SCART is a 21-pin connector commonly found on older European TVs. It was used to connect games consoles, DVD players, VCRs and other equipment before HDMI became standard.
For retro gaming, SCART is particularly useful because it can carry RGB video, giving you a much sharper and cleaner picture than composite video.
But there's an important catch: not every SCART cable carries RGB. Some only carry composite video, so the type of cable you use makes a big difference.
What is SCART?
SCART is a connector standard introduced in France in the 1970s that became extremely common across Europe.
If you grew up gaming in the UK during the 1990s or 2000s, there's a good chance you had a TV with one or two enormous SCART sockets on the back.
The connector has 21 contacts and can carry both audio and video through a single cable.
It was used for all sorts of equipment, including:
- Games consoles
- VHS players
- DVD players
- Satellite and cable TV boxes
Before HDMI, SCART was one of the easiest ways to connect equipment to a TV.
And for retro consoles, it's still one of the best analogue connections available.
Why is SCART good for retro gaming?
The biggest advantage of SCART is its ability to carry RGB video.
RGB stands for red, green and blue, the three colour signals used to create an image.
Rather than combining all the picture information into one signal, RGB keeps these colour signals separate.
This produces a much cleaner picture, with sharper edges, more accurate colours and less interference.
If you've ever compared a retro console using its original composite cable against a proper RGB SCART cable, the difference can be enormous.
Text becomes easier to read, sprites look sharper and colours appear more defined.
It's one of the simplest ways to improve the picture quality of an older console without modifying it.
RGB SCART vs composite SCART
This is where things can get confusing.
Just because a cable has a SCART connector doesn't mean you're getting RGB video.
SCART is the connector, not the video signal itself.
Two of the most common signals you'll encounter are:
Composite video
Composite combines brightness, colour and other picture information into one video signal.
It's the same signal carried by the familiar yellow RCA connector.
Composite is convenient, but it can produce blurry edges, colour bleeding and visual interference.
RGB video
RGB keeps the red, green and blue signals separate, producing a much clearer picture.
For consoles that support it, RGB is usually the best video signal you can get without modifying the hardware.
A cheap SCART cable might simply carry composite video, while a proper RGB SCART cable uses the additional pins needed for RGB.
So if you're buying a SCART cable specifically to improve picture quality, make sure it's advertised as RGB SCART.
Which retro consoles support RGB SCART?
Quite a few!
Many consoles released in Europe support RGB output through their original AV ports.
| Console | RGB SCART support |
|---|---|
| Sega Mega Drive | Yes |
| Super Nintendo (PAL) | Yes |
| Sega Saturn | Yes |
| PlayStation 1 | Yes |
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
| Sega Dreamcast | Yes |
| Nintendo GameCube (PAL) | Yes |
| Original Xbox | Yes |
| Nintendo 64 | No, not without modification |
| NES | No, not without modification |
There are some regional differences, particularly with Nintendo consoles.
For example, PAL GameCube consoles support RGB SCART, while North American GameCubes don't output RGB through their analogue AV port.
It's also worth remembering that each console needs the correct cable. You can't simply use a Mega Drive RGB cable with a PlayStation, even though both connect to a SCART socket on the TV.
What about S-Video and component?
SCART isn't the only way to get a better picture from a retro console.
You might also come across S-Video and component video.
S-Video separates brightness and colour information, producing a cleaner picture than composite, although it isn't as sharp as RGB.
Component video, commonly labelled YPbPr, uses three video connections and can offer excellent picture quality.
It's particularly useful for consoles like the PS2, original Xbox and Wii, where component cables can support higher-resolution video modes.
RGB SCART and component can both provide excellent image quality. Which is better depends on the console, the video mode you're using and the equipment you're connecting it to.
Can SCART carry 480p?
This is an important limitation.
Standard RGB SCART connections on European TVs are designed primarily for 15kHz video signals, such as 240p and 480i.
That makes them ideal for older consoles.
But they don't normally support progressive scan modes like 480p.
Some specialised equipment can carry higher-resolution RGB signals through a SCART connector, but that doesn't mean an ordinary SCART TV will accept them.
If you want to use 480p or higher resolutions on a PS2, Xbox or GameCube, component video or a suitable digital conversion setup is usually the better option.
Is SCART better than HDMI?
Not directly.
HDMI is a digital connection, while SCART carries analogue signals.
Modern consoles are designed around HDMI, so there's no reason to use SCART with something like a PS5.
But older consoles were designed to output analogue video.
For those systems, a good RGB SCART connection can look fantastic, particularly on a CRT TV.
The important thing is getting the best signal from the console before converting it to HDMI, rather than assuming any HDMI adapter will improve the picture.
Can you connect SCART to a modern TV?
Yes, but you'll usually need a converter.
Most modern TVs no longer include SCART sockets, so you'll need a device that converts the analogue signal into HDMI.
However, not all SCART-to-HDMI converters are equal.
Cheap converters can introduce input lag, blur the picture or handle older video signals incorrectly.
Some also accept composite video through SCART rather than proper RGB.
For retro gaming, dedicated upscalers such as the RetroTINK range or OSSC are popular because they're designed to handle signals from older consoles.
They're more expensive than a basic converter, but can make a big difference if you regularly play retro games on a modern TV.
Why do some SCART cables look better than others?
Even when two cables both support RGB, the picture quality can differ.
Cheap cables sometimes have poor shielding, which can introduce interference from nearby electrical signals.
You might notice faint diagonal lines, buzzing audio or other visual noise.
Better cables use appropriate shielding and components to keep the signal clean.
There are also differences in how consoles handle video signals. Some require specific components inside the cable to produce the correct picture.
That means buying the right RGB SCART cable for your exact console matters more than simply buying the most expensive cable you can find.
Is RGB SCART worth it?
Absolutely.
If you're using a retro console that supports RGB and connecting it to a compatible CRT TV, it's one of the easiest and most effective upgrades you can make.
You don't need to modify the console or replace any internal components. Just use a suitable RGB SCART cable instead of composite.
For us, the biggest improvement is on consoles like the Mega Drive, SNES and original PlayStation. The sharper image makes their pixel art look brilliant.
And if you're using a modern TV, a good RGB cable paired with a proper upscaler can deliver an excellent picture.
Just remember: SCART is the connector. RGB is the signal you're looking for.