SCART to HDMI

[paranoid marvin]

Annoying that many modern tvs have ditched SCART, especially when there are many devices without HDMI outputs.

I've got a SCART to HDMI convertor which I bought online, but I was very surprised to find that there isn't one commercially available in shops. There must be loads of people who upgrade their tv and then find that they have to upgrade other devices to HDMI compatible.

My point though is that I've got a Dreamcast console, and the SCART to HDMI convertor I have plays the audio but not the picture. I've tried a different convertor and that is the same, with 'no signal' showing on the tv screen (although there is still sound.

Now I can see that there is a specific Dreamcast to HDMI lead available on Amazon, but has anyone any idea why my generic SCART to HDMI convertor doesn't work? (It does work with my Playstation 2 console).

 

[JunkMonkey]

Is SCART the only output from the device? Because I see lots of 3 RCA to HDMI cables and SCART to RCA converters and the like on eBay.

 

[Foxbat]

SCART is something I’ve had a problem with in the past. The thickness and weight of the cable tends to pull it to whatever side it’s hanging and so it doesn’t sit properly in the socket. The classic symptom of this is loss of sound or picture (depending on which pins are being affected). I’d try pushing the cable square against the socket when it’s in use and see if that makes a difference. If it does, I’d try reseating it or even tying the cable in such a way that it doesn’t pull to one side or the other.

I should add that I think SCART uses rgb video output but I don’t know what HDMI uses. It could be that the output video signal from the Dreamcast is not compatible with HDMI. The fact that the convertor works with a Playstation 2 might be indicative of this being the case and that the convertor is not at fault.

 

[Foxbat]

I’ve found this article that may help you find the answer. It mentions ‘handshake problems’ and suggests that age old fix of switching off and switching on again.

If that doesn’t work, you might find some other insight.

How HDMI Works

HDMI is more than a port on the back of a TV (and the often expensive cable that fits inside). It's a set of rules for allowing high-definition electronic devices to communicate.

electronics.howstuffworks.com

 

[Alex The G and T]

The "Handshake" problem from my Satellite TV box was with a non-HDMI capable TV which couldn't interpret the anti-piracy code from the Satellite Company. I was forced to buy a new TV that had HDMI connectors, or have no useable Satellite signal.

Presumably, .... Drat, I thought I might be on to something; but my thinking was running inverse to your connection.

If you think about it.

 

[hitmouse]

Pretty sure I got one from Amazon, to plug an old PS2 into the back of a new TV.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Thanks for all the comments and tips. My PS2 worked with the convertor, although the picture quality did seem better via component leads (which the tv has inputs for). I do think it's odd that the PS2 would be compatible whereas the Dreamcast wasn't (I double checked the leads were securely attached, as they are quite wobbly). I put it down possibly to the fact that the output is only 720p/1080p - perhaps the DC visual outputs don't operate on those scales.

I do think it's odd that there is no adaptor available via retail shops such as Argos, Currys etc., as I'm sure that there's a sizable market out there that won't buy them online through sites such as Amazon and Ebay.

 

[hitmouse]

The stuff available on Amazon generally comes via the same sort of specialist retailers that deal in obsolete stock such as old iphone cases and chargers. I doubt there are any of these items sitting on Amazon’s own shelves. The turnover is so sporadic that it is probably not viable for bricks and mortar retailers to keep these things n their shelves, gathering dust.

 

[Foxbat]

I’d agree with @hitmouse comments on the reasons. There used to be a number of retail outlets that dealt in this sort of thing. A couple of examples would be
Microcentre and Maplins. Both dealt in electronic components in bricks & mortar retail. Microcentre now appears indistinguishable from any other electrical retailer but not available in the UK and Maplins closed all its stores and went completely online.
I’m sure there was a Microcentre in Haymarket Edinburgh in the 1990s because I used to go there for parts when building a PC but maybe it was a similar name and my memory is failing me.

There are probably still a few independent specialist electronics shops somewhere.

Search results for: 'scart to hdmi' | Maplin

www.maplin.co.uk