a single S-Video cable, and the second allows the user to employ a "Dual BNC" type cable feed from the camera to the first and the third BNC jack on the input row.

Q.5. Finally, have you made sure you don't have the LUMINANCE setting dialed all the way down, in the INPUT SETUP panel? Select the DEFAULT settings option and see if you get video from your PD170.

Gordon is certainly providing you some helpful info. Hope you get straightened out shortly.

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[merina]

Hi Quiet1OnTheSet,

Q.1. Yes - I bought this last year as brand new. I have been using the system for the webstreaming through playlists on a trial basis. This is the very first time I am trying to connecting the cameras.

Q.2. I am using the S-Video cable. What is Y/C cable?

Q.3. I have been trying to figure out for the past three days. I have the manual as well as the training DVD also. They don't talk about the cables. Yes. I have the cap of the camera removed :). I tried a dvd player instead of camera also. Same problem.

I don't see any Y/C cable in Radioshack. Is there a place where I can all cables for tricaster pro?

Q.4. I did the system updates about 6 months ago. Then I disconnected it from internet and kept it off as I got a different project in hand. How do I test its the latest version or not(TriCaster PRO 2.0)?

The camera has one s-video output and 3 jack rca output. Just don't know how to get the BNC output. You mentioned Dual BNC - what is it?

Q.5. Like you advised, let me change the LUMINANCE settings and check.
Thanks for your time!

[merina]

Hi Gordon,

PD170 doesn't have a composite out. So I connected a DVD player with the composite output - Green,Blue,Red - cable -with BNC adaptors. Still didn't get the video. The audio is just fine.

S-Video cable is too tight - I pushed it inside - still its little outside only. wondering why. I tried with 4 different cables. Is there a Y/C version in the S-Video cable?
Thanks
Merina

[Quiet1onTheSet]

Hi Gordon,

PD170 doesn't have a composite out. So I connected a DVD player with the composite output - Green,Blue,Red - cable -with BNC adaptors. Still didn't get the video. The audio is just fine.

S-Video cable is too tight - I pushed it inside - still its little outside only. wondering why. I tried with 4 different cables. Is there a Y/C version in the S-Video cable?
Thanks
Merina

Y/C and so-called "S-Video" are terms that are used synonymously.
You may stop reading now. For background info, read on.

JVC I believe, developed the Super-VHS system back in the mid 1980s; adopted the use of the 4-pin DIN connector and cabling scheme which we call "S-Video" (separated video) or Y/C.

Between equipment so connected, this scheme helps reduce color moire problems in the television picture, by keeping the Chrominance or "color" signal ("C") separate from the Luminance or "brightness" signal ("Y").

The latter stands for "yom" which is "light" in Latin.

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[Quiet1onTheSet]

Hi Gordon,

PD170 doesn't have a composite out.
The Sony PD170 most certainly provides you composite video output, Merina. remember the 3 RCA connectors you referred to in a previous post to this thread? the yellow connector is composite video in/out; the Red and White Connecotrs are audio in/out (Right & Left Channels for stereo).

So I connected a DVD player with the composite output - Green,Blue,Red - cable -with BNC adaptors. Still didn't get the video. The audio is just fine.
You know that the Red/Blue/Green cable is generally used for COMPONENT video, I trust -- but it's OK that you used it here.

Regarding that "Component Video" cable,
Q.6. ...which color connector did you use for the Video, and which color(s) on that component cable did you use for the stereo audio?

Q.7. Are you able to check your PRIVATE MESSAGES I am leaving for you, ASAP? Perhaps we can resolve some issues via your placing a quick phone call to us here. Instructions for doing so are in the message that awaits you now.

Just make sure PRIVATE MESSAGES are turned ON, in the gadget that's located at the bottom of forum's home page here: http://www.newtek.com/forums/index.php

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[Quiet1onTheSet]

Like you advised, let me change the LUMINANCE settings and check...
The idea is to make sure the luminance and other settings within the INPUT SETUP panel, that relate to PROC AMP control, are back at their DEFAULT levels.

