Cards with S video output. Scart connector: pinout and adapters for HDMI, S-Video and RCA

An article about how you can use S-Video connectors.

Theory of the issue

S-Video output - black round 4 and 7 - pin connector, located, as a rule, on the back panel of the TV and often serves to connect cable TV to it. You can connect your computer to your TV in a variety of ways, but the most accessible way is to connect via the S-Video connector. An S-Video connector is present on almost every video card, and every one, even analog TVs, is equipped with it. In addition, the S-Video interface provides very high-quality color and sound transmission: the picture quality when connecting a computer to a TV via S-Video connectors will be many times better than when using RCA connectors or several cables connected by an adapter.

S-Video input - one of the earliest connectors for connecting to a TV external devices. Many should remember it from Soviet televisions: it was into these connectors that the antenna was inserted. Now this black “circle” is more used for connecting cables for TV and children’s game consoles. Modern TVs equipped with many connectors: RCA (“tulip”), HDMI, DVI, VGA (D-Sub) and, without fail, an S-Video connector.
Many owners of modern plasma or LCD TVs unjustifiably “forget” about the S-Video connector and prefer to use more modern interfaces - the same HDMI, DVI, RCA.
At the same time, S-Video provides much better color rendering quality than either of them. Perhaps, only for connecting LCD TVs (which are similar in matrix structure to computer monitors) is it more convenient to use modern digital interfaces: HDMI or DVI. And the color triple RCA outputs are nothing more than an original innovation. The composite connection is inferior in quality to all the above interfaces.
Connecting your computer to your TV via S-Video connectors is also convenient because you don’t have to use adapters. Every TV and almost every video card (with the exception of only the oldest models) have such connectors. You just need to connect them with a cable. And there are plenty of S-Video - S-Video cables in every store. This standard cable has been in great demand since the early 90s.

So, we connect the computer to the TV via S-Video connectors

1. Connect the computer and TV with an “S-Video – S-Video” cable. Before connecting, the computer and TV must be turned off. If the TV is connected to cable TV, the cable from the S-Video connector must be removed. After this we proceed to the connection.
We insert one end of the cable into the S-Video output of the computer (black “circle” on the video card), and the other end of the cable into the S-Video input of the TV (a similar black “circle” on the back (sometimes on the front) panel of the TV). S-Video output is the connector through which signals are sent (in our case, the S-Video connector on the video card), and S-Video input is the connector through which signals are received (in our case, the S-Video connector on the panel TV).

2. Turn on the TV first, and then the computer. At the time of loading Windows screen the TV should blink slightly. This action indicates that the TV has detected external signals. Therefore, our connection is on the right path. If used digital tv, then in in this case there is no need to switch it to AV mode - it must receive signals from the antenna jack (S-Video).

3. Set up the video card. If you are using a video card from NVidia (Ge-Force), do the following. Right-click on the desktop, select “Properties”, open the “Options” tab (in the upper right corner of the window that opens), and in the opened tab click on the “Advanced” button. In the window that opens, go to the tab with the name of the model of our video card (Ge-Force****). We put a point on “Clone” (thereby defining the TV as a second monitor), in the Ge-Force window open on the left, select nView and click on Apply. After that, click on the “Display” field and select the name of our TV from the list of devices that opens. The image should appear. You can also display here additional settings images (color correction, for example).
If you are using an ATI graphics card, the first three steps remain the same. And after clicking on “Advanced”, the computer itself will tell you how to further connect the TV to it. Installation instructions will begin to appear on the screen. You just need to complete them.

4. Turn on “search” on the TV. Unfortunately, when connecting a computer to a TV via S-Video, in some cases the image still needs to be configured as a separate television channel. To do this, turn on the search and scroll through the frequencies until we come across the computer desktop. In a word, the computer is connected to the TV via S-Video exactly like a game console: we connect the cord, and then adjust the image.

Due to their higher resolution, video signals are more susceptible to degradation than audio signals, particularly when transmitted over poor quality conductor. And, as with audio signals, radio or electromagnetic interference can ruin the video. This may result in snow, noise, or streaking in the image. More with a copper conductor and 2-3 layers of shielding will help maintain cable strength and signal accuracy.

