Composite video

Composite video signal of "color bars" on the oscilloscope screen. Luminance signal, subcarrier and sync signal visible

Composite video, composite video- full analog television color video signal, transmitted over one communication line separately from sound. Unlike component video, in which the individual components of the video signal - luma and chrominance - are transmitted on separate lines, composite video requires a single link and, together with audio, constitutes a complete television signal, ready for broadcast.

Composition of the composite signal

A full color video signal contains three main components: a luminance signal, a subcarrier modulated by the chrominance signal, and a sync signal consisting of horizontal and vertical sync pulses, quenching and equalizing pulses. The subcarrier also contains color burst pulses. Therefore, in foreign sources, a composite video signal is often abbreviated as CVBS, which means "Color, Video, Blank and Sync".

Video recording

The term is also used in reference to analog video recording formats. Most consumer video recording formats are considered composite because they use one group of video heads and signal processing path to record/play back all components of the video signal. However, in most composite formats, the luminance signal and the subcarrier are separated to carry the spectrum of the latter so that its frequencies fall within the recorded range. At playback, the signal is split again for separate luminance and subcarrier processing, and recombined at the output. This leads to significant quality losses during multiple rewriting, therefore, in broadcast practice, component formats are used, such as Betacam or S-VHS, which use separate video heads and processing paths to record / play individual video signal components. Component formats provide higher image quality and allow for more rewrites due to the lack of crosstalk inherent in composite formats.

Flaws

The use of a composite video signal for TV transmission makes it possible to get by with a single communication channel and narrow the frequency band occupied by each TV channel. However, the joint transmission of luminance and chrominance signals requires their separation in the receiving device, in which the appearance of mutual interference is inevitable, which reduces the image quality. Therefore, most professional studio equipment uses separate luminance and chrominance through component interfaces such as S-Video. The development of consumer video equipment and increasing requirements for video quality has led to the spread of component transmission lines between consumer devices. The European SCART interface allows the transmission of a component video signal, in the same way as S-Video, which has become widespread in consumer video equipment and computers.

Connection types

Composite BNC Connector

RCA connectors for video and stereo audio. Yellow for video, white for mono or left channel of stereo 2-channel audio, red for right channel of stereo 2-channel audio

The main type of connection for transmitting a composite video signal between professional image processing and recording devices is a coaxial cable with connectors of the type BNC. In household devices for transmitting a CVBS composite video signal, as a rule, a cable with standard connectors of the RCA type, commonly called "tulip" (bells), is used. Domestic composite video cords are rarely coaxial in construction. The sound in this case is transmitted via a separate wire with similar connectors.

In consumer video technology, the transmission of composite video and audio over two separate wires was often referred to as a "low frequency connection" and was an alternative to a "high frequency" connection, in which a full television signal was transmitted over an antenna coaxial cable using one of the standard television broadcast channels. Such a connection was often used in consumer VCRs to transmit picture and sound to a television.

see also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

See what "Composite video" is in other dictionaries:

    This is a list of video connectors and their respective video signal standards. Contents 1 According to the signal standard 2 Physical connectors 3 P ... Wikipedia

    - (from English Video capture video capture) the process of converting a video signal from an external source into a digital video stream using a personal computer and recording it into a video file for the purpose of its subsequent processing, storage or ... ... Wikipedia

Suppose you just bought a brand new TV, printed it out, saw a huge number of incomprehensible connectors on the back panel? Having taken out the instruction, they found the absence of the Russian language in it. Questions immediately arose, in which connectors to connect a DVD player, how to connect sound acoustics to external speakers, is it possible to connect this TV to a computer? In reality, if you look, there is no difficulty in connecting additional peripherals to the TV. And if you study in detail the tangled bunch of connectors, a simple and understandable scheme emerges. In this topic, we will not consider specific connectors used for equipment maintenance, but we will minimize the description of TV connectors to the following, which connector is intended for what.

TV video connectors

The abbreviation stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (high-definition multimedia interface). On the this moment HDMI is the best option for connecting video equipment to TV, as it allows you to transmit digital video of any resolution, including HD, as well as digital audio up to 8 channels. All modern TVs are equipped with at least one, and more often several such connectors. In turn, it is present in almost every model of household equipment capable of outputting a video signal: DVD and Blu-ray players, laptops, game consoles, video cards for stationary PCs, camcorders, and even some smartphones.

