Audio and Video Circuits for Single-SCART STBs

Almost all of today's European set-top boxes (STBs) have either single or dual SCART connectors. Those with a single connector can connect only to a TV, while those with dual connectors can connect to a TV and a VCR as well. Both include dedicated circuits between the MPEG decoder and SCART connector(s): for filtering and amplifying the audio and video, for generating the control signals, and (for dual scart products) switching audio, video, and control signals. This article discusses the design of discrete and integrated circuitry for single-scart STBs.