Digital video connection

A digital video cable will give you best quality images when you connect an HD video source such as a high-definition player, Blu-ray player or game console to your HDTV. Digital cables are a good choice, as they are less susceptible to environmental noise sources than analog video cables. However, it is still important to use quality cables as when connecting with the included cables home theater, especially if their length is more than 3 meters, there may be signal loss or pixelation of the image. On this moment The most optimal cable for conducting a video signal is HDMI.

HDMI

.What is he doing? An HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable passes the video signal while storing it in digital format. This way, you can avoid image degradation due to signal conversion from digital to analog and vice versa. HDMI cables can carry both standard definition video signals and high-definition digital signals up to 1080p, depending on the capabilities of the receiver. HDMI connection is also the only option that will allow you to transmit unconverted signals coming from a Blu-Ray or DVD player with a resolution of 720p, 1080i or 1080p. And, of course, HDMI is the only cable that, along with video, carries up to eight channels of high-resolution audio. Standard HDMI continues to evolve, so check the cable specifications and version before purchasing.

When to use it? HDMI is the preferred video connection, so use it whenever possible. You can find HDMI connectors on almost all HD components: high-definition televisions, home theater players, game consoles, HD cable or satellite modulators, and even HD camcorders. HDMI cables are also backwards compatible with older DVI digital video connections. You can use an HDMI to DVI adapter to connect an older component to a DVI terminal and a newer component to an HDMI terminal, but this will only play video. In this case, the audio signal will not be transmitted.

What should you pay attention to? When you buy an HDMI cable, pay attention to the higher quality of the metal from which the center conductor of the wire is created. It is better to choose copper, silver or gold instead of aluminum. For example, silver conducts signals 5% better than copper. Thus, you will get better video quality and protection from interference.

Analog video connections

If you're trying to find a cable for older TVs or players and they don't have an HDMI connector, then you might want to try one of the analog video cables.

Component cable

What is he doing? A component video cable conducts the video signal efficiently, delivering greatest number more detail and color than you can get with coaxial, composite or S-Video cables. It divides the video signal into three parts, each of which is transmitted over a separate channel. Unlike the other three types of analog connection, a component video cable can carry a high-definition signal with progressive scan up to 1080p (this is a common video equipment limitation of the output resolution of a component signal to 1080i).

When can it be used? Since a component video cable is capable of carrying high-definition video, it is an excellent plan B to replace an HDMI cable. Component video connectors can be found on most DVD players, Blu-ray players, televisions, HDTV tuners, cable or satellite modulators and A/V receivers. Keep in mind that not all video components can be transmitted, and not all TVs can accept a full 1080p signal through the component jack.

What you should pay attention to? High quality materials, gold-plated connectors ensuring reliable fixation, shielding (two or three layers of protection), and at least a copper center conductor of the cable.

.What is he doing? S-video cables are mostly round, have 4 connectors and transmit color, brightness and parts of video in different ways. As a result, they provide better color rendition and image detail than coaxial or composite cables. S-video can transmit video at resolutions up to 480i.

When to use it? S-video cable is well suited for connecting older receivers, S-VHS VCRs and older televisions that cannot display resolutions greater than 480. It is because of this limitation that it is less popular than other types of cables.

What you should pay attention to? For proper lossless video display, look for cables with a copper core and double shielding.

.What is he doing? Composite video cable, also known as RCA, often has yellow video connectors with matching red and white stereo audio connectors. This cable can also transmit video at up to 480i resolution.

When to use it? This type of cable is most often found in sets that come with video components. It can be used to connect VCRs, older TVs, and in other cases where the source cannot play high frequency video.

What should you pay attention to? Need to check quality RCA connectors, as well as the presence of double shielding protection.

What is he doing? Coaxial RF cable, also known as "coaxial F cable", is designed to carry video and stereo audio signals from TV antenna or cable TV jacks. Please note that it is only intended to transmit signals to your video system outside the home. This cable only carries the lowest quality video (compared to other cables), and supports resolutions of around 350i.

When to use it? Coaxial RF cable is suitable for connecting antennas, cable distributors or satellite dishes (do not confuse this type of cable with coaxial audio).

What you should pay attention to? Standard coaxial video cable is labeled "RG-59". You need to find a higher quality cable - "RG-6" which reduces signal loss and has better protection. When installing, ensure that all regulations are followed and that the cable is protected from the elements.

