question please: does a HDMI lead replace a scart lead ?

christopher_h

Hi, I just bought a fab new Samsung 37" flat screen LCD TV for my new flat.

I plan to hang the TV neatly on the wall and want the leads to be hidden too so I will hide them in a plastic tube (or similar) which I'll set back in the wall (plaster).

My question is:
The TV comes with a HDMI socket - can anyone tell me if this actually replaces the old scart lead ?

I am planning to have a DVD player and possible cable (NTL) too.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

Halloway

What do you mean by 'replaces'? SCART is not compatible with HDMI. HDMI performs more or less the same function as SCART but, unlike SCART, is digital.

Most decent DVD players these days are equipped with HDMI so it's the logical choice for connecting to a similarly-equipped TV.

epaway

In basic terms, HDMI is a new interface for carrying digital signal. It is unlikely unless you have replaced anything else recently, that your peripherals will use HDMI.

If you go for NTL (Virgin Media), then you would have to go for their new V+ box to get the benefit of the HDMI connection. If you get a more recent DVD player then it too could use the benefit of the HDMI (as said by Halloway).

If you still have a VCR, SKY box, original ntl box, older dvd player, older freeview box, PS2, XBOX, XBOX 360, then you will want to have a scart connection available.

My advice if you are hiding wires would be to drop a scart down the wall too, and cover yourself against having things you cant use without future rewiring.

christopher_h

thanks guys - the peripherals will support HDMI too so I think the scart lead will not be needed although 'one for safety' is good advice ;-)

Any idea where cheapest place to buy one pls ?

Osakan

christopher_h wrote: »

Any idea where cheapest place to buy one pls ?

ebay is the cheapest, starting from a couple of quid.

epaway

Or if ebay postage takes the price higher, try this:

http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=13611&category_id=182

cheapest according to hotukdeals.com

£4.01 delivered. I ordered two last thursday, got them friday.

christopher_h

just to double check - do I order a HDMI to HDMI cable as opposed to HDMI to DVI (I don't know what DVI is but I've heard of it)

Andy_L

Another tip, if the pipe is big enough run a length of strong string through as well so you can pull through any new cables in the future

Halloway

HDMI to HDMI is what you want.

PZH

Halloway wrote: »

HDMI to HDMI is what you want.

You need to look at the back of your equipment ( or read the manual ) and see what type of connection it actually is.

I bought a Philips HD ready TV about a year ago and recently upgraded my DVD player to one with HDMI upscaling. I very nearly bought a HDMI-HDMI lead but then decided to double check. The HD connection on the TV was actually DVI and therefore I needed a HDMI-DVI lead as well as a phono lead for the sound.

Might be worth a quick check just to make sure you are getting the right cable.

PZH

christopher_h

thanks phoodless - the TV is definitely HDMI compatible I should be ok yeah ?

Do I need a separate phono cable for the sound with a HDMI cable ?