MultiBridge Pro 2 and S-Video

[Michael Kammes]

Most likely you need an S-Video breakout.

S-Video is Luma & Chroma, separated, which is why it’s a better signal that composite. To accommodate this, you need the S-Video connector.

The Multibridge wants the 2 signals separated. Thus, you need an S-Video breakout cable (also known as an S-Video pigtail), which is an S-Video “head”, with 2 BNC outputs. These are then plugged into the Y and the C connections on the Multibridge. (It may be labeled differently on your unit)

I do not know if the Multibridge comes with one or more; every Pro device I’ve purchased that requires this breakout (very common, BTW) ships with one or more.

Here is a pic: https://www.cablesondemand.com/Images/Products/subcat/SVHSBNC.jpg

.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior applications editor . post workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.com

[Adam Levine]

Thanks for the reply. The Multibridge has no “C” connector, I’m going to try the “Y” and “B-Y” and see where that gets me with the proper settings.

Thanks again

[Paolo Castellano]

Hello Adam,
VHS featured Composite recording on tape, so it is not required an S-Video connection. S-VHS tapes required (for better quality) S-VIDEO (video was recorded on tape as Luma and Chroma components).
According your equipment, recording to the BMD in S-Video could provide the same, better but even worse results.
BTW, if your VHS tapes are not perfectly clean, I think you will need a TBC (Time Base Corrector). I need it for my VHS captures. If you don’t have one, you could use a device that has one built in (like a DVD Recorder in E-E mode).

Best Regards,

Paolo Castellano
https://www.ivsEdits.com

[Adam Levine]

Thanks Paulo. I’ve never used VHS professionally (indeed I have not touched a VHS tape since the 1990s!), so I’m somewhat at a loss here.

Is there any way to tell if a tape is SVHS from the casette? These are archival tapes from the 80s, so it is unlikely I can find the person who shot them, or whether they would remember even if I could.

Thanks for the TBC reminder, I forgot to order one from the rental house.

[Paolo Castellano]

Hi Adam,
usually S-VHS tape had the S-VHS logo on it.
The most widely used (and better) S-VHS tape was the Fujifilm H471 (I hope to be right, I don’t see one since more than 10 years!)

There was a slight hardware difference between VHS and S-VHS, a small hole (I used to make the same hole on the VHS tape to make them S-VHS…)

Best Regards,

Paolo Castellano
https://www.ivsEdits.com