SCART: is it worth the investment?

[Joe Redifer]

SCART works for me.  It's just a connector type.  The way I do it with my systems is to transcode the RGB into component video which looks pretty close if you have a good TV.  Not all TVs are created equal, but that's another story.  I have SCART cables for my Genesis (model2 cable even though I have a model 1 so I can connect it to my 32X), Neo-Geo, SNES, Saturn and TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM.  This way I only need one type of connector since the unit I have that transcodes to component accepts SCART.  It is very convenient for me.

[SignOfZeta]

And what is something better? It's RGB, there isn't good or bad RGB (sure it depends on the quality of the TV and used parts and everything, but that has nothing to do with scart itself, that's just a connector norm).

I don't know what he was getting at, but the SCART sockets themselves are kind of garbage. They don't have any sort of detent so they never really feel like they are in all the way. Also, having all that stuff in one cable creates all sorts of interference issues if the cable isn't well made (most of the ones on eBay aren't).

However, all of this is outweighed by the convenience of SCART, which is just amazing. IMO "crappy" is needing five damn RCA connectors just for component and sound. Its f*cking ridiculous.

[GAUGE]

SCART works for me.  It's just a connector type.  The way I do it with my systems is to transcode the RGB into component video which looks pretty close if you have a good TV.  Not all TVs are created equal, but that's another story.  I have SCART cables for my Genesis (model2 cable even though I have a model 1 so I can connect it to my 32X), Neo-Geo, SNES, Saturn and TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM.  This way I only need one type of connector since the unit I have that transcodes to component accepts SCART.  It is very convenient for me.

Hey Joe, it sounds like you have the sort of set up that I'm looking at, SCART converted to component. Do you find the signal quality much improved over composite? I know this might seem obvious, but I have zero experience with how SCART to component converters handle the display signal and/or if it retains a high level of quality.

[SuperDeadite]

It's the connector that I don't like.  The angled cable, sound intereference, it just feels cheap to me.
Sure it's a lot more plugs but BNC all the way when I can.  With XRGBs I use JP21 I'll admit, at least the JP version
uses the bare minimum of wires so you can add extra shielding wrap in there without breaking anything.
Depends on the cable, but for example an official NeoGeo RGB cable looks way worse then XNeo-1's S-video
because of the sound interference it gets...

[Tatsujin]

Yeah, I agree on the connector/cable issue from a todays point of view. But still it was a very good standard back in the 80s early 90s where other countries almost had shit outputs only.

[Arkhan]

Cant you just RGB mod it and go straight to an RGB connector we support in MERICA?

Like what?

Commodore 1084S!

Duh.

my Philips RGB monitor has a slot for SCART, because the European model of the same monitor has DINs AND SCART.

SCART rules and im sad we didnt get it.  That connector is awesome.

[Tatsujin]

Since I was about 15, RGB was an indispensable must for me. PCE, MD, SFC, SMS, Amiga, PSx, Saturn, PS2, DC and even my MSX was running via RGB (everything scart). Only the little NES/FC stinker was AV all the time.

Now am stuck back again to S-Vid

[Joe Redifer]

Yes, component is much better than composite.  As for the sound issue, you needn't route the sound through the SCART.  Just take the sound from the back of the TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM Interface Unit and send it straight to the high-powered stereo receiver with floor-standing speakers that are as tall as you (at least).

IMO "crappy" is needing five damn RCA connectors just for component and sound. Its f*cking ridiculous.

Why?  It's not like you must constantly plug and unplug them.  Once they are plugged in, you're good to go.  If your life is so hectic that you can't be bothered to spend a few extra seconds plugging in some cables, then perhaps it's time to give videogames up altogether.

[Arkhan]

Yes, component is much better than composite.  As for the sound issue, you needn't route the sound through the SCART.  Just take the sound from the back of the TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM Interface Unit and send it straight to the high-powered stereo receiver with floor-standing speakers that are as tall as you (at least).

IMO "crappy" is needing five damn RCA connectors just for component and sound. Its f*cking ridiculous.

Why?  It's not like you must constantly plug and unplug them.  Once they are plugged in, you're good to go.  If your life is so hectic that you can't be bothered to spend a few extra seconds plugging in some cables, then perhaps it's time to give videogames up altogether.

When you have one component input on your massive ass CRT, and 2+ systems using said component inputs, this becomes a f*cking chore.

Climbing around back isnt "a few extra seconds"

Its more like a few minutes, swearing, hoping you dont knock shit over, fumbling around with cords hoping you did it right, more swearing, dropping stuff, more swearing, praying the TV doesnt fall, realizing you just plugged the green and blue in the wrong holes because its dark back there, swearing, finally connecting it all, and then finally playing the f*cker.

Yeah you could get a switch box, but that shit will look awful.  15 RCA doodads shoved into a box, with cables running out the back into your TV!?  Yikes.  There goes your stuff looking tidy.

[Joe Redifer]

Why would a switchbox look untidy?  If it does, you are doing it wrong.  But if that is more important to you than good video, then perhaps you really don't care much about it in the first place.

And also, Zeta complained because component had too many god damned wires and they angered and confused him (two red wires... which is which, blue and green can be mistaken for the other and they take hours to install, etc).  Even if it was all bunched up into one wire, say a VGA connector, you still only have one jack for that on the back of your TV and changing it will still be a pain.

[Arkhan]

Why would a switchbox look untidy?  If it does, you are doing it wrong.  But if that is more important to you than good video, then perhaps you really don't care much about it in the first place.

So a person can't care about good video and having a tidy setup?

switch boxes are bulky and can get in the way. especially when you have 15ish wires jammed in them.

Zeta never said anything about being confused by the wires. 

and, Id love to see a VGA port that accepts audio as well as video!

[Joe Redifer]

I mention the VGA because no matter what you are kind of screwed when it comes to wires.  You'll always have three.  Component only adds two more.  Zeta called me at my house and told me he was confused.  

What are switch boxes getting in the way of?  A switchbox can be very tidy unless you are hanging out behind your TV.  And even that can be tidy.  Ever hear of cable ties?  They are super-cheap and easy to use.  I have my speaker wires cable tied so that there aren't 8 wires laying randomly on my floor.  Looks fine.

[nat]

A switchbox can be very tidy unless you are hanging out behind your TV. 

This is where I've been going wrong all these years.

[Arkhan]

cable ties are terrorist activity.

If you want to move something you have a bunch of crap all pressed together.

my point here is...

lets say you have 5 systems all with component.

Enjoy your 25 cables!

Now, 5 systems with SCART.

Enjoy your 5 cables!

See?  Whats nicer.

[Joe Redifer]

I have SCART that transcodes to component.  I never change my component cables.

And they are both just as "nice" if none of them are seen no matter which setup you have.