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Apple, Tech, and Gaming
Mini VGA to S-video Adapter a No Go for eMacs
- 2009.11.24
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I recently ordered a gently used Mini VGA to S-video/composite video adapter (Apple Video Adapter M8734G/A*) for about $5 from eBay for use with my 1.42 GHz eMac G4. I must say that I was very much disappointed.
I wanted to see if it would be worth trying an S-video connection to my old 1080i CRT HDTV. It wasn't worth it, and I wouldn't recommend this for users considering integrating an eMac (or other device equipped with S-video) to a TV.
The main problem is that the refresh rates (in any supported resolution) of the eMac do not match up with the 60 Hz refresh rate of all standard definition and most high definition TVs. The other problem is the lack of progressive resolution selections - only interlaced resolutions are selectable.
When the S-video adapter is connected, the eMac uses its native selectable resolutions and refresh rates (138 Hz at 640 x 480, 89 Hz at 1024 x 768 and 72 Hz at 1280 x 960) and synchs this to the TV at 60 Hz. None of these refresh rates match closely, and once again the output is limited to interlaced images. The result is a grainy picture with visible scan lines regardless of the settings.
The strangest thing I have found with this S-video/composite video adapter (similar to an anomaly I discovered when the Mini VGA to VGA adapter was not connected to a display) was the fact that the eMac behaved as an independent display, rather than an integrated display, and had different selectable resolutions than usual.
In the case of the Mini VGA to S-video/Composite Video adapter, you didn't see near the quality compared to the mini VGA to VGA adapter.
With that final thought in mind, I would like to finalize this by recommending readers to stick with the Mini VGA to VGA adapter (Apple VGA Display Adapter M8639G/A]) when using an eMac connected to an external display. The resolutions and picture quality are much better.
Other Options
There are other options: You could upgrade to a flat panel TV with VGA for a very nice, high quality (high definition) direct connection, or you could get a 2 Way VGA to Component Video/Component Video to VGA Converter/Scaler, such as the one available from Startech or other various solutions found on eBay or Amazon.com.
Startech sells its own units for $215, but I have found them for around $160 on Amazon.com and eBay. There's also the Multi 6 DVI/VGA/Component to DVI/VGA/Component converter/scaler for $199 on eBay. These devices seem to be useful, but I don't feel that their cost is justified.
You can buy a nice 32" flat panel for $300 to $400. You're halfway there at the price of one of those converters. Why waste the money if there is not enough justified use for a converter? Get better tech for just a little more (in the case of the 32" flat panel), and if you don't need your old TV, sell it, and you'll have effectively upgraded for even less.
In today's economy, it's can be smart to repurpose older equipment,
but in some situations it makes better sense financially to upgrade to
more capable technology. You'll gain much more utility out of that
decision. 
* Editor's note: The Apple Video Adapter is specifically designed for iBooks that have a Mini VGA port. It is not intended for use with eMacs or iMacs with Mini VGA ports, and its use is not supported on them although the adapter will plug into them. dk
Dan Bashur lives in central Ohio with his wife and children. He uses various PowerPC G3 and G4 Macs running Tiger and Leopard. Besides finding new uses for Macs and other tech, Dan enjoys writing (fantasy novel series in the works), is an avid gamer, and a member of Sony's Gamer Advisor Panel. You can read more of Dan Bashur's work on ProjectGamers.com, where he contributes regular articles about the PSP, classic gaming, and ways you can use Sony gaming hardware with your Mac.
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