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Old 27-11-2001, 10:46
ScottC
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Wonder if anyone can help - I'm new to the DVD revolution and am looking for some advice to get round what is probably a common problem - connecting up three devices with scarts to a TV with two scart sockets.

At the moment my digibox and video are connected to the TV scarts and I simply swap the digibox for the dvd when I want to watch a dvd. Is this the simplest way of doing it or is there another method that would cut out having to dive into the jungle of wires behind the telly every time?

I thought about one of those scart adaptor blocks, but wondered whether using one of those would cause a drop in quality to the devices plugged into it. If not, which one would people recommend. I'd rather pay a bit more to get top quality possible.

Finally, is a simple scart to scart the best option for DVD - my scarts at the moment are IXOS 126 which give a good picture and sound - or would I be better getting a scart to svhs lead - i think the IXOS 135 is one I had looked at - for picture and a couple of separate leads for audio.

Appreciate any advice anyone can give me.
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Old 27-11-2001, 12:02
Glen
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If you have digibox and VCR plugged into seperate SCARTs on the TV I assume the TV can output the digibox to the VCR to record?
I have 3 SCARTs on my new TV E1-digi E2-VCR E3-DVD. E2 also provides an output signal from E1for recording digital TV.

If you only have 2 SCARTs I suggest you connect the Digibox to the VCR or vice-versa so it only uses one SCART on the TV - leving the other free for DVD.
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Old 27-11-2001, 16:29
wicket
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My television only has two scart sockets. I permanently have plugged in the Sky Digibox to AV2 and AV1 I have a scart extension plug in where I can plug up to three devices in. The drawback of this, is that they cannot all be switched on at the same time, consequently, I either have the Playstation or DVD on. I don't bother plugging the video in as I get a good picture via the rf and it has phono leads to my home cinema amp so I get Dolby Surround sound.

The picture quality looks fine though on one of the dvds when I sat close to the tv I noticed some clear lines on the screen but when you sat in the normal sitting position they were not visible. The scart extension may cause a slight deterioration in picture quality but I don't think it is that noticeable.
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Old 08-12-2001, 01:02
Kevo
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Wicket

As your Sky STB is RGB capable then you would be best plugging this into the switch box too. (btw, is the switch box RGB compatible?)

AV2 should be used for your VCR.

A better picture on RF ??
That's a first !

There is no 'drawback' with the switch box. Why or how could you have them all switched on at the same time?

TV's are designed to be viewed at a distance and not close up like PC monitors.
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Old 08-12-2001, 11:10
wicket
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Thanks Kevo for your comments.

My switch box is RGB compatible. It is the first switch box I have bought and with it stating not to have equipment switched on at the same time this is why I have attached everything this way, at the expense of the vcr. I presumed on means either on standby or being used. If it means being used only then yes I could connect the Digibox to it as well. However, I would then have to disconnect it when we are watching a dvd and the kids are watching Sky upstairs because wouldn't there be two signals trying to go in one scart? I am wary on this causing damage to my tv.

I didn't state a better picture via RF to the video, I just said a good picture. I agree that a better picture would be obtained via a scart lead.

I had to say about the wavy clear lines because that is something I have noticed sitting about 3 feet away. They are not visible from a normal viewing position but I wouldn't like to recommend it to someone only to find they have a problem with the lines. We have a fairly big lounge but someone else could be viewing a lot closer hence the mention of the wavy lines.

Appreciate your points.

Wicket
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Old 08-12-2001, 13:38
Kevo
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I have a SCART switch box (RGB, manual) and have 3 devices connected (DVD, Playstation, Digital STB) all at the same time.

There is no need for me to disconnect or turn any of them off (or on standby) as whichever is selected on the switch box becomes the one in use.
There is no interference from any of the other devices as I use good quality individually screened SCART leads.
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Old 08-12-2001, 15:43
wicket
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I am just going on what it says on the box I got it in. I originally referred to it as a scart extension cable with three scart plugs. Is this actually the same as a scart switch box? I cannot see how the extension would select the right input.
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Old 09-12-2001, 21:13
Kevo
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No, SCART extension leads are of no use for your set up.
What you need is a SCART SWITCH BOX where you can individually select one source at a time and isolate the other two.

The lead you have is best used as an output lead rather than an input lead.
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Old 10-12-2001, 09:10
wicket
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Thanks kevo, recommend any good switch boxes?
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