When I connect my TV to the NVIDIA video card using an S-video connection in addition to the regular connector to the monitor I get cloning of my desktop on the TV but no color. I tried to change to NTSC output but still no color. Please advise? Thanks.
Black and White Output Problem
A black and white signal problem to the TV is a common error when connecting a video card and cloning a computer monitor image, and likely isn’t related to your NVidia card specifically. One simple fix that a lot of users report success with is buying an inexpensive 4 pin S-Video to composite RCA cable. Even though switching from an S-video connection to NTSC didn’t help, the composite cable might. It is important to note here that it is only a composite cable that you need here, not a composite adapter.
About Connection Cables
S-video cables transmit four different signals. In many cases, televisions aren’t able to make sense of all that data and some features - in your case color - are lost in transmission. You can resolve this issue with a composite cable, or by using a TV that is compatible with S-video
Adjust the NVidia Display Settings
Whether or not you decide to adjust the cable adapter, another possibility is that changing the NVidia settings will tell the computer to load the color. You might be able to adjust the computer’s signal transmission in the display properties rather than using a different cord, or you might have luck using a composite cable and adjusting the settings. Try these steps to alter the configuration:
- Right click the desktop and choose Properties/Display Properties
- Choose Settings, then Advanced
- Find the NVidia tab and choose View Display Settings
- Now, right click the entry for your TV and choose Select TV Format
- Select Advanced
- Now you’ll see listings for the Signal Format, such as PAL, NTSC and so on, click Apply
- If the monitor doesn’t show the TV in color, then go back and select Video Output Format
- Find the listing that says Auto-Select and change it to Composite
- Click Apply again and the TV should be in color
I hope these tips help. It is most likely that switching the cable and adjusting the settings are all that’s required, but if you are still having problems, write us again and let us know what you’ve tried and we can take it from there. Good luck!