Connector family D-sub (D-subminiature), used to connect a computer to a TV. This connector carries an analog signal, which results in inferior picture quality to that obtained with a digital connection. It is used in cases where the PC does not have an HDMI or DVI output.

European standard developed in the late 70s. in France to unify the connection of various devices. Through SCART, you can transmit not only analog video and audio, but also control signals. In terms of image quality, it is comparable to a component connection, but, of course, inferior to HDMI.

The abbreviation stands for Separate Video (separate video). It is called so because in this case the video signal is transmitted as two separate signals, brightness and color. In terms of image quality, it is between composite and component connections, at the moment it is practically not used anywhere.

TV component jacks (Y/Pb/Pr)

The best option for connecting an analog video source to your TV. It uses 3 separate cables for video transmission: luminance level (Y), difference between blue level and luminance (Pb) and red level and luminance (Pr). The lack of signal mixing used in S-Video and composite connections allows for the highest possible picture quality for an analog signal. Two additional connectors located in the same block are designed for analog audio transmission.


Composite TV Connector (CVBS)

The composite connection offers the worst picture quality - three analog signals (brightness, hue and saturation) are carried on one wire at once - and should only be used when there are simply no other options. As a rule, next to the video connector (yellow) are the audio inputs.

TV audio jack

TVs can be equipped with analog audio inputs - usually a pair of RCA connectors (popularly called "tulips"), of which white is used for mono or left channel in stereo, and red for the right channel. There is also a mini-jack (official name TRS) for connecting portable audio equipment.

In addition to inputs, TVs can also have audio outputs - again, a mini-jack for an analog stereo signal (for example, headphones), as well as digital ones for coaxial and optical cables. The first is a conventional RCA connector (the same as those discussed above for transmitting an analog signal), the second - TOSLINK - is designed for connection using fiber optics.

Other TV connectors

This is where the TV antenna is connected. In addition, some devices can also transmit video (for example, older VCRs).

network port. It connects the TV to local network or the Internet. In the first case, the connection can be used to play multimedia files from a home PC, in the second case, to access online services.

Recently, TVs are increasingly equipped with media player functions, and the USB connector is used to connect external drives to them. The designation USB (HDD) means that this port has enough power to work hard disk.

PCMCIA connector for connecting the Common Interface module, into which a smart card of a digital television provider is inserted, which is used to gain access to encrypted media content.

After reading this topic, you will get basic knowledge, learn to understand the TV connectors, stop adding additional peripherals to the TV at random. A similar instruction, but already about PC connectors can be found here "".

Pixel response time

Dynamic Contrast

Contrast

progressive scan

Permission

TV scan

TV tuner

Viewing angle

Image Refresh Rate

Interlacing

Interfaces (inputs and outputs) in TVs

CI/PCMCIA (Common Interface/Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)- a universal interface designed to connect access cards to the TV, which open up the possibility of viewing encoded paid multimedia content.

The so-called Conditional Access Module CAM (Conditional Access Module) is inserted into a special PCMCIA socket located on the TV, into which an access card purchased in advance from the operator to encrypted programs and films transmitted via satellite, cable or terrestrial digital television is inserted.

The CAM module is a decoder that allows you to work with a specific standard digital television such as DVB-S, DVB-C or DVB-T. Some CAM modules can work with several standards at once.

DV (Digital Video)– type of interface and connector for connecting digital signal sources (VCRs, external drives, camcorders, receivers and media players) to the TV. It was put into use in the mid-90s of the last century to connect Panasonic, Sony, Philips, JVC and Hitachi camcorders using the miniDV standard.

The main advantages of such an interface are a high data transfer rate (up to 800 Mbps), low signal loss and promising opportunities for use in high-definition television. There are two compatible DV connector options: four-pin (iLink by Sony) and six-pin (FireWire by Apple). The additional two pins are used for power supply.

DVI (Digital Visual Interface)- type of interface and connector designed to transmit high-definition analog and digital signals. Used since 1999.

Depending on the type of transmitted signal, DVI connectors are divided into three main types:

  • DVI-A - capable of transmitting only an analog signal;
  • DVI-I - capable of transmitting both analog and digital signals;
  • DVI-D - capable of transmitting only a digital signal.