Currently, there are many video transmission standards. They were developed by different companies at different times and it is not surprising that different connectors and cables are used in different standards. If this does not cause problems within one device, then when expanding a multimedia system, sooner or later you will encounter problems when transmitting a video signal from one device to another. These problems can be divided into three types:

1. There is no standard cable or its length is not enough.
2. Paired devices use the same video signal transmission standard, but have different connectors.
3. The paired devices use different video signal standards.

The first problem is solved using video cables.

To solve the second problem, adapters are designed, which are a pair of connectors of different standards connected in a small housing. Here you need to have a good understanding of which connectors are used within the same video transmission standard and are, in principle, compatible with each other.

On the Internet you can easily buy an adapter from anything to anything – even HDMI to RCA. What is soldered to where and what might result from an attempt to use such an “adapter” - one can only guess.

To be fair, it should be noted that strange-looking adapters do exist and even work. But such adapters are always included with some kind of equipment that can recognize a non-standard signal on the connector and process it accordingly. Using such adapters on other devices may be fatal for those devices.

To solve the third problem, video signal converters are used. These should be used with caution, making sure that the converter is suitable for your equipment and does not spoil the image quality. This is especially true for digital to analog signal converters and vice versa.

Characteristics of video cables and adapters.

Type.

Video cables are designed to connect two elements of a video system. Typically, both sides of such a cable have connectors of the same type. However, it often happens that the video cable is also an adapter.

An adapter is a device designed to move from one type of connector to another or, for connectors of the same type, from one type to another (from a plug to a socket or vice versa).

The length of the cable should be selected so that it is sufficient for the required connection with a small margin. It is not worth taking a cable that is too long unless necessary - even the best cables reduce the level of the useful signal, and the longer the cable, the more.

Ferrite rings or cable shielding is a method of protecting the transmitted video signal from electromagnetic interference. It should be borne in mind that shielding as protection against interference will be ineffective if the equipment is not grounded.

The PVC insulation of conventional video cables is quite rigid; such cables have little flexibility, which can be inconvenient. Rubber insulation itself has poor resistance to mechanical stress, but placing it inside fabric braid protects the cable from mechanical damage, maintaining its flexibility. The aesthetic role cannot be denied - a fabric-braided wire looks more beautiful.

Connectors.
To understand which connectors can have adapters from which ones, let’s divide all connectors into groups that use compatible data transfer formats.

Component video is a method of transmitting an analog video signal over two or more channels, each of which carries some separate information about the color image.

Composite video is a method of transmitting an analog video signal over one channel.
Working adapters are only possible within one group.

TS, TRS, TRRS (Jack 3.5 mm) are used to transmit analog video signals. Typically, such a connector is installed in miniature devices (camcorders, cameras, recorders) due to its small dimensions. There is no single standard for wiring such a connector for transmitting a video signal, nor is there a standard for the video signal itself - both component and composite video signals can be transmitted through such a connector. It is strongly recommended to use adapters and video cables with a jack connector only with the equipment that came with it. Before purchasing a new adapter, you should find out exactly how the connector in the adapter is wired, how the signals are routed on the connected device; make sure that the wiring matches and that the video signal standards on the connected devices match. The most common adapters: TS – RCA, TRRS – 3 x RCA.

RCA (Phono) are used to transmit analog signals - component YPbPr and composite.

The YPbPr component video signal contains information about brightness, blue and red color levels. Of the common analog standards, YPbPr and VGA provide the best quality. To transmit such a signal, three RCA connectors are used, usually marked with colors and/or letters - green (Y), blue (Pb) and red (Pr).

A composite video signal contains all video information in one channel, which has a bad effect on image quality: of all video signal transmission standards, composite provides the worst quality. For such a signal, one yellow RCA connector marked “video” is used.

Despite the identical connectors, the standards are incompatible; it is impossible to connect a component output to a composite input (and vice versa) using an adapter.

The most common adapters: RCA - SCART, TRS - RCA, TRRS - 3 x RCA. For adapters of the last two types, you should make sure that the adapter is wired correctly in relation to the equipment used and that the signals on both sides of the adapter are consistent.

SVGA (VGA) - used to transmit a component analog RGB video signal containing information about the brightness level of three primary colors: red (R - Red), green (G - Green) and blue (B - Blue). Provides (together with YPbPr) the best quality of common analog standards.

