Scart Leads

swellybro · 07-03-2002, 19:34

What is the picture difference and quailty in scart leads... argos have 3 different ones to choose from....

1.5m Gold SCART Lead. for £4.99
Oxygen Free SCART Lead 1.5m. for £9.75
Acoustic Research Gold 1.8m SCART Lead. £16.99

So what would the difference be????

Orbitalzone · 07-03-2002, 21:26

well the more you pay often means that the audio and video leads each have a shielding screening to stop interference from the other leads that are all crammed in there. Basic scart leads don't. They just bundle all 21 leads together and cross talk can occur which results in image interference and sound bleed thru.

A better lead also has better build quality, so the plug should fit better and all the pins should be straight and not crooked like many cheapo scart leads are (the pins then bend over when you insert the plug and don't then connect !)

I'd certainly go for a £10 - £15 scart but no more.... I don't suppose you'll see much improvement when you spend more. I'm sure someone here will flame me for that however!

(When my company sold Acoustic Research leads, I was surprised to find them made in China.. so much for a quality product.. they were ok but I thought overpriced.... I don't know about the lead you mention though)

(I worked in the TV trade and found that there's a point when you spend more money and don't see any real increase in benefit)

Gold plated plugs / pins can make a difference though, this ensures a better connection and might increase picture and sound quality, even to a noticable degree - despite your scart socket NOT being gold plated.......

swellybro · 07-03-2002, 21:38

thanks for the reply i think i will buy the £9.75 lead as a compromise. i have been waiting for that reply since half seven!! lol

Orbitalzone · 07-03-2002, 22:33

yes I was surprised I was the first to reply!

They're probably all in General chat forum talking filth ...
lol

wicket · 08-03-2002, 09:11

Hi Orbitalzone

I attached a scart extension block (3 scarts) to AV1 of my tv to allow RGB viewing of my dvd and PS2. However, when the dvd or PS2 were being viewed you could see invisible/outlined words like what you see on Sky Sports running across the screen and other noticeable lines. Do you think this is due to poor quality scart leads or is it that the extension block is no good? I am not using it at the moment, just got the dvd plugged into AV1 with the PS2 daisy chained and Sky in AV2.

Thanks

Wicket

Spooky · 08-03-2002, 19:04

Kinda sounds like poor Shielding on your Block Wicket, ie its still picking up other sources.

Regarding price of Scarts , it all depends on your set up ie If you have spent £10K on telly, £1k on DVD player then I would suggest gettin the best (and prolly most expensive) leads you can , but if your like the people in the real world

then I wouldnt pay more than £20 for a lead. Also unless you have gold on the DVD scart and Telly Scart connections , you dont get the full benefits of a Gold Scart . Only thing I can say is always get a Fully wired Scart.
HTH
Spooks

Orbitalzone · 08-03-2002, 23:41

Hi Wicket

AS Spooks said, it sounds like the 3 way scart socket block has poor shielding.

All the basic (non electrical / amplified) scart splitters I've come across generally just link up all connectors in parallel which means you often get cross over or bleed thru from one piece of equipment to another. Also, these splitters usually lower the audio and video levels somewhat, so the pics might be darker than if not using the splitter.

Simply making sure the other units are turned off may be the answer, otherwise you need a switched splitter..... BUT the more basic switched splitters still just combine all the inputs and outputs together and only switch the control voltage or basic audio / video leads.

You may need a more expensive control scart splitter which electronically selects the source you require and shuts out the other sources.

It may be possible to daisy chain your equipment, which may improve the pictures.... for example I put my DVD into my videos second scart socket and the video into the Sky box and the Sky box into my TV's RGB scart socket.

Depending on your equipment (DVD may not have a second scart to put the PS2 into) this may or may not work. Your video would require 2 scarts and both need to be able to pass RGB..

