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Connections |
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SCART and Soundcard ConnectionsConnecting the Studio400 editing system is fairly straightforward in principle, and the User Guide has several illustrations to assist with the hook-up. In practice however, there are a few aspects that confuse many users, particularly when it comes to Soundcard and European VCR SCART connections. SCARTSCART stands for Syndicat français des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radio et Télévision. Previously it was known as a Peritel connection after, it is alleged, a French television company of that name, although I have also seen it defined as a 'peripheral television' connector. The connector is also known as a Euro-connector since it was imposed on manufacturers by an EC directive. All TV and VCR equipment sold in the EC that have external video line connections have to be supplied with SCART connections by regulation. In effect, it is an audio/visual connection standard that has replaced the non-regulated DIN specification of yesteryear. The connector provides for Stereo Audio in/out, C-Video in/out, S-Video, and RGB (in only). There is also provision for external mode and signalling, such as 4:3/16:9 (widescreen) selection, and auto-TV-switching when a cassette is inserted in the VCR. What appeared at the outset to be a simple, low-cost A/V standard has now become something of a mixed-bag as far as full implementation is concerned. If you buy your TV and VCR from the same manufacturer, and use their proprietary SCART lead, then the two units will work in total harmony with minimal interconnection fuss. If, however, you interconnect different generations of equipment from different manufacturers, using a third-party SCART cable, then strange things can happen..... At best, it may mean that there is no control interaction between VCR and TV (when you hoped there may be). At worst, you may find your TV turning itself on in the middle of the night as the VCR commences to videotape your favourite sports program, or switching itself to S-Video mode for no apparent reason. The normal fix for this is to attack the the cable at both ends, cutting the wires to all but essential connector pins, and then removing the pins altogether (sometimes the pins are used to actuate proprietary function switches). Fortunately, as far as use with Studio400 is concerned, these problems are unlikely to occur. Generic SCART leads, purchased from electronics/video stores are normally of the simple variety with only C-Video and Audio connections. There are, however, two important points to note. Firstly, many VCRs and TVs are equipped with two SCART connectors. These rarely provide the same services. Whilst SCART1 invariably provides full A/V in/out, SCART2 may only provide connection in one direction, and may be configured for RGB (for satellite/cable connection). You must read your instruction manual carefully to find out more about this. To be safe, use SCART1. Secondly, SCART cables with RCA (Phono) terminations are often labelled ambiguously. For example, where the individual leads are marked as 'Input', this refers to the type of socket the RCA plugs into, the lead is, in fact, an output from the SCART cable. The cables and adaptors shown on this page are all available in the UK from Maplin Electronics stores, and by post. These are generic products - identical products should also be available from similar electronics stores worldwide.
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The most universally useful form of SCART
cable is one that is terminated in 6 RCA (Phono) connectors. These comprise
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(The cable shown opposite has removable BNC adaptors fitted to the two RCA video Plugs). |
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Another form of connector that can be
very convenient for straight VCR input from mixer/soundcard is the adaptor
shown opposite.
These can be purchased as input, output, or, as shown here, switchable. Unlike their cable cousins, Input and Output are not ambiguous. This one also has provision for S-Video connection, but this will only apply to S-VHS machines. I always carry one of these in my camcorder bag - useful for reviewing footage on TV in hotel rooms. |
Soundcard ConnectionsCurrent soundcards, those most suitable for Studio400 use, universally use standard 3.5mm stereo mini-jacks for their input/output connections. Many cards are 3D capable, and have outputs for both front and rear speakers. This is why the separate Line-Out/Headphone-out sockets are fast disappearing. In the majority of cases, only the front outputs should be used with Studio400, which is also the socket that Windows sounds emerge from. There are various connection schemes that can be used to satisfy both of these separate output requirements.
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Shown opposite is the standard format
cable used with 3.5mm mini-jack connectors to get RCA (Phono) conversion. It
is often necessary to use gender-changing in-line connectors of the type(s) shown below, in
order to make connection with other RCA male cables.
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The cable on the right will allow two two mini-jack connectors to be connected to the soundcard output. One will be the normal PC speakers, the other will provide stereo audio input to the VCR via a standard mini-jack cable of the type shown above, right. Personally, I do not favour this form of connection as it can introduce noise to the signal, and it encourages ground-loop problems. However, I concede that in many installations there is no simple alternative. |
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This coupling will be useful to join two mini-jack connectors together, particularly if connecting amplified speakers to standard mini-jack/RCA cables. |
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The diagram below shows how to connect the audio and video leads when a SCART adaptor is used. This adaptor may be of the 'Input' type, or the switchable type, set to 'Input'. The cables used are all of types shown above, with the addition of a single RCA video lead between the mixer and the camcorder. If you experience hum or interference on your VCR soundtrack, then disconnect the PC speakers. You may then monitor the sound (and picture) by connecting the aerial output of the VCR to your TV.
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This next diagram shows how to connect
the 6-lead SCART cable. This will require a few additional leads and
adaptors, but it provides the most flexible editing hookup. Although the
diagram looks complicated, it is really quite straightforward to assemble,
once you have the right bits. A variation on this, if you insist on having
your speakers connected directly to the soundcard, is to add the Y cable
shown above. I leave it to
your ingenuity to figure out how to connect it up (I'm bored with drawing
these diagrams), but there are plenty of clues on this page to help
you!
If you get away with this variation, and are not troubled with hum and noise, then you can still monitor your VCR sound by connecting the SCART audio output to your TV audio input. I very much favour this form of monitoring (however it is achieved), as it gives confidence in the continuity of sound that is actually being recorded on the tape and, when you play the VCR tape back, the sound path is already patched in, without the need to reconfigure your cables.
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The diagram above uses all proprietary
cables, connectors, and couplings. Although the cost of these parts is not
that high, you may consider making up your own cable (that is what I did).
It certainly makes for a neater solution, and saves some money (about 50%),
and you can design the cable lengths to suit your personal needs.
To help with this, I have included here the connection diagram for a SCART connector, and the stereo topology for a mini-jack connector. Naturally, although not specifically shown on this diagram, you must use screened co-axial cables. The video cables should be 75-ohm impedance. That is all you need to know to construct a custom cable....oh yes, and a bit of common sense! If you would like to read more about the SCART connector, and find out how to connect S-Video rather than C-Video into S-VHS machines, or use the function-switching pins, then click here. |
