TV / AV Help please

RealGem

Hi,

Currently I have the following equipment:

• a TV (analogue with Freeview + 2 scart sockets)
• a DVD/HDD recorder (also with Freeview)
• a plain DVD player
• a VHS VCR (in and out scart)
• a Virgin Media box (basic channels)

I also have a scart adaptor similar to this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedlink-SL-4008-MULTI-SCART-ADAPTER/dp/B0007ULRSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333806294&sr=8-1

I have never used the Freeview, as I have Virgin digital TV.

At the moment I only have the one DVD/HDD recorder and Virgin box connected to the TV, as I'm not sure how to connect the others.

Using just what I have, (or with very inexpensive additions) is it possible for me to connect them so I can:

1. copy VHS tapes onto HDD?
2. record a TV program while watching another?

If so, how would I do it please? Or does anyone know where I can find an online tutorial?

Thanks a lot

VoucherMan

I'm not really technically minded (I usually just browse this forum picking up useful info) but as far as I know

1) PVR's can only record from the signal through the aerial- i.e. broadcast channels, so you cant copy old VHS tapes on to them.

2)Should be simple enough. Just set the PVR to record whatever you want (connected to the TV with one scart lead). Connect the VM box to the TV's other scart socket and use that to watch the live TV.


Just re-read. You say TV has built in Freeview receiver? If that's the case you don't even need the VM box. just watch the live TV using the TV's tuner.
I'm assuming that you can get a Freeview signal, just never used it.

LucianH

RealGem wrote: »

1. copy VHS tapes onto HDD?

What's the make/model of the DVD/HDD recorder and what ins/outs has it got? In the past, I've simply connected a VCR recorder to a DVD/HDD recorder via SCART and copied directly from the VCR to both DVD's and the HDD. It does, however, depend on what you're trying to copy. If they are tapes that you've recorded yourself then you should have no problems. If, however, they are movies you've bought then copy protection may prevent it from being copied

RealGem

Thanks guys,

Yes, I could do without the VM box, but am I right that Freeview doesn't have the 7 day Catchup service, that lets you watch programs you missed?

I just wondered if I could combine the two for recording one and watching the other. I never tried having Freeview on its own. I read online somewhere that someone had a portable indoor aerial for their Freeview, so I thought I could buy one if I needed it.

Also, I don't have a PVR. My VM box does not record; it's the basic one. (CORRECTION: ok, I do have one! Wasn't exactly sure what a PVR was).

The tapes are my home videos, and what I recorded myself.

So it seems I can record old VHS tapes. I will have to play around with the connections until something happens, as I'm not sure what goes where.

The model of DVD / HDD recorder is a Logik LDVR808.

Is it possible to watch one show and record another?

thanks

[Deleted User]

Hi,

try this wee gadget for set-up.

neilwoods

Cant see why you can't connect the VM box to HDD recorder and then to the TV, so this will allow you to watch and record the same channel.

If your tv does freeview built in, then switch over to the inbuilt freeview.

RealGem

neilwoods wrote: »

Cant see why you can't connect the VM box to HDD recorder and then to the TV, so this will allow you to watch and record the same channel.

If your tv does freeview built in, then switch over to the inbuilt freeview.

Thanks, yes that's what I wanted to do, but I didn't know how - until...

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

try this wee gadget for set-up.

Wow - that's brilliant thanks a lot FrugalMacdugal!
:T :T :T




I love diagrams. Why can't everything in life be explained with diagrams? (Can you believe I draw diagrams of who characters are in books, or I forget who said what to whom!)

Right I'm off to find an indoor Freeview aerial. Hope they're not too expensive...


PS:
Oops - it seems I DO have a PVR. I looked it up earlier and one site implied it was an HD box, so I thought I did not have one, sorry Voucherman.

RealGem

Hi,

I have got the equipment as it suggests in the diagram above. And I have put a tape into the VCR and it appears to be playing ok according to the counter and I have left the tape running.

But I cannot see anything on the TV.

I have gone through all the TV channels, and I have pressed the AV button on the TV remote control many times until it goes through them all, but still no picture.

I seem to remember you need to see two white bars on a black screen?

The VCR was donated and doesn't have a remote control.

I do not have instructions for the TV or VCR but here is a pic of my TV remote control if that is any help:



Click HERE and click on pic for a close-up.

Does anyone know what I need to do next please?

Thanks a lot

googler

RealGem wrote: »

I have got the equipment as it suggests in the diagram above. And I have put a tape into the VCR and it appears to be playing ok according to the counter and I have left the tape running.

But I cannot see anything on the TV.

I have gone through all the TV channels, and I have pressed the AV button on the TV remote control many times until it goes through them all, but still no picture.

Are you using a SCART selector?

I seem to remember you need to see two white bars on a black screen?

That's for when you tune the TV in to an RF signal from the VCR - not when you're using SCARTs

So you have a SCART lead from the VCR to a SCART selector, then another SCART lead to the TV?

Look next to each SCART socket on the TV, and they should indicate which is which - A1, A2, AV1, AV2 etc. Determine which you are using, and set the TV to that one. Make sure the SCART selector is definitely directing the signal to the TV. If the VCR has two SCARTs or more, try switching the lead to another.

To check the VCR, connect an RF lead directly from RF out on the VCR to RF in (aerial in) on the TV, and try tuning an unused channel on the TV to pick up the VCR signal. That will verify whether or not the VCR is outputting or not.

Look online for instruction manual downloads for your equipment, if it didn't come with manuals....

RealGem

Thanks a lot Googler, I am printing your post out as the TV's in another room!

Not sure what you mean by Scart Selector.

I have one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Speedlink-SL-4008-MULTI-SCART-ADAPTER/dp/B0007ULRSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333806294&sr=8-1

Is that similar to the above but with an individual switch for each one?

I will try with an aerial lead like you suggest, and let you know...

thanks

googler

RealGem wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by Scart Selector.

Switching box, as shown in the diagram.