WEBVTT 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 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 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:15.600 you're likely familiar with RCA cables that enable composite or component connections as well as 00:00:15.600 --> 00:00:20.480 those blue VGA connectors for the legacy monitors. We've covered that in this previous episode. 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 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.320 around? Let's start about talking about one of the better known, lesser known, video connectors. 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:37.200 This thing is called SCART, which is a French acronym that translates to 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:41.600 Radio and TV Receivers Manufacturers Association, also known as Pettitel. 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. 00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:52.240 It was developed in an attempt to standardize connection types across televisions, 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 00:00:56.720 --> 00:01:01.280 pretty advanced connector in that it allowed bi-directional communication, unlike the composite 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:06.560 RCA connector so popular in North America. So SCART could actually communicate more directly with a 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:10.960 cable provider for features like pay-per-view and subtitles. And although SCART was an analog 00:01:10.960 --> 00:01:16.560 connection, later revisions could carry high-definition signals, kind of like component video over RCA. 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. 00:01:20.960 --> 00:01:26.320 However, SCART remains popular with gamers who enjoy retro titles, as it can actually carry 00:01:26.320 --> 00:01:31.200 RGB signals on separate channels, resulting in higher picture quality. It's kind of like VGA. 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 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 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. 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, 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 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 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 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 00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:18.720 for things like grounding and synchronization, similar to more recent VGA connectors. However, 00:02:18.720 --> 00:02:24.720 13W3 cables aren't universally interchangeable, as that power thing might suggest. You don't want 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 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 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 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:46.640 like VGA quickly overtook 13W3 in popularity, forcing it into obsolescence. For our third act, 00:02:46.640 --> 00:02:52.560 let's talk about something a little more contemporary, HD-based T. But wait a second, 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 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 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, 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, 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 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, 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, 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:36.960 really. Instead, it's meant for places that need to transmit signals over long distances without 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 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:47.440 is that HD-based T-compatible equipment, such as converters and receivers, are quite expensive 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 00:03:52.320 --> 00:03:56.720 organizations that have to deploy AV gadgets over distance. Did we miss any of your favorite 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, 00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:10.160 I missed those old 1284 printer connectors. Thanks for watching. Like, dislike, check out 00:04:10.160 --> 00:04:14.640 our other videos, comment with video suggestions, and don't forget to subscribe and follow.