We have seen a number of comments in recent weeks concerning the performance of the Model 1050 with regard to the video switching circuits. We have looked into the source of the comments, and hope that the following will give you some insight into the design of the 1050 as it relates to S-Video. Except in some rare, isolated situations, the issues reported are not the result of malfunctioning units, rather, as this note will explain, they are an unintended by-product of the 1050’s circuit design.

By way of explanation, the 1050’s video section was designed to accept and pass through video signals at the industry standard of 1 volt peak to peak maximum. Unfortunately, we have seen that a number of video components exceed that standard output level. The problem is elusive as it varies from model to model, and sometimes sample to sample of the same brand and model due to tolerance stack-up or improper design or internal factory adjustment of the video source product.

In some cases we have seen the use of different interconnect cables solve the problem, most likely due to differing resistance characteristics. However, due to the random nature of the problem we cannot recommend a specific cable brand or model, or guarantee that this option will solve the issue in every case.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to make any changes to the 1050’s hardware design at this point. It is designed in full compliance with industry standards and practices, but it appears that in some cases we simply end with undesired performance due to a combination of factors due as much to the design of certain source products as with the 1050.

If you encounter video overload artifacts that cannot be cured with different interconnects, the only other option is to connect your video sources directly to the display device and let it do the switching, if possible. For the small percentage of our customers who have encountered this problem, we apologize for this inconvenience. Rest assured that while we cannot make any changes to the 1050, we have taken this experience into account in the design of the Model 950’s video section, and we will make certain that it, and any future Outlaw products, do not share this issue.