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:

For the CPC range there was a choice of:

For the CPC+ range there was a choice of:

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:

CPC+:

NOTES:

DescriptionMaplins Reference
SCART plugFJ41U
3.5mm stereo plugFJ85G
6-pin DIN plugHH29G
8-pin DIN plugFG40T

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 audio2 (Audio input right)
Ground4 (Audio ground)
Right audio6 (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

[Diagram of SCART connector]

Connector type: SCART socket

(The pin numbers are written in the plastic packaging near the pins)

Pin Signal
1Audio Output (right)
2Audio Input (right)
3Audio Output (left)
4Audio Ground
5Analogue Blue Ground
6Audio Input (left)
7Analogue Blue input
8Function Select (AV control)
9Analogue Green Ground
10-
11Analogue Green input
12-
13Analogue Red Ground
14Blanking Ground
15Analogue Red Input
16RGB Switching Control
17Video Ground
18RGB Switching Control Ground
19Composite Video Output
20Composite Video Input
21Common Ground

Amstrad audio connector

[CPC Stereo Connector]

Amstrad monitor connector

CPC

[CPC Monitor Connector; please use this diagram for pin numbering]

Connector type: 6-pin DIN female.

Pin Function Input/Output
1 Red Output
2 Green Output
3 Blue Output
4 Composite Sync Output
5 Gnd -
6 Luminance Output

PLUS

[CPC Plus Monitor Connector; please use this diagram for pin numbering

Connector type: 8-pin DIN female.

Pin Function Input/Output
1 Composite Sync Output
2 Green Output
3 Luminance Output
4 Red Output
5 Blue Output
6 Left Audio Channel Output
7 Right Audio Channel Output
8 Gnd -