Commodore C64 Video

Pinout of the Commodore 64 monitor connector, covering the early 5-pin DIN (composite only) and later 8-pin DIN (luma/chroma/audio) versions.

5 PIN DIN 180° (DIN41524) FEMALE 5 PIN DIN 180° (DIN41524) FEMALE at the Computer.

5 PIN DIN 180° (DIN41524) MALE 5 PIN DIN 180° (DIN41524) MALE at the Cable.

The Commodore 64 uses a proprietary DIN connector for combined audio and video output, with two distinct variants across its production run. Early C64 boards (PCB 326298-01, Commodore part 903362-01) carry a 5-pin DIN that provides composite video only on pin 4; the VIC-II chroma signal is not brought out. Later C64 and C64C boards (PCB 250407-04 and 250425-01, Commodore part 325573-01) moved to an 8-pin DIN that additionally exposes separate luminance and chroma outputs, enabling higher-quality S-Video-like display when used with compatible monitors such as the Commodore 1702 or 1902A. Both variants are documented in the Commodore 64 Service Manual (PN-314001-02, September 1985).

PinNameDirDescription
1LUMOUTLuminance
2GND——Ground
3AOUTOUTAudio Out
4VOUTOUTVideo Out
5AININAudio In

Notes

  • Direction is Computer relative Monitor.
  • The early C64 5-pin DIN connector (part 903362-01) provides composite video on pin 4 only; luminance and chroma are not separately available.
  • The later C64 and C64C 8-pin DIN connector (part 325573-01) exposes separate luma/sync and chroma outputs alongside composite video and audio in/out; pins 7 and 8 are not connected.
  • The Commodore 1702 monitor accepts both cable types: a 3-RCA cable (audio/luma/chroma) from the 8-pin DIN, or a 2-RCA cable (composite+audio) from a 5-pin DIN, selected via a rear-panel switch.
  • The luma/chroma output is labelled “Separated LCA” in Commodore 1902A monitor documentation and is similar in signal level to S-Video (1 Vp-p, 75 Ω) but uses a different connector and pinout; it is not formally compliant with the EIAJ RC-5237 S-Video standard.

Signals

  • LUM — Luminance and sync output from the VIC-II chip (1 Vp-p, 75 Ω); available on the later 8-pin DIN only.
  • GND — Signal ground.
  • AOUT — Audio output.
  • VOUT — Composite video output (luminance and colour mixed internally); also fed to the RF modulator.
  • AIN — Audio input.

References

Category:Computer Multimedia Connectors