Digital versions of the interface (DVI-I and DVI-D), in turn, can be of the form Single Link and Dual Link, differing from each other in the number of contacts involved. Single Link connectors can provide Full HD video transmission. To transfer more high resolution Ultra HD format, you will need to use the Dual Link connector.

The main weak point of the DVI interface is the dependence of the picture quality on the characteristics of the connection and the length of the cable (no more than 5 meters), which requires the use of various hardware and software solutions.

display port is a promising interface standard for connecting and simultaneously transmitting high-quality digital video and audio signals, which was developed by a number of well-known companies in 2006 as an alternative to licensed DVI and HDMI standards. Used to connect computers and monitors, as well as household panels of various types (PDP, LCD and CRT).

The DisplayPort standard provides high data transfer rates, even exceeding the capabilities of HDMI, and also uses more advanced media encryption algorithms to protect them from illegal copying.

Additional advantages of the DisplayPort standard include low power consumption, a high level of noise protection, small size, the ability to connect a longer cable, and secure connector fixation with a special latch.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)– the most progressive type of digital interface and connection to date, providing the highest quality of image and sound, equipped with an effective copy protection system. It is a logical development of the DVI-D interface, with which it is fully compatible.

There are special adapters that allow you to connect DVI-HDMI cables. Unlike DVI, the new type of interface is capable of transmitting not only high-quality FullHD video, but also multi-channel digitized audio. In addition, HDMI has a higher data transfer rate, smaller size connector, increased cable length that transmits a signal without distortion (up to 15 meters), and a long-term use.

There are 3 types of HDMI connectors:

  • Type A (19-pin);
  • Type B (29-pin);
  • Mini-HDMI (a smaller version of Type A, used for connecting camcorders).

RGB- an interface belonging to component type, which is used to connect various video sources (DVD players, TV decoders, computers, game consoles and the like).

In the environment of analog interfaces RGB provides the highest quality of video transmission. This result is achieved by splitting the standard RGB signal into separate components (colour-difference signals Pb and Pr), as well as signals for synchronization and brightness level (Y), each of the components of which is transmitted through a separate cable.

This is the fundamental difference between the component interface and composite RCA (audio-video), in which the entire video signal is transmitted via one cable, and the sound via one or two additional wires (stereo or mono). For RGB-signal transmission, standard RCA connectors of the "tulip" type or more exotic coaxial bayonet-type BNC connectors are used.

S-Video (Separate Video)- a special interface and a corresponding four-pin mini-DIN connector that allows you to connect an analog video signal source to the monitor. In terms of the quality of the transmitted image, it occupies an intermediate position between composite and component interface .

Higher quality video signal transmission is achieved by dividing it into brightness and color components, which are transmitted via separate cables. Special adapters can be used to pair the S-Video and RCA connectors.

USB- a universal connector designed to connect various modern digital multimedia devices, including TVs. There are various generations of USB, differing from each other in data transfer speed.

Modern TVs equipped with this type of interface allow you to connect and display multimedia content recorded on compatible Flash drives and external hard drives.

Problems with identification external devices and playback of content may be caused by an insufficient level of power supplied through USB port, as well as a media file format that the TV does not recognize. In some models of low-cost TVs, the USB port is used exclusively for service purposes.

VGA- a fairly common standard for transmitting analog video to computer monitors and television panels using a 15-pin connector or a five-pin BNC cable. VGA belongs to the component type of interfaces, as it provides separate transmission of the components of the video signal (three color difference signals, as well as luminance and synchronization signals), which ensures a sufficiently high image quality.

To date, the VGA standard is gradually losing its popularity, being replaced by more advanced digital interfaces HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort. The developers of modern electronic equipment have already announced that they will stop supporting this standard in 2015.

RS-232 interface- a serial data port, which was originally installed on most personal computers, and recently they began to be equipped with modern television panels with a large diagonal.

By connecting to given port computer, the user can remotely change the parameters of the TV (turn it on and off, change the image and sound characteristics, select the video signal source) without using a traditional remote control remote control. Similar opportunities may be required in the case of using the TV as a media center or information board in public places. Beforehand, special software must be installed on the computer.

In the future, such features may allow using the TV as a large screen that displays information from a computer, for example: an original alarm clock, a multimedia reminder board, an alarm and home security system, and the like.

