Universal dock doesn't output video?

I agree with jed. As best I could tell, all of the folks complaining that they get no video when using the S-Video output from the dock, have been using an adapter to connect the S-Video to a composit RCA video input. They should either connect directly to the TV's S-Video input as jed describes, or else use the regular RCA video ouput (I don't yet have a dock but I am assuming that there is an RCA-type video output connection).

The dock doesn't have a RCA-type connection on it only the line-out (both audio and video) and S-Video (video only). All what you would have to do is use a mini-DV Camera's A/V cable and connect that into to line-out on the dock then into your TV.

just to clarify from experience:

1) you CANNOT use just any AV cable (such as a camera cable) except the apple ipod AV cable. something about the signal and the way the ipod software setting pushes it along to the TV. i'm sure that there will be some others that work (like the monster) which are either built for this purpose, or are just configured the right way. unless you are trying to spite apple for some personal vindication, i suggest just going with it since it works and you won't buy 7 different useless cords in the process.

2) jed is absolutely correct on this one. running on the AV Cable idea, if only the specified cable works, chances are slim-to-none that converting this signal from S-Video to RCA is going to be successful.

in short, while there are often easier, even cheaper, ways to do things differently to how apple advocates in their instructions, this is one instance where sticking to the outlined method is best - infact, it's the only way. purpose built hardware demands purpose built accessories...

hope this helps...

This page has a good explanation of that iPod cable.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markquestion/58420576/

So apparently, there's no hocus pocus other than a switching of connectors (looks like to separate video from audio with the ground in-between).

That said, if you have a connector that will convert S-video to RCA (Apple sells one that works with their PowerBooks and other computers with S-video connectors), it should work fine (haven't had the opportunity to test mine as my dock is at home.

thanks fo rshedding light on the grounding issue. the link was useful ito explaining why other AV cables don't work. i have taken the liberty of copying your link into replies to similar threads to share the knowledge, and thought i'd give credit where due.

while there's no hocus pocus to the wiring, i'm still humbled by the 'magic' that happens when i use my iPod. corny, i know, but i still marvel at the technology crammed into it; down to the scroll wheel, this thing is incredible. even my mom's impressed that i carry a TV, HI-FI, DVD player, filofax and photo gallery in my pocket (and i'm happy to see you...)

I have the same problem. To clarify I have been using for years the S-video out of my Powerbook to watch movies on my TV that does NOT have a S-video in by using a S-video to RCA converter. What works with the Powerbook does not appear to work with the dock. No video signal. I know what to do to solve it (get another cable) but the bottom line is the dock cannot convert a signal from its S-video out so that a RCA connection can be used. I believe that was the original question and it is also my question. So can somebody please finally confirm that this does not work and maybe shed some light on why it is different from the Powerbook situation.

Three options that work:

1) Apple's AV cable from 3,5mm jack on iPod to red-white-yellow RCA inputs on TV

2) Universal dock with S-video cable DIRECTLY to S-Video input on TV

3) Universal dock with S-video cable to SCART S-video adapter plugged into the SCART input on the TV

You can get a SCART converter with three RCA and one S-video input for almost nothing at any electronics store.

...I have also successfully used the S-video input on my A/V receiver and from the receiver to the TV, also used the S-video input on my Pioneer DVD recorder that again connects with a SCART cable to the TV

I guess the one thing that DOESN'T work, as mentioned, is the S-video to RCA conversion cable. Almost anything else seems to work fine. I have not been able to register any differences in quality using any of the combinations that work.

Hope this answers this topic!

You need the iPod AV cable or a straight S-Video to S-Video cable.