The most common adapters: SVGA - DVI-I, SVGA - Displayport

DVI connectors can be used to transmit an analog RGB signal (DVI-I), a digital signal (DVI-D), or both together (DVI). Because of this versatility, some confusion arises with adapters: the presence of SVGA-DVI-I adapters on sale leads many to believe that signals from SVGA and DVI connectors are fully compatible. This is not true - only the analog part will work in such an adapter and an attempt to connect a purely digital output to, for example, the analog input of a monitor will be unsuccessful.

The most common adapters: DVI-I – SVGA, DVI-D – HDMI, DVI – Displayport

HDMI, miniHDMI, microHDMI – used to transmit digital video and audio signals. Accordingly, the adapter can also only be for a connector that allows the transmission of a digital video signal. In an HDMI-DVI adapter, only the digital part will be used and such a device is not suitable for pairing analog and digital signals.

There are several versions of the HDMI format, but the connectors and their wiring are the same for all versions. When it comes to cables, older versions of HDMI have higher bandwidth, so they place higher demands on cable quality. The HDMI cable standard speaks more about the quality of the cable than about its compatibility with a particular version of HDMI.

There are HDMI connectors with smaller dimensions - miniHDMI and microHDMI. They are all completely mutually compatible.

The most common adapters: HDMI-miniHDMI, HDMI-microHDMI, DVI-D - HDMI, HDMI - Displayport

Displayport (DP), miniDisplayport (miniDP)– a connector that is similar in appearance to HDMI, but is capable (like DVI) of simultaneous transmission of both digital and component analog RGB signals along with an audio signal. Another source of confusion, as both Displayport-to-SVGA and Displayport-to-HDMI adapters are commercially available. Of course, no signal conversion is performed in them, and it will not be possible to connect HDMI and SVGA using a pair of such adapters.

The most common adapters: HDMI - Displayport, DVI - Displayport, Displayport - miniDisplayport, Displayport-SVGA.

Rotary and L-shaped connectors allow you to connect to the mating connector in cramped conditions. A standard connector is usually quite long; in addition, the video cable coming out of it is quite rigid and does not bend with a small diameter. Therefore, the amount of space for connecting a video cable can reach up to 10 cm, which may be unacceptable, for example, for wall-mounted monitors with connectors on the rear wall.

Choices.

To connect two elements of a video system, choose a video cable at a price from 200 to 2800 rubles, depending on the length, standard and workmanship.

To connect matched lines of the same type with different connectors, you will need an adapter - you just need to know the brands of connectors on both sides. Adapters cost from 150 to 2400 rubles.

To convert a digital signal to an analog signal, you will have to buy a converter. It will cost 800-1000 rubles, but first make sure that it fits your equipment.

Modern computers have ample capabilities for working with video, and their owners often watch movies on the monitor screen. And with the advent of barebone multimedia platforms aimed at use as a home media center, interest in connecting audio and video equipment is only increasing.
It is much more convenient and practical to watch videos on a large TV screen, especially since almost all modern video cards are equipped with a TV output.
The need to connect a TV to a computer also arises when editing amateur video. As you can easily see in practice, the image and sound on a computer are significantly different from what you later see and hear on TV. Therefore, all video editors allow you to view preliminary editing results on a television receiver directly from the working timeline before creating the film. Experienced video amateurs constantly monitor the image and sound, displaying them on television screen, and not on a computer monitor.
Topics such as setting up video cards, choosing an image standard, as well as comparing the quality of video outputs of video cards from different manufacturers and solving problems that arise are beyond the scope of this article - here we will only consider the following questions: what connectors can be found on the TV and on the video card, how they are consistent with each other and what are the ways to connect a computer to a TV.

Display interfaces

Classic analog interface (VGA)

Computers have been using the 15-pin analog D-Sub HD15 (Mini-D-Sub) interface for quite some time, which is traditionally called the VGA interface. The VGA interface carries red, green, and blue (RGB) signals, as well as horizontal scan (H-Sync) and vertical sync (V-Sync) information.

All modern video cards have such an interface or provide it using an adapter from the universal combined DVI-I interface (DVI-integrated).