Audio output (stereo)– a set of connectors that allow you to connect external audio audio devices to the TV. As a rule, the speakers built into the TV panel cannot provide high quality sound, especially from a multi-channel source. The presence of audio output jacks in the TV allows you to solve this problem to a certain extent by connecting external stereo speakers to it.

Coaxial audio input and output– These sockets on your TV allow you to connect high-quality digital audio sources and receivers, such as DVD players or home theater systems.

Digital interfaces are distinguished by their ability to transmit audio over a single cable with virtually no noise or interference in multi-channel or stereo formats. The connection is made using a shielded cable with RCA tulip plugs.

Component video input and output (YPbPr)- a set of special connectors on TVs and consumer multimedia devices that provide parallel transmission of various components (components) of the video signal over several cables. This type of interface is supported by almost all modern household equipment.

The video signal is divided into three components (Pb, Pr and Y), each of which is transmitted on a separate cable:

  • Color difference Pb (the difference between the level of blue and the brightness of the image);
  • Color difference Pr (the difference between the level of red and the brightness of the image);
  • Image brightness levelY with synchronization pulses.

Due to the separate transmission of the components and their subsequent mixing, the overall video signal is transmitted with a lower level of distortion. The component video signal is transmitted over a coaxial cable, at the ends of which are familiar to many RCA connectors such as "tulip" or BNC.

The optical audio signal itself is transmitted using a sequence of light flashes over a special fiber optic cable, which costs much more than a traditional coaxial cable. It will be justified to use a fiber optic cable if you are going to transmit an audio signal over a distance exceeding 10 meters, and also use Hi-Fi class audio equipment. However, most users can hardly distinguish the quality of multi-channel audio transmitted over an optical or coaxial cable.

AV input and output- the earliest way to connect home video equipment to a TV. Belongs to composite interfaces, since the transmission of video and audio signals occurs via two separate cables, paired.

The TV is connected to a VCR or DVD player using an RCA cable, the end plugs of which are popularly called "tulip". It is clear that this method of signal transmission cannot meet modern requirements for image and sound quality due to high losses and low noise immunity. Therefore, it is not necessary to speak about the transmission of video in HDTV format in this case.

The AV input of the TV allows you to connect consumer video equipment to it for demonstration on big screen previously recorded video programs, and the AV-out allows you to record on VCRs and players transmissions of over-the-air, satellite or cable television.

SCART- a standardized European interface and a multi-plug connector used to connect multimedia devices (TVs, DVD players, VCRs and the like) to each other. Present in almost every modern TV released for the European zone. The presence of a 21-pin connector allows high-quality transmission of the entire set of video and audio signals in both digital and analog form.

This interface provides high-quality audio and video signal transmission with virtually no loss, and the presence of idle contacts provides prospects for further development of this standard.

Modern computers have ample opportunities for working with video, and their owners often watch movies on the monitor screen. And with the advent of barebone multimedia platforms, oriented to use as a home media center, the interest in connecting audio and video equipment only intensifies.
It is much more convenient and practical to watch video 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 the computer are significantly different from those that you will later see and hear on TV. Therefore, all video editors allow you to view the preliminary results of editing on a television receiver directly from the working scale even before the film is created. Experienced video enthusiasts constantly control the image and sound, displaying them on a 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 the problems that arise in this case are beyond the scope of this article - here we will only consider the following questions: what connectors can be found on a TV and on a 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 a long time, which is traditionally called the VGA interface. The VGA interface transmits red, green, and blue (RGB) signals as well as horizontal scanning information (H-Sync) and vertical sync(V-sync).

All modern video cards have such an interface or provide it with an adapter from a universal combined interface DVI-I (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 graphics cards have a DVI-D digital interface to which you can connect only digital monitors. Visually, this interface differs from DVD-I in the absence of four holes (pins) around the horizontal slot (compare the right parts of the white DVI connectors).

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

DVI digital interface

The DVI interface (TDMS) was developed primarily for digital monitors, which do not require the graphics card to convert digital signals to analog.

But since the transition from analog to digital monitors has been slow, graphics hardware designers typically use these technologies in parallel. In addition, modern video cards can work with two monitors at the same time.

The universal DVI-I interface allows you to use both digital and analog connections, while DVI-D only allows you to use digital. 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 pins (Dual Link uses all 24 digital pins, and Single Link uses only 18 ). Single Link is suitable for use in devices with resolutions up to 1920x1080 (full HDTV resolution), for about Higher resolutions require Dual Link, which allows you to double the number of displayed pixels.

