Connecting DVD, VCR, SKY to TV

whitey012001 · 13-02-2003, 20:41

Hi I have a TV with 2 scart sockets and a DVD player VCR and Satelite decoder which I would like to connect them all to it. At the moment My Sky is connected to My TV and Video via scart lead and my VCR and DVD share the other scart lead on my TV.

If I want to watch DVD I have to reach around the back of the TV to remove the VCR scart lead and plugin the DVD scart lead.

Is there away of having all this equipment connected without having to buy a switching box and so when I play a Video or Play A DVD the TV switches to that picture?

I have tried a switching box but the picture quality was terrible. I have thought about buying a Home Cinema kit and use that to as a switch but it's a bit expensive, and the wife won't let me!!.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Neil

whitey012001 · 13-02-2003, 20:48

Sorry I should have also have said...

My DVD player has only 1 Scart socket, My VCR has 2 scart sockets. My SKY box has 2 scart sockets and my TV has 2 scart sockets

bowler · 13-02-2003, 20:54

Was your switching box RGB compatible?

It would make a difference.

Kevo · 14-02-2003, 00:36

Get the one from Argos, £9.75 and RGB compatable..

wicket · 14-02-2003, 14:31

It is possible to connect them all to the tv as you ask.

If you connect your vcr and Sky together then a scart from the vcr to your tv's scart.

Your DVD player then can go into the other scart.

I presume you only have one RGB scart which is usually the first one so you would have to decide whether you want the DVD or Sky connected to this one to get the better picture.

Buying a scart box as suggested would mean you would be able to enjoy the RGB pictures from both Sky and your DVD player, though you would still have to manually switch which input you wanted.

whitey012001 · 15-02-2003, 10:05

I'm a little unsure how it would work if I was to go put the SKY into the VCR and and VCR into the TV.

If I was to do this and was watching Terrestrrial TV with my VCR turned OFF, and I turned my SKY box on would the TV automatcially switch to view it???

I have tried the Swicthing box from Argos, but it was a few years ago. So I'm not sure if it is RGB compatible.

davidhunter · 15-02-2003, 12:40

I used to use a switching box from Maplins cost around £25 still have it not using it anymore. It is internally wired for RGB throughput you can also take an audio signal out of it. The only draw back is that you have to go over and press a button on the front when you want to change from SKY, DVD or VCR. THe picture quality from it was very good. I used to have one of these 5 scart trailer leads and like you say the picture was awful, you also had to turn off each piece of equipment as you watched from another.

couleddie · 15-02-2003, 19:21

Check the scart sockets on the back of your VCR. One will be an input/output and the other just an output (little pictures of TVs with arrows going in or out will be next to them). Connect the Scart from the Sky box to the input/output and then run another scart from the output only of the VCR to the TV. Then your Sky will work through the scart and when you want to watch the VCR just press play and it will automatically override Sky. Also, you will be able to record from Sky using your Line 1 channel on the VCR for a lot better picture.

Confusing I know but it does work. You just have to remember to stop the VCR when you want to watch Sky again.

And remember to set the AV channel for your DVD to RGB.

Kevo · 16-02-2003, 01:18

You could always get an auto scart switch like the B-Tech Quintro. Accepts 5 scart inputs, RGB compatible, remote controlled etc

Just bought one, at a price £70 inc del

, but well worth it...

www.beyondhifi.net

wicket · 16-02-2003, 11:45

In answer to your question whitey...

The tv will not automatically switch to the av SKY input using this method. My tv allows me to have the scart inputs displayed on a programme number so I have the AV 2 inputs displayed on the tv's programme 6. The video signal overrides Sky so if you are taping it is only possible to watch Sky via its RF signal which I have tuned into programme channel 7.

Orbitalzone · 16-02-2003, 16:36

My setup sounds similar to yours... now this method works assuming your DVD outputs RGB and also your VCR must allow RGB loopthrough (You may not know this without trying it)

I connect mine as follows:

DVD scart 1into VCR scart 2
VCR scart 1 into Sky digibox's VCR scart
SKY digibox TV scart into TV scart 1

Now, if I turn on Sky, the TV auto selects AV1 with RGB picture, if I use the video (play or menus) it overrides Sky and is displayed on TV. If I turn on the DVD player it overrides whatever was last being used.

