The D-Terminal or D-tanshi (D端子) is a type of analog video connector found on Japanese consumer electronics, typically HDTV, DVD, Blu-ray, D-VHS and HD DVD devices. It was developed by the EIAJ (Electronic Industry Association of Japan) in its standard, RC-5237, for use in digital satellite broadcast tuners. In appearance it is a small flat trapezoidal connector, the same connector as the AAUI connector used by Apple Computer for some time to connect to ethernet.

D Video connector
A male D video connector.
Type Analogue video connector
Production history
Designer EIAJ (Electronic Industry Association of Japan)
Designed Late 1990s
Produced Late 1990s to present
Superseded RCA connectors
General specifications
Audio signal device depending
Video signal Analogue component video, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
Pins 14 (6 video, 3 reserved, 2 detect, 3 data)
Data
Data signal Resolution and Aspect ratio information
Pinout
A female connector seen from the front.
Pin 1 Y luminance (0.7 V, 75 Ω)
Pin 2 Y GND Y ground
Pin 3 PB 0.35 V, 75 Ω
Pin 4 PB GND
Pin 5 PR 0.35 V, 75 Ω
Pin 6 PR GND
Pin 7 Reserve link 1
Pin 8 Data line 1 0 V = 525 lines
2.2 V = 750 lines
5 V = 1125 lines
Pin 9 Data line 2 0 V = 59.94i / 60i
5 V = 59.94p / 60p
Pin 10 Reserve link 2
Pin 11 Data line 3 0 V = 4:3
2.2 V = 4:3 letterbox
5 V = 16:9
Pin 12 Plug insert detect ground
Pin 13 Reserve link 3
Pin 14 Plug insert detect output 10 kΩ, input > 100 kΩ
Hooks GND Shell ground

Some items sold outside Japan use the connector as well. Notable examples are Canon's XH-A1 DVC high-definition camcorder and Panasonic's AG-HVX200 DVCPro HD camcorder.

D1~D5 types edit

 
Two D-Video connectors (D4) on an HDTV. The much smaller D-Terminal should not be confused with the similarly-shaped but larger VGA connector.

A D-Terminal connector carries a component video signal (YPBPR). A device with a D5 connector can understand and display the following video signals:

  • D1 480i0p (525i): 00p720 × 480 interlaced
  • D2 480p0i (525p): 00i720 × 480 progressive
  • D3 1080ip (1125i): p1920 × 1080 interlaced
  • D4 720p0i (750p): 0i1280 × 720 progressive
  • D5 1080pi (1125p): i1920 × 1080 progressive

A device with a D-Terminal connector supports that level and lower D-Terminal signal. For example, a D4 connector can be used with a D4, D3, D2, or D1 signal, but not with a D5 signal.

It is possible to use a simple breakout cable to connect a D-Terminal connector to a standard 3 RCA jack or BNC component connection.[1]

Compatibility Issues edit

It is not always a given that output devices support all lower versions of the standard, so customers must take care to buy compatible products. For example, the PlayStation Portable (PSP-2000) initially supported only the 480p (D2) mode. System Software Ver. 5.00 added 480i (D1) support for the "PS one Classics" games, but not native PSP games. The later PSP-3000 and PSP Go models have 480i support for all games.

See also edit

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