HDMI digital interface

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital multimedia interface developed jointly by a number of major companies - Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Sony and others. ). Higher resolution video requires already 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) copyright protection.

The HDMI interface is relatively new, but in the computer sector it has quite a few 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 gradually moving into the market, as modern consumer 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 still pay some fixed royalties on each HDMI product sold.

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

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

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 UDI (Unified Display Interface) digital 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 display devices through a new UDI digital interface recently developed by engineers from 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 by Intel are hopelessly outdated today. In addition, these interfaces do not support the latest content protection systems found on next-generation digital media such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray.

Thus, UDI is almost analogous to the HDMI interface used to connect computers to modern HDTVs. The main (and perhaps the only) difference between UDI and HDMI will be the absence of an audio channel, that is, UDI will only transmit video and is entirely designed to work with computer monitors, and not with HD TVs. Also, Intel doesn't seem to want to pay royalties for every HDMI device it makes, so UDI would be a good alternative for companies looking to make their products cheaper.

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

New DisplayPort Interface

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

The open DisplayPort standard has been developed by a number of major companies, including ATI Technologies, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, nVidia, Royal Philips Electronics, and Samsung Electronics. It is assumed that in the future DisplayPort will become a universal digital interface that allows you to connect displays of 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 analogous to HDMI). Note that the maximum throughput the DisplayPort standard is 10.8 Gbps, and the transmission uses a relatively thin connecting cable with four conductors.

Another feature of DisplayPort is its support for content protection features (similar to HDMI and UDI). Built-in security features allow you to display the contents of a document or video file only on limited quantity"authorized" devices, which theoretically reduces the likelihood of illegal copying of copyrighted material. Finally, connectors made according to the new standard are thinner than modern DVI and D-Sub connectors. Thanks to this, DisplayPort ports can be used in small form factor equipment and easily make multi-channel devices.

Support for the DisplayPort standard has already been announced by Dell, HP and Lenovo. 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 (analogue - D-Sub or digital - DVI), there is a composite video output ("tulip"), or a 4-pin S-Video output, or a 7-pin combined video output ( both S-Video and composite inputs and outputs).

In the case of S-Video, the situation is simple - there are S-Video cables or adapters for other SCART connectors on sale.

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

Composite video signal (RCA)

The so-called composite video output has long been widely used to connect consumer audio and video equipment. The connector for this signal is usually referred to 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). Usually tulip forks have color coding to make it easier for users to navigate the tangle of wires. Common color values ​​are given in Table. one.

Table 1

Usage

Signal type

White or black

Sound, left channel

analog

Sound, right channel

analog

Video, composite signal

analog

Luminance component signal (Luminance, Luma, Y)

analog

Component Chroma (Chrominance, Chroma, Cb/Pb)

analog

Component Chroma (Chrominance, Chroma, Cr/Pr)

analog

orange/yellow

SPDIF digital audio

Digital

The wires for transmitting a 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 "tulips" is gradually becoming a thing of the past. In addition, cheap RCA connectors on equipment often break. Today, other types of switching are increasingly used on digital audio and video equipment, and even when transmitting analog signals it is more convenient to use SCART.

S-video

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

If you do not have such an adapter, then 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 are able to switch output modes and feed 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 applied to the corresponding “tulip” outputs.

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

The S-Video pinout is as follows:

  • GND - "ground" for the Y-signal;
  • GND - "ground" for the C-signal;
  • Y - brightness signal;
  • C - color signal (contains both color differences).

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

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 obtained in this way is fed to the central core, and the "ground" from the second contact is fed 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 the French abbreviation proposed in 1983 by the Association of Radio and Television Developers 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 television or VCR manufactured for Europe is equipped with at least one SCART socket.

For the transmission of 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 only one cable, but also because it allows you to connect a high-quality RGB video source to the TV without intermediate encoding into composite or S-Video signals and get best quality images on the screen of a domestic TV (the quality of the image and sound when submitted via SCART is noticeably superior to the quality of any other analog connections). This possibility, however, is not implemented in all VCRs and TVs.

In addition, the developers have put into the SCART interface additional features by reserving a few contacts for the future. And since the SCART interface has become the standard in European countries, it has acquired several new features. For example, with the help of some signals on pin 8, you can control the TV modes via SCART (transfer it to the “monitor” mode and vice versa), switch the TV to work with RGB signals (pin 16), etc. Pins 10 and 12 are dedicated to transmitting digital data via SCART, which makes the number of commands virtually unlimited. There are several known systems for exchanging information 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 of 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 TVs large format embed the ability to transmit via SCART and a component video signal, which is transmitted through the contacts used in the standard for the RGB signal (however, this possibility practically does not differ from connecting via RGB).

Various adapters are commercially 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 connectors for switching control. In the case when it is necessary to connect two devices at once to one device, you can use a SCART splitter in two or three directions. Those who are not satisfied or who are not available to the proposed options can make their own in accordance with the assignment of contacts 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 specification, you can always make an appropriate adapter to use an analog computer monitor as a video signal receiver from a tape recorder or, conversely, to feed 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 fed to the 20th pin of the SCART connector;

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

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

The correspondence of contacts in the manufacture of an adapter for S-Video is also indicated in Table. 2.

Video output from a computer to a TV set via S-Video (TV-OUT):

  • 3rd pin S-Video - 20th pin SCART;

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

  • 1st pin S-Video - 17th pin SCART;
  • 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 using RGB, the computer must output the RGB signal in a way that the TV can understand. Sometimes the RGB signal is fed through a dedicated 7-, 8-, or 9-pin combo video output. In this case, in the settings of the video card, it should be possible to switch the video output to RGB mode. If the video output on the video card has seven pins (such a plug is called a mini-DIN 7-pin), then in normal mode the S-Video signal is sent to exactly the same pins as in a regular four-pin S-Video connector. And in RGB mode, the signals on the pins can be distributed in different ways, depending on the manufacturer of the video card.

As an example, the pins of one of these 7-pin connectors correspond to SCART (this wiring is used on some video cards based on the NVIDIA chip, but it may be different on your video card):

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

For all types of adapters, it is required to use high-quality cables with a resistance of 75 ohms.

Graphics card does not have a video connector

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 circuit diagram signal matching (in the general case, however, simple). There are special devices, which convert a regular computer VGA signal to RGB and a scan (sync) signal for a TV. Such a device is connected to the 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 - to the 15th SCART pin;
  • VGA GREEN - on the 11th SCART pin;
  • VGA BLUE - on 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 +1-3 V to the 16th SCART pin and 12 V to the 8th SCART pin to switch to AV mode with an aspect ratio of 4:3.

However, a direct connection will most likely not work and you will need 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 .

AV input


A somewhat obsolete element, as its heyday was in VHS and super-VHS video signals, when it had no competitors in the video signal transmission system. The advent of DVD forced the composite video output to recede into the background, under the onslaught of more modern methods of receiving and transmitting video information. Its main disadvantage is that it “discards everything superfluous”, that is, sometimes it removes not too large elements of the image, smoothes the image. However, if your screen size is less than 21 inches, this means that you will hardly notice the difference: anyway, such small screens are usually not designed to reproduce high-resolution images.
Equipping your TV with a composite video input means transmitting the video signal over a single coaxial cable. The connection is made through a standard RCA connector, colloquially called "tulip".
Almost all TV models have this connector, which can be attributed to the most significant advantage of this technical element.

AV on front or side panel

If your TV has an AV input, this means simplest way connecting a DVD player or VCR to your TV.
The AV interface is a composite video and audio access.
AV input on the front or side panel means easier and fast access to this interface than, for example, the same input located on the rear panel, the so-called rear interfaces.

S-video

If your TV is the latest generation and has a diagonal of 25 inches or more, then you will undoubtedly notice a difference in image quality if you receive an image through the Separate Video interface. To do this, your TV must be equipped with an S-Video input. It is this system that provides separate transmission of such image components as brightness and color. Separate transmission means the transmission of video signal components on different wires. This technology guarantees higher image quality. This interface uses mini DIN, a standard four-stroke connector.

An S-Video cable is also called an SVHS cable; Most high-end televisions, all video disc players, camcorders, satellite receivers, and SVHS VCRs have the appropriate jacks. When using an S-Video cable, unlike a composite cable, brightness and color are transmitted separately as 2 different components. The picture quality when using an S-Video cable is much better than when using a composite cable.

