EN 50157-1:1998

Overview

EN 50157-1:1998 (adopted nationally as SIST EN 50157-1:1999) is the Part 1 “General” specification for the AV.link interconnection concept used in domestic and similar electronic equipment. Published under CLC, this standard defines the standardisation structure and functional role of the AV.link control signal within the PERITELEVISION connector (contact 10). Part 1 establishes the base interconnection principles and mandatory behaviour that enable device discovery, signal negotiation and interoperable AV chains.

Key Topics

• AV.link chain concept: Defines an interconnection principle for chaining AV devices (see normative relations to EN 50157-2-1).
• Control signal line (contact 10): Specifies that a dedicated control signal at contact 10 of the PERITELEVISION connector carries the AV.link bit-structured protocol.
• Bit-structure and operation modes: A defined bit structure introduces multiple modes of operation to support different capabilities and future extensions.
• Automatic device selection: Basic capability for automatic selection of devices in an AV chain for simplified user experience.
• Automatic signal quality matching: Mechanisms to match delivered and received signal formats based on quality hierarchy:
  • R,G,B - highest picture quality
  • Y/C (S-Video) - mid quality
  • CVBS (composite) - lowest quality
• Mandatory base behaviour: Part 1 behavior is the required foundation for all products implementing AV.link parts.
• Extensibility: Framework oriented to support basic AV commands (see EN 50157-2-2), system applications (EN 50157-2-3) and future extensions.

Applications

• Consumer electronics interoperability: Ensures TVs, set-top boxes, DVD players, VCRs, camcorders and AV receivers can auto-negotiate connections and signal formats.
• Plug-and-play AV installations: Reduces manual configuration by enabling automatic device selection and signal-quality negotiation across chained devices.
• Product design & firmware: Reference for hardware engineers, firmware developers and system architects implementing the PERITELEVISION connector control line and AV.link protocol.
• Compliance & testing: Used by compliance engineers and test laboratories to verify AV.link behaviour in manufactured equipment.
• System integrators & installers: Guides system-level expectations for device interoperability in home AV setups.

Related Standards

• EN 50157-2-1 - Detailed AV.link chain concept / interconnection principles
• EN 50157-2-2 - Basic AV-system oriented commands
• EN 50157-2-3 - System applications and use cases

Keywords: AV.link, EN 50157-1, PERITELEVISION connector, AV interconnection, automatic device selection, signal quality matching, R G B, Y/C, CVBS, chain concept, domestic electronic equipment.