Need a 'dummies' guide to G400 RGB SCART Cable

[DeadKenny]

Hi,

I need to get an RGB SCART cable for my G400 Max, and I've seen the pin-out on Matrox's site (here) which uses the break-out cable connecting the 7-pin mini DIN to a SCART (yuck), and also what looks like a much better arrangement which is an HD15 VGA to RGB SCART, here...

http://dzeus.student.utwente.nl/g400/win2kfaq.html#scart_rgb

Okay, great, but...

My understanding of these diagrams is limited, my soldering experience very low, and I haven't really a clue about what to order and how to solder it all together. I don't want a botch job, I want to get it right with the correct components and wires to get a good quality signal, and have neat connectors without wires and solder hanging out all over the place. I need the voltages/signal levels (or whatever) to be accurate and not affected by poor quality connections/wires as my Sony TV is very fussy about the right signal levels to trigger it into RGB.

So, my question is, can anyone give me a step by step guide to building one of these, even down to the exact bits I should be ordering (if you're in the UK, some UK suppliers would be great), and what gets soldered where (i.e. what on the diagram relates to the physical bits on the connectors)? Photos would be nice.

It's really annoying Matrox don't sell these cables and they just say "here's a pin-out, make it yourself"... doesn't help much.

P.S. I'll need to make a cable about 3 or 4 metres in length, and preferably a flat cable to go under carpet.

[dZeus]

If I were you, I'd ask someone that does have the knowledge to make one from just those diagrams. If you make one mistake, you could damage your card (and maybe your tv too).

Anyway, he's some more clarification:
The circles in the diagram I put on my site are the shielding wires of the ones they are circled around. So you need a 5-core SCART cable, with each core shielded, and preferrably the entire cable shielded too. Connect that shield to all the connector shield of the VGA (DB15) and SCART plug, as well as to all the seperate shield wires at the end of the SCART plug. You can find layouts of which pin number of scart and db15 plugs is which in google.

Again, I _strongly_ suggest to get an experienced person to solder the cable for you, since the results of making an incorrect connection might cause irreversable damage to your videocard or tv-set.

btw. the resulting cable should work just fine on any TV set which accepts RGB input over scart (on Sony TVs, the black SCART sockets).

[DeadKenny]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I will probably try and find someone who can take this information and make me a cable. I wonder if that's possible with a UK store/site and how much they would charge?... but failing that I do know some people who would give it a go but it's still a risk if they get a pin wired wrong.

If it was something I didn't mind wrecking I would give it a go myself, but as you say it's a big risk if I got something wrong (and the TV is far too expensive to risk it!).

There must be a market for knocking up cables for Matrox (and other) users

Cheers.

[englishpremier]

i'm also interested in this asap as the only soldering and electrical experiece i have is from 3rd year secondary school. lol.

Saying that, i am very technically minded and wouldn't mind an attempt given the right instructions.

Are there any complete how to guides at all? If not would someone like to create one, with picture etc.. I'm sure it would be of use to a great number of people.

Failing that, are there any main stream stores (UK) that would make one of these if you asked? OR would anyone be willing to make/sell me one at all?

Please

[Fat Tone]

You'll probably find that most decent hifi shops (i.e. not Dixons!!!) will have a cable specialist who'll knock one up. TV repair shops will probably help too.

[englishpremier]

I got some help here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/sho...eadid=17272560



but i''m stil not sure about it. going to try and make one today.

[englishpremier]

I really need to create the RGB cable now for the G400 but i'm having big problems. firstly as i have no soldering/electrical experience and secondly as i can't get hold of the right components. Can i just hack up an old scart lead and monitor cable (so long as i follow the correct pin out)?

I was recommended to get some 5 core overall shielded wire for the main part of the cable and 1m of equipment wire.

I Went to a large well known electical retailer and it turns out that they do not and will not have any 5 or 6 core shielded overall cable. When i showed the guy at the desk the pinout diagram he said the stuff they sell probably isn't good enough for that anyway, something to do with density of the cable and the image going out of sync.

Anyone know where i can hold of high quality 5 core overall shielded cable?





Went to a large well known electical retailer and it turns out that they do not and will not have any 5 or 6 core shielded overall cable. When i showed the guy at the desk the pinout diagram he said the stuff they sell probably isn't good enough for that anyway, something to do with density of the cable and the image going out of sync.

Anyone know where i can hold of high quality 5 core overall shielded cable (UK)?

I really need more help with this. I can;t simply go to a tv repair shop etc.. as there aren't any i've found that will do it.

[Fat Tone]

Keep looking for a hi-fi shop that'll help if you need more help.

[dZeus]

Originally posted by englishpremier
I really need to create the RGB cable now for the G400 but i'm having big problems. firstly as i have no soldering/electrical experience and secondly as i can't get hold of the right components. Can i just hack up an old scart lead and monitor cable (so long as i follow the correct pin out)?

I was recommended to get some 5 core overall shielded wire for the main part of the cable and 1m of equipment wire.

I Went to a large well known electical retailer and it turns out that they do not and will not have any 5 or 6 core shielded overall cable. When i showed the guy at the desk the pinout diagram he said the stuff they sell probably isn't good enough for that anyway, something to do with density of the cable and the image going out of sync.

Anyone know where i can hold of high quality 5 core overall shielded cable?





Went to a large well known electical retailer and it turns out that they do not and will not have any 5 or 6 core shielded overall cable. When i showed the guy at the desk the pinout diagram he said the stuff they sell probably isn't good enough for that anyway, something to do with density of the cable and the image going out of sync.

Anyone know where i can hold of high quality 5 core overall shielded cable (UK)?

I really need more help with this. I can;t simply go to a tv repair shop etc.. as there aren't any i've found that will do it.

any high-quality full SCART cable has what you need. Cut off one connector and solder the DB15 plug onto it.