Dasiy chaining the equipment like this doesn't lower the quality (maybe very slightly) generally speaking. It is essential to use fully screened scart cables throughout. Short qulaity ones are available from about £8.

This method may not be suitable if your DVD player only outputs in SVideo / Composite. This method may also not work depending on your VCR.

I have a Sony DVD, Panasonic VCR, Pace digibox and a Sony TV

whitey012001 · 17-02-2003, 19:55

Many thanks all.

I will try it all when Eastenders or Corronation Street isn't on!

dillon · 04-03-2003, 09:38

I have the same set up but have the portable sony DVD player so I connect the DVD player into the S-VHS connection in the front of the TV.
My real question is how can I start a new thread on connecting my Sony Minidisc recorder into my computer so I can record radio programs - either live or the one weeks' repeats that are streamed.
Can I just plug the speaker output from the computer into the miniisc digital input???

wicket · 04-03-2003, 09:58

Dillon, to start a new thread you just go to the forum you are interested in and click on the box marked 'new thread' on the right hand side of the screen.

To record on a mini disc you could just connect via the head phones out put on the computer. My lad has done this and I don't think he noticed any lack of quality.

km282 · 07-03-2003, 18:46

Help! This is a brilliant forum but I can't see what to do as my VCR has only one SCART - can I split it like you would an ordinary socket?

Currently I have everything - TV/Sky digibox, DVD and VCR all working except that the VCR will only record terrestrial channels, not Sky.

These are the connections:

- TV AV1 Scart to Sky digibox (TV Scart)
- Sky digibox VCR Scart to VCR
- TV AV2 Scart to DVD

I can record and playback Channels 1-4, but not Channel 6 (Sky channels). Can anybody help? I don't really know what RGB means or switch-boxes, but want to learn! Many thanks for any advice you can give.

davidhunter · 08-03-2003, 02:22

km282,
Sounds like, well if I am reading this right after a few beers tonight that you are watching your VCR through a normal coaxial (RF) cable ie standard aerial sort of connection. If you cannot record sky on your VCR have you changed the input on your VCR to either AV input or input 1 ie not terrestrial channels 1-5. Try and search on your VCR to see if there is an AV or SCART or SAT input that you can select on your VCR remote. That way you will get the signal from your sky box and from your VCR by coaxial to your TV.

Do you have a NICAM ie stereo TV ? if so then using the conections the way I think you are using them you are not getting any stereo sound, is your VCR stereo ie NICAM as its normally called?

Anyway hope this helps F1's on so away to have another beer.

Another option is to get a switching box a device which allows you to connect all scarts into the box from your components and has one output scart that goes to the TV. Some are automatic some have manual switches (which I have) and some are a trailer lead kind of device (steer clear of the quality is crap)

Davy

km282 · 08-03-2003, 14:25

Thank you Davy for such a prompt reply! I will try it all when no-one's watching, probably when the kids are back at school...

The TV is new and NICAM but the VCR is a bog-standard supermarket cheapy so probably not stereo. Will try what you say and also look into switching boxes.

Thanks again, Kay

Predat0r · 10-03-2003, 17:10

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevo
You could always get an auto scart switch like the B-Tech Quintro. Accepts 5 scart inputs, RGB compatible, remote controlled etc

Just bought one, at a price £70 inc del , but well worth it...

www.beyondhifi.net

Well I'll be damned, I have been looking for a good quality silver scart switch for ages.

Thankyou Kevo

Kevo, can you confirm that it is silver like it says as the picture appears to be one in black or am I just colour blind?

Also when you say "auto" does that mean that it automatically switches to a new signal if it picks one up, e.g. watching say Sky through it, then turn say the PS2 on and the box switches to the PS2 etc.?

