dvb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1922
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I noted the thread below
http://tinyurl.com/6bl2mz
about this $35.00 device for splitting the signal from one S-Video input into two S-Video outputs:
www.vpi.us/vsplt-sv.html
Seems like a simple cost effective solution.
I wonder about this alternative:
A 4-Output S-Video Distribution Amplifier from Cables-to-go:
http://tinyurl.com/4jqlaw
Lists at quite a bit more -- $150.00, but seems to have a "street price" of about $100.00.
I don't know that I need 4 outputs, but the extra boost to the signal (up to 150 feet) might let me view and capture images from the warmth and comfort the my desktop computer,
while I could have the other S-Video going to the 9" Speco.
Edited by dvb (05/02/08 01:49 AM)
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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Probably it's all mark-up.
The actual material cost is very, very low.
Hey people rather want to spend $$$ on moster cable to feel good (deserve the equipment $$$), right? 
Clear Skies!
ccs_hello
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dvb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1922
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I definitely struggled with the cable snake-oil neurosis when I was an "audiophile". I have no doubt the material cost of this stuff is not much, but that is probably true of most things we buy in this hobby.
But, I do wonder if this would be an effective splitter and if the "amplification" of the signal is worthwhile.
--------------------
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Newt on Matilda
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Collapsible Dob
Meade 8" SN f/4
Celestron C8 SCT
Celestron C6 SCT
Skywatcher ED100
Skywatcher ED80
EQ6 Pro "Matilda"
AT Voyager
Skymaster 15x70
Mallincam HyperColor Plus
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BrendanF
member
Reged: 12/04/07
Posts: 17
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Or you can look at the same supplier as the 2-way:
http://www.vpi.us/vsplt-sva-8.html
Their 4-way splitter is just $83.
I can't comment on the quality of any of these products, though. I am interested to hear anyone's hands-on experiences.
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dvb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1922
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I dropped into "The Source", which is a branch of Circuit City in Canada and picked up this "4-way AV S-Video Distribution Amplifier". It was there, and it was only $40.00, so I thought I'd give it a try:
http://tinyurl.com/5qteu8
It is very light, so there probably isn't much inside! It has a small power supply/wall wart. Not sure what more the $83.00 or $150.00 versions would offer.
The S-Video from the Mallincam will go into this, and one outlet will attach the S-Video that goes to the Speco 9", and a second outlet will attach the S-Video USB converter that I will use to grab images on my computer. I then have USB booster cable that will (I hope!) carry a good signal to the USB port of my desktop or laptop computer.
--------------------
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Newt on Matilda
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Collapsible Dob
Meade 8" SN f/4
Celestron C8 SCT
Celestron C6 SCT
Skywatcher ED100
Skywatcher ED80
EQ6 Pro "Matilda"
AT Voyager
Skymaster 15x70
Mallincam HyperColor Plus
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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How about this one from cables to go? $18.00
Simple 75 ohm S-video Y-splitter, not powered...probibly not good for long runs of cable but I only need to run 4' max from the splitter to my Speco and to my laptop.
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5fid=2009&sku=29164
Greg
--------------------
30" F/4.5 Truss
12" LX200 GPS
Orion ST120mm F/5
Celestron 102mm F/5 Finderscope
2" 26mm 70* Illuminated Reticle
26mm T5 Nagler
20mm T5 Nagler
13mm ETHOS
Pentax XW 10mm
MallinCam Color Hyper Plus
9" Speco HighRes. Color CRT Monitor
Light polluted Backyard
10' Home Dome
MallinCam Deep Space Observatory
Great Darksite 1.5 Hrs. Away
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dvb
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/18/05
Posts: 1922
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I definitely considered that one. Somewhere I got the impression those were verboten. I'd be delighted to hear that they work just fine.
--------------------
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Newt on Matilda
Skywatcher 10" f/4.7 Collapsible Dob
Meade 8" SN f/4
Celestron C8 SCT
Celestron C6 SCT
Skywatcher ED100
Skywatcher ED80
EQ6 Pro "Matilda"
AT Voyager
Skymaster 15x70
Mallincam HyperColor Plus
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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That one seems to be a simple splitter which signal level will drop if both output are used.
P.S. Will signal drop (outside the spec.) be a problem?
Ans: it depends on the circuit design, if the video monitor has a good DC-restoration circuit then it will work though is not an optimal situation.
Clear Skies!
ccs_hello
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smokin oakum
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 1426
Loc: Wilmington, NC
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I would think at 75 ohms, you would not notice a difference in quality in either channel being split. I know this would apply in sound, but I can't be sure it would be true with spliting a y and c signal?
I will love this option if it turns out to be a good way to split a signal since it requires no additional power to work, and therefore has less cables to manage.
