TV tech SOS (NB)

[pugwash]

Could someone please come to my rescue. I've got a silly problem and my son said "Why don't you try those PBO guys who seem to know everything" and I thought "Brilliant idea!" So here goes.

I have a nearly new Philips TV and a nearly new Sony vcr/DVD player and 3 SCAT cables and a cable connection (Telewest). Proboem: how do you connect them up and tune everything?

The instruction books are impenetrable because they miss out vital words like exactly which slot they're talking about. I've tried all sorts of combinations. At the moment, I can play tapes but can't record them.

If anybody has any ideas on this and can express them in words one or two syllables I'd be gasping with gratitude. I can navigate my way across the English Channel but I can't connect up my own video and Tv. I know it's stupid but there you are. Please send a lifeboat.

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[Gordonmc]

Dont shout at me if I have misunderstood the problem, but I couldn't get the telly to function with seperate VCR, DVD and Freeview boxes. The telly only has one Scart socket.
Solution: bought (£40) a remote control distribution amplifier, four Scart in, one out (to telly). It has a spare socket for the playstation.

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[snowleopard]

it sounds as though you are 3/4 of the way there. if you can play tapes, the tv must be listening to the vcr/dvd. all you need now is to get the vcr to listen to the incoming signal (i take it you aren't trying to record off a DVD which the kit won't let you do).

if the incoming cable isn't connected into the back of the vcr, find a matching socket and plug it in.

turn everything on then, using the video controller, press 'menu' then look for something like 'setup' followed by 'auto tune'. most equipment seems to have that sort of sequence though i can't speak for yours.

to tune the tv, follow a similar sequence using the tv controller.

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[alan]

You should find your Tuner (satellite or cable or whatever) has two SCART sockets on the back; one marked VCR and one marked TV. You connect the TV to the one marked TV and the DVD to the one marked VCR. On my DVD I have the tuner connected to SCART socket marked as "TV OUT" (the other socket is marked as "AUX IN" which I do not use - it for a second VCR or DVD). So, the TV should be connected to the "tuner" or receiver" and the "tuner or receiver" connected to the DVD.
The SCART connectors use video and audio signals so that you do not have to worry about tuning your TV , just set it to the appropriate channel for VCR usually either zero or 99.

I hope that helps.

Alan.
Nettuno, Italy.

<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[dralex]

I found this was the way forwards- I'm pretty good at settling things up, but things start getting silly after a while. You can get automatic SCART switching boxes where all the inputs go into the box and then there is a single SCART output to the TV. The unit automatically switches between inputs when it senses a new one, or you can manually over ride it. This also means that people in my house stand a chance of being able to work all the AV stuff unlike before. Try Richer Sounds ( no connection).

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[duncan]

a very reasonable question nowadays - if you want to really have fun try a plasma screen with NO scart connections but an analogue control box into which you have to send your signals via scart (amongst other things) from all the digital devices (inc freeview box)!
I still haven't got anything other than the analogue passthrough into the VCR despite many attempts.

Having said that are we expecting to much when we want to connect Digibox,VCR, DVD, x-box and PC at the same time?

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[bob_tyler]

Perhaps a neighbour's 7 yr old could solve the problem?

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[oldharry]

A problem with scart leads and sockets is that they are not always fully connected either in the equipment or in the leads, for some crazy reason. They may for example only be connected to carry a composite signal and not RGB. Some manufacturers also only wire the second scart on the equipment as an output or input socket. The devil of it is there is no standardisation of these variants, and there is no way of telling from outside which is which. The only way to be sure you have a fully wired lead is either to go to a good Tv/Electrical shop and ask for 'fully connected' Scart leads, or to open a connector up (usually by unscrewing the collar where the lead enters the plug) and checking whether all the pins are connected. It will be obvious straight away as a cheap lead will have less than half its pins connected.

The next prob is that all manufacturers put their equipment as 'priority' in their instruction books, making the equipment the 'hub' of the scart network.

Generally speaking, faced with this I have made the recording /playback machine the 'hub', with inputs from Sat or Cable and DVD going in, and the TV or screen on output.

So in your set up I would first connect the output socket of the Video/DVD to the TV, and make sure they are communicating as you want. I would then add the Cable or Sat tuner to the Video, without disturbing the Tv connection. If that set up does not work, or at any point in setting up they do not communicate properly, then investigate whether you have been sold reduced connectivity scart leads.

Hope this helps!

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[duncan]

usefull to know - thx

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[dickh]

I have exactly the same problem with the new tv & combined dvd/vcr & freeview tuner. I can't seem to be able to record one program while watching another; and would like to throw the B***** thing out the window! I will however print this thread and have another go tonight as SWMBO is out till late.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[ashley]

Do not bother connecting the aerial lead!
I say this as you will be forever switching aspects between widescreen and normal if you switch between cable or aerial signal. You'll eventually get lazy and watch tv programmes starring bizzarly fat people. The downside is that you can't record one channel and watch another though. it's your call<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by ashley on 23/10/2004 00:52 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[fluffc]

I think other posts here answer your question. One often point of confusion is that every piece of equipment will demand (in their respective instruction manuals) to be the piece of equipment closest to the TV (or other display device if you have the money).

It doesn't really make any difference on domestic TV's what goes where.

Because of the inferior quality of CRT TV's. I assembled the following system in my parent's house. (DO NOT try this with Large High quality TV's or any sort of plasma, LCD or projector - the inadequacies will show up)

Fit an RF modulator to the output of each piece of equipment. Set all the output frequencies so they are different - at least a couple of channels apart.

Wire the incoming aerial cable in a daisy chain through all of these modulators, then distribute around the house.

This means that anyone can watch any source from anywhere in the house. You can also feed audio-only (say, from a CD player or Radio Tuner) into the system to create an "audio-only" feed. (Beware burning-in of TV screen with this solution).

You have hence created a flexible multi-channel in house TV system

Oh, and you will be able to view one programme while recording another.

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[pugwash]

It works !!!

Thanks to all for your suggestions, especially Old Harry, whose good advice was helpful when I spent this rainy afternoon on my hands and knees behind the TV. Now I can leave SWMBO with the video and go sailing (when it stops raining).

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[oldharry]

Re: It works !!!

<Now I can leave SWMBO with the video and go sailing (when it stops raining). >

What a good thing its working - looks like you have a long wait!

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