S-video cables have two separate conductors in side them - think of it as a scaled down version of component wedged into a single plug. If you have a cable that has a failed or damaged connection plug or a faulty connection inside one plug, you would potentially experience what you are describing. I'd first try disconnecting and re-connecting each s-video connector (which you may already have done). When you bypassed the 1050 and went straight to the TV, you only used one of the two s-video cables in the signal path through the 1050. Try using the other cable to connect the DVD player directly to the TV - it may be the culprit.