CPC to Television Scart Lead.

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CPC TO TELEVISION SCART LEAD

I will start by saying that the tasks to be undertaken on this page are not for those of you without electrical and soldering skills, but for the competent, the following circuit will give a quality picture and stereo sound through a television set from an Amstrad CPC6128, a CPC664 or a CPC464. It has been tested on a number of different makes of TV (with complete success), within, the age range of 1 to 4 years. I have been unable to find anyone admitting to owning a TV without AV switching so no provision has been made in the offered lead for these old crocks.

Info added April 2007:- Do note that this lead was designed some 5 years ago and many modern TV's do not have the required connections on their Scart sockets to enable this lead to work!

PARTS AND TOOLS REQUIRED.
Scart Plug.
6 pin male DIN Plug.
3.5mm Stereo Jack Plug.
6 feet of six core cable.
7 feet of twin screened cable.
15 watt Soldering Iron.
Solder.
Electrical tape (or cable ties).
MultiMeter.
Side cutters, Long nosed pliers and a small screw driver (all of which can be found in any DIY tool box).

Just in case it is not obvious, use the six core cable to connect the DIN plug to the Scart plug and the Twin screened cable to connect the Jack Plug to the Scart Plug. The extra foot of twin screened cable runs from the Din plug (when the two cables are taped together) and plugs into the socket on the side of the CPC machine. Now that the Scart lead has been made up following the above diagram, tape the two leads together (or use the cable ties). Now you will need to turn to making a suitable power supply for your CPC.

POWER SUPPLY OPTIONS.
You will require a Power Supply Unit that can offer 5 Volts at 2 amps and 12 volts at 1 amp for the CPC6128/CPC664 and for the CPC464 a 5 volt 2 amp unit.
Use an Amstrad monitor but this to my mind defeats the purpose of a Scart lead -- you still have to find somewhere to put the monitor.
Use a MP2 modulator to supply the required voltages --- these are now hard to find in good order.
Use a PC power supply unit --- very unsightly unless you built a case to put it in and costly if purchased new.
Buy two power supply units, one offering 12 volts regulated DC, the other a 5 volts regulated DC --- again costly.
Use a Spectrum +3 (or a +2A) power supply as not only can it happily supply your required 5 and 12 volts but the lead you discard can be used to make the Scart lead, as it contains six cores and has a six pin DIN plug at one end --- so all you need to buy is a Scart plug, jack plug and the screened cable. An added bonus is if you obtain the machine with the +3 power supply then you can use the disc drive as a spare for your CPC machine (yes they are the same).
Another excellent alternative and my choice, as a Power Supply Unit, is as supplied by Commodore for their various models of computer. Cheap to buy and with the advantage that they come with a mains on/off switch. 5 and 12 volts DC is available from all units so far encountered (but do check the base of the unit for specifications) with current ratings for the 5 volt supply at between 2.5 and 4.3 amps with 1 amp for the 12 volt supply. Modifications required are the same as for the Spectrum P.S.U.

If you are going to use a Spectrum Power supply unit as your power source then you will need to buy a DC Power socket (for the 12 volt supply --- the + connection goes to the outer terminal on the socket) and a lead fitted with DC Power plug (for the 5 volt supply --- the + connection goes to the inner terminal on the plug) --- you can rob these from your CPC monitor. I prefer to use for the lead, a power lead (it's just right for the job) as fitted to the Amstrad PCW8256/8512 printer (there are plenty of defective units around for pennies) and to buy a DC power socket. Remove the printed circuit board from the Spectrum power supply unit and test with your meter to find where the 5 and 12 volt points are, then solder the lead and socket to them.
The CPC464 only requires a 5 volt supply so the production of a Power Supply Unit for this model is much easier.

It is well worth the effort of making up a Scart lead and power supply for your CPC machine, as the quality of picture and sound far exceeds that obtained through either a RF connection, via a modulator, or a green/colour monitor. Games are given a new meaning when played using a 28 or 32 inch wide screen TV.

NB Due to the nature of Television design there is a possibility that the lead will not work on every make and model of TV sold thoughout the world.

Foot note. Did you know what DIN indicates in the names of assortment of plugs and sockets use by most of our beloved games machines -- no it is not Drug Identification Number but in fact an acronym for Deutsche IndustriNorm --- so now you know.

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