S-Video on front or side panel

S-Video input is required for video transmission.
For the convenience of quick connection of the Separate Video interface, the latest generation TVs are equipped with an S-Video input on the front or side panel. This arrangement greatly simplifies access to the S-Video input for quick connection such as video cameras. When placing the S-Video input on the back of the TV, access to it can be significantly difficult.

Number of S-Video inputs

Separate Video is required for video transmission. The more video inputs your TV has, the more external video sources you can connect at the same time. Simultaneous connection is convenient in that you can adjust the image, or switch from one source to another, you can simply use the remote control of your TV. You won't have to get up and switch cables from one device to another.

Videos component


The component video input is used to transmit the video signal. Component Interface allows you to transmit all three components of the video signal (two colors, brightness) over different wires. This certainly guarantees a higher picture quality than composite or S-Video transmission. However, keep in mind that the main advantages of component video input can only be appreciated on very large screens. For TVs with screen sizes up to 29 inches, this interface is unimportant. To connect to this video input, as a rule, a “tulip” connector or three BNCs are used.

Number of component video inputs

The component video input is required to receive the video signal.
If your TV has multiple component video inputs, you can connect multiple external sources at the same time. For example, a DVD player, VCR, cable or satellite receiver. At the same time, you will not need to constantly switch the cable - to switch to another signal source, it will be enough to use the remote control.

Number of composite video inputs

The composite interface is necessary for the transmission of video "pictures". In this case, the signal is transmitted through one coaxial cable. A standard RCA connector ("tulip") will allow you to connect the cable to your TV. If your TV has multiple composite video inputs (up to 6), you can connect multiple external sources at the same time. For example, a DVD player, VCR, cable or satellite receiver. At the same time, you will not need to constantly switch the cable - to switch to another signal source, it will be enough to use the remote control.

RGB

The RGB input interface on your TV is designed to transmit video in the RGB (red, green, and blue) color model. Each of the color signals is transmitted by a separate wire, which improves the quality of the video signal, as well as its synchronization.
For large screen TVs, RGB will be the best choice unless you have an analog TV.
The connectors that are needed to transmit RGB signals are SCART, RCA or BNC - three cables each.

VGA

VGA- standard system used for computer monitors. It transmits not only the image of the three primary colors, synchronization signals, but also has a separate channel for transmitting internal information from the source to the TV. This feature allows you to transmit a signal of very high quality, with virtually no interference. With this device, the TV is connected to a computer, DVD player, and other recording devices. The standard HD D-Sub 15 pin connector is the most suitable for connecting via the VGA input. Compatible with video cards with DVI-I and similar connector.

Number of VGA inputs

The VGA system is standard for computer monitors. The more video inputs your TV has, the more external video sources you can connect at the same time. Simultaneous connection is convenient in that you can adjust the image, or switch from one source to another, you can simply use the remote control of your TV.

DVI

If your TV has a DVI input, this means that you can receive a high quality digital TV signal without any kind of distortion. The DVI or Digital Visual Interface input is designed to transmit a digital video signal. The DVI interface can contain up to two digital channels and one analog (VGA), which leads to the existing variety of connectors:

  • DVI-I Single Link - one analog and one digital channel.
  • DVI-D Dual Link- two digital channels. Allows permissions up to 2560*1600 at 60Hz refresh rate or 1920*1080 at refresh rate 120Hz(required to use nVidia 3D Vision technology). Most up to date at the moment.
  • DVI-D single link- only one digital channel, interface capabilities are limited by resolution 1920*1200 or 1600*1200 at 60Hz refresh rate, Dual Link or analog interface must be used to support higher resolutions.
  • DVI-I Dual Link - one analog and two digital channels, the most complete implementation of the interface.
  • DVI-A - only the analog part, without digital, in fact - this is a VGA connector, made in a new form factor. It is usually found only on the DVI-part of the DVI-VGA adapter.

If the documentation for the monitor indicates that this modification uses the DVI Dual Link option, then for full support maximum resolution of the monitor (usually 1920*1200 and higher), the video card and the used DVI cable must also support Dual Link. If you use the cable that came with the monitor and a relatively modern (at the time of writing the FAQ) video card, then no additional purchases are required.

