TV/etc cabling question

Peartree

I need some help in cabling a TV, sky box and freeview recorder.

I know there will be some questions on why I want to do this combination so let me explain. I bought a new TV recently which happens to have freeview. However, I am also a recently ex-Sky customer (after many years) with a standard Sky box. I like watching via Sky as I am used to the look and feel of it and also you get some additional channels than Freeview with Freesat (True Movies, the planet's most enjoyable dross). I have also recently come into ownership of a twin tuner freeview recorder at a very low cost! I'd like to make them all work together and record Freeview programmes but feel a bit challenged on how to cable it all up.

The TV is a brand new Samsung with two scart sockets and raft of other connections. The freeview box also has two scart sockets.

All my watching is via the Freesat (apart from the occasional foray into E4 or More4 ) but I want to be able to record from Freeview via the box and then watch it on my TV.

How do I connect up the spagetti junction of options behind my TV and work out all the inputs and outputs when I'm watching. I have an endless supply of scart cables and also have a scart switcher knocking around somewhere if that's needed.

Oh and, if poss, I also have one of those TV senders that sends a signal to the TV in the dining room (although that hasn't been linked up since I changed TV).

I have looked quickly at AVForum and the like but none of it seemed to cover my situation or, if it did, it was a bit techie for a mere mortal like me.

scheming_gypsy

you've lost me..

so you've a tv, a sky box (which you use for freeview) and a recorder with built in freeview but with 2 channels so you can watch one and record another?

the best way to do it would be to plug the recorder into the TV by scart from the output scart socket (AV1 usually). Then plug the sky box into the input scart (AV2 probably).

the sky box will then route through the freeview recorder so you'd need to change the AV port on the recorder to AV2 (probably) so it knows which channels its using. When you record you just choose which input you're recording from.

Peartree

Thanks, all sorted up and working.

missile

I have a similar set up and route everything to the TV via one HDMI connection If you have a HDMI compatible TV and recorder with upscaling you will get a better signal using HDMI and avoid having a mess of scart cables.

Peartree

missile wrote: »

I have a similar set up and route everything to the TV via one HDMI connection If you have a HDMI compatible TV and recorder with upscaling you will get a better signal using HDMI and avoid having a mess of scart cables.

I appreciate the advice, however, things AV are not my strength (but I'm prepared to live with that!). I'd like to try that if you would be kind enough to tell me what joins to what, where and with what sort of cable!