CPC/CPC+ to SCART

The original document was by Zindy, and has been updated by Kevin Thacker.

Background

The Amstrad CPC and CPC+ was always sold with a monitor. There were two reasons for this:

• The monitor contained the power pack/power converter,
• The whole unit only required a single plug

For the CPC range there was a choice of:

• a monochrome green monitor. (model GT64 or GT65).
• a colour monitor (model CTM640 or CTM644)

For the CPC+ range there was a choice of:

• a monochrome black and white monitor (MM14)
• a colour monitor (model CM14)

It was possible to buy a MP-1 or MP-2 modulator which allowed you to connect the computer to a television using a aerial lead. The MP-1 or MP-2 modulator also included a power pack. Using this modulator it was possible to use the CPC without a monitor.

However, neither the colour monitor or the modulator are made anymore. This project describes a lead that you can use to connect a CPC or CPC+ to any television or video with a SCART input.

Since the power pack is contained in the monitor, you will still need the monitor, unless you build your own power pack. (This can be made using a PC power supply).

If you want to use the computer with a television which ONLY has a RF aerial input, then you can't use this lead. You will need to build a modulator to generate the correct video and audio signal.

NOTE: This project is not required for the KC Compact. The KC Compact has a RF aerial output AND a SCART video output.

The project

What you will need:

CPC:

• SCART (or PERITEL) plug
• 3.5mm stereo plug
• 6-pin DIN male plug
• 2m stereo audio shielded cable
• 5 * 2m shielded wire
• 9V cell battery (if you do not have a television with a AV channel)

CPC+:

• SCART (or PERITEL) plug
• 8-pin DIN male plug (offset variety with one pin in the centre)
• 7 * 2m shielded wire
• 9V cell battery (if you do not have a television with a AV channel)

NOTES:

• The CPC+ 8-pin DIN video output also has stereo audio output, and this explains the difference in the leads.

Description	Maplins Reference
SCART plug	FJ41U
3.5mm stereo plug	FJ85G
6-pin DIN plug	HH29G
8-pin DIN plug	FG40T

CPC connections

Video connections:

CPC	SCART
1 (Red)	15 (Analogue Red input)
2 (Green)	11 (Analogue Green input)
3 (Blue)	7 (Analogue Blue input)
4 (Composite Sync)	16 (RGB switching control)
5 (Ground)	17 (Video Ground)

NOTE: If you don't have an AV position on your TV, then you have to plug the +ve ("plus") terminal of the 9V cell battery to pin 8 on the SCART (Function select or AV control), and the -ve ("negative") terminal to pin 18 on the SCART (Ground, RGB switching control).

Audio connections:

CPC	SCART
Left audio	2 (Audio input right)
Ground	4 (Audio ground)
Right audio	6 (Audio input left)

CPC+ connections

Audio and Video:

CPC	SCART
4 (Red)	15 (Analogue Red input)
2 (Green)	11 (Analogue Green input)
5 (Blue)	7 (Analogue Blue input)
1 (Composite Sync)	16 (RGB switching control)
8 (Ground)	17 (Video Ground)
6 (Left audio)	2 (Audio input right)
8 (Ground)	4 (Audio ground)
7 (Right audio)	6 (Audio input left)

NOTE: If you don't have an AV position on your TV, then you have to plug the +ve ("plus") terminal of the 9V cell battery to pin 8 on the SCART (Function select or AV control), and the -ve ("negative") terminal to pin 18 on the SCART (Ground, RGB switching control).

Connector information

SCART connector

Amstrad audio connector

Amstrad monitor connector