Neil
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Broadcasting live views of the night sky @
Sparkcast
C11 CGE / Hyperstar
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
MoonLite Focuser
Round Table Platform
12" Parralax rings
Cape Fear Astronomy Club
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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I guess I should have asked Jack or Rock before I ordered it...now I all ready have it and am ready to try it out...
The reason I picked this one is because I thought that it keeps everything at 75 Ohms and I'm only going to run a 50' s-video cable from the camera to the splitter and then two 4' cables one to my laptop and one to my Speco... also I really like that it's not powered...
Hey Rock or Jack.... can you check out the link for this splitter and tell us if its OK to use or how to test it to make sure it's safe to use with the Mallincam?
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5fid=2009&sku=29164
Or here's the specs.
Product Features
The Velocity™ S-Video Y-Cable is the perfect answer when the question is "How do I get one S-Video signal to two devices easily and inexpensively?" Low-loss dual 75 ohm oxygen-free copper wire and a foam dielectric guarantee the proper characteristic impedance. Individually double-shielded wires combined with an overall aluminum foil and OFC braid shield eliminate electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference. A dual coax design, a properly manufactured S-Video cable transports the black-and-white picture detail information and the chrominance color information on separate pathways. This construction enables improved picture quality when compared with a typical composite cable. In addition to fitting standard 4-pin s-video jacks, the performance s-video cable fits most 7-pin jacks found on desktops and notebooks with a TV out jack.
Connectors: 4-pin Male to (2) 4-pin Female
Oxygen-free copper wire delivers all the detail, color and brightness you expect from your S-video components
Precision-manufactured 24K gold-plated connectors ensure long-lasting picture quality
Fully molded connectors provide excellent strain relief to keep your cable working reliably year-after-year.
Individually double-shielded 75 ohm coax wires with overall foil and braid shield reduce noise and distortion
Ultra flexible PVC jacket for easy installation
Send one s-video output to two locations!
Please Note: Results may vary with the use of a passive s-video splitter.
If I hear back before tonight I may try it out tonight, and if I do I will be Broadcasting as well.
Thanks
Greg
Edited by greg (05/05/08 02:10 PM)
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adkstars
member
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 77
Loc: Au Sable Forks,NY
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And I just received my splitter/amp today.I tested it out on my treeline and the picture quality is superb. I shall be trying also tonight on DSO's.I will give a full report in a day or so.Rick
www.vpi.us/vsplt-sv.html
--------------------
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Meade LXD-75 SN10
Meade 8" LX-90
WO ZS-66
Coronado PST
Meade ETX-125
Meade ETX-70
10x10 Explora-Dome
http://www.freewebs.com/adkstars/index.htm
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adkstars
member
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 77
Loc: Au Sable Forks,NY
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BYW I forgot to mention: This product is USA made in Ohio.It is very well made.It came with a 3FT S-video cable and a chinese made wall-wort.And has a 2 year warantee.I also got their catalog on Audio/video devises that they make.
--------------------
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Meade LXD-75 SN10
Meade 8" LX-90
WO ZS-66
Coronado PST
Meade ETX-125
Meade ETX-70
10x10 Explora-Dome
http://www.freewebs.com/adkstars/index.htm
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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Quote:
I guess I should have asked Jack or Rock before I ordered it...now I all ready have it and am ready to try it out...
The reason I picked this one is because I thought that it keeps everything at 75 Ohms and I'm only going to run a 50' s-video cable from the camera to the splitter and then two 4' cables one to my laptop and one to my Speco... also I really like that it's not powered...
Hey Rock or Jack.... can you check out the link for this splitter and tell us if its OK to use or how to test it to make sure it's safe to use with the Mallincam?
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5fid=2009&sku=29164
Or here's the specs.
Product Features
The Velocity™ S-Video Y-Cable is the perfect answer when the question is "How do I get one S-Video signal to two devices easily and inexpensively?" Low-loss dual 75 ohm oxygen-free copper wire and a foam dielectric guarantee the proper characteristic impedance. Individually double-shielded wires combined with an overall aluminum foil and OFC braid shield eliminate electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference. A dual coax design, a properly manufactured S-Video cable transports the black-and-white picture detail information and the chrominance color information on separate pathways. This construction enables improved picture quality when compared with a typical composite cable. In addition to fitting standard 4-pin s-video jacks, the performance s-video cable fits most 7-pin jacks found on desktops and notebooks with a TV out jack.
Connectors: 4-pin Male to (2) 4-pin Female
Oxygen-free copper wire delivers all the detail, color and brightness you expect from your S-video components
Precision-manufactured 24K gold-plated connectors ensure long-lasting picture quality
Fully molded connectors provide excellent strain relief to keep your cable working reliably year-after-year.
Individually double-shielded 75 ohm coax wires with overall foil and braid shield reduce noise and distortion
Ultra flexible PVC jacket for easy installation
Send one s-video output to two locations!