Thus, both digital and analog monitors can be connected to the DVI-I connector. A DVI-I to VGA adapter is usually included with many graphics cards and allows you to connect older monitors with a 15-pin D-Sub (VGA) plug.

Please note that not every DVI interface supports analog VGA signals, which can be obtained through such adapters. Some video cards have a digital DVI-D interface to which you can connect only digital monitors. Visually, this interface differs from DVD-I in the absence of four holes (contacts) around the horizontal slot (compare the right parts of the white DVI connectors).

Often modern graphics cards are equipped with two DVI outputs, and in this case they are usually universal - DVI-I. Such a video card can simultaneously work with any monitors, both analog and digital in any set.

Digital interface DVI

The DVI interface (TDMS) was designed primarily for digital monitors that do not require the graphics card to translate digital signals to analog.

But since the transition from analog to digital monitors is slow, developers graphics hardware Usually these technologies are used in parallel. In addition, modern video cards can work with two monitors simultaneously.

The universal DVI-I interface allows you to use both digital and analog connections, while DVI-D allows only digital connections. However, the DVI-D interface is quite rare today and is usually used only in cheap video adapters.

In addition, DVI digital connectors (both DVI-I and DVI-D) have two varieties - Single Link and Dual Link, which differ in the number of contacts (Dual Link uses all 24 digital contacts, while Single Link uses only 18 ). Single Link is suitable for use in devices with resolutions up to 1920x1080 (full HDTV resolution), for O Higher resolutions require Dual Link, which allows you to double the number of output pixels.

Digital HDMI interface

Digital multimedia interface HDMI ( High Definition Multimedia Interface) was developed jointly by a number of large companies - Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Sony, etc. The 19-pin version of HDMI is widely used today for transmitting high-definition television (HDTV) signals with resolutions up to 1920x1080 (1080i). Higher resolution video requires 29-pin Type B connectors. In addition, HDMI can provide up to eight channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz audio and has built-in Digital Rights Management (DRM).

The HDMI interface is relatively new, but in the computer sector it has quite a lot of competitors - both from the traditional DVI interface and from newer and more advanced interfaces such as UDI or DisplayPort. However, products with HDMI ports are systematically moving onto the market, as modern household video equipment is increasingly equipped with HDMI connectors. Thus, the development of the popularity of multimedia computer platforms will stimulate the emergence of graphic and motherboards with HDMI ports, even though computer manufacturers have to buy a fairly expensive license to use this standard and also pay some fixed royalties on each HDMI-equipped product sold.

License payments also lead to higher prices for products with HDMI ports for the end manufacturer - for example, a video card with an HDMI port will cost about $10 more. In addition, it is unlikely that the package will include an expensive HDMI cable ($10-30), so you will have to purchase it separately. However, there is hope that with the growing popularity of the HDMI interface, the size of such a markup will gradually decrease.

HDMI uses the same TDMS signal technology as DVI-D, so low-cost adapters for these interfaces are available.

And while the HDMI interface has not yet replaced DVI, such adapters can be used to connect video equipment via the DVI interface. Please note that HDMI cables cannot be longer than 15m.

New UDI interface

At the beginning of this year, Intel announced a new digital interface UDI (Unified Display Interface) for connecting digital monitors to a computer. So far, Intel has only announced the development of a new type of connection, but in the near future it plans to completely abandon the old analog VGA interface and connect computers to information display devices through a new digital interface UDI, recently developed by the engineers of this company.

The creation of a new interface is due to the fact that both the analog VGA interface and even the digital DVI interface, according to representatives Intel, today are hopelessly outdated. In addition, these interfaces do not support the latest content protection systems that are equipped with new generation digital media, such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

Thus, UDI is practically an analogue of the HDMI interface used to connect computers to modern HD TVs. The main (and perhaps the only) difference between UDI and HDMI will be the absence of an audio channel, that is, UDI will transmit only video images and is entirely designed to work with computer monitors, and not with HD TVs. Additionally, Intel apparently doesn't want to pay licensing fees for every HDMI device it produces, so UDI would be a good alternative for companies looking to cut costs for their products.

The new interface is fully compatible with HDMI, and will also support all currently known content protection systems, which will allow smooth playback of new media equipped with copy protection.

New DisplayPort interface

Another new video interface, DisplayPort, recently received approval from companies that are part of the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association).

