Scarts and TV's

firedog · 22-03-2008, 15:40

I have a bogstandard 28" widescreen tv.
I use a bogstandard scart cable - silver, not gold.

Am I missing out on anything? Is there a way I could get much better quality picture?

Nigel Goodwin · 22-03-2008, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedog

I have a bogstandard 28" widescreen tv.
I use a bogstandard scart cable - silver, not gold.

Am I missing out on anything? Is there a way I could get much better quality picture?

No, they make very little (mostly none at all) difference.

sancheeez · 22-03-2008, 17:35

Use a SCART to connect what to the TV?

If it's a Sky box there are couple of settings you can alter. Make sure the Sky box is set to output RGB and that it's connected to an RGB capable SCART socket on the TV.

(Surpised Nigel didn't mention that!

)

nobby1963 · 22-03-2008, 17:41

Does your tv have any other connections on the back apart from scart ?

firedog · 22-03-2008, 19:28

just red/white/yellow on the side of the tv

Scorpio · 22-03-2008, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sancheeez

Use a SCART to connect what to the TV?

Precisely! What are you trying to connect with this scart cable?

bobcar · 23-03-2008, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedog

just red/white/yellow on the side of the tv

In that case then scart is the best you can do, just make sure as others have said that everything is in RGB rather than composite.

firedog · 23-03-2008, 11:58

i meant, do gold plated scarts help?

Nigel Goodwin · 23-03-2008, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedog

i meant, do gold plated scarts help?

No, see post #2

TallDave · 26-03-2008, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedog

i meant, do gold plated scarts help?

Not really, although gold plated scart plugs tend to get stuck on the end of higher quality cable (ie: one with screened cores!), which in itself might help reduce crosstalk between input and output signals.

stvn758 · 26-03-2008, 11:10

It's the cable and shielding quality that matter, not what gimmicky metal they stick on the end of it.

That part of the scart doesn't even carry a signal does it, stick some cheap gold on it and charge double for it.

newbee · 26-03-2008, 11:13

I was setting up my set up at my caravan at the weekend and noticed I had a short scart with 2 pins missing, it was to connect either my sat box or DVD player to the TV am I missing something?

Thanks

Deathwarmedup · 26-03-2008, 11:23

Well you do get what you pay for, cheap scart = poorer image, decently priced scart = decent picture. However, I agree about the gold thing, doesn't seem to make any difference. Just appeals to the magpie effect....oohh thats nice and shiny it must be good.

sancheeez · 26-03-2008, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee

I was setting up my set up at my caravan at the weekend and noticed I had a short scart with 2 pins missing, it was to connect either my sat box or DVD player to the TV am I missing something?

Thanks

Depends which pins are missing.

http://www.lpilsley.co.uk/scart.htm

TallDave · 28-03-2008, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by sancheeez

Depends which pins are missing.

http://www.lpilsley.co.uk/scart.htm

That URL has the earths wrong for CVBS in/out and blanking!!

Nigel Goodwin · 28-03-2008, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallDave

That URL has the earths wrong for CVBS in/out and blanking!!

It follows the specification from 1985, as far as I know that's correct? - and it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in any case!

TallDave · 28-03-2008, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

It follows the specification from 1985, as far as I know that's correct? - and it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in any case!

I know it's pedantic to pick up on these things, but if I had a pound for every website that shows old versions of scart pinning, I'd be heading towards a comfortable early retirement!

The current version of SCART specification from Cenelec is EN 50049-1:1997 (with a corrigenda regarding pin 8 impedance issued in Feb 2000) and an amendment EN 50049-1:1997/A1:1998.

There was a decent connection diagram in a document on the Digital Television Group's website, but I think you have to sign up for it now. However, the diagram has been re-created in Appendix 2 of this document: http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/...port_issue.pdf.

I know at the time of writing, the DTG document's diagram was correct

.

Scorpio · 28-03-2008, 16:21

Digital Spy has its own guide here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/scart/ is this one OK?

Scorp

deadline · 29-03-2008, 17:33

Cables do make a diffference, and its not always the most expensive that are the best.

