How to Convert an S Video Connection to a HDMI Connection
By Ryan Casima
Updated September 28, 2017
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connections have higher data transfer rates than connections such as S-video (Separate Video). Running a HDMI connection from an S-Video port will improve the clarity and the frame rate (amount of picture frames per second in a video), especially if the video being transferred is above the 720p video quality, which represents the minimum quality rating for HDMI. All you need to convert a S-Video connection to a HDMI connection is a simple converter. Converters are widely used to connect computers, DVD players or old satellite TV connections (S-Video) to HDTVs (TVs that use HDMI).
Purchase an S-Video to HDMI converter that supports the resolution of the HD display you are connecting to (See link in the Resources section for a picture of such a device). For example, if you have a 1080i video quality TV, purchase a S-Video to HDMI converter that is rated at a 1080i quality. Using a S-Video to HDMI converter that is rated below your HD display's video quality will cause you to lose some of the video quality.
Take the S-Video cable from the device that has the S-Video port and plug it in to the S-Video port of the S-Video to HDMI converter, which is located on the back of the converter and is marked with "SV." The S-Video ports on computers and DVD players are located on the back of the devices (See link in the Resources sectionfor a picture of a S-Video port).
Take the HDMI cable from the HD display and plug it into the back of the S-Video to HDMI converter, and is marked with "Output HDMI."
Connect the DC power adapter to the S-Video to HDMI converter. Press the power button on the S-Video to HDMI converter. This will enable the connection between the S-Video device and the HD display. Test the connection by playing a video on the S-Video device. The video should appear on the HD display.
Tips
There are some converters that will convert the video or media content from the S-Video device to a higher quality. The S-Video to HDMI converter in the resources has this feature.
S-Video to HDMI converters are complicated devices; reading the manual that comes with the converter is highly recommended.
If your S-Video device uses analog audio cables, such as the ones the ones in the second picture of the resources, connect those to the S-Video to HDMI converter. The ports for the analog audio cables are marked with an "R" and an "L." The audio connection should be merged with the S-Video connection and sent to the HD display through the HDMI cables. Newer S-Video connections have the audio built in to their connections and do not need any other cables for audio.
References
- Karol Harmata, professor of Computer Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Writer Bio
Ryan Casima is a student at the Illinois Institute of Technology and is going to major in bioengineering. He has been featured on various websites as a cardio-fitness expert. Casima has studied human anatomy, body function and medicine in general since 2009.