It appears you have PRIVATE MESSAGES in the NewTek Discussion Forums turned OFF. Therefore, I'm unsuccessful in providing you contact info.

I trust that by now, you are speaking with a NewTek Tech Support Rep, at 1.800.TOASTER

Here's hoping you're well on your way to success with your camera/TriCaster PRO combo.

-Q1

[merina]

I just turned on the private messages. Don't have any messages though!

[Gordon]

Composite = Compound or compounded together as in luminance and chrominance over one wire. (Generally, a yellow RCA plug from the camera, you may need to use the RCA to BNC adapter).
Component = Individual components, RGB or YUV. Although RGB and YUV are NOT the same, NewTek's hardware seems to figure it out and it just works; at least on equipment that can accept a component video signal

You mentioned that you hooked up the RGB out from a DVD player into a TriCaster Component (YUV) input and it didn't work. Please try just a composite video signal and let us know. Don't forget to set the Camera Input settings to Composite. This is a shot of the normal TriCaster (not Pro) but it will give you an idea of the Camera Setup. (Note camera 3 is composite.)
http://www.unisonproductionproducts.com/Images/TriCaster/LiveCamerasPic_L.jpg
Also don't forget that the Composite input are the CENTRE row of BNC connectors. (Also labeled "U" in "YUV" which are vertical columns; the "Y" is the top row, the "U" is the second or middle row and the "V" is the bottom row.)

[Quiet1onTheSet]

Merina, please make sure you go to the ADMIN panel, and RESET CONFIGURATION of your TriCaster PRO, to see if that then allows your TriCaster PRO to "see" the S-Video input from your Sony PD-170 camcorder.

Also, make certain that there's nothing set amiss in your PD-170's menu, that's preventing a signal to be present at the S-Video output.

Although RGB and YUV are NOT the same, NewTek's hardware seems to figure it out and it just works; at least on equipment that can accept a component video signal
Hi, Gordon. Are you suggesting that TriCaster PRO and others higher in the range of products -- can accept an analogue RGB signal, via the YUV component input jacks?

Wow! Never knew that, nor do I recall ever having seen evidence of NewTek documentation ever making mention of this Analogue RGB Video acceptance capability at the camera inputs anywhere -- not even in the VT[5] manual.
Q.1. Am I interpreting your statement correctly?
Q.2. Is my speculation that this alleged "RGB Input capability" is an undocumented NewTek hardware feature, accurate?

This is a shot of the normal TriCaster (not Pro) but it will give you an idea of the Camera Setup. (Note camera 3 is composite.)
http://www.unisonproductionproducts.com/Images/TriCaster/LiveCamerasPic_L.jpg
Also don't forget that the Composite input are the CENTRE row of BNC connectors. (Also labeled "U" in "YUV" which are vertical columns; the "Y" is the top row, the "U" is the second or middle row and the "V" is the bottom row.)

Q.3. Hmmm. Your description of the YUV layout for TriCaster Pro sounds much different from that of TriCaster STUDIO. On the latter, each input is stacked vertically (from input #1 down to input #6). Y,U and V are aligned horizontally, with respect to each input row, and the Y is also the composite input, for TriCaster STUDIO at least.

Q.4. Anyone, please let me know if I've stated anything incorrectly here?

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[Quiet1onTheSet]

Also don't forget that the Composite input are the CENTRE row of BNC connectors. (Also labeled "U" in "YUV" which are vertical columns; the "Y" is the top row, the "U" is the second or middle row and the "V" is the bottom row.)Alas! The input layout for TriCaster PRO is significantly different from that of TriCaster STUDIO.

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[merina]

Dear Quiet1onTheSet,

Here is the latest update:
As you suggested, I did the following:

1) reset and relaunched the Tricaster Pro just to have a fresh start.
2) To check the o/p is really coming out of the PD170, I connected the S-video+Audio cables of the PD170 to the TV and played a tape on the VCR mode - it played perfect on the TV.
3) The same output I gave into the Cam1,Cam2,Cam3 one at a time and selected the S-Video of the respective Cams under Cam Setup Menu. No Luck!