The open DisplayPort standard is developed by a number of large companies, including ATI Technologies, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, nVidia, Royal Philips Electronics and Samsung Electronics. It is expected that in the future DisplayPort will become a universal digital interface that allows you to connect displays various types(plasma, liquid crystal, CRT monitors, etc.) to household devices and computer equipment.

The DisplayPort 1.0 specification provides for the possibility of simultaneous transmission of both video and audio streams (in this sense new interface completely similar to HDMI). Note that the maximum throughput According to the DisplayPort standard, it is 10.8 Gbps, and transmission uses a relatively thin connecting cable with four conductors.

Another feature of DisplayPort is that it supports content security features (similar to HDMI and UDI). Built-in security controls allow the contents of a document or video file to be displayed only on a limited number of "authorized" devices, theoretically reducing the likelihood of illegal copying of copyrighted material. And finally, connectors made in accordance with the new standard are thinner than modern ones DVI connectors and D-Sub. Thanks to this, DisplayPort ports can be used in small form factor equipment and easily make multi-channel devices.

Dell, HP and Lenovo have already announced support for the DisplayPort standard. Apparently, the first devices equipped with new video interfaces will appear before the end of this year.

Video connector on graphics card

On modern video cards, in addition to connectors for connecting monitors (analog - D-Sub or digital - DVI), there is a composite output for video output ("tulip"), or a 4-pin S-Video output, or a 7-pin combined video output ( simultaneously S-Video and composite inputs and outputs).

In the case of S-Video, the situation is simple - S-Video cables or adapters for other SCART-type connectors are commercially available.

However, when video cards have a non-standard 7-pin connector, then in this case it is better to keep the adapter that comes with the video card, because there are several standards for wiring such a cable.

Composite video (RCA)

The so-called composite video output has long been widely used for connecting household audio and video equipment. The connector for this signal is usually designated as RCA (Radio Corporation of America), and is popularly called a “tulip” or VHS connector. Please note that such plugs in video equipment can transmit not only composite video or audio, but also many other signals such as component video or high-definition television (HDTV). Typically, tulip plugs are color-coded to make it easier for users to navigate the tangle of wires. Common color meanings are given in table. 1.

Table 1

Usage

Signal type

White or black

Sound, left channel

Analog

Sound, right channel

Analog

Video, composite signal

Analog

Component Luminance (Luminance, Luma, Y)

Analog

Component chrominance (Chrominance, Chroma, Cb/Pb)

Analog

Component chrominance (Chrominance, Chroma, Cr/Pr)

Analog

Orange/yellow

Digital audio SPDIF

Digital

The wires for transmitting the composite signal can be quite long (simple adapters can be used to extend the wires).

However, the use of low-quality connections and sloppy switching with “tulips” is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In addition, cheap RCA connectors on equipment often break. Today, digital audio and video equipment is increasingly using other types of switching, and even when transmitting analog signals it is more convenient to use SCART.

S-Video

Often the video card and TV have a four-pin S-Video connector (Y/C, Hosiden), which is used to transmit video signals of higher quality than composite. The fact is that the S-Video standard uses different lines to transmit brightness (the luminance and data synchronization signal is denoted by the letter Y) and color (the chrominance signal is denoted by the letter C). Separation of brightness and color signals allows you to achieve better picture quality compared to a composite RCA interface (“tulip”). Higher quality when transmitting analog video can only be provided by completely separate RGB or component interfaces. To obtain a composite signal from S-Video, a simple S-Video to RCA adapter is used.

If you don’t have such an adapter, you can make it yourself. However, there are two options for outputting a composite signal from a video card equipped with an S-Video interface, and the choice depends on the type of video card you have. Some cards can switch output modes and supply a simple composite signal to the S-Video output. In the mode of supplying such a signal to S-Video, you simply need to connect the contacts to which the composite signal is supplied with the corresponding outputs of the “tulip”.

The wiring of the RCA cable is simple: the video signal is supplied through the central core, and the outer braid is the “ground”.

The S-Video layout is as follows:

  • GND - “ground” for the Y-signal;
  • GND - “ground” for the C-signal;
  • Y - brightness signal;
  • C - chrominance signal (contains both chrominance signals).

