1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,560 These things plugging in a TV or monitor is pretty simple. You're probably just using like a 2 00:00:04,560 --> 00:00:10,960 single HDMI or DisplayPort cable for video as well as audio. And in case you've got some older gear 3 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:15,600 you're likely familiar with RCA cables that enable composite or component connections as well as 4 00:00:15,600 --> 00:00:20,480 those blue VGA connectors for the legacy monitors. We've covered that in this previous episode. 5 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:26,000 But did you know there are lots of more obscure connectors out there, some of which are still 6 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:32,320 around? Let's start about talking about one of the better known, lesser known, video connectors. 7 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:37,200 This thing is called SCART, which is a French acronym that translates to 8 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:41,600 Radio and TV Receivers Manufacturers Association, also known as Pettitel. 9 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:48,320 If the name sounds kind of old school, that's because it is. SCART has been around since 1976. 10 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:52,240 It was developed in an attempt to standardize connection types across televisions, 11 00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:56,720 and although it originated in France, it ended up spreading across Europe. For its time it was a 12 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:01,280 pretty advanced connector in that it allowed bi-directional communication, unlike the composite 13 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:06,560 RCA connector so popular in North America. So SCART could actually communicate more directly with a 14 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:10,960 cable provider for features like pay-per-view and subtitles. And although SCART was an analog 15 00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:16,560 connection, later revisions could carry high-definition signals, kind of like component video over RCA. 16 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:20,240 But because of the rise of HDMI this configuration didn't see a whole lot of use. 17 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:26,320 However, SCART remains popular with gamers who enjoy retro titles, as it can actually carry 18 00:01:26,320 --> 00:01:31,200 RGB signals on separate channels, resulting in higher picture quality. It's kind of like VGA. 19 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:36,240 Folks in North America have even been known to spend extra money on SCART equipment to get the 20 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:40,560 best possible experience out of their older consoles. And I feel like I'm being called out 21 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:48,160 by this script. Moving on, let's talk about this funky looking guy. It's called a 13W3 connector. 22 00:01:48,240 --> 00:01:53,280 Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. It might remind you of a funnier looking VGA connector, 23 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:58,560 and that's because it kind of is. 13W3 was actually one of the predecessors of VGA and was 24 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:03,360 notably used on some Apple monitors that were meant to be paired with early Macs. Those three 25 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:09,200 big circular looking parts carry the actual color signals, red, blue, and green, one color for each 26 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:13,680 contact. They could also be used for power, but that's a aside. The rest of the pins were used 27 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:18,720 for things like grounding and synchronization, similar to more recent VGA connectors. However, 28 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:24,720 13W3 cables aren't universally interchangeable, as that power thing might suggest. You don't want 29 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:29,680 to send voltage down your RGB lines. Back then, when they were popular, monitors didn't all sync 30 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:34,800 the same way either. So some cables actually came with physical dip switches that you had to fiddle 31 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:40,000 with in order to get your picture looking right. So it's not too surprising that simpler connections 32 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:46,640 like VGA quickly overtook 13W3 in popularity, forcing it into obsolescence. For our third act, 33 00:02:46,640 --> 00:02:52,560 let's talk about something a little more contemporary, HD-based T. But wait a second, 34 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:57,600 that looks like an Ethernet connector. It turns out that HD-based T does indeed use the same 35 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:02,800 connector as Ethernet. I mean, the T stands for twisted pair, the kind of cable used for standard 36 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:09,280 Ethernet, and it actually does carry an Ethernet signal, along with 4K video, 5.1 audio, USB signals, 37 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,840 and even up to 100 watts of power. Basically, it's a do everything kind of connection, 38 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:19,760 and it works over one of the cheapest cables out there. So why hasn't most of the public heard 39 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:25,440 of it, and why are we not using it for basically all of our electronic needs? The big issue, 40 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:31,520 unsurprisingly, is cost. HD-based T isn't meant to completely replace HDMI or any other standard, 41 00:03:31,520 --> 00:03:36,960 really. Instead, it's meant for places that need to transmit signals over long distances without 42 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:42,400 a mess of expensive cables, as Ethernet cables are a lot cheaper per foot than HDMI. But the problem 43 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:47,440 is that HD-based T-compatible equipment, such as converters and receivers, are quite expensive 44 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:52,320 thanks to a more costly bill of materials. And as such, it's mostly a solution for large 45 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:56,720 organizations that have to deploy AV gadgets over distance. Did we miss any of your favorite 46 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:02,400 connectors? Let us know down in the comments. You know, I know it wasn't video, but personally, 47 00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:10,160 I missed those old 1284 printer connectors. Thanks for watching. Like, dislike, check out 48 00:04:10,160 --> 00:04:14,640 our other videos, comment with video suggestions, and don't forget to subscribe and follow.