Frequently Asked Questions.

These are answers to questions that we have been asked by our customers.  

General Questions.

Master SCART Controller.

RGB to S-Video converter.

RGB to S-Video converter Version 2.

RGB to Plasma VGA.

RGB to Component (YUV).

Active Video Buffer.

General Questions.

Q.    I bought a converter manufactured by another company, but the picture is jumping etc.   Could you fix my ** that I bought from another manufacturer?

A.    We're very sorry that you are having problems with another manufacturer's product, but we can only offer support for J.S. Technology products.   Please contact the original manufacturer you bought it from for support.

Q.    Will I have the same problems with your converter that I'm having with the ** that I bought from another manufacturer?   Surely they're the same?

A.    Our products are unique, and since we are the first to innovate such products, we understand what's required.   This is why J.S. Technology products are so highly regarded and considered to be the most compatible and highest performing.

Q.    Is the unit compatible with FreeView?

A.    Yes, FreeView is the new name for the ITV/On Digital broadcasting system.

Q.    I only get a black picture, why?

A.    There are three reasons why you may be experiencing a black picture, all related to the RGB source.

1.    Have you connected the TV output of your source?

2.    Are you using a fully wired SCART lead?

3.    Is RGB switched on in via the on-screen menus?

Q.    I have digital cable, how do I switch on RGB?

A.    For digital cable: choose TV guide, select Customise (yellow button at top), scroll down to Signal and choose RGB

Q.    I have an XBox, can I use your products?

A.    Yes, you will need the Microsoft Advanced SCART lead.   This lead is the only one that J.S. Technology recommends.

Q.    What about PS/2 and GameCubes?

A.    If you have RGB output, the converter products will be compatible.

Q.    I have bought another device from another company, is this the same as yours?   I'm having problems with it, can you fix it?

A.    Unless the product says J.S. Technology, it is not related to any J.S. Technology product - there is no comparison.   We can only offer support for J.S. Technology products, please go to the original manufacturer for support.

Q.    I would like to build my own converter, can you help?

A.   Sorry, we can not give out proprietary information.

Q.   I want to convert from a US DVD / Video to the UK format, do you have any products for this?

A.   For a video standards converter please refer to GTH Electronics.   The units designed and manufactured by  GTH Electronics have won numerous awards and are highly recommended.

Master SCART Controller.

Q.    How does the Master SCART Controller work?

A.    It is able to tell when the Master input is active, and automatically switches over to this input.   Switching off the Master restores the default input to the display.

Q.    What if I switch off the default input while the Master is on?

A.    The Master SCART Controller will still display the Master, it won't change.

Q.    What type of power supply is required?

A.    An unregulated 9V DC power supply or higher.   If a regulated power supply is used, please use a 12V one.

Q    How much power is drawn by the Master SCART Controller during operation?

A.    Very little.   It is quite safe to leave on.

Q.    I want to let my children use this with their games machine, is it safe to do so?

A.    We took the decision not to have mains power in this product for this very reason.   Since the unit is powered by a DC adaptor, it's as safe as any other device powered in a similar way.   The very young should have adult supervision and we ask that you exercise some control to ensure the device is being used as intended.

RGB to S-Video converter.

Q.   Can I leave the unit plugged in permanently?

A.   Yes.   The unit is very low powered.

Q.   What cables do I need?

A.   A fully connected SCART cable (or one that has at least the RGB, audio and composite connections), S-Video lead and audio lead.   Please refer to the cables section for suitable cables.

Q.   I've got Sky Digital, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, you need to ensure that the RGB output is enabled.   Inside the "Services" menu of your Digibox.   Go to option 4 - System Set-up.   Then to 1 - Picture Settings.   Ensure that Video Output is RGB, not PAL.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   Do not press the "TV" button as this switches off the RGB output.

Q.   I've got ITV/On Digital/FreeView, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, similar with the Sky Digital system you too need to ensure that RGB output is enabled.   Select menu, "4", then "2" and the TV Output option toggles between RGB and Composite.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   The timer function with On Digital switches off the RGB output, therefore if recording via the converter leave the unit on the desired channel.

Q.   I've tried all these, but still can't get the unit to function.   What do I do?

A.   For ITV/On Digital/FreeView, please ensure that the latest firmware has been downloaded.    Otherwise, please get in contact.   If the unit is faulty, any repairs will be carried out promptly and if necessary a replacement arranged.

