SCART to HDMI: How to Connect Older Devices to a Modern TV

Found a box of old VHS tapes, a much-loved DVD player or a retro games console, only to discover your new TV has no SCART socket? You're not alone. Most modern TVs have dropped SCART entirely in favour of HDMI, but that doesn't mean your older kit is destined for the tip.

With the right SCART to HDMI converter, you can connect almost any older device to a modern TV in minutes. In this guide, we explain what SCART is, why a simple cable won't do the job, which type of converter you need, and how to set it up step by step. We'll also cover common problems and how to fix them.

SCART is a large, 21-pin connector that was the standard way to link TVs to video equipment across the UK and Europe for decades. The name comes from the French manufacturers' association that created it, the Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs.

A single SCART lead carries both picture and sound, which made it far simpler than juggling separate video and audio cables. Depending on the device, a SCART connection can carry:

• Composite video, the most basic picture signal
• S-Video, a slightly sharper signal used by some devices
• RGB video, the highest-quality SCART signal, popular with retro gamers
• Stereo audio, left and right channels

Very few do. SCART is an analogue connection designed for standard-definition TVs. Modern HD and 4K TVs are built around HDMI, a digital connection that carries high-definition video and multi-channel audio through one slim cable. As HDMI took over, manufacturers removed SCART to save space on increasingly thin TVs.

If your TV only has HDMI inputs, you'll need a converter to connect any SCART-only device. New to HDMI? Our complete guide to HDMI covers the basics.

Yes, but it must contain a converter. Because SCART is analogue and HDMI is digital, the signal has to be actively converted, not just passed down a wire. A plain "SCART to HDMI lead" with no electronics inside simply won't produce a picture.

That's why every working SCART to HDMI solution has two things in common:

1. A conversion chip that turns the analogue SCART signal into digital HDMI.
2. A power supply, usually a USB cable you plug into a USB port on your TV or a USB wall charger.

When shopping, look for products described as a converter, adapter box or active cable. If there's no mention of power, it's unlikely to work.

Direction matters. A SCART to HDMI converter takes the signal from an older device (such as a VCR) and sends it to a modern HDMI TV. An HDMI to SCART converter does the opposite: it connects a modern HDMI device (such as a Freeview box or streaming stick) to an older TV with only a SCART socket. Check you're buying the right one before you order.

There are three main options, and the best one depends on what you're connecting and how much picture quality matters to you.

For most people connecting a video recorder or DVD player, a simple SCART to HDMI converter box is the easiest and most affordable choice.

• USB power cable included, so you can run it from your TV's USB port
• 720p / 1080p output switch, as some TVs accept one more reliably than the other
• Audio passthrough, so sound travels over HDMI with the picture
• A 3.5mm headphone output on some models, handy for connecting speakers

Setting up a SCART to HDMI converter box takes around five minutes. You'll need the converter, a SCART lead, an HDMI cable and a USB power source.

1. Switch everything off. Turn off your TV and older device before connecting anything.
2. Connect the SCART lead. Plug one end into the SCART output on your device (often labelled AV1 or TV) and the other into the converter's SCART input.
3. Set the input/output switch. Many SCART adapters have a small IN/OUT switch. Set it so the signal flows from the device into the converter.
4. Connect the HDMI cable. Run a standard HDMI cable from the converter's HDMI output to a spare HDMI input on your TV. [PRODUCT LINK: HDMI cables]
5. Power the converter. Plug its USB cable into your TV's USB port or a USB wall charger.
6. Choose the resolution. If your converter has a 720p/1080p switch, start with 1080p for most modern TVs.
7. Switch on and select the input. Turn on the TV and device, then use your TV remote's Source or Input button to select the HDMI port you used.

You should now see your older device's picture on the TV. If not, jump to our troubleshooting tips below.

Almost anything with a SCART output will work with a converter. Here's what to expect from the most common devices.

A SCART to HDMI converter is the easiest way to watch old home videos on a modern TV. VHS is a standard-definition format, so the picture won't look like HD, but a converter will display it cleanly. If you want to preserve your tapes, the same setup is a good first step towards digitising them.

Older DVD players with only SCART outputs connect easily. If your player also has an HDMI socket, use that instead, as you'll skip the conversion step. Thinking about upgrading? Read Do You Still Need a DVD Player in 2026?

Older Freeview, Freesat and satellite boxes often have SCART only. A converter will get them working, but a modern HD set-top box with HDMI will usually give a sharper picture for live TV.

Many classic consoles output video over SCART, often in RGB for a sharper image. A basic converter will work, but you may notice softer edges or a slight delay between pressing a button and seeing the result. For serious retro gaming, a dedicated upscaler designed for RGB SCART gives noticeably better results.

Older camcorders, VCR/DVD combos and some hi-fi equipment can also be connected. If your device has RCA (red, white and yellow) outputs rather than SCART, you'll need an RCA to HDMI converter instead. Our guide to RCA cables explains the difference.

Most issues come down to power, the wrong input, or a switch set the wrong way. Work through these fixes before assuming the converter is faulty.

Still stuck? Our guide to why your HDMI cable isn't working covers HDMI-side problems in more detail.

Not really. A converter changes the signal format so your TV can display it, but it can't add detail that wasn't in the original. Upscaling to 720p or 1080p helps the picture fill the screen neatly, though standard-definition sources will still look softer than HD.

Yes. Converting analogue to digital requires electronics, so all working converters need power, usually via a USB cable. Most TVs have a USB port that can supply it.

Most do. The converter combines the audio and video from the SCART lead and sends both over HDMI. Check the product description to confirm audio passthrough is included.

No. "SCART lead" and "SCART cable" mean the same thing: a cable with a 21-pin SCART plug on each end.

Yes, with a SCART to HDMI converter. However, most modern TVs have a Freeview tuner built in, so you may not need the old box at all.

Not with a SCART to HDMI converter, which only works in one direction. To send a signal from an HDMI device into a VCR, you'd need an HDMI to SCART converter instead.

Just because your TV has moved on doesn't mean your favourite older devices have to. A powered SCART to HDMI converter, an HDMI cable and five minutes of setup are all it takes to bring VHS tapes, DVDs and retro games back to life on a modern screen.

Browse Maplin's range of SCART Cables & Adapters to find everything you need. Want to get more from your TV setup? Read our guide to HDMI ARC for simpler sound system connections.