TV settop box and vcr hookup question

[dave]

We have TV with a separate settop box and VCR If we get a new tv with stb built-in can we still use the vcr? Now we have... Ant -> STB ->VCR -> TV thanks

[John Rumm]

yup, for playback certainly... other options will vary a bit with the equipment you have. Some VCRs have a second dedicated recording SCART which can be handy.

You could do:

Ant -> VCR -> TV

The VCR will continue to be able to record analogue transmissions for as long as they are available in your area using its own tuner. It should also be able to record the video output of the TVs tuner by setting it to record from its AV input, and ensuring the TV is presenting its tuner output on its SCART.

Failing that, leave it as it currently is, and that way you would have two digital tuners. That would enable you to video one channel and watch a different one.

[michael adams]

If you keep the same set-up, and select either the EXT or AV channel on the new TV, then this will again bypass any internal tuner on the TV, and display whatever is sent through the cable via the VCR.

So no problems there definitely.

At present you can presumably record Freeview on the VCR while watching an analogue channel 1-5 on the TV using the internal tuner. Fed with a signal via the STB and VCR.

Now whether this indirect signal via the STB and VCR will be sufficient for the internal Freeview tuner on the TV to work o.k - if you want to watch another channel, or whether a separate aeriel feed to the TV - either from an amplifier/splitter or direct from the aeriel will be needed, is something you'll need to find out for yourself. But that's the only potential drawback as compared with the present set-up I can see.

michael adams

...

[Steve Firth]

Are you from the past?

Well yes, depending.

Our TV has twin SCART sockets as well as HDMI, so it's possible to connect a VCR to one of the SCART sockets and to record whatever is being shown on screen at the time. Doesn't work with DVD because of Macrovision copy protection but it does work with non copy protected DVDs and with Freeview. Even though our VCR predates wide sceen it works fine. The image is recorded as squashed anamorphic on the tape and by setting the TV to "cinema" mode it can play back as 16:9.

I've found the DVD to VCR capability useful in the past. We bought a friend a series of DVDs about horses only to find that he's from the past and only has a TV without SCART and a VCR that only plays through the aerial socket. No ability to connect a DVD. I was able to copy the DVDs to VHS for him and send him a bundle of VHS tape + DVD for the day that he finally gets around to buying something from this century.

[Ian Jackson]

In message , michael adams writes

You will probably have no problems, but it might depend on how the VCR is presently connected to the TV set, and on the number of SCART connectors the STB and the new TV set have.

You might find these sites useful:

[dave]

Great help. Thanks all and a Happy New Year to you..

[Dave Liquorice]

Yes, but what do you mean by "use"? Playback of tapes? Record one channel whilst watching another? Are you in a pre or post DSO area?

TBH it all gets a bit messy in post DSO areas trying to use a STB to record one channel whilst watching another on the TV. It can be done but automatic unattended operation is difficult as the VCR can't control the channel the STB is tuned to(*).

As for basic connection some STB's have a "VCR" SCART connector as well as the "TV" one. You would connect the STB "VCR" SCART to a SCART input on the VCR.

(*) GuidePlus+ allows the recorder to control an external box. I used this for a while as a poor mans Sky+ setup and two Sky boxes one dedicated to the recorder (controlled by it) and one for watching. I don't know if a GuidePlus+ box can control DTTV STB's.

[Peter Crosland]

You may find this helpful.

Crosland

[dave]

Does that comment make you feel superior? If somethings works fine I don't just junk it as the manufacturers want me to do (as you presumably do). Are you very gullible with a suggestable and weak mind) and then continue to act out your fantasies on others who think for themselves? Am only changing now as TV is on the blink. Tech helpful comments (which all the other intelligent replys have been) are very much appreciated. Social comments - you can stuck up your arse.

[John Rumm]

No, Steve always feels superior ;-)

[John Rumm]

Also some VCRs have a dedicated recording SCART, which will automatically start recording from that SCART when they see a device connected to it power up. That can mean you only need an external device with a reasonable schedule timer to make it reasonably useful.

[Steve Firth]

It's a quote.

You might want to remove your head from wherever it is at the moment, if only because the smell of coffee is nicer than the smell of colon.

You see all the part of my post that you snipped? That was the actual, relevant, helpful comment. Many of the other comments made in this thread, nice as they are, didn't address your problem in the same detail or with the same degree of knowledge.

Or perhaps the reply was beyond your capability to understand?

But thanks for proving that you're the sort of moron with an attitude who doesn't deserve help, because it makes me realise how my time has been wasted and that I should have just told you to go f*ck yourself in the first place.