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'''SCART''' (also known as '''Péritel''', '''Péritélévision''', '''EuroSCART''', or '''Euroconector''') is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual equipment. The name comes from ''Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs'' ("Radio and Television Receiver Manufacturers' Association"), the French organization that created the connector in the mid-1970s.<ref name="wp-scart">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCART "SCART"], Wikipedia.</ref>
In Europe, SCART was the most common method of connecting AV equipment from the 1980s until the widespread adoption of HDMI in the 2000s. It was far less common elsewhere in the world.
== Standards ==
* '''EN 50049-1''' (CENELEC) - The official European standard, first published in 1978<ref name="wp-scart" />
* '''IEC 933-1''' - Alternative standard reference<ref name="elinux">[https://elinux.org/SCART "SCART"], eLinux.org.</ref>
* First appeared on TVs in 1977<ref name="wp-scart" />
* Became compulsory on new TVs sold in France from January 1980 (decree adopted 7 February 1980)<ref name="wp-scart" /><ref name="handwiki">[https://handwiki.org/wiki/Engineering:SCART "SCART"], HandWiki.</ref>
* French legal requirement revoked on 3 July 2015<ref name="handwiki" />
== Signals Supported ==
SCART can carry multiple signal types through a single connector:<ref name="wp-scart" />
* '''Composite video''' (CVBS) - Input and output
* '''RGB video''' - With composite sync (active when pin 16 blanking voltage is 1-3V)
* '''S-Video''' - Non-standard extension, uses pins 15 (chroma) and 20 (luma)<ref name="retrosix">[https://www.retrosix.wiki/scart "SCART"], RetroSix Wiki.</ref>
* '''Component video (YPbPr)''' - Rare, non-standard extension
* '''Stereo audio''' - Input and output
* '''Control signals''' - Standby switching, aspect ratio signaling, AV.link
== Pinout ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ SCART Pinout (as viewed from rear of female socket)<ref name="wp-scart" />
! Pin !! Function !! Direction
|-
| 1 || Audio Output (Right) || Out
|-
| 2 || Audio Input (Right) || In
|-
| 3 || Audio Output (Left) || Out
|-
| 4 || Audio Ground || —
|-
| 5 || Blue Ground || —
|-
| 6 || Audio Input (Left) || In
|-
| 7 || Blue Signal || In
|-
| 8 || Function Switching || In
|-
| 9 || Green Ground || —
|-
| 10 || Data Bus (AV.link) || Bidirectional
|-
| 11 || Green Signal || In
|-
| 12 || Data Bus (AV.link) || Bidirectional
|-
| 13 || Red Ground || —
|-
| 14 || Data Ground || —
|-
| 15 || Red Signal / S-Video Chroma || In
|-
| 16 || Blanking Signal (RGB switching) || In
|-
| 17 || Composite Video Ground (Output) || —
|-
| 18 || Composite Video Ground (Input) || —
|-
| 19 || Composite Video Output || Out
|-
| 20 || Composite Video Input / S-Video Luma || In
|-
| 21 || Shield/Frame Ground || —
|}
== Control Signals ==
'''Pin 8 - Function Switching:'''<ref name="wp-scart" />
* 0V–2V: No signal / standby
* 4.5V–7V (nominal 6V): Widescreen 16:9 signal
* 9.5V–12V (nominal 12V): Normal 4:3 signal
'''Pin 16 - Blanking/RGB Selection:'''<ref name="wp-scart" />
* 0V–0.4V: Composite video mode
* 1V–3V (nominal 1V): RGB mode
== Technical Specifications ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Signal !! Specification
|-
| Composite Video || 1Vp-p, 75Ω impedance
|-
| RGB Signals || 0.7Vp-p, 75Ω impedance
|-
| Audio || ~0.5Vrms, low impedance output
|-
| Maximum cable length || 10-15 meters (without amplification)
|}
== Cable Types ==
The original specification defined cable types by ring color:<ref name="wp-scart" />
{| class="wikitable"
! Type !! Color !! Description
|-
| U (Universal) || Black || Fully wired (all 21 pins)
|-
| V (Video) || White || Composite video only
|-
| C (Combined) || Grey || Composite video + audio
|-
| A (Audio) || Yellow || Audio only
|-
| B (Bus) || Green || Data connections only
|}
In practice, color coding is rarely followed and cable quality varies significantly. Cheap cables often lack proper coaxial shielding for video signals, causing ghosting and interference.
== Common Equipment ==
=== Game Consoles ===
* PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
* Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast
* Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)
* Nintendo GameCube (PAL), Wii (PAL)
* Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD
* Xbox, Xbox 360
=== Computers ===
* Amstrad CPC
* ZX Spectrum (later models)
* Amiga
* Atari ST
* MSX (European models)
* Acorn Archimedes, BBC Micro
=== Other Equipment ===
* VCRs (VHS, Betamax)
* DVD players
* Satellite receivers and set-top boxes
* Laserdisc players
* Upscalers and video processors (RetroTINK, OSSC, Framemeister)
== JP21 Compatibility ==
{{warning|SCART and [[JP21]] connectors are physically identical but electrically incompatible. Connecting them directly will result in reversed colors and potential equipment damage.}}
The Japanese [[JP21]] (RGB21) connector uses the same physical 21-pin form factor but has a completely different pinout. Key differences:<ref name="jp21-page">See [[JP21]] for detailed pinout comparison.</ref>
* Red and Blue signals are swapped
* Audio pin assignments differ
* Control signal voltages and functions differ
See [[JP21]] for detailed comparison and adapter requirements.
== Safety Notes ==
* '''Hot plugging not recommended''' - The relatively high signal voltages can damage electronics if connected improperly while powered on<ref name="wp-scart" />
* '''Electric shock risk''' - Class II (double-insulated) TVs can hold the SCART shield at half mains voltage when one end is unplugged; always connect the device end first, TV end last<ref name="handwiki" />
== See Also ==
* [[JP21]] - Japanese 21-pin connector (incompatible pinout)
* [[Composite (CVBS)]]
* [[S-Video (Y/C)]]
* [[RGBS]]
== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Connector types]]
[[Category:Connector types]]

