D-Terminal

D-Terminal
A D-Terminal connector
Type Analogue video connector
Production history
Designer EIAJ (Electronic Industry Association of Japan)
Designed July 1999 (EIAJ RC-5237)
January 2000 (JEITA CP-4120)
Produced Late 1990s to present
Superseded S-Video
General specifications
Audio signal device-dependent
Video signal Analogue component video: 480i, 480p, 1080i, 720p, 1080p
Pins 14 (6 video, 3 data, 3 reserve, 2 detection)
Data
Data signal Resolution, scanning format, and aspect ratio information

D-Terminal (Japanese: D端子, Hepburn: D Tanshi; lit. D Connector) is a type of analogue video connector found only on consumer electronics sold in Japan. It was developed by the Electronic Industries Association of Japan (EIAJ) under standards EIAJ RC-5237 and JEITA CP-4120 for use in high-definition digital broadcasts.

The connector gets its name from the trapezoidal shape resembling a D, just like with the D-subminiature connector family. It does not come from the word "digital".

Overview

The connector was standardised by the EIAJ under the RC-5237 specification in July 1999 as the "D Connector for Digital Broadcasting Component Video Signal(Y,Pb,Pr)connection". It began to see widespread use in the Japanese domestic market during the 2000s for use with high-definition digital broadcast and video output signals. However, despite this title, it only transmits analogue video signals.

Originally, YPBPR component video signals required three cables (with either RCA connectors for the consumer market or BNC connectors for the professional market). While this remained the standard in the rest of the world, in Japan, D-Terminal was created to be a single cable incorporating all these discrete signal lines. However, as with the previous component connection methods, D-Terminal does not carry audio and requires separate cables to transmit audio (often standard RCA cables). Since all YPBPR formats carry identical YPBPR component signals, a passive breakout cable can be used to connect a D-Terminal output to standard RCA or BNC connector inputs.

Additionally, the specification introduced identification signal lines that transmit the resolution (number of scan lines), scanning format (interlaced or progressive), and aspect ratio. The connector also includes dedicated pins for plug insertion detection.

The connector's 14 pins, arranged in two rows of seven, are allocated as follows:

Since the three identification signal lines (lines 1–3) use shield ground, effectively there are 15 connection points.

Specifications and compatibility

Resolution tiers

Two D4 tier D-Terminal video connectors. Both labelled "component video" and the first labelled for an ISDB digital tuner.

The JEITA CP-4120 format specification divides D-Terminal capabilities into distinct tiers based on scan line count and scan type. Higher-numbered tiers are backward-compatible with all lower-numbered tiers. However, a source device is only required to output the highest tier specified. For example, if a D4 device is connected to a display that only supports D1, it will output no signal unless it explicitly supports lower-numbered tiers.

D-Terminal resolution tiers
TierFormatTotal linesActive resolutionScan typeDefinition
D1480i525i720 × 480InterlacedSD
D2480p525p720 × 480ProgressiveSD
D31080i1125i1920 × 1080InterlacedHD
D4720p750p1280 × 720ProgressiveHD
D51080p1125p1920 × 1080ProgressiveFull HD

The D3 tier serves the primary design goal of the connector, as 1080i was established as the standard format for high-definition digital broadcasts. This format was adopted in Japan as well, with the ARIB STD-B21 receiver specification explicitly recommending D-Terminal connections for digital broadcast reception.

Video game console compatibility

Several video game consoles released in Japan, including American Xbox consoles, support D-Terminal cables.

Video game console D-Terminal compatibility
Console Model Formats Supported Notes Ref.
GameCube DOL-001 D1–2 D2 output is limited to supported games
PlayStation 2 All models D1–D3 Only SCPH-50000 and later models support D2 output for DVD-Video;
D2-3 output is limited to supported games
Xbox All models D1–D4 DVD-Video playback is restricted to D1 output;
D2-4 output is limited to supported games
Wii All models D1–2
PlayStation 3 All models D1–D5
Xbox 360 Launch
S		 D2–D5 D5 output was added in an update;
Model E only supports composite and HDMI
Wii U All models D1–D2 (Wii spec)
D3–D5 (Unverified)
PlayStation Portable 2000
3000
Go		 D1–D2 At launch, PSP-2000 models could not output D1 and continued to require D2 output for PSP games;
PSP-3000 and Go models also support D1 output for PSP games

Transition to HDMI and decline

While D-Terminal was created specifically as a Japanese standard for transmitting HD signals, the lack of encryption on these signals due to their analogue nature led to content distributors and hardware manufacturers placing increasing restrictions on analogue HD output. This ultimately drove the widespread adoption of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) by both the industry and consumers.

DVD players equipped with upscaling capabilities were restricted to a maximum of D2 (480p) output over component video, due to the terms of the Content Scramble System (CSS) and Content Protection for Recordable Media (CPRM) licences.

