Output Cables

iScan Output Cable FAQs

1. What type of output cables can be used to connect an iScan video processor to my display?
2. Displays with DVI input
3. Displays with Component (YPbPr or YUV) input
4. Displays with VGA input
5. How do I make my own VGA Output Connector Cable for the iScan?
6. Displays with BNC input connectors

1. What type of output cables can be used to connect an iScan video processor to my display?

All iScan products use a single VGA-type HD15 connector for analog output. This is the same type of connector that most personal computers use to connect to computer video monitors. In addition to the VGA output connector which sources analog video signals, the iScan Ultra and iScan HD models also feature a second output utilizing the DVI digital RGB video format and connector interface.

The VGA and DVI output connectors on the iScan products allow different configurations of cables.

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2. Displays with DVI input

Many displays today have a digital RGB input. The standard digital input found on these displays is DVI - Digital Visual Interface. There are two types of DVI connectors in use: DVI-I and DVI-D.

DVI-I connectors are designed to carry both digital and analog signals while DVI-D connectors are designed to carry digital-only signals.

The DVI output connector on the iScan Ultra and iScan HD models is a DVI-I connector. The actual signaling, however, is DVI-D (digital RGB only, with no analog side channel signals). The reason for the DVI-I type connector is to allow both types of DVI cabling to be used. If the iScan had DVI-D connectors, then a DVI-I type cable could not be used.

A DVI-I to DVI-I cable can be used to connect the iScan Ultra and iScan HD to a display that has a DVI-I type input.

For displays with a DVI-D input, you can use either a DVI-D to DVI-D cable or a DVI-I (iScan end) to DVI-D (display end) cable.

Note that some high-end displays now also have an HDMI input, which is a new type of digital interface designed specifically for consumer electronics. A DVI-I to HDMI cable can be used to connect the iScan Ultra and iScan HD to a display that has an HDMI input.

DVI end - to iScan	DVI end - to Display

Click here for more info about our DVI cable.

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3. Displays with Component (YPbPr or YUV) input

All iScan products can source a component video signal through the VGA-type HD15 analog output connector. This can be done by setting the iScan's output colorspace to YPbPr (indicated by 'YUV').

The most common connection type used for component video interfaces consists of a triple cable with 3 RCA-type jacks on both ends. These are the same connectors that are used for Composite video connection. A VGA-to-RCA breakout cable is required to connect the iScan to any display that has 3 RCA-type Component video inputs.

Another alternative is to use a VGA-to-BNC cable (which may be more commonly available than the VGA-to-RCA cable) in combination with a set of three BNC-to-RCA adapters. In this case, the red, green and blue color-coded BNC connectors should be used with the adapters and the two remaining wires should be left unconnected.

VGA end - to iScan	3-RCA end	OR	5-BNC end + 3 BNC->RCA adapters
- to Display		- to Display

Click here for more info about our VGA -> component breakout cable.

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4. Displays with VGA input

The standard RGB input found on many displays or projectors is a VGA-type HD15 connector. This connector is most commonly used for RGB, but is sometimes used for YPbPr signals as well. A standard VGA-to-VGA cable can be used to connect the iScan to any display that has a VGA connector.

Some displays which accept YPbPr signals on a VGA input connector will assume that the video input format is RGB unless the separate horizontal and vertical sync signals typically found with an RGB signal are not present. When such display is used with an iScan, it may be necessary to physically modify one of the VGA connectors on the cable to remove these separate sync signal pins. The VGA connector pin numbers which carry the sync signals are pins 13 and 14. The VGA connector pinout is shown in the FAQ #2 below.

VGA end - to iScan	VGA end - to Display

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5. Displays with BNC input connectors

Some high-end TVs, monitors and projectors have BNC input connectors. There are either 3, 4, or 5 BNC connectors, depending on how the display device handles synchronization (sync) signals. BNC connectors are most commonly used for RGB, but are sometimes used for YPbPr signals as well. A standard VGA-to-BNC breakout cable can be used to connect the iScan to any display that has BNC connectors.

VGA end - to iScan	BNC end - to Display

Click here for more info about our VGA -> 5 BNC breakout cable

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6. How do I make my own VGA Output Connector Cable for the iScan?

Anchor Bay Technologies provides the pinout of the VGA Output Connector as shown below for customers that want to make their own output cable from the iScan unit to their display.

15P HD M CONN	Color	Signal Name	BNC / RCA
1	Red	Red / Pr	Pin
6		Red Ground	Shell
2	Green	Green / Y	Pin
7		Green Ground	Shell
3	Blue	Blue / Pb	Pin
8		Blue Ground	Shell
13	Gray	HSync or CSync	Pin
10		Sync Ground	Shell
14	Black	V Sync	Pin
10		Sync Ground	Shell
4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 15	Not Connected / Reserved

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