Last edited by Predat0r : 10-03-2003 at 17:35.

russlock · 12-04-2003, 15:04

I hope someone can help me as i am getting nowhere and have just spent 2 hours fiddling around.

my problem is this.

tv has 1 scart input
dvd has 1 scart output
sky has 2 scart output
vcr has 1 input & 1 input/output

my connection is like this

dvd out - vcr in
sky out 1 - vcr in
sky out 2 - tv

my problem is a lot of my films won't play properly because of the macrovision and there is no hack on the net yet for my player.

any help as it's doing my head in.

wicket · 13-04-2003, 09:20

Why don't you just get a scart switcher unit and plug the scarts in there. Kevo recommended a cheap unit from Argos ages ago which retails for £10. Just make sure it is the switcher unit and not the extension one. I bought the extension one and ended up with loads of interference.

russlock · 13-04-2003, 10:01

thanks, for that; just got back from asda and saw one there so i bought it, but when watching one of the channels, ie dvd; i seem to be getting a ghostly image from the other plugged in scart; ie the sky channel; any idea how to fix it ?
the unit is good fpr rgb.

wicket · 13-04-2003, 10:11

It sounds like you have bought the extension scart unit and not a switcher unit. I had a lot of interference on the extension unit too ended up not using it and daisy chaining the equipment. If it is a switcher unit there should be some manual buttons to press to change the input to the tv.

It is possible the interference is coming from unshielded scart cables which would mean changing them for better ones. You would probably be best taking in back to Asda if it is the extension type and nipping over to Teesside Park's Argos and getting the switcher unit. With people already recommending this I am presuming that there is no interference with this unit.

russlock · 13-04-2003, 10:19

it is the switcher unit as it is exactly the same as the image on the argos website.
it has 3 inputs and input 2 & 3 should be used for RGB.
on the front it has 3 press buttons, which you obviously press depending on which one you want to watch.

wicket · 13-04-2003, 10:33

The only thing I can suggest is the cabling needs to be shielded, have you got good quality cables?

russlock · 13-04-2003, 11:38

not sure of the quality as they are the ones that came with the sky system.

13-02-2003, 20:41	#1
whitey012001 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 50	Connecting DVD, VCR, SKY to TV Hi I have a TV with 2 scart sockets and a DVD player VCR and Satelite decoder which I would like to connect them all to it. At the moment My Sky is connected to My TV and Video via scart lead and my VCR and DVD share the other scart lead on my TV. If I want to watch DVD I have to reach around the back of the TV to remove the VCR scart lead and plugin the DVD scart lead. Is there away of having all this equipment connected without having to buy a switching box and so when I play a Video or Play A DVD the TV switches to that picture? I have tried a switching box but the picture quality was terrible. I have thought about buying a Home Cinema kit and use that to as a switch but it's a bit expensive, and the wife won't let me!!. Any help greatly appreciated. Neil

13-02-2003, 20:48	#2
whitey012001 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 50	Forgot Sorry I should have also have said... My DVD player has only 1 Scart socket, My VCR has 2 scart sockets. My SKY box has 2 scart sockets and my TV has 2 scart sockets

04-03-2003, 09:38	#13
dillon Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 3	Minidisc to computer connection I have the same set up but have the portable sony DVD player so I connect the DVD player into the S-VHS connection in the front of the TV. My real question is how can I start a new thread on connecting my Sony Minidisc recorder into my computer so I can record radio programs - either live or the one weeks' repeats that are streamed. Can I just plug the speaker output from the computer into the miniisc digital input???

07-03-2003, 18:46	#15
km282 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2	VCR has only one Scart... Help! This is a brilliant forum but I can't see what to do as my VCR has only one SCART - can I split it like you would an ordinary socket? Currently I have everything - TV/Sky digibox, DVD and VCR all working except that the VCR will only record terrestrial channels, not Sky. These are the connections: - TV AV1 Scart to Sky digibox (TV Scart) - Sky digibox VCR Scart to VCR - TV AV2 Scart to DVD I can record and playback Channels 1-4, but not Channel 6 (Sky channels). Can anybody help? I don't really know what RGB means or switch-boxes, but want to learn! Many thanks for any advice you can give.