I'm a big fan of THOR scart cables (available at B+Q) for £20, they are what hi fi 5 star winners, and i think outperform a much more expensive scart lead i own made by Monster.

TallDave · 31-03-2008, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorpio

Digital Spy has its own guide here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/scart/ is this one OK?

Scorp

That page claims to be describing the connections on a Sky digibox - whether it matches a Sky digibox or not I don't know.

As far as the SCART specification is concerned, pin 14 is the ground for the blanking signal on pin 16 - but it's shown as N/C on that Sky digibox diagram. And the voltage limits on pin 8 are not in line with the SCART spec.

But again, be aware it's only a guide to a Sky digibox's SCARTs. You would be hard pressed to find a TV with no connection to pin 20 on any of its SCARTs!!

Nigel Goodwin · 31-03-2008, 13:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallDave

But again, be aware it's only a guide to a Sky digibox's SCARTs. You would be hard pressed to find a TV with no connection to pin 20 on any of its SCARTs!!

As it's not a TV it obviously doesn't require an input on pin 20 on the TV SCART - notice that it clearly states that pin 20 on the VCR SCART is an input though, as you would expect.

As for missing earth connections, it makes no difference anyway, they are all the same - and simply connect together.

Billy D · 02-04-2008, 09:45

I have loads and loads of SCART leads, ranging from very cheap 99p ones from Wilkinsons to one that cost £30 from a specialist shop.
I wouldn't recommend either the very cheap nor the expensive ones. Get one that's about £5-6 and it will be as good as the £30 one in my experience.
The very cheap ones (£1-3) are more likely to pick up interference.
I remember a few years ago in Dixons you could buy a packet of 5 JVC video tapes with a JVC SCART lead for about £8.99 I think - that it the kind of lead I would recommend - not expensive but a decent brand.

22-03-2008, 15:40	#1
firedog Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,132	Scarts and TV's I have a bogstandard 28" widescreen tv. I use a bogstandard scart cable - silver, not gold. Am I missing out on anything? Is there a way I could get much better quality picture?

26-03-2008, 11:13	#12
newbee Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 579	Pins missing I was setting up my set up at my caravan at the weekend and noticed I had a short scart with 2 pins missing, it was to connect either my sat box or DVD player to the TV am I missing something? Thanks

22-03-2008, 17:18	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by firedog I have a bogstandard 28" widescreen tv. I use a bogstandard scart cable - silver, not gold. Am I missing out on anything? Is there a way I could get much better quality picture? No, they make very little (mostly none at all) difference.

22-03-2008, 17:35	#3
sancheeez Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,762	Use a SCART to connect what to the TV? If it's a Sky box there are couple of settings you can alter. Make sure the Sky box is set to output RGB and that it's connected to an RGB capable SCART socket on the TV. (Surpised Nigel didn't mention that! )

22-03-2008, 17:41	#4
nobby1963 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 270	Does your tv have any other connections on the back apart from scart ?

22-03-2008, 19:28	#5
firedog Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,132	just red/white/yellow on the side of the tv

22-03-2008, 21:40	#6
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	Quote: Originally Posted by sancheeez Use a SCART to connect what to the TV? Precisely! What are you trying to connect with this scart cable?

23-03-2008, 11:31	#7
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Quote: Originally Posted by firedog just red/white/yellow on the side of the tv In that case then scart is the best you can do, just make sure as others have said that everything is in RGB rather than composite.

23-03-2008, 11:58	#8
firedog Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,132	i meant, do gold plated scarts help?

23-03-2008, 12:00	#9
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by firedog i meant, do gold plated scarts help? No, see post #2

26-03-2008, 10:42	#10
TallDave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Sussex, UK (Midhurst/CP) Posts: 585	Quote: Originally Posted by firedog i meant, do gold plated scarts help? Not really, although gold plated scart plugs tend to get stuck on the end of higher quality cable (ie: one with screened cores!), which in itself might help reduce crosstalk between input and output signals.

26-03-2008, 11:10	#11
stvn758 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17,338	It's the cable and shielding quality that matter, not what gimmicky metal they stick on the end of it. That part of the scart doesn't even carry a signal does it, stick some cheap gold on it and charge double for it.

26-03-2008, 11:23	#13
Deathwarmedup Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dover, Kent Posts: 5,419	Well you do get what you pay for, cheap scart = poorer image, decently priced scart = decent picture. However, I agree about the gold thing, doesn't seem to make any difference. Just appeals to the magpie effect....oohh thats nice and shiny it must be good.

26-03-2008, 12:53	#14
sancheeez Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,762	Quote: Originally Posted by newbee I was setting up my set up at my caravan at the weekend and noticed I had a short scart with 2 pins missing, it was to connect either my sat box or DVD player to the TV am I missing something? Thanks Depends which pins are missing. http://www.lpilsley.co.uk/scart.htm

28-03-2008, 09:34	#15
TallDave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Sussex, UK (Midhurst/CP) Posts: 585	Quote: Originally Posted by sancheeez Depends which pins are missing. http://www.lpilsley.co.uk/scart.htm That URL has the earths wrong for CVBS in/out and blanking!!

28-03-2008, 10:44	#16
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by TallDave That URL has the earths wrong for CVBS in/out and blanking!! It follows the specification from 1985, as far as I know that's correct? - and it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in any case!

28-03-2008, 14:30	#17
TallDave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Sussex, UK (Midhurst/CP) Posts: 585	Quote: Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin It follows the specification from 1985, as far as I know that's correct? - and it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever in any case! I know it's pedantic to pick up on these things, but if I had a pound for every website that shows old versions of scart pinning, I'd be heading towards a comfortable early retirement! The current version of SCART specification from Cenelec is EN 50049-1:1997 (with a corrigenda regarding pin 8 impedance issued in Feb 2000) and an amendment EN 50049-1:1997/A1:1998. There was a decent connection diagram in a document on the Digital Television Group's website, but I think you have to sign up for it now. However, the diagram has been re-created in Appendix 2 of this document: http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/...port_issue.pdf. I know at the time of writing, the DTG document's diagram was correct .

28-03-2008, 16:21	#18
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	Digital Spy has its own guide here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/scart/ is this one OK? Scorp

29-03-2008, 17:33	#19
deadline Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 571	Cables do make a diffference, and its not always the most expensive that are the best. I'm a big fan of THOR scart cables (available at B+Q) for £20, they are what hi fi 5 star winners, and i think outperform a much more expensive scart lead i own made by Monster.

31-03-2008, 11:58	#20
TallDave Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: West Sussex, UK (Midhurst/CP) Posts: 585	Quote: Originally Posted by Scorpio Digital Spy has its own guide here http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/satellite/scart/ is this one OK? Scorp That page claims to be describing the connections on a Sky digibox - whether it matches a Sky digibox or not I don't know. As far as the SCART specification is concerned, pin 14 is the ground for the blanking signal on pin 16 - but it's shown as N/C on that Sky digibox diagram. And the voltage limits on pin 8 are not in line with the SCART spec. But again, be aware it's only a guide to a Sky digibox's SCARTs. You would be hard pressed to find a TV with no connection to pin 20 on any of its SCARTs!!

31-03-2008, 13:10	#21
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by TallDave But again, be aware it's only a guide to a Sky digibox's SCARTs. You would be hard pressed to find a TV with no connection to pin 20 on any of its SCARTs!! As it's not a TV it obviously doesn't require an input on pin 20 on the TV SCART - notice that it clearly states that pin 20 on the VCR SCART is an input though, as you would expect. As for missing earth connections, it makes no difference anyway, they are all the same - and simply connect together.

02-04-2008, 09:45	#22
Billy D Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 586	I have loads and loads of SCART leads, ranging from very cheap 99p ones from Wilkinsons to one that cost £30 from a specialist shop. I wouldn't recommend either the very cheap nor the expensive ones. Get one that's about £5-6 and it will be as good as the £30 one in my experience. The very cheap ones (£1-3) are more likely to pick up interference. I remember a few years ago in Dixons you could buy a packet of 5 JVC video tapes with a JVC SCART lead for about £8.99 I think - that it the kind of lead I would recommend - not expensive but a decent brand.

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Scarts and TV's