There's another post in DS forums (can't remember where it is now) that asks a similar question about hooking up lots of RGB stuff.

colinp · 09-03-2002, 00:37

i work 4 currys and we now stock scart leads at 59.99

iain · 09-03-2002, 12:13

I've been advised in the past that for a good set up you should look to spend @10% of the total cost of your set up on leads, but that may well bee too audiophile...(which I'm not by the way)

Iain

davestones · 09-03-2002, 12:52

when the engineer came and installed ntl digi for us, before he plugged the box in, he opened up each end of both the cables and disconnected a pin ( ithink it was connected to a pink wire, cant be sure though). just wondered what significance this has, if any?

dave

roybadami · 09-03-2002, 12:53

Quote:

Gold plated plugs / pins can make a difference though, this ensures a better connection and might increase picture and sound quality, even to a noticable degree - despite your scart socket NOT being gold plated.......

Sadly, almost all good quality SCART leads have gold plated plugs, but I'm really not sure this is the way to go, unless you're sockets are also gold plated.

I believe the general consensus is that you want to always use the same metal for the plug and socket. Junctions between dissimilar metals can result in non-linearities, particularly in the presence of oxidation.

annax · 09-03-2002, 12:54

Just as an aside on daisychaining

You should always have the best quality piece of equipment closest to the TV:

ie

video <-> SetTop Box -> DVD -> TV

if you want to use RGB on the set-top box and DVD and only have one RGB scart socket.

Since you can't record from DVD anyway, there's really no need to have a direct connection to your video, is there...

wicket · 09-03-2002, 18:38

Thanks for all the info.

It may be possible to daisy chain your equipment, which may improve the pictures.... for example I put my DVD into my videos second scart socket and the video into the Sky box and the Sky box into my TV's RGB scart socket.

I could do this if my video scart passes RGB, however, I have another few questions. If I connected my equipment up like above, would the kids still be able to watch Sky upstairs via RF, does this connection mean you have to have everything switched off other than the source you want to view on the main tv and I presume I would lose the stereo recording from Sky to the video.

Thanks again.

Orbitalzone · 10-03-2002, 11:25

Yes mixing different type of metals isn't recommended really. oxidisation can occur...causing more trouble perhaps.... however seeing as cheap and nasty cables use nasty metals that usually are already part tarnished or dirty.... gold plated usually suffer less....

Ideally all sockets and plugs should be gold plated I guess....... but you have to wonder at just how low grade the gold is anyhow on some lower cost leads..... it's probably no better than a quality non gold plated connector.

I have found in some cases using decent gold plated connectors with video signals, esepcially if editing and using several pieces of equipment, an improvement can sometimes been seen......

But it's also a selling point... a £3 scart lead if gold plated..will sell well, after all.. from a Joe Bloggs point of view, if you can get it for £3 why pay £15?........ oh well!

swellybro · 10-03-2002, 15:14

i have to say i bought the Oxygen Free SCART Lead 1.5m. for £9.75
I haven't noticed too much increase in picture quality, i did notice that the sound was louder and seemed to be better, but for the extra money it didn't really warrant it.

Orbitalzone · 10-03-2002, 18:30

If you don't suffer from problems, a better scart won't make a huge difference... if you suffer from floating images in the background or sounds from other channels inthe background, then a quality scart lead will almost certainly make a BIG difference.

Kevo · 11-03-2002, 00:03

Quote:

Originally posted by annax
Since you can't record from DVD anyway, there's really no need to have a direct connection to your video, is there...

Well I can... and do sometimes. So,yes thee may be a need for a direct video connection.

ahewitt · 11-03-2002, 10:11

I recently spent £40 on a scart lead to connect my DVD player to my TV. The old scart lead was the cheapest one ever and about 5 years old. The difference in picture sharpness and clarity still amazes me. Maybe a 20 quid lead would have had the same effect, who knows.

Gandy

15-03-2002, 15:13

Changing the subject back again....

If your looking for a quality Scart Splitter (not a cheap one from some poor retail outlet)

I would recommend this site....

http://www.rgbtosvideo.com/

There is some top kit in here.. including a converter allowing you to connect your Sat Reciver/STB to an av amp..

I have also been wondering if there is any point to having gold connectors on scart leads..?? don't seem to make much sence to me either.. is it just a con?

07-03-2002, 19:34	#1
swellybro Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,526	Scart Leads What is the picture difference and quailty in scart leads... argos have 3 different ones to choose from.... 1.5m Gold SCART Lead. for £4.99 Oxygen Free SCART Lead 1.5m. for £9.75 Acoustic Research Gold 1.8m SCART Lead. £16.99 So what would the difference be????

09-03-2002, 12:52	#10
davestones Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kirklees Posts: 22	Off-Topic but still kinda about scart cables when the engineer came and installed ntl digi for us, before he plugged the box in, he opened up each end of both the cables and disconnected a pin ( ithink it was connected to a pink wire, cant be sure though). just wondered what significance this has, if any? dave

09-03-2002, 12:54	#12
annax Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: London Posts: 320	daisychaining Just as an aside on daisychaining You should always have the best quality piece of equipment closest to the TV: ie video <-> SetTop Box -> DVD -> TV if you want to use RGB on the set-top box and DVD and only have one RGB scart socket. Since you can't record from DVD anyway, there's really no need to have a direct connection to your video, is there...

11-03-2002, 00:03	#17
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	Re: daisychaining Quote: Originally posted by annax Since you can't record from DVD anyway, there's really no need to have a direct connection to your video, is there... Well I can... and do sometimes. So,yes thee may be a need for a direct video connection.

15-03-2002, 15:13	#19
ibme_uk Posts: n/a	Daisy Chaining Alternative Changing the subject back again.... If your looking for a quality Scart Splitter (not a cheap one from some poor retail outlet) I would recommend this site.... http://www.rgbtosvideo.com/ There is some top kit in here.. including a converter allowing you to connect your Sat Reciver/STB to an av amp.. I have also been wondering if there is any point to having gold connectors on scart leads..?? don't seem to make much sence to me either.. is it just a con?

07-03-2002, 21:26	#2
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	well the more you pay often means that the audio and video leads each have a shielding screening to stop interference from the other leads that are all crammed in there. Basic scart leads don't. They just bundle all 21 leads together and cross talk can occur which results in image interference and sound bleed thru. A better lead also has better build quality, so the plug should fit better and all the pins should be straight and not crooked like many cheapo scart leads are (the pins then bend over when you insert the plug and don't then connect !) I'd certainly go for a £10 - £15 scart but no more.... I don't suppose you'll see much improvement when you spend more. I'm sure someone here will flame me for that however! (When my company sold Acoustic Research leads, I was surprised to find them made in China.. so much for a quality product.. they were ok but I thought overpriced.... I don't know about the lead you mention though) (I worked in the TV trade and found that there's a point when you spend more money and don't see any real increase in benefit) Gold plated plugs / pins can make a difference though, this ensures a better connection and might increase picture and sound quality, even to a noticable degree - despite your scart socket NOT being gold plated.......

07-03-2002, 21:38	#3
swellybro Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,526	thanks for the reply i think i will buy the £9.75 lead as a compromise. i have been waiting for that reply since half seven!! lol

07-03-2002, 22:33	#4
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	yes I was surprised I was the first to reply! They're probably all in General chat forum talking filth ... lol

08-03-2002, 09:11	#5
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Hi Orbitalzone I attached a scart extension block (3 scarts) to AV1 of my tv to allow RGB viewing of my dvd and PS2. However, when the dvd or PS2 were being viewed you could see invisible/outlined words like what you see on Sky Sports running across the screen and other noticeable lines. Do you think this is due to poor quality scart leads or is it that the extension block is no good? I am not using it at the moment, just got the dvd plugged into AV1 with the PS2 daisy chained and Sky in AV2. Thanks Wicket

08-03-2002, 19:04	#6
Spooky Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 69	Kinda sounds like poor Shielding on your Block Wicket, ie its still picking up other sources. Regarding price of Scarts , it all depends on your set up ie If you have spent £10K on telly, £1k on DVD player then I would suggest gettin the best (and prolly most expensive) leads you can , but if your like the people in the real world then I wouldnt pay more than £20 for a lead. Also unless you have gold on the DVD scart and Telly Scart connections , you dont get the full benefits of a Gold Scart . Only thing I can say is always get a Fully wired Scart. HTH Spooks