12-04-2003, 15:04	#19
russlock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 14	help required - connecting kit I hope someone can help me as i am getting nowhere and have just spent 2 hours fiddling around. my problem is this. tv has 1 scart input dvd has 1 scart output sky has 2 scart output vcr has 1 input & 1 input/output my connection is like this dvd out - vcr in sky out 1 - vcr in sky out 2 - tv my problem is a lot of my films won't play properly because of the macrovision and there is no hack on the net yet for my player. any help as it's doing my head in.

13-02-2003, 20:54	#3
bowler Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 113	Was your switching box RGB compatible? It would make a difference.

14-02-2003, 00:36	#4
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	Get the one from Argos, £9.75 and RGB compatable..

14-02-2003, 14:31	#5
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	It is possible to connect them all to the tv as you ask. If you connect your vcr and Sky together then a scart from the vcr to your tv's scart. Your DVD player then can go into the other scart. I presume you only have one RGB scart which is usually the first one so you would have to decide whether you want the DVD or Sky connected to this one to get the better picture. Buying a scart box as suggested would mean you would be able to enjoy the RGB pictures from both Sky and your DVD player, though you would still have to manually switch which input you wanted.

15-02-2003, 10:05	#6
whitey012001 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 50	I'm a little unsure how it would work if I was to go put the SKY into the VCR and and VCR into the TV. If I was to do this and was watching Terrestrrial TV with my VCR turned OFF, and I turned my SKY box on would the TV automatcially switch to view it??? I have tried the Swicthing box from Argos, but it was a few years ago. So I'm not sure if it is RGB compatible.

15-02-2003, 12:40	#7
davidhunter Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glasgow Scotland Posts: 36	I used to use a switching box from Maplins cost around £25 still have it not using it anymore. It is internally wired for RGB throughput you can also take an audio signal out of it. The only draw back is that you have to go over and press a button on the front when you want to change from SKY, DVD or VCR. THe picture quality from it was very good. I used to have one of these 5 scart trailer leads and like you say the picture was awful, you also had to turn off each piece of equipment as you watched from another.

15-02-2003, 19:21	#8
couleddie Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: East Yorkshire Posts: 641	Check the scart sockets on the back of your VCR. One will be an input/output and the other just an output (little pictures of TVs with arrows going in or out will be next to them). Connect the Scart from the Sky box to the input/output and then run another scart from the output only of the VCR to the TV. Then your Sky will work through the scart and when you want to watch the VCR just press play and it will automatically override Sky. Also, you will be able to record from Sky using your Line 1 channel on the VCR for a lot better picture. Confusing I know but it does work. You just have to remember to stop the VCR when you want to watch Sky again. And remember to set the AV channel for your DVD to RGB.

16-02-2003, 01:18	#9
Kevo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Manchester Posts: 925	You could always get an auto scart switch like the B-Tech Quintro. Accepts 5 scart inputs, RGB compatible, remote controlled etc Just bought one, at a price £70 inc del , but well worth it... www.beyondhifi.net

16-02-2003, 11:45	#10
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	In answer to your question whitey... The tv will not automatically switch to the av SKY input using this method. My tv allows me to have the scart inputs displayed on a programme number so I have the AV 2 inputs displayed on the tv's programme 6. The video signal overrides Sky so if you are taping it is only possible to watch Sky via its RF signal which I have tuned into programme channel 7.

16-02-2003, 16:36	#11
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	My setup sounds similar to yours... now this method works assuming your DVD outputs RGB and also your VCR must allow RGB loopthrough (You may not know this without trying it) I connect mine as follows: DVD scart 1into VCR scart 2 VCR scart 1 into Sky digibox's VCR scart SKY digibox TV scart into TV scart 1 Now, if I turn on Sky, the TV auto selects AV1 with RGB picture, if I use the video (play or menus) it overrides Sky and is displayed on TV. If I turn on the DVD player it overrides whatever was last being used. Dasiy chaining the equipment like this doesn't lower the quality (maybe very slightly) generally speaking. It is essential to use fully screened scart cables throughout. Short qulaity ones are available from about £8. This method may not be suitable if your DVD player only outputs in SVideo / Composite. This method may also not work depending on your VCR. I have a Sony DVD, Panasonic VCR, Pace digibox and a Sony TV

17-02-2003, 19:55	#12
whitey012001 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: UK Posts: 50	Many thanks all. I will try it all when Eastenders or Corronation Street isn't on!

04-03-2003, 09:58	#14
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Dillon, to start a new thread you just go to the forum you are interested in and click on the box marked 'new thread' on the right hand side of the screen. To record on a mini disc you could just connect via the head phones out put on the computer. My lad has done this and I don't think he noticed any lack of quality.

08-03-2003, 02:22	#16
davidhunter Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glasgow Scotland Posts: 36	km282, Sounds like, well if I am reading this right after a few beers tonight that you are watching your VCR through a normal coaxial (RF) cable ie standard aerial sort of connection. If you cannot record sky on your VCR have you changed the input on your VCR to either AV input or input 1 ie not terrestrial channels 1-5. Try and search on your VCR to see if there is an AV or SCART or SAT input that you can select on your VCR remote. That way you will get the signal from your sky box and from your VCR by coaxial to your TV. Do you have a NICAM ie stereo TV ? if so then using the conections the way I think you are using them you are not getting any stereo sound, is your VCR stereo ie NICAM as its normally called? Anyway hope this helps F1's on so away to have another beer. Another option is to get a switching box a device which allows you to connect all scarts into the box from your components and has one output scart that goes to the TV. Some are automatic some have manual switches (which I have) and some are a trailer lead kind of device (steer clear of the quality is crap) Davy

08-03-2003, 14:25	#17
km282 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2	Thank you Davy for such a prompt reply! I will try it all when no-one's watching, probably when the kids are back at school... The TV is new and NICAM but the VCR is a bog-standard supermarket cheapy so probably not stereo. Will try what you say and also look into switching boxes. Thanks again, Kay

10-03-2003, 17:10	#18
Predat0r Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: UK Posts: 35	Quote: Originally posted by Kevo You could always get an auto scart switch like the B-Tech Quintro. Accepts 5 scart inputs, RGB compatible, remote controlled etc Just bought one, at a price £70 inc del , but well worth it... www.beyondhifi.net Well I'll be damned, I have been looking for a good quality silver scart switch for ages. Thankyou Kevo Kevo, can you confirm that it is silver like it says as the picture appears to be one in black or am I just colour blind? Also when you say "auto" does that mean that it automatically switches to a new signal if it picks one up, e.g. watching say Sky through it, then turn say the PS2 on and the box switches to the PS2 etc.? Last edited by Predat0r : 10-03-2003 at 17:35.

13-04-2003, 09:20	#20
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	Why don't you just get a scart switcher unit and plug the scarts in there. Kevo recommended a cheap unit from Argos ages ago which retails for £10. Just make sure it is the switcher unit and not the extension one. I bought the extension one and ended up with loads of interference.

13-04-2003, 10:01	#21
russlock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 14	switcher unit thanks, for that; just got back from asda and saw one there so i bought it, but when watching one of the channels, ie dvd; i seem to be getting a ghostly image from the other plugged in scart; ie the sky channel; any idea how to fix it ? the unit is good fpr rgb.

13-04-2003, 10:11	#22
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	It sounds like you have bought the extension scart unit and not a switcher unit. I had a lot of interference on the extension unit too ended up not using it and daisy chaining the equipment. If it is a switcher unit there should be some manual buttons to press to change the input to the tv. It is possible the interference is coming from unshielded scart cables which would mean changing them for better ones. You would probably be best taking in back to Asda if it is the extension type and nipping over to Teesside Park's Argos and getting the switcher unit. With people already recommending this I am presuming that there is no interference with this unit.

13-04-2003, 10:19	#23
russlock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 14	switcher unit it is the switcher unit as it is exactly the same as the image on the argos website. it has 3 inputs and input 2 & 3 should be used for RGB. on the front it has 3 press buttons, which you obviously press depending on which one you want to watch.

13-04-2003, 10:33	#24
wicket Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: NE England Posts: 3,096	The only thing I can suggest is the cabling needs to be shielded, have you got good quality cables?

13-04-2003, 11:38	#25
russlock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: middlesbrough Posts: 14	scart cables not sure of the quality as they are the ones that came with the sky system.

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Connecting DVD, VCR, SKY to TV