4) I connected the S-Video output of the Tricaster Pro into the PD170 as input, I am able to see the input playing on the LCD.

Is it possible the Tricaster Pro is having a problem in accepting the input?
-merina

[merina]

Can you please post the picture again? I am not able to see it.
Do you want me to post my setup pic? Let me know.
Thanks.

[Gordon]

You still haven't connected a composite cable and tried that. I know you want S-Video but please humour me and try a composite cable.

[Gordon]

Hi, Gordon. Are you suggesting that TriCaster PRO and others higher in the range of products -- can accept an analogue RGB signal, via the YUV component input jacks?

I can't say with 100% accuracy but I have connected the RGB out from the DVD player/recorder as an input to the VT[x] and it works. So is the Sony DVD recorder putting out RGB or YUV? That is what I'm not sure of. All I know is that I connect the RGB out of the Sony DVD recorder/player as an input to the VT[x] and it works; I don't know who is doing the conversion. VT also works with YUV from the JVC cameras as I would expect. I haven't tried this with the TriCaster Studio.

[merina]

Here is the update Gordon.
I connected the Video RCA cable to the composite jack with BNC adaptor. Didn't work.

I also tried something new - connected the dv output of the cam to the firewire port of tricaster pro. The video signal shows up in the tricaster pro's capture mode.
But I need to get it in the live production screen. Either my cables/adaptors are no good or the tricastor pro input jacks are having problem.

I do see two different BNC adaptors in radioshack.com. I have the BNC-to-Phono (287-303). I also see BNC-Fconnector(278-277). Heading to radioshack to get the new cables and the other BNC connector.
Will post the update a little later.

[Gordon]

Thank for trying the composite inputs Merina.

It's likely that you have a problem with the TriCaster card itself. Call NewTek on Monday morning for tech support to verify and if correct to get an RMA. They will likely ask you to run a small utility to confirm (autoconfig) non-operation of the card before they issue an RMA.

[merina]

I got a BNC to RCA adaptor and used the BNC cable to connect in composite mode (U) and the RCA adaptor end to the Video jack of the cam. No Video. Like you said, it may be the issue with Tricaster pro.
Let me talk to NewTek on Monday. I wish I checked the live production end as soon as I bought.
Hope the fixing will be smoother and faster.

[Quiet1onTheSet]

Hope the fixing will be smoother and faster.Been quite busy. Sorry to hear you've discovered the possibility of the need for your unit to get back to the Mothership. You can be sure things will go smoother from here. NewTek are terrific folk.

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[Quiet1onTheSet]

I can't say with 100% accuracy but I have connected the RGB out from the DVD player/recorder as an input to the VT[x] and it works.Intriguing.

Q.1. Is that a broadcast model DVD player, Gordon?
Q.2. Does its output labeling read "RGB" -- or are you so naming that output due to the color of each of the connectors, comprising the output jacks?
Q.3. Is that very same unit capable of Progressive Video Out?

Q1

[Gordon]

Q.1. Is that a broadcast model DVD player, Gordon?
RDR-HX900 - Prosumer
Q.2. Does its output labelling read "RGB" -- or are you so naming that output due to the colour of each of the connectors, comprising the output jacks? My bad; it is labelled Component Out and also labelled: Y, PR, PB. You were correct in that I was just looking at the colour of the connectors. :confused:
Q.3. Is that very same unit capable of Progressive Video Out?
Don't think so; but can't say for sure and can't find the manual.

[Quiet1onTheSet]

RDR-HX900 - Prosumer
My bad; it is labelled Component Out and also labelled: Y, PR, PB. You were correct in that I was just looking at the colour of the connectors. :confused:

Don't think so; but can't say for sure and can't find the manual.

OK, Gordon. That component output is indeed progressive: "P(R)" and "P(B)" designations with the Y indicate progressive red, progressive blue, with the luminance ("Y") signal.

Heh-heh! Glad we cleared *that* up!
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