If the S-Video output can operate in the composite signal mode, then ground is supplied to the second pin of its connector, and a signal is supplied to the fourth. On a collapsible S-Video plug, which will be needed to make an adapter, the contacts are usually numbered. The socket and plug connectors are numbered mirrored.

If the video card does not have a composite signal output mode, then to obtain it you will have to mix the color and brightness signal from the S-Video signal through a 470 pF capacitor. The signal thus obtained is fed to the central core, and the ground from the second contact is applied to the braid of the composite cord.

SCART

SCART is the most interesting combined analog interface and is widely used in Europe and Asia. Its name comes from a French abbreviation proposed in 1983 by the Association of Developers of Radio and Television Equipment of France (Syndicat des Constructeurs d’Appareils, Radiorecepteurs et Televiseurs, SCART). This interface combines analog video (composite, S-Video and RGB), stereo audio and control signals. Today, every TV or VCR produced for Europe is equipped with at least one SCART connector.

To transmit simple analog signals (composite and S-Video), there are many different SCART adapters on the market. This interface is convenient not only because everything is connected using just one cable, but also because it allows you to connect a high-quality RGB video source to your TV without intermediate encoding into composite or S-Video signals and get the best image quality on a household TV screen (the quality of image and sound when supplied via SCART is noticeably superior to the quality of any other analog connections). This feature, however, is not implemented in all VCRs and televisions.

In addition, the developers included in the SCART interface additional features, reserving a few contacts for the future. And since the SCART interface became a standard in European countries, it has acquired several new properties. For example, using some signals on pin 8, you can control the TV modes via SCART (switch it to “monitor” mode and back), switch the TV to the mode of working with RGB signals (pin 16), etc. Pins 10 and 12 are designed to transmit digital data via SCART, making the number of commands virtually unlimited. There are several known systems communication via SCART: Megalogic, used by Grundig; Easy Link from Philips; SmartLink from Sony. True, their use is limited to communication between a TV and a VCR from these companies.

By the way, the standard provides for four types of SCART cables: type U - universal, providing all connections, V - without audio signals, C - without RGB signals, A - without video signals and RGB. Unfortunately, modern component modes (Y, Cb/Pb, Cr/Pr) are not supported in the SCART standard. However, some manufacturers of DVD players and large format TVs build in the ability to transmit via SCART and a component video signal, which is transmitted through the pins used in the standard for the RGB signal (however, this capability is practically no different from connecting via RGB).

Various adapters are available for connecting composite or S-Video sources to SCART. Many of them are universal (bidirectional) with an input-output switch.

There are also simple unidirectional adapters, adapters for connecting mono or stereo audio, and jacks for switching control. In the case when you need to connect two devices at once, you can use a SCART splitter for two or three directions. Those who are not satisfied or for whom the proposed options are not available can make their own in accordance with the pin assignments in SCART given in Table. 2.

The pin numbering is usually indicated on the connector:

Of course, computers do not use a SCART connector, however, knowing its specifications, you can always make an appropriate adapter to use an analog computer monitor as a receiver of a video signal from a tape recorder or, conversely, to supply a video signal from a computer to a TV equipped with a SCART connector.

For example, in order to input or output a composite signal from a SCART connector, you need to take a coaxial cable with a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms and distribute the outer braid (ground) and the inner core (composite signal) on the SCART connector.

Outputting a video signal from a computer to a TV (TV-OUT):

  • the composite signal is supplied to pin 20 of the SCART connector;

To input a video signal from a VCR to a computer (TV-IN):

  • composite signal - to pin 19 of the SCART connector;
  • “ground” - to the 17th pin of the SCART connector.

The correspondence of contacts when making an adapter for S-Video is also indicated in table. 2.

Outputting a video signal from a computer to a TV via S-Video (TV-OUT):

  • 3rd pin S-Video - 20th pin SCART;

Inputting a video signal from a VCR to a computer via S-Video (TV-IN):

  • 1st S-Video pin - 17th SCART pin;
  • 2nd pin S-Video - 13th pin SCART;
  • 3rd pin S-Video - 19th pin SCART;
  • 4th S-Video pin - 15th SCART pin.

