Hello...
I'm a Senior Citizen and have up till now relied on my trusty Sharp 32 inch CRT TV. Don't laugh!
It's getting long in the tooth like me and is starting to act up. I intend to buy a new TV.

Now, forgive my ignorance, but I've only ever connected other devices via Scart and new TV's all have HDMI connections, though I note a few come with one Scart.

Scarts have had their day so I'd prefer to use only HDMI connections with my new TV.

I've a hard drive Freeview HD PVR + Samsung Hard Drive DVD Recorder. These work perfectly with the Sharp and suit my needs.

BOTH ALSO HAVE ONE HDMI OUTPUT PORT.

The HD PVR can record 2 programmes at the same time.
The Samsung can record one other programme at the same time as the above two, giving me the option of recording 3 programmes at the same time.

I've found that very useful from time to time, bearing in mind the Sharp doesn't have Freeview built-in.

Now I'll probably buy a 40" TV with at least 2 HDMI connections.

If I want to have the option as above of 3 recordings at once, is it simply a matter of connecting HDMI cables from TV to PVR + Samsung via HDMI cables?

What about aerial connections?

Any advice would be appreciated...

Many thanks

The HDMI connections (or SCART for that matter) have nothing to do with recording, assuming the items have Freeview built-in then they simply record from their internal tuners.

The leads to the TV are simply for Playback from the external units.

Aerial wise you keep it just as it is, with the addition of a lead from the output of the last recorder to the TV.

I would be more concerned with having to get hold of a crane and haulage contractor to remove that 32” CRT to the city dump.

I managed to carry my old 32" TV upstairs when I went flat screen. Mind it expired a few months later afters 15 years of service so I suspect it didn't like the journey.

Blimey, my neighbour and I nearly expired taking my old 29 inch 4X3 Sony to the front of the house for the council to collect. How you got one upstairs on your own without injuring yourself is amazing.

Hello again...thanks to all for taking time to reply.
The removal snag with the CRT is well-taken and is 'under arrangement'.

So, just to be certain:
1. I connect my Hard Drive PVR via HDMI cable to the TV's HDMI first input
2. I connect my Samsung DVD Recorder via HDMI to the TV's second HDMI input
3. Aerial: regarding Nigel's comment:

He says: 'Aerial wise you keep it just as it is, with the addition of a lead from the output of the last recorder to the TV'
So:
4: Connect my aerial lead as normal to the TV + connect another lead from the Samsung (the 'last recorder'???) to the TV?

Do I have this right?

Please let me know either way.

Many thanks

The aerial should go (as it should be now) into the first recorder, out of the first recorder to the second recorder, then out of the second to the TV - this is why the recorders have aerial IN and aerial OUT.

If you are able to record TV programmes then you must have an aerial feed to both recorders. If you can also watch TV programmes independently of those recorders on the TV then you must also have an aerial feed to the TV. Assuming it can receive Freeview.

So at the moment the aerial connections are either.

Aerial downlead --> Samsung RF/Aerial IN
Samsung RF/Aerial OUT --> PVR RF/Aerial IN
PVR RF/Aerial OUT --> TV

or

Aerial downlead --> PVR RF/Aerial IN
PVR RF/Aerial OUT --> Samsung RF/Aerial IN
Samsung RF/Aerial OUT --> TV

or

Aerial Downlead --> Splitter IN
Splitter OUT --> Samsung
Splitter OUT --> PVR
Splitter OUT -- TV

Though it might be that you don't have the last link in the chain to the TV if the TV does not have Freeview. So just add it on as necessary in whichever set-up applies to what you have got.

This set-up gives you the ability to record three separate channels while watching a fourth on the TV.

Many thanks Chris and Nigel for your time and patience

Clearly, old TV aside, my current arrangement works fine and had it not been for the fact my son actually set it up in the first place but is now working abroad, I wouldn't have had to consult you good people.
I don't know anyone near me with the knowledge to tap.

Anyway, thanks Chris for the arrangement layouts. I've copied them carefully and can now see where my son put the leads.
I managed to ease out the PVR & Samsung after much huffing and puffing just to see where everything went.
Of course, it's bloody awkward trying to ascertain this when the leads are mostly black and my TV cabinet is also black!

It looks like I'll be going for a Samsung 40 inch with built-in Freeview HD.
It has no Scart sockets, so for the very first time I'll be using only HDMI cables!
So, goodbye at last to those annoying and bulky Scart leads.

Now I'll have the ability to record if necessary at the same time 3 programmes and also have the option to watch something else via the TV's Freeview tuner.
An unlikely scenario I know, but it's always good to have options as my dear late wife always used to say.

Once again, many thanks from an old fella to you all. I don't know what I'd have done without your advice.

Warmest regards

If you need a SCART then buy something else, it's pretty well only Samsung that have dropped them - Sony's still have one, as do most others.