Do you remember the good old days when almost every TV had a SCART socket? If you wanted to connect your VCR or games console, that was the port you needed. But those days are gone – now most TVs don’t have a SCART socket. So what do you do if you want to connect an old device to your new smart TV? In this article, we’ll explore why HDMI has replaced SCART, and we’ll look at some alternatives for connecting older devices to your TV.
Are there any Smart TVs on the market today that support SCART?
Smart TVs available today typically do not have a SCART port, as most manufacturers have switched to using HDMI for all audio-visual connections. However, some older models may still include this type of connection, and it is sometimes possible to find adapters that can be used to connect SCART devices to newer TVs.
Some third-party products allow users to connect their older devices to newer TVs via a special converter box or adapter. While these products can be a bit more expensive and may not offer the same level of quality as native HDMI connections, they are often the best option for those who still need to use SCART-based equipment with their smart TV.
SCART to HDMI converter available on AMAZON UK
What is SCART, and why has HDMI replaced it?
SCART, also known as Peritel or EuroSCART, is a type of connector commonly used for connecting audio-visual equipment.
SCART was developed in the 1970s to standardize connections between different devices, reducing some of the complexity and confusion that had arisen with earlier methods. Although it was initially designed for TV sets, SCART quickly became popular for connecting other types of audio-visual equipment, such as video cassette recorders (VCRs) and DVD players.
SCART was typically used for analogue signals, and it became obsolete once most devices began to use digital connections like HDMI. Today, SCART is rarely found on modern TVs or other A/V equipment since most manufacturers have transitioned to the newer, more versatile HDMI standard.
SCART to HDMI Converters: The Solution
SCART to HDMI converters are popular for those who need to connect older devices to their smart TVs. These products typically consist of a small box connected between your SCART device and your TV via an HDMI cable, allowing you to easily access all of the content on your older equipment with minimal fuss.
They work pretty straightforwardly: the converter box takes in analogue video and audio signals via a SCART port, converts them to digital HDMI signals, and then outputs them directly to your TV. This enables you to enjoy high-quality images and sound from your older devices without additional equipment or adapters.
The maximum image resolution that SCART can transmit is 720 x 576 pixels, which can be limiting in today’s world of large 4K displays. Some devices you’ll find on the market claim to have “Upscaling” functionalities, but from my experience, this isn’t the case, and any improvements are minimal at best.
Overall, if you have older audio-visual equipment that you still want to use with your smart TV, a SCART to HDMI converter can be a great solution.