To connect a computer to a TV via RGB, the computer must output an RGB signal in a form that the TV can understand. Sometimes the RGB signal is supplied through a special 7-, 8-, or 9-pin combo video output. In this case, the video card settings should be able to switch the video output to RGB mode. If the video output on the video card has seven pins (this plug is called a mini-DIN 7-pin), then in normal mode the S-Video signal is supplied to exactly the same pins as in a regular four-pin S-Video connector. And in RGB mode, signals across the contacts can be distributed in different ways depending on the manufacturer of the video card.

As an example, we can give the correspondence of the contacts of one of these 7-pin connectors with SCART (this wiring is used on some video cards based on the NVIDIA chip, but it may be different on your video card):

  • 1st contact mini-DIN 7-pin (GND, ground) - 17th SCART contact;
  • 2nd contact mini-DIN 7-pin (Green) - 11th SCART contact;
  • 3rd contact mini-DIN 7-pin (Sync, sweep) - 20th SCART contact;
  • 4th contact mini-DIN 7-pin (Blue) - 7th contact SCART;
  • 5th contact mini-DIN 7-pin (GND, ground) - 17th SCART contact;
  • 6th contact mini-DIN 7-pin (Red) - 15th SCART contact;
  • 7th pin mini-DIN 7-pin (+3 V RGB mode control) - 16th pin SCART.

For any type of adapters, you must use high-quality cables with a resistance of 75 Ohms.

There is no video connector on the graphics card

If your video card does not have a TV output, then, in principle, the TV can be connected to a regular VGA connector. However, in this case you will need electrical diagram signal matching (in the general case, although not complicated). There are special devices on the market that convert a regular computer VGA signal into RGB and into a scan (sync) signal for a TV. Such a device is connected to a VGA cable between the computer and the monitor and duplicates the signal that goes through the VGA output.

In principle, such a device can be made independently. The correspondence between VGA and SCART signals will be as follows:

  • VGA SCART PIN SCART Description;
  • VGA RED - on the 15th SCART pin;
  • VGA GREEN - on the 11th SCART pin;
  • VGA BLUE - to the 7th SCART pin;
  • VGA RGB GROUND - on the 13th, or 9th, or 5th SCART pin;
  • VGA HSYNC & VSYNC - on the 16th and 20th SCART pins.

You will also need to apply +1-3V to the 16th SCART pin and 12V to the 8th SCART pin to switch to AV mode with an aspect ratio of 4:3.

However, a direct connection most likely will not work and you will have to make a wiring diagram for synchronization, as shown at http://www.tkk.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/vga2tv/circuit.html or http://www.e.kth .se/~pontusf/index2.html .

We display the image from the computer to the TV

In order to connect a computer to a TV (we are talking about television equipment produced over the last few years, and not about the old “Seagulls” and “Horizons” from the 80s), you will need an adapter cord that allows you to send a signal from the PC video card to the video input TV. Usually this s-video cable- “tulip” or s-video – scart. Everything will depend on what connector you have installed on your TV. In our case, “tulip” (RCA). Such an adapter cable can be purchased at the radio market or in a specialized store. Its price is low - from 100 to 250 rubles, but everything will depend on the length. Therefore, before buying an adapter cord, measure the distance from back wall system unit to the TV. If the distance is, for example, five meters, still take a longer cord - seven meters. Suddenly you will make a rearrangement.

If the cable is purchased, the matter remains small. We plug the s-video connector into the output of the graphics card (you won’t confuse it with anything else), and the “tulip” into the “video in” socket of the TV. This operation is performed, of course, with the computer and TV turned off.

If your video card has a 4-pin plug, you can try make an adapter cable yourself.

For this you will need:

Shielded cable, detachable 4-pin S-video connector, detachable Tulip type connector.

Everything must be connected according to the diagram below.

After you have connected the adapter cable, turn on the computer and make the following settings. Right-click on the desktop and select “Properties”. Go to the “Options” tab and select “Advanced” in it. Attention, we made the settings using the ATI RADEON 9200 video card as an example. For other video cards, the settings will, naturally, be different. But the difference will not be very significant. The main thing is to learn the algorithm of actions.

We now have the “Properties: monitor connection module...” window. Click on the “Monitors” tab and see the following window.

It shows that the TV button is marked in red. That's right, this means our TV is turned off. Let's turn it on. And then we choose whether the main device will be a TV or a monitor. We chose a monitor and this is what happened. If we click on the TV button, we will see the following picture.