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Question

kodak MAX Z990 camera-how to watch movies on analog tv?

May 7, 2012 1:17AM PDT

I have a "new" Kodak Z990. Basically a nice camera. Want to watch photos and videos created with it on my analog TVs. One TV is a rear-proj Mits with HD via Componet Video input. It has no DVI nor HDMI, just too old, but picture is fabulous. It is 1080i, not p. The other TV is older analog 27" Sony XBR. It too still has a fabulous picture.

The outputs on the z990 are: 1. Micro HDMI and 2. Micro Usb. The HDMI is beautiful as tested on my wifes HDMI connected monitor.

For the USB, I purchased a micro USB to A/V output(single audio and yellow video) cable from a reputable dealer on ebay. When connected to the camera and tv, the picture is "smeared horizontally" and looks awful, I have tried making test recordings in 1080p, 720P, 480p and playing them back. All have the same "smeared" look.

Is the issue that all recordings are progressive and my TVs only playback interlaced and that I'm just plain S.O.L? Or is the cable defective (seems unlikely), or is the camera connector defective (also seems unlikely)?

By the way, Kodak has a cable that looks exactly like the one I purchased. Theirs is more than twice as much. Could there be a pin issue with mine vs. theirs? Just FYI, Kodak website to purchase items is not run by Kodak, but by Digital River a company whose Terms of Sale is not at all consumer friendly!

So the question is, how do I get to see my pics and movies on my older TVs?

Any help very highly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Kodak Z990
May 7, 2012 5:24AM PDT

I find the Kodak User Manual and Extended Manual not too helpful.

Cables:
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/list/Accessories/Cables/categoryID.28896000

The camera should have come with an AV cable (has yellow (video) and white or black (audio) RCA plugs.

There should be an AV port on the camera where the AV cable plugs in.

You use the AV cable to attach to an analog TV set (or a digital TV set).

The HDMI cable is to attach to a digital TV set.

The USB cable is used to connect to your computer USB port and download pictures.

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Kodak Z990
May 7, 2012 9:24AM PDT

Thanks.

The camera does not come with an A/V cable. It comes with a USB cable that allows downloading of pics to ones computer.

There is no A/V port on the camera except for the already mentioned USB, plus there is HDMI. A typical A/V port with a 3.5mm phone plug is not on this model.

The Kodak cable has micro USB on one end and typical A/V (RCA pin plugs) on the other. The cable that I purchased is like this but it doesn't perform properly. Re-read my post.

Thanks.

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A Possibility
May 8, 2012 12:07AM PDT

Thanks for clearing up the AV cable situation.
Their User Manual is not very helpful in that area.

The cable you bought is still a possible problem.

The other possibility is a setting in the camera.
When connecting to an analog TV you have to select either NTSC or PAL in one of the camera menus.
Locate that setting and set it to match your television.
The USA uses NTSC.
Most parts of Europe use PAL.

Here is a link to a site that lists all the countries and the format they use:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL

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Kodak z990
May 8, 2012 3:08AM PDT

The camera is set to NTSC.

You are correct, Kodaks z990 manual is not at all helpful in most areas! For that matter, Kodak itself, is not at all helpful. I imagine that is one of the reasons they have filed for bankruptcy protection.

Thanks.