Latest revision as of 18:01, 10 February 2026

SCART (also known as Péritel, Péritélévision, EuroSCART, or Euroconector) is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual equipment. The name comes from Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs ("Radio and Television Receiver Manufacturers' Association"), the French organization that created the connector in the mid-1970s.[1]

In Europe, SCART was the most common method of connecting AV equipment from the 1980s until the widespread adoption of HDMI in the 2000s. It was far less common elsewhere in the world.

Standards

  • EN 50049-1 (CENELEC) - The official European standard, first published in 1978[1]
  • IEC 933-1 - Alternative standard reference[2]
  • First appeared on TVs in 1977[1]
  • Became compulsory on new TVs sold in France from January 1980 (decree adopted 7 February 1980)[1][3]
  • French legal requirement revoked on 3 July 2015[3]

Signals Supported

SCART can carry multiple signal types through a single connector:[1]

  • Composite video (CVBS) - Input and output
  • RGB video - With composite sync (active when pin 16 blanking voltage is 1-3V)
  • S-Video - Non-standard extension, uses pins 15 (chroma) and 20 (luma)[4]
  • Component video (YPbPr) - Rare, non-standard extension
  • Stereo audio - Input and output
  • Control signals - Standby switching, aspect ratio signaling, AV.link

Pinout

SCART Pinout (as viewed from rear of female socket)[1]
Pin Function Direction
1 Audio Output (Right) Out
2 Audio Input (Right) In
3 Audio Output (Left) Out
4 Audio Ground —
5 Blue Ground —
6 Audio Input (Left) In
7 Blue Signal In
8 Function Switching In
9 Green Ground —
10 Data Bus (AV.link) Bidirectional
11 Green Signal In
12 Data Bus (AV.link) Bidirectional
13 Red Ground —
14 Data Ground —
15 Red Signal / S-Video Chroma In
16 Blanking Signal (RGB switching) In
17 Composite Video Ground (Output) —
18 Composite Video Ground (Input) —
19 Composite Video Output Out
20 Composite Video Input / S-Video Luma In
21 Shield/Frame Ground —

Control Signals

Pin 8 - Function Switching:[1]

  • 0V–2V: No signal / standby
  • 4.5V–7V (nominal 6V): Widescreen 16:9 signal
  • 9.5V–12V (nominal 12V): Normal 4:3 signal

Pin 16 - Blanking/RGB Selection:[1]

  • 0V–0.4V: Composite video mode
  • 1V–3V (nominal 1V): RGB mode

Technical Specifications

Signal Specification
Composite Video 1Vp-p, 75Ω impedance
RGB Signals 0.7Vp-p, 75Ω impedance
Audio ~0.5Vrms, low impedance output
Maximum cable length 10-15 meters (without amplification)

Cable Types

The original specification defined cable types by ring color:[1]

Type Color Description
U (Universal) Black Fully wired (all 21 pins)
V (Video) White Composite video only
C (Combined) Grey Composite video + audio
A (Audio) Yellow Audio only
B (Bus) Green Data connections only

In practice, color coding is rarely followed and cable quality varies significantly. Cheap cables often lack proper coaxial shielding for video signals, causing ghosting and interference.

Common Equipment

Game Consoles

  • PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
  • Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast
  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)
  • Nintendo GameCube (PAL), Wii (PAL)
  • Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD
  • Xbox, Xbox 360

Computers

  • Amstrad CPC
  • ZX Spectrum (later models)
  • Amiga
  • Atari ST
  • MSX (European models)
  • Acorn Archimedes, BBC Micro

Other Equipment

  • VCRs (VHS, Betamax)
  • DVD players
  • Satellite receivers and set-top boxes
  • Laserdisc players
  • Upscalers and video processors (RetroTINK, OSSC, Framemeister)

JP21 Compatibility

⚠️

Warning: SCART and JP21 connectors are physically identical but electrically incompatible. Connecting them directly will result in reversed colors and potential equipment damage.

The Japanese JP21 (RGB21) connector uses the same physical 21-pin form factor but has a completely different pinout. Key differences:[5]

  • Red and Blue signals are swapped
  • Audio pin assignments differ
  • Control signal voltages and functions differ

See JP21 for detailed comparison and adapter requirements.

Safety Notes

  • Hot plugging not recommended - The relatively high signal voltages can damage electronics if connected improperly while powered on[1]
  • Electric shock risk - Class II (double-insulated) TVs can hold the SCART shield at half mains voltage when one end is unplugged; always connect the device end first, TV end last[3]

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 "SCART", Wikipedia.
  2. ↑ "SCART", eLinux.org.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "SCART", HandWiki.
  4. ↑ "SCART", RetroSix Wiki.
  5. ↑ See JP21 for detailed pinout comparison.
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