Q.   I was watching Sky Digital and the picture when completely black.   Help!

A.   You've pressed the TV button on the remote control accidentally.   This switches off the RGB output, simply press the Sky button to enable the RGB lines.   If you've got several rooms connected via the TV link or other system, this can happen when another viewer in a different room presses the TV button.

Q.   Does the PAL/NTSC unit convert between PAL and NTSC?

A.   The output the converter is automatically matched to the input video standard, it does not perform any video standard conversions.   For a video standards converter please refer to GTH Electronics.

Q.   I've bought an S-Video converter for another manufacturer but am having problems with it.   Can you fix it?

A.   Sorry, no.   Please contact the relevant manufacturer for assistance and for the instability in their stability circuit to be stabilised.   This is a known problem with the manufacturer and they have added a hole for adjustment of the instable stabilisation circuitry.   J.S. Technology products have never required stabilisation as they are faithful to the original source, which is very stable.

Q.    I notice that the unit is no longer available.   Are you still offering support for the unit?

A.    Yes, all J.S. Technology products will be supported even after they have been discontinued.   We stock sufficient spares

RGB to S-Video converter Version 2.

Please also refer to the original version, and the general questions.

Q.   What are the termination switches for?

A.   At the end of any video cable, you need a termination.   When these switches are active, the termination is present.   If you are using the S-Video converter without the RGB Pass-through being connected, the termination switches should be "On".

Q.    I intend to use the RGB pass-through, what should I do to the termination switches?

A.    These should be switched off.   Use a jeweller screwdriver or other pointy instrument to carefully move the switches from the on to off position.   This should be done in one swift move towards the off position.

Q.    How different is Version 2 over the original version?

A.    There are a number of changes:

1.    Now SCART based so that widescreen switching is now supported.

2.    RGB pass-through.   You can keep an RGB video signal without the need for a SCART Splitter (not recommended as these degrade the picture quality) or Active Video Buffer.   This helps reduce the number of units in your A/V system.

3.    Improved conversion process.   Sharper picture with improved colour registration.

4.    Still faithful to the original source - no need for "stabilisation" circuitry which detracts from picture quality.  As the converter is accurate to the original source, and it is very stable, there has never been need for such.

Q.    Can the original version be upgraded to take advantage of the improved picture quality?

A.    Sorry, no.   The conversion process has been completely redesigned.

Q.    Can I get an NTSC version for use in the USA?

A.    Sorry, only PAL units as the unit is intended for European use only.

RGB to Plasma VGA.

Q.    I bought a ** from another manufacturer, but the picture keeps jumping every now and again.   Does the RGB to Plasma VGA unit do so too?

A.    No.  

Q.    Could you fix my ** that I bought from another manufacturer?

A.    No.   Please contact the original manufacturer you bought it from for support.   We can only offer support for J.S. Technology products.

Q.    What is the difference between your product and **'s?

A.    Our product is designed without compromise using broadcast quality components.   Added to this, our unique computer enhancement to ensure a stable picture which is faithful to the original source.   This gives unrivalled performance.

Q.   Can I leave the unit plugged in permanently?

A.   Yes.   The unit is very low powered.

Q.   What cables do I need?

A.   A fully connected SCART cable (or one that has at least the RGB, audio and composite connections), high quality VGA lead to either similar or five separate connectors and audio lead.   Please refer to the cables section for suitable cables.   Some people prefer to choose alternative VGA cables from our own.   While those from www.bettercables.com and Chord etc are high quality, the ones others supply may not be.   VGA leads do vary in their performance and care should be exercised in their selection.

Q.   I've got Sky Digital, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, you need to ensure that the RGB output is enabled.   Inside the "Services" menu of your digibox.   Go to option 4 - System Set-up.   Then to 1 - Picture Settings.   Ensure that Video Output is RGB, not PAL.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   Do not press the "TV" button as this switches off the RGB output.

Q.   I've got On Digital, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, similar with the Sky Digital system you too need to ensure that RGB output is enabled.   Select menu, "4", then "2" and the TV Output option toggles between RGB and Composite.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   The timer function with On Digital switches off the RGB output, therefore if recording via the converter leave the unit on the desired channel.