08-03-2002, 23:41	#7
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Hi Wicket AS Spooks said, it sounds like the 3 way scart socket block has poor shielding. All the basic (non electrical / amplified) scart splitters I've come across generally just link up all connectors in parallel which means you often get cross over or bleed thru from one piece of equipment to another. Also, these splitters usually lower the audio and video levels somewhat, so the pics might be darker than if not using the splitter. Simply making sure the other units are turned off may be the answer, otherwise you need a switched splitter..... BUT the more basic switched splitters still just combine all the inputs and outputs together and only switch the control voltage or basic audio / video leads. You may need a more expensive control scart splitter which electronically selects the source you require and shuts out the other sources. It may be possible to daisy chain your equipment, which may improve the pictures.... for example I put my DVD into my videos second scart socket and the video into the Sky box and the Sky box into my TV's RGB scart socket. Depending on your equipment (DVD may not have a second scart to put the PS2 into) this may or may not work. Your video would require 2 scarts and both need to be able to pass RGB.. There's another post in DS forums (can't remember where it is now) that asks a similar question about hooking up lots of RGB stuff.

09-03-2002, 00:37	#8
colinp Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: london Posts: 1,241	i work 4 currys and we now stock scart leads at 59.99

09-03-2002, 12:13	#9
iain Guest Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 62,990	I've been advised in the past that for a good set up you should look to spend @10% of the total cost of your set up on leads, but that may well bee too audiophile...(which I'm not by the way) Iain

09-03-2002, 12:53	#11
roybadami Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Cambridge ('original' NTL area -- ex-Cambridge Cable) Posts: 182	Quote: Gold plated plugs / pins can make a difference though, this ensures a better connection and might increase picture and sound quality, even to a noticable degree - despite your scart socket NOT being gold plated....... Sadly, almost all good quality SCART leads have gold plated plugs, but I'm really not sure this is the way to go, unless you're sockets are also gold plated. I believe the general consensus is that you want to always use the same metal for the plug and socket. Junctions between dissimilar metals can result in non-linearities, particularly in the presence of oxidation.

09-03-2002, 18:38	#13
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Thanks for all the info. It may be possible to daisy chain your equipment, which may improve the pictures.... for example I put my DVD into my videos second scart socket and the video into the Sky box and the Sky box into my TV's RGB scart socket. I could do this if my video scart passes RGB, however, I have another few questions. If I connected my equipment up like above, would the kids still be able to watch Sky upstairs via RF, does this connection mean you have to have everything switched off other than the source you want to view on the main tv and I presume I would lose the stereo recording from Sky to the video. Thanks again.

10-03-2002, 11:25	#14
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	Yes mixing different type of metals isn't recommended really. oxidisation can occur...causing more trouble perhaps.... however seeing as cheap and nasty cables use nasty metals that usually are already part tarnished or dirty.... gold plated usually suffer less.... Ideally all sockets and plugs should be gold plated I guess....... but you have to wonder at just how low grade the gold is anyhow on some lower cost leads..... it's probably no better than a quality non gold plated connector. I have found in some cases using decent gold plated connectors with video signals, esepcially if editing and using several pieces of equipment, an improvement can sometimes been seen...... But it's also a selling point... a £3 scart lead if gold plated..will sell well, after all.. from a Joe Bloggs point of view, if you can get it for £3 why pay £15?........ oh well!

10-03-2002, 15:14	#15
swellybro Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 2,526	i have to say i bought the Oxygen Free SCART Lead 1.5m. for £9.75 I haven't noticed too much increase in picture quality, i did notice that the sound was louder and seemed to be better, but for the extra money it didn't really warrant it.

10-03-2002, 18:30	#16
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	If you don't suffer from problems, a better scart won't make a huge difference... if you suffer from floating images in the background or sounds from other channels inthe background, then a quality scart lead will almost certainly make a BIG difference.

11-03-2002, 10:11	#18
ahewitt Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Selby Posts: 57	I recently spent £40 on a scart lead to connect my DVD player to my TV. The old scart lead was the cheapest one ever and about 5 years old. The difference in picture sharpness and clarity still amazes me. Maybe a 20 quid lead would have had the same effect, who knows. Gandy

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