The maximum length of a DVI cable is not strictly specified in the standard, but without any restrictions, the cable can only be up to 5m long, then the maximum supported resolution decreases with distance, for example, for a Single Link cable with a standard screen of 15m, the maximum supported resolution is 1280 * 1024 .

In case the DVI cable is defective, or for its frequency characteristics the set resolution is excessive (especially common with cables 10 m or more in length), this manifests itself in the form of specifically flickering pixels on the monitor.

HDCP support in DVI interface

If your TV supports HDCP on the DVI interface and therefore supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection or a specially developed protection technology digital information from piracy. The technology is based on the formation of a set of signals-passwords for the transmitter and receiver of information. If the signals match, then the video signal will be of high quality, if the passwords do not match, the resolution will be at a very low level.
If your TV has an HDMI interface, then you can receive an HDCP-encoded signal without problems. If your TV has DVI, then you should clarify whether you can really receive a signal in HDCP format - in this case this does not go without saying.

HDMI

The HDMI system was created for the new generation of digital television and supports the HDTV high definition standard. The High Definition Multimedia Interface, abbreviated as HDMI, is required to transfer data in digital format. It is also equipped with special copy protection High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection.
HDMI input- adaptation of DVI-D for consumer equipment, supplemented by an S / PDIF interface for transmitting multi-channel audio. Present in virtually all modern LCD TVs, plasma panels and projectors. To connect to the HDMI connector of a video card with a DVI-D or DVI-I interface, a simple passive adapter or cable with the appropriate connectors is enough. It is impossible to connect a video card with only a VGA (D-Sub) connector to HDMI!


But if you choose between DVI and HDMI, then it should be noted that HDMI allows you to get the highest quality image and sound.

HDMI on the front or side

The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) input is used to transmit digital video and multi-channel audio (see "HDMI input").
The location of the input interfaces on the front panel greatly facilitates access to them. This arrangement is convenient in cases where you need to quickly connect an external video source to the TV (for example, a camcorder to view the recorded video).

Number of HDMI inputs

The High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) input is used to receive digital video and multi-channel audio. If your TV is equipped with several of these interfaces, this will allow you to connect several types of external equipment to the TV at once, and then easily connect to each of them. It can be a DVD player, a VCR, and a cable or satellite receiver. In this case, the connection of each device can be carried out using a simple remote control.

Number of audio inputs

The TV's audio inputs are used to transmit audio from an external source.
If your TV is equipped with multiple interfaces, this will allow you to connect multiple types of audio and video signals from external equipment to your TV at once, and then connect to each one with ease. It can be a DVD player, a VCR, and a cable or satellite receiver. In this case, the inclusion of each device can be carried out using a simple remote control.

Audio optical

If your TV has a digital optical audio input, this can significantly improve the sound quality of your equipment. The main difference between the optical input is that in this case, not an electric cable, but a fiber optic cable is used to transmit the signal. It is this difference that makes it possible to avoid practically any electromagnetic interference during optical signal transmission, the transmission of multi-channel sound over a single cable. The remaining functions are similar for the user: the audio signal (both stereo and multi-channel) is transmitted from the carrier in digital form.

Audio coaxial

The digital coaxial input is used to transmit from any external digital audio source, both in stereo and multi-channel. Any recording, transmitting device with the appropriate interface can be used as an external source. The advantages of digital signal transmission are clear: virtually noise-free playback and multi-channel signal transmission over a single cable. A standard shielded cable with an RCA connector will allow you to connect to a digital coaxial input.

DV

If your TV has a DV or IEEE 1394 input, this means that you can easily connect a digital video recorder or camcorder that supports the miniDV standard to your TV.
In principle, DV is designed to receive digital audio and video signals to the TV.

The IEEE 1394 standard dates back to the early 1990s, when Apple developed the FireWire bus specification for connecting a computer to peripherals. In 1995, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) adopted the FireWire standard and named it IEEE 1394.
IEEE 1394 is a high-speed serial data technology for connecting a computer to peripherals. Unlike USB, which is optimal for low speeds and, accordingly, connecting keyboards, mice, joysticks, IEEE 1394 is aimed at high-speed multimedia peripherals, such as digital video cameras, external drives (CD drives, hard drives, backup devices), music synthesizers. The data transfer rate according to IEEE 1394 reaches 400 Mbps.
In March 2002, an agreement was made to use a common logo for FireWire and IEEE 1394 to promote the standard.