Q.   I've tried all these, but still can't get the unit to function.   What do I do?

A.   For On Digital, please ensure that the latest firmware has been downloaded.    Otherwise, please get in contact.   If the unit is faulty, any repairs will be carried out promptly and if necessary a replacement arranged.

Q.   I was watching Sky Digital and the picture when completely black.   Help!

A.   You've pressed the TV button on the remote control accidentally.   This switches off the RGB output, simply press the Sky button to enable the RGB lines.   If you've got several rooms connected via the TV link or other system, this can happen when another viewer in a different room presses the TV button.

Q.   I've got a projector.   Can I use the RGB to Plasma VGA unit with it?

A.   Typically, no.   There are some projectors that will work but contrary to popular belief, these are in the minority.   If we find ones that do, we'll add these to the compatibility chart.

Q.   I've got a TFT monitor.   Can I use the RGB to Plasma VGA unit with it?

A.   No, this unit operates for TV pictures only and is not compatible with PC monitors.

Q.    Is there compatibility information on the RGB to Plasma VGA unit?

A.    Yes, see the compatibility chart located in the RGB to Plasma VGA product section.

RGB to Component (YUV).

Q.    Is this the same as the one manufactured by **?

A.    No.   Unless it says J.S. Technology on the product, it's not a J.S. Technology product.

Q.    Could you fix my ** that I bought from another manufacturer?

A.    No.   Please contact the original manufacturer you bought it from for support.   We can only offer support for J.S. Technology products.

Q.    Why is the J.S. Technology converter so highly regarded?

A.    The converter is based upon discrete components rather than a monolithic IC.   This means we have control over all the parameters internal to the unit and can therefore design a higher performing converter.

Q.   What is the difference between YUV, YPbPr, YCbCr and Y,Y-B,Y-R?

A.    YUV and YPbPr are the same and are commonly found on domestic A/V equipment.   YCbCr is their designation for computer use, where each are represented by an integer value and CbCr offset due to having negative components.   Y,Y-B,Y-R is a non-weighted colour difference signal and if mixed with domestic A/V equipment will give a colour tint.   Both Y-B and Y-R are at higher levels than would be expected by domestic A/V equipment.

Q.   Can I leave the unit plugged in permanently?

A.   Yes.   The unit is very low powered.

Q.   What cables do I need?

A.   A fully connected SCART cable (or one that has at least the RGB, audio and composite connections), component video and audio lead.   Please refer to the cables section for suitable cables.

Q.   I've got Sky Digital, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, you need to ensure that the RGB output is enabled.   Inside the "Services" menu of your digibox.   Go to option 4 - System Set-up.   Then to 1 - Picture Settings.   Ensure that Video Output is RGB, not PAL.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   Do not press the "TV" button as this switches off the RGB output.

Q.   I've got On Digital, is there anything I need to do?

A.   Yes, similar with the Sky Digital system you too need to ensure that RGB output is enabled.   Select menu, "4", then "2" and the TV Output option toggles between RGB and Composite.   Connect the fully wired SCART cable to the TV output.   The timer function with On Digital switches off the RGB output, therefore if recording via the converter leave the unit on the desired channel.

Q.   I've tried all these, but still can't get the unit to function.   What do I do?

A.   For On Digital, please ensure that the latest firmware has been downloaded.    Otherwise, please get in contact.   If the unit is faulty, any repairs will be carried out promptly and if necessary a replacement arranged.

Q.   I was watching Sky Digital and the picture when completely black.   Help!

A.   You've pressed the TV button on the remote control accidentally.   This switches off the RGB output, simply press the Sky button to enable the RGB lines.   If you've got several rooms connected via the TV link or other system, this can happen when another viewer in a different room presses the TV button.

Active Video Buffer.

Q.   Can I leave the unit plugged in permanently?

A.   Yes.   The unit is very low powered.

Q.   What cables do I need?

A.   Depends on what type of video signal you want buffered, but typically three fully connected SCART cables.   Please refer to the cables section for suitable cables.

Q.   I've got an RGB to S-Video converter from another manufacturer and it seems unstable with the Active Video Buffer.   Is there anything I can do?

A.   Yes, you need to return the RGB to S-Video converter to the relevant manufacturer for the instability in their stability circuit to be stabilised.   This is a known problem with the manufacturer and they have added a hole for adjustment of the instable stabilisation circuitry.   J.S. Technology products have never required stabilisation as they are faithful to the original source, which is very stable.