Additionally, HDMI came to support High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and this was required for HD video disc (HD DVD and Blu-ray) playback, restricting the analogue output of those formats. Starting 1 January 2011, the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) licensing agreement mandated that all new HD video disc players restrict their analogue HD output to D1 (480i). Manufacturing of new Blu-ray players with analogue output ultimately ceased on 31 December 2013.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 D Connector for Digital Broadcasting Component Video Signal(Y,Pb,Pr)connection デジタル放送映像信号用（Y, Pb, Pr）接続用D端子コネクタ (in Japanese). Electronic Industries Association of Japan. July 1999. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Interface between Digital Tuner and Television Receiver using D-Connector デジタルチューナとテレビジョン受信機のD端子接続 (in Japanese). Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association. January 2000. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Toward Better Video -Learn More About Video Connectors-" もっともっと美しく −映像端子を知ろう−. TDK Techno Magazine (in Japanese). TDK. January 2007. Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "Part 3: "Does That Television Have Expandability?"" 第3回「そのテレビに未来の拡張性はありますか？」 (in Japanese). ITmedia. 21 September 2006. Retrieved 28 October 2026.
  5. ↑ Parameter values for the HDTV standards for production and international programme exchange (PDF) (Technical report). International Telecommunication Union. February 1998. Recommendation ITU-R BT.709-3. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  6. ↑ Receiver for Digital Broadcasting (Desirable Specifications) (PDF) (Technical report). Association of Radio Industries and Businesses. 26 October 1999. p. 31. ARIB STD-B21. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 ゲーム環境向上委員会 (24 February 2005). "Pick the right cable to hook up your game console and improve your video quality!" ゲーム機の接続ケーブルを選んで画質アップ! (in Japanese). GAME Watch. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  8. ↑ "PlayStation 2 Users Guide SCPH-50000 MB/NH (NTSC-J)" PlayStation 2 取扱説明書 SCPH-50000 MB/NH (PDF) (in Japanese). Sony Computer Entertainment. p. 39. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  9. ↑ "SCEI releases new PlayStation 2 that supports progressive output" SCEI、プログレッシブ出力に対応した新型プレイステーション 2 (in Japanese). AV Watch. 14 April 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "PlayStation 2 Users Guide SCPH-90000 (NTSC-J)" PlayStation 2 ユーザーズガイド SCPH-90000 (PDF) (in Japanese). Sony Computer Entertainment. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Testing out DVD playback on the North American Xbox" 北米版XboxのDVD再生機能を検証 (in Japanese). AV Watch. 7 January 2002. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  12. 1 2 平澤, 寿康 (1 February 2002). "Detailed Breakdown on the Xbox's Graphics" Xboxのグラフィック機能を徹底チェック (in Japanese). GAME Watch. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 ゲーム環境向上委員会 (18 December 2006). "How does screen change with the cables you plug in? Thoroughly testing out all video output on all the 3 new consoles" 接続端子とケーブルで画面はどう変わるのか? 新ハード3機種と出力画面を総当りチェック (in Japanese). GAME Watch. Archived from the original on 12 December 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "PS3 User's Guide: Video Output Settings". Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  15. ↑ "Testing out the Xbox 360 1080p update" Xbox 360の1080p対応アップデータを検証する. AV Watch (in Japanese). 31 October 2006. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  16. ↑ "New Xbox 360 model releases on September 19, 2013 & campaign underway to celebrate" 新型Xbox 360が2013年9月19日より発売開始＆新型本体発売記念キャンペーンも開催 (in Japanese). Famitsu. 12 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  17. ↑ Wii U：本体仕様 (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "Hands on with the new PSP-2000 and 1Seg functionality" 新型PSP「PSP-2000」とワンセグ機能に触れた (in Japanese). AV Watch. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  19. ↑ 佐伯, 憲司 (17 October 2008). "Checking out the PSP-3000 & PSP-2000 again with System Software v5.00" PSP-3000/PSP-2000をシステムソフトウェア 5.00で再チェックしてみる (in Japanese). GAME Watch. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  20. ↑ "Just what can the better screen PSP do? Trying out the New PSP" 「美・画面PSP」の実力は? 新PSPを試す (in Japanese). AV Watch. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  21. ↑ "PSP User's Guide: Component / D-Terminal Output". Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2026.
  22. ↑ "Panasonic releases the HD DIGA DVD player with digital tuner" 松下、デジタルチューナ搭載「ハイビジョンDIGA」 (in Japanese). AV Watch. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  23. ↑ Steve Somers. "HDMI: The Short and the Long of It". Extron. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  24. ↑ 西田宗千佳 (27 April 2006). "It seems the same but it's not at all. Digital terrestrial broadcasts on PC" 似ているようで全然違う。PCの“地デジ対応” (in Japanese). AV Watch. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  25. ↑ 臼田勤哉 (4 February 2011). "All new BD players released in 2011 will have analogue output restricted to SD resolution" '11年発売のBD機器はアナログ出力をSD解像度に制限 (in Japanese). AV Watch. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Ken C. Pohlmann (30 December 2010). "The Analog Sunset". Sound & Vision. Retrieved 30 October 2026.