SCART TV Video Cables & Connectors

A SCART Lead Will Connect Your SCART Devices

When you want to connect an older SCART device such as a game console or a VCR to other devices that may or may not be SCART devices, then having a SCART lead cable and a SCART connector on the device is necessary. Fortunately, it is fairly simple to use a SCART lead to connect these devices, enabling you to continue to enjoy all your existing videos and games. You can find an assortment of these inexpensive adapters on eBay.

The SCART communication interface is an industry standard that was developed by Peritel, a French company. This standard is used in Europe and other countries primarily for television sets and VCRs. SCART transmits analogue video and audio signals between devices and is typically used for standard definition video signals, such as RGB, composite, and S-Video. It is also used with stereo and mono audio signals. SCART can support high-definition video signals, too, but there are not many devices with connections for that purpose.

A SCART connector is a connection between two pieces of audio or visual equipment, such as a television set and a video cassette recorder (VCR). The devices have a female 21-pin connector interface. A SCART lead cable with a male plug at each end is used to connect the devices. The 21st pin is a ground shield contact. SCART connections provide stereo and mono audio and composite video and control signals as input and output signals. It only provides RGB video as input signals, however.

You can convert the analogue signals from SCART devices to a HDMI device such as a TV. It requires a converter box that is capable of translating the analogue signals directly into an HDMI signal to do so, though.

Your SCART devices will commonly have one of three different types of socket connections:

• S-Video SCART - SCART can carry S-Video and RGB signals but not both at the same time. No matter the cable type, a connection made through this socket will only display a composite video picture.
• RGB SCART - This socket will accept a complete RGB signal and will display a better picture than a composite connection.
• Japanese 21-pin RGB - This is a less-common Japanese standard that uses the same connector as the European cables, but the corresponding pins are in different locations.