That Bizarre 7-Pin S-Video Port On Outdated Laptops

Even although laptops from across the early 2000s got here with nearly each conceivable port on them, they nonetheless would typically function a considerably uncommon mixed video output port. While at its core this was only a 4-pin analog S-video output, the three further pins on the mini-DIN connector supplied some extra options. Of course, as [VWestlife] came upon during his archaeological research, not each producer used the identical pinout right here.

The naming for this particular port differs, with the title ‘S-video+’ showing usually, but many descriptions glossing over the extra pins and solely mentioning that it may be used with a 4-pin S-video connector. As it seems, most producers used roughly the identical pinout, matching the proven Dell one. This provides composite output, together with two S/PDIF digital audio pins that could possibly be routed out with an adapter into their full-sized ports.

Of course, the Apple PowerBook G4 needed to be that exception once more, with it omitting the audio pins and placing the composite sign on pin 5. This left the final two pins fully unused, however serving to fully confuse anybody who thought that they may get extra out of the port with an adapter for these uncouth PC methods.

As to the comment on the finish about how the transition to ‘simply USB ports’ has made all the pieces higher, we’d problem the typical particular person to take a look at a random USB-C port and inform primarily based on its look which standards it actually supports.