Hi all

We have a very old (1983) Toshiba TV, with no input except an ariel socket. The TV is still doing great, however the VCR connected to it has started to chew up tapes.

This is not our main TV set-up (the main one has a freeview box and DVD recorder and VCR), but I want to replace the tape chewing VCR.

The question I have is, is my only option annother VCR which will pass its analog signal to my ancient but trusty TV, or can I buy a VCR/DVD player combi instead giving us greater flexibility ? If so , how would I connect it up? Can I pass an analog signal from a combi to an old non-scart TV (I accept I will not get a digital quality picture without a scart but analog would be OK I think ?). I cannot work out from the product descriptions whether they only have scart output.

Suggestions please ?

Thanks

if the units you are looking at only have scart and your TV doesnt you can buy an RF modulator like on http://www.maplin.co.uk/Home.aspx?AI...SID=ukmaplin3q which will convert a composite scart signal into a signal for input as an arial signal

It wouldn't surprise me if these still had an RF out - do you have one in mind so we can look it up on the net?

Rgds,
Scorp

The vast majority that I have come across do have an RF modulator so just connect it via the aerial socket.

Thanks Scorpio and Astaroth,

I have only just begun to look around, and given that I just want a cheap unit, I wondered if the Funai DBVR610 from argos for £60 was worth a try.
Given that I can't pass a digital signal to the TV I assumed a cheap unit will do the job, and in addition allow us to watch recorded DVDs.

I won't mind too much if a VCR only is the only option tho'.

I have tried to google this product but I didn't seem to find anything that helped. (could just be me being dim!).

Just occurred to me that I have assumed it has a tuner built in. I do think I need that (the old one had). I will look around some more but would welcome any suggestions. Don't want to spend much more than £60 if possible. It only started to chew up tapes yesterday, but given Christmas is looming I would like it replaced ASAP.

Well the Funai website is http://www.funai.de/products/dvd_vcr_combo/indexe.html but I cannot see your particular model there.

given it has a VCR built in I would be surprised if it didnt have either an analogue tuner nor a RF output (but as I say, the second is easy enough fixed as per my original post)

Well, I've decided to just go ahead and buy the Funai (the model number was DBVR6510, apologies for the earlier typo, but it still was not on the funai site).

I have reserved it and will collect on Friday. If it is no good I can always return it!

Thanks for your help, I'll let you know how it goes.

Just a quick note to let anyone who cares know:

Decided against the Funai, as I went and looked at one in Currys and it did not have an ariel out connection at all.

Whilst there I saw a Samsung DVD-V6000 for £79.

Plays DVDs and records/play VCR. tuner built in. had an ariel out. When I questioned the salesman he did a 'sharp intake of breath, can't guarantee you will get any picture at all on your ancient TV' type response, so I said I would take it home, try it and if it did not work I would bring it back!

It does work, amazingly well considering I have no digital quality conecction at all with the TV, easy to set up and use, very pleased. Has given our old TV a new lease of life!

Anyway, thanks to all who answered.

What you could have done is to continue to use your old VCR just as a UHF modulator to convert the SCART input from a new player to RF output.

I hadn't thought of that ! trouble is, that would be one more unit sitting around looking untidy. However, since I havn't actually thrown away the old VCR I might just keep it in case.......

Thanks for the advice.