Scart to Coaxial TV input

[Brownlow]

I've just bought a DVD recorder, which I can't tune it in to my TV, because it only has an aerial input. Apparently, DVD has to be connected via a Scart lead. I've looked on the Internet for something to connect the aerial, and the Scart, to my TV, but I'm looking at �30, or more, to do this. Does anyone know of a cheaper, but efficient, method of doing the job? I've read an earlier reply, suggesting that the DVD can be plugged into the VCR, but this doesn't help me, as the DVD is to replace my VCR. I have a Freeview box, and a cable box, both of which have Scart inputs, but I want the DVD recorder to be at the TV end of the set-up; ie the last in the chain, so that I can record from the aerial, Freeview box or cable box.

[parkesquay]

I find it hard to believe that you don't have an RF OUT socket on your DVDR as well as an RF IN. It is not necessary to have a scart connector.
Please confirm that you have:

1. Connected the aerial to RF IN(Aerial input) and

2. RF OUT(Aerial output) to the TV ste's Aerial in connector.

If you have done this and then switched everything on the DVDR should go into Auto-Setup.

If this doesn't work then you have a faulty DVDR(probably)

[Postdog]

And shouldn't the tv be the LAST link in the chain? ie, cable to dvdr to TV.

[Buenchico]

Some TV sets have an AV input (with phono plugs). If yours has, you can use this input. All you need is a Scart-to-AV lead. These are expensive (�19.99) in places like Curry's but cheap (�1.97) at Tesco Extra.

Unlike Parkesquay, I'm not surprised that your DVDR doesn't have an RF modulator. Very few video recorders (either VHS or DVD) or Freeview boxes include this facility. (Most devices have an 'RF out' socket but this usually only provides 'loopthrough' for the aerial signal).

If you can't use the AV sockets, then you'll have no choice other than to buy a stand-alone RF modulator and, as you've found, these usually cost a minimum of �30. Otherwise, it might be time to consider buying a new TV.

Chris

[parkesquay]

Not quite sure what I missed Postdog but I hoped that it was clear that the RF IN/OUT I was referring to were on the DVDR. Thus AE to DVDR RF/IN and DVDR RF OUT to the AE input on the TV.

[Buenchico]

PS: You can buy a suitable modulator for �14.75 (+ �3.49 p&p) from this eBay trader. (99.9% positive feedback from 4097 transactions so he should be OK to buy from).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/No-Scart-to-Coax-Aerial- converter-RF-modulator-DVD-TV_W0QQitemZ2800139 52325QQihZ018QQcategoryZ15067QQssPageNameZWDVW QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Chris

[netibiza]

Totally agree with buenchico I even had to buy a new tv set as my old one didn't have a scart connection and there was no way I could connect my dvd player without one. I tried everywhere, I asked on here, but it wasn't possible. Even dvd to video (scart) and video to tv (coaxial) didn' t work. I have 3 dvd players and they only have a scart plug and nothing else.

[parkesquay]

Funnily enough Chris I was going to suggest the same as you the it would be almost as cheap to purchase a more up-to-date TV than add-ons.
However my Panasonic DVDR quite clearly allows one to use coax cable inputs/outputs and thus goes on to mention Auto setup. If it autoset-ups from the coax input it must therefore record what has been set-up.

[parkesquay]

Netibiza - Brownlow clearly states that he has a DVD Recorder and not just a player.

[Buenchico]

For Parkesquay:

All DVDRs will accept an RF In signal and provide an auto-tune facility to properly receive this signal. The tuner converts the RF signal to AV format which is passed to the recording section. (Other signals entering the DVDR, either via AV lead or a Scart lead, are already in AV format). When the disc is played back, the signal is once again in AV format. The usual way to pass this forward to the next device in the chain (in this case the TV) is to simply keep the signal in AV format and pass it through either a Scart or AV lead.

If the signal has to passed to the TV via its aerial socket, the DVDR will have to include an RF modulator (which adds to the cost of the product) to convert AV to RF. This then goes along a fly-lead to the TV's aerial socket, where the TV's tuner circuit once again converts the signal back to AV. (This two-stage conversion also degrades the signal). So, in most cases, the manufacturers of DVDRs (and other devices, like Freeview boxes) don't bother providing an RF modulator because this would increase the sale price of the recorder and because most TVs have got Scart sockets
anyway.

You correctly observe that most (probably all) DVDRs have got an RF Out socket but this does not receive a signal from the DVD through a modulator. In most cases, the RF Out socket is connected directly to the RF In socket. (i.e. all that comes out of the 'Out' socket is the same aerial signal which was fed into the recorder). This permits the owner of the TV to receive a direct RF signal (just as if the aerial was plugged directly into the TV) but it doesn't let them receive the signal from the DVD unless they also use a Scart lead (which, in Brownlow's case, is impossible).

Chris

[Brownlow]

Thanks everyone for your input. My TV is on my computer and, as I say, only has an RF input. It is a fact that the DVD signal does not use an RF connection, this simply routes the aerial through to the next unit, which is why I asked my question. What I need to know is, if I plug the Scart, from the DVD recorder, into the Freