Recommended Components
The following parts are used in this article, along with a generic electronics kit that is handy for building and testing the circuit.
| Component | How it’s used | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic component assortment kit (1390 pcs) | A handy assortment of resistors, capacitors, LEDs, diodes and transistors for building circuits. | Check Price |
| Digital multimeter (AstroAI) | Measures voltage, current, resistance and checks continuity while you build and debug. | Check Price |
| Breadboard | Solderless base for prototyping the circuit. | Check Price |
| Jumper Wires | Make the connections on the breadboard. | Check Price |
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
EL1881 Pinout Diagram

Pin Configuration
It has a total of eight pins. The description of pins is mentioned in the table below.| Pin No. | Pin Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | COMPOSITE SYNC OUT | The output pin which outputs the extracted composite signal. |
| 2 | COMPOSITE VIDEO IN | An AC coupled input pin which is supplied with a composite video input signal. |
| 3 | VERTICAL SYNC OUT | Output pin which sends the composite free signal |
| 4 | GND | Ground |
| 5 | BUST/ BACK PORCH OUTPUT | The output pin which is low during burst portion of composite video |
| 6 | REST | An external resistor is connected to this pin which is used to set the internal timings of this IC. |
| 7 | ODD/EVEN OUTPUT | An output pin used to detect the high and low fields. During odd fields, it is high, and it is low during even fields |
| 8 | VDD | Positive voltage supply |
EL1881 Video Sync Separator IC Features
- It can perform both standard and non-standard video sync separation.
- The IC takes in a composite video signal and gives composite and vertical sync outputs
- Additional outputs of bust/back porch and odd/even field
- Supports sync separation of NTSC, PAL, SECAM
- Perform its operation over a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
- It operates from a single voltage supply of +5V having low current of 1.5 mA.
- EL1881 is lead-free and performs fixed 70mV slicing of video input levels from peak to peak voltage of 0.5 to 2.
Where to use it?
The old RGB monitors do not support composite signal and EL1881 separates the composite and vertical part so this IC can be used in RGB monitors. It is pin-compatible with LM1881. You can replace LM1881 IC in video applications. If you need an IC for sync separation in 5V applications, then this IC might be the right choice for you. You can use it in portable computers and for applications requiring high-speed communication.How to use EL1881?
The simplified block diagram of EL1881 Video Sync Separator IC is drawn below. Pin 2 is provided with a composite video signal as an input. The assembly of a capacitor CF and resistor RF connected at pin 2 is basically a chroma filter. The C1 is a parasitic capacitor used to filter noise. The input signal is applied at the free end of 620Ω resister. The chroma filter will increase the S/N ratio of the input signal. An external resistor is connected to pin 6. It produces a reference current and adjusts the internal timings of the IC.
After supplying the pin 8 with power supply, switch on the power supply. The value of power supply should lie between 5 to 12 V You will receive a composite sync output at pin 1 and a vertical sync output at pin 3.Example Circuit

Applications
EL1881 is normally used in video applications. Few of its applications are listed below:- RGB and PCMCIA applications
- Video amplifiers
- Line drivers and A/D drivers
- Broadcast equipment
- Active filtering
Equivalent Video sync separators of EL1881
- LM1881
- EL4581
- LM1981
- EL1993
- EL4583
EL1881 2D Diagram
The EL1881 has 8-pin PDIP and 8-pin SO package. The two-dimensional diagram of its 8 pin PDIP package along with its dimensions is drawn below.