Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?

Subject: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 11:41 AM

In most Scart cables (well, all that I have found so far) in the UK the lead itself comes out of the plug at an angle. The lead tends towards the 1 and 2 pins and away from the 19 and 20. Well, I'm putting in for a friend a new TV, and the scart socket is on the side and pins 19 and 20 are at the bottom of the socket so if I just plug an ordinary scart cable in like that it makes a big ugly upwards loop.

I want a nice neat downwards trail from the socket.

Where can I get a Scart lead that does that?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 09:24 PM

RB -

Obviously, you've just got the TV mounted upside down.

(Or maybe it's your friend's house? Apparently the dish/antenna isn't on top like it's 'sposed ta be.)

A trick used by some in a case like yours is to just make as small a loop back as you think might not hurt the cable, as close to the socket as you can get, and put a tie-wrap around the half-loop to keep it small. With the tie clipped off close it may be pretty well hidden on some TVs since the side connectors are usually a little behind the screen edges. You might want to use a tie about the same color as the cable, but I favor pink or fluorescent green if you want everybody to notice how clever you are.

Any complex (coax et. al.) cable can be damaged if you kink it too tight, but a half turn around about an inch diameter (inside the kink) might be okay for small diameter ones. I've seen phone and cable outside connections that suggest they've got a "loop holder" widget that just slips/clamps onto the cable, but have no idea where you'd get one.

You can think about this method if you don't find a better solution, but the only real reason for my post is that we seem to have quite a few, especially the semi-techs, who don't like to be first responders, and a thread needs at least 3 posts showing before the bashful ones will take a look.

So now you've got maybe one to go.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: ripov
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 10:51 PM

Maplin advertise a flat (looks like back entry) scart cable - cat no L89BA might do the job?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 01:12 AM

Thanks both. What I could do with a flat cable is run it across the back of the TV case so it didn't stick out, and then go the other side of the TV stand and down to the digibox.

Another oddity of this setup is that the TV's internal digibox is not happy with the signal it's getting, whereas the external digibox is OK with it. If I change the distribution amplifier for one with more gain I might be able to avoid using the external digibox, and although I need to check when I next visit I think I could then use RGB connectors and phono leads to go from the DVD player to the TV.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: s&r
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 08:15 AM

No HDMI? They'r usually lighter and more flexible

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: GUEST,Beachcomber
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 08:53 AM

Is it a fact that the HDMI cable is a better connection than a scart, from the point of view of signal clarity etc ?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: s&r
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 09:41 AM

The HDMI system is better than the SCART system generally. This is more to do with the equipment than the cable itself. If only for the lack of bulk and flexibility I would go with HDMI. Scart connectors suck IMO

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 10:38 AM

I may have a couple of flat Scarts but by the time I have posted them it would cost you as much as buying them, Richard.

I opened the thread thinking it may answer a question I have about the direction you plug scart leads in - I have found that at leat twice i have plugged them in one was and there was no sound but when reversed they were fine. Doesn't make sense to me unless there is some jiggery pokery in the wiring and why would they do that?

Anyone knoiw?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: ripov
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 10:55 AM

1. Richard, is there a gain control on the dist. amp that you could adjust?

2. I've checked 2 cables, on both the plug shell can be reversed, one needing just a touch with a file to sit nicely.

3. Scart plug labels and diagrams show the associated socket functions. eg a way marked "audio out" is actually an INPUT to the cable, but it plugs into an output socket. This can be very confusing.

4. Some cables are not "fully implemented", some rarely used functions (or rather the associated cable cores) being omitted ofr cheapness.

5. "nuisance" automatic switching can be disabled by disconnecting pin 8.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: ripov
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 11:16 AM

And 6. (DtG) there are seperate cores for audio in each direction. The manufacturers may think that you only want to send audio one way, and leave one pair out! Maybe the plug shells are marked "IN" and "OUT"?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 11:18 AM

Your point 2 is interesting ripov. I'll get my grindstone out!

I MAY be able to run HDMI from the DVD player to the TV, but the only out from the digibox is Scart. I wonder if I can scart the digibox to the DVD player and then HDMI to the TV? I bet the scart socket on the DVD player is one way only!

DtG - see ripov 3 and 4. That is likely your reason.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Oct 12 - 11:19 AM

PS - no, the distribution amp in there is fixed gain. I should be able to substitute a 30db one-for-all that I have lying about as a test, and there are a number of 30db ones on ebay for about a tenner or less.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 01:03 PM

I just turned the case round on one of mine. The cable clamp holds the two halves together and all it needed was a penknife at one emd. Not perfect but serviceable.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 05:11 PM

Think I will stick with Sky.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 05:17 PM

I have fallen out with the owner of the TV so it is no longer my problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 05:18 PM

PS - Murdoch is a menace to civilisation. I will have none of his products of any kind in the house.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cable direction, Scart lead?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Oct 12 - 05:18 PM

PS - Rupert, not Bruce