Please Note: Results may vary with the use of a passive s-video splitter.
If I hear back before tonight I may try it out tonight, and if I do I will be Broadcasting as well.
Thanks
Greg
In looking at the splitter I just noticed that I will not need to use the 4' cables from the Y-cable to my laptop and to my speco... The Y-cable is long enough to do the job without adding the 4' cables... even better. One cable straight into my Speco and one cable straight into my Dazzle and Dazzle straight into my laptop...
Now if I could only figure out how to grab single frames from Dazzle recordrd video???
I have a lot of Dazzle video recorded from a 3 night dark sky trip, and I need to grab the single images to share with the group... 
Greg
--------------------
30" F/4.5 Truss
12" LX200 GPS
Orion ST120mm F/5
Celestron 102mm F/5 Finderscope
2" 26mm 70* Illuminated Reticle
26mm T5 Nagler
20mm T5 Nagler
13mm ETHOS
Pentax XW 10mm
MallinCam Color Hyper Plus
9" Speco HighRes. Color CRT Monitor
Light polluted Backyard
10' Home Dome
MallinCam Deep Space Observatory
Great Darksite 1.5 Hrs. Away
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ccs_hello
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/03/04
Posts: 2805
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Greg,
The product description language is rather creative.
Using a 75 ohm cable as the transmission line does not and cannot guarantee impedance match, if that unit is a simple passive "Y" cable.
P.S. active circuit "distribution amplifier" does not have this problem.
Will impedance mismatch cause a problem? That depends on the receiving side of the circuitry. A good DC restoration front-end is required.
Clear Skies!
ccs_hello
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Jack Huerkamp
Vendor - Waning Moon
Reged: 10/13/05
Posts: 519
Loc: Louisiana
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Greg,
Rock has recommended th use of an amplified splitter to avoid dropping the impedance seen by the camera. Here is what he said:
"Jack,
You can "get away" by plugging a few devices but it is not recommended. It puts a load that exceed the output terminal voltage on the output amp of the camera. It would be better to use a distribution box with multiple output with a 10db gain amplifier in order to remove the excessive load from the internal amp in the camera. It will also equalize the final load and make the image a lot clearer. One way would be to use the SVHS as a short distance connection to wireless through a adapter, next would be to connect the composite through the rest of his signal devices such as monitor and computer adapter
If no amplifier is used, careful adjustment of Brightness and Contrast will have to be observed on each monitoring device.
Rock"
A simple video splitter MAY not be a good idea.
Jack
--------------------
Orion ED80
Coulter CT-100
Celestron 6" f/8 Refractor
8" Newtonian/Cassegrain on Byers 812 Mount
Classic C-8
Celestron 11" CPC 100 with HyperStar
Tricked-out 17.5" AstroSystems TeleKit
Life Member and ALCOR - PAS New Orleans
 Waning Moon II Observatory
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adkstars
member
Reged: 03/11/06
Posts: 77
Loc: Au Sable Forks,NY
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I tried it out tonight. Works like a charm! Rick.
--------------------
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Meade LXD-75 SN10
Meade 8" LX-90
WO ZS-66
Coronado PST
Meade ETX-125
Meade ETX-70
10x10 Explora-Dome
http://www.freewebs.com/adkstars/index.htm
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greg
sage
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 389
Loc: Central Ca.
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Thanks Jack,
I didn't think this was a simple splitter when I ordered it, so I won't take a chance with it.
My laptop has an S-video out so I will try the camera S-video to the Dazzle, Dazzle to my laptop and S-video from my laptop to my Speco.... If that doesn't work then I will order up the powered splitter.
Thanks again
Greg
--------------------
30" F/4.5 Truss
12" LX200 GPS
Orion ST120mm F/5
Celestron 102mm F/5 Finderscope
2" 26mm 70* Illuminated Reticle
26mm T5 Nagler
20mm T5 Nagler
13mm ETHOS
Pentax XW 10mm
MallinCam Color Hyper Plus
9" Speco HighRes. Color CRT Monitor
Light polluted Backyard
10' Home Dome
MallinCam Deep Space Observatory
Great Darksite 1.5 Hrs. Away
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starcam
sage
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 221
Loc: MD
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Hey Greg,
I use PowerDVD by Cyberlink to grab frames off of DVD's.
http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/products/main_1_ENU.html
--------------------
Celestron 9.25 SCT f/10 fl/2350
William Optics Megrez 72mm F/6 fl/432mm
Stellarvue SV102ED2 F/7 fl/710
Coronado PST
CG-5
40mm Paragon
28mm UWAN
22mm Panoptic
17mm T4
13mm T6
10mm Pentax XW 8-24 zoom
8,12,15,21,28 RKE
5,8,17 Hyperion
4,6II,7,9 Burgess Planetaries
6,8,12brass Brandon
Oberwerk bino 15x70
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