Can I use a Freeview box if there is no SCART connector on my TV?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Very few of the current Freeview boxes have both SCART and UHF outputs, but you will have to check.
This is done mainly to keep the costs down, but it saves any possible interference from the box itself with the incoming Freeview signals.
So with the a few boxes - often PVRs - you can watch (and record) Freeview channels via a UHF channel.
However, the best possible picture quality is obtained using the "RGB" output on the SCART connector, so if you switch the box to a new TV at some point, you should use the SCART then.
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Thursday, 8 December 2011
R
Robert7:47 PM
Sir,
My recently-purchased Freeview box has only one scart lead slot, How can I connect my TV and DVD Recorder so has to record and put programmes onto a DVD? I recently cancelled my Sky subscription which had two scart lead slots fitted. This allowed me to record and copy DVDs. The Sky box allowed me to watch some Freeview programmes but not all.
Looking at the back of the TV/Recorder/Freeview sets the TV has two scart slots; the DVD Recorder has two slots, but the Freeview box has only one.
Thank you so much
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J
jb388:26 PM
Robert: Does the DVD recorder referred to not have Freeview built in? Maybe you could mention what type (model) it is along with similar info regarding the TV, as this would enable their specs to be checked to assess what's possible.
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R
Robert8:42 PM
Robert: Thanks jb38 for your reply. No, neither the TV nor the DVD has built-in Freeview.
I do have an adaptor that you can connect three devices to it, but not certain how to do this as I`m not techno-minded - not sure if it would work anyway.
Thanks again, Robert
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Friday, 9 December 2011
J
jb388:43 PM
Robert: Sorry for the delay in replying, but I suggest you try the following.
Scart adaptor's single "common" connection into the Freeview boxes single scart socket.
Scart lead from the first socket on adaptor into TV's AV1
Scart lead from the second socket on adaptor to the DVD's AV2 (maybe marked EXT2)
Scart lead from DVD's AV1 into TV's AV2.
In operation the Freeview box should take priority on the TV (if in AV1 socket)
To record Freeview on the DVD make sure that AV2 (or EXT2) is selected as the recording input.
To play back a DVD select AV2 (or EXT 2) on the TV's input selector.
This will work "if" the adaptor you have is fully wired and likewise capable of two way operation, and does "not" have individual switches for each output.
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Saturday, 10 December 2011
R
Robert6:42 PM
jb38, Thanks a million for your reply. I will try this out as you suggest.
So sorry about the delay but had family matters to sort out. Thought I`d let you know how my system is set up:
Looking at it from the rear you have:
Sony TV: Scart Socket 1. Next to this is Scart Socket 2, marked `Smart Link`
On the shelf below you have: Philips DVD Player/Recorder. At the back as you lool at it is: Scart Socket Marked EXT 2 (AUX 1/0) Next to this you have: EXT 1 marked: To TV 1/0.
Below this on the bottom shelf I now have: Goodmans Freeview Box. Looking again from the back you have just 1 Scart Socket marked to TV. Apart from this you have on the Freeview box RF In and RF Out. The aerial - mounted near the roof outside - is in the RF In marked Aerial.
Thanks again for your help and once again I apologise for getting back to you
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J
jb389:21 PM
Robert: Thanks for the socket names clarification, and on having a study at what you have said everything as far as connections are concerned is as was described, insomuch AV2 on your device is called EXT2, likewise AV1 is EXT1.
And just to reiterate, this will work provided the adaptor you have is fully wired, as types that aren't can only be used one way, that being with the common socket being only an output, whereas in fully wired types it can be used for two way applications such as for the purpose you require.
To save a lot of unnecessary work its best to test the adaptor first to ensure that it is fully wired, so just connect its "common" connection into the Freeview box as described, then connect a lead from the TV's scart socket 1 to the any of the adaptors three sockets, if the TV can show a Freeview picture then its OK.
You could if you wish carry out the test again using another of the adaptors three sockets just to ensure its OK, although it most likely would be if the first one worked.
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Monday, 12 December 2011
R
Robert8:19 PM
Thanks agin, jb38.
Unfortunately, after trying out your suggestion I was still unable to record onto DVD from the Library in my Freeview box. The problem seems that with only one scart socket it is not possible to connect all the devices. I was able to return the box from where I bought it and they were happy to return the sum I paid for it. We have replaced it with another one which has two scart sockets and having connected everything together we have everything we want. Thanks all the same. It was very kind of you to offer assistance. All the best and have a nice Christmas.
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J
jb389:21 PM
Robert: Pleased to hear that you managed to change the box for a two scart socket version, as that's always preferable to having to split signals, although I have to say that the reason that you couldn't get it to work just has to have been caused by the splitter only being partially wired, and because of this it only allowing signals to pass one way, that of being inwards from any of the three sockets to the common single socket, and not in reverse such as you required for purposes of splitting the Freeview boxes output signal between the TV and the DVD recorder.
Anyway you are all sorted now, and hope you likewise have a happy, (and technically trouble free!!) Christmas.
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Thursday, 15 December 2011
J
John S4:26 PM
Chichester
I have an LG TV with a SKY facility through a "receiver and sender" system which bounces the signal from another room where the main set box is.
I am about to add a VCR/DVD recorder with FREEVIEW direct to my LG TV via the Antenna in/Antenna out sockets as recommended by the manufacturer (Toshiba).
Can I set up the FREEVIEW to be a different channel from my "bounced" SKY signal so that we can watch SKY on the main system and FREEVIEW on the LG?
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John's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
John S: If you are situating your VCR/DVD machine adjacent to the LG TV, then you should use a SCART lead to watch it.
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