Just thought I’d share with you a quick and simple scart switchbox hack, which allows you to connect a Sony PVM / BVM monitor via the RCA terminals on the switchbox in a secure fashion without the need for expensive and often dodgy ‘handmade’ Scart BNC breakout leads.
The switchbox in question – a Hama AV100S clone (very much recommended – I have also the Hama one and other than being a lot cheaper it pretty much looks the same and works exactly the same as the original):
As you can see the bank of RCA outs on the right hand side provides Audio R, Audio L and Comp Video/Sync out. The other bank is pretty much redundant since it the same as the above only on the ’In’ side – e.g. Audio R, L, Comp Video Sync In.
Inside the switch box:
So what I basically done was to utilize the one bank of ‘In’ RCA terminals and make them output RGB:
Its pretty simple - using a multimeter check the connections, cut the existing traces and tap into the RGB signals.
End result:
Tried and tested it on a Sony BVM and this works fine – the RCA connection on the switch box side is very secure (unlike the way some scart plugs, especially those without all the pins populated sit in the sockets and cause interference etc.) so all one needs is a RCA -> BNC adapter for each of the four cables (v. cheap - I got 4 for equiv. c.a. $2 and in all honesty got ripped off, since should have paid about $1 for the set) and you're done.
The switchbox makes for very easy hacking – you can rewire it to get any other stuff you may need via the RCA sockets or maybe rewire the Scart for a Japaneese pinout if that’s what you need etc. and the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Hope this comes in useful.
The switchbox in question – a Hama AV100S clone (very much recommended – I have also the Hama one and other than being a lot cheaper it pretty much looks the same and works exactly the same as the original):
As you can see the bank of RCA outs on the right hand side provides Audio R, Audio L and Comp Video/Sync out. The other bank is pretty much redundant since it the same as the above only on the ’In’ side – e.g. Audio R, L, Comp Video Sync In.
Inside the switch box:
So what I basically done was to utilize the one bank of ‘In’ RCA terminals and make them output RGB:
Its pretty simple - using a multimeter check the connections, cut the existing traces and tap into the RGB signals.
End result:
Tried and tested it on a Sony BVM and this works fine – the RCA connection on the switch box side is very secure (unlike the way some scart plugs, especially those without all the pins populated sit in the sockets and cause interference etc.) so all one needs is a RCA -> BNC adapter for each of the four cables (v. cheap - I got 4 for equiv. c.a. $2 and in all honesty got ripped off, since should have paid about $1 for the set) and you're done.
The switchbox makes for very easy hacking – you can rewire it to get any other stuff you may need via the RCA sockets or maybe rewire the Scart for a Japaneese pinout if that’s what you need etc. and the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Hope this comes in useful.
