AV Cable
A composite video cable for the Commodore 64 and compatible with other systems like the original Sega Master System Power Base.
Description
The Commodore 64 mono AV cable with a 5‑pin DIN connector and RCA plugs was originally designed to provide composite video and mono audio output from the C64 to a television or monitor. The cable connects to the computer’s 5‑pin DIN A/V port, breaking out into RCA jacks for video and audio.
Interestingly, this same cable is compatible with the original Sega Master System Power Base, which also used a 5‑pin DIN port for its A/V output. When connected, the cable delivers composite video and mono audio, bypassing the RF modulator and giving a cleaner signal than the standard RF connection. This compatibility reflects how several systems of the 1980s shared similar connector standards, even across different manufacturers.
For collectors and archivists, this cable is notable because it demonstrates the cross‑platform reuse of DIN‑based A/V interfaces. While later systems moved toward proprietary multi‑out connectors or dedicated composite/S‑video ports, the Master System’s reliance on a DIN port meant that existing third‑party or cross‑brand cables—like those for the Commodore 64—could be repurposed.
