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Help needed with hook up advice!


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Old 31-10-2003, 10:32
mjb
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I know this is an often discussed topic, but a search didn't give me the correct info..... I'm just about to plunge into buying the Panasonic HC HT900 home cinema package. It has:

1 scart socket; S-Video out; Component video out; Digital audio in.

I have a Philips w/s with 2 scarts and S-Video in; a video with 2 scarts; Sky + with 2 scarts plus the digital out; and a PS2.

How on earth will I need to connect that lot up?

I've figured the Sky+ digital out goes to the digital in on the DVD, and the S-Video from DVD to TV. Would I not need to use the DVD scart if I keep the set up in a loop as it is at present (tv to video to Sky+ to TV)? And my PS2 is connected via the aerial socket (with a splitter Y cable) into the back of the TV.

Any suggestions / help would be VERY MUCH appreciated
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Old 01-11-2003, 12:56
wicket
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If the best picture you can get from your home cinema kit is s-video then you are best connecting it via the s-video plug on the front of your tv.

I would recommend getting a scart switchable splitter and then also connecting your PS2 via a scart, presuming that your tv can handle RGB signals. There is a dramatic difference between the composite and RGB signals transmitted by the PS2.

There are several threads about scart switchable boxes if you run a search which will help you get the best from your machines.

You would also need to run phono leads from your tv (if it has them) to your home cinema kit (if it takes them), thereby enabling you to obtain Dolby Prologic sound from your existing stereo equipment.
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Old 01-11-2003, 13:51
mjb
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I didn't thinK anyone was going to reply!

Thanks for info on scart switchable socket for PS2. I will definately look into that.

Fortunately my TV does have audio outs and the DVD audio ins, so that'll sort that problem out too.

Re. the TV handling RGB: would I need to consult the TV manual for that answer? I thought a scart was a scart
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Old 01-11-2003, 17:29
wicket
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Usually your remote has a scart input button which goes through the various types of signals it can receive through its scart connectors. Flicking through this RGB is seen in one of the top corners.

Another way to check is to connect your Sky box directly to it and go to the digibox's settings and alter it from PAL to RGB, if you can see a picture your tv supports RGB.

I would have thought your tv would support it, my old, 9 year old Sony one does and the kids Matsui one scart ones do.

Your manual should also list if it does RGB as well.

Scarts connections vary according to different tvs, all scarts offer composite which is a poor quality to the rest, ie s-video and RGB. The majority of tvs have two scarts the first one deals with RGB (has a symbol like a box with three dots in, signifying separate signals for red, green and blue) and the second one handles s-video signals.

You have to be careful with the actual scart leads some are not fully pinned and shielded, so may only offer composite pictures. Most can handle RGB signals, and widescreen switching; they are usually labelled as being RGB compliant. Being shielded is important because it stops one signals from another device leaking to another and causing interference on the picture you are watching.

S-video is generally considered to be not as good as RGB but not far from its quality. It is possible to buy scart leads that have a s-video black plug at one end and a scart at the other but then you would need to know if the scart connector on your tv is able to handle s-video via the scart.
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Old 01-11-2003, 17:39
mjb
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Once again, thank you!

I think I need to check all manuals etc and look at the sockets and then try and decipher the problems

I do know my present scarts are old ones that would have cost something like ten bob

I think it's time to invest in new ones. Any pointers there? That aside, did my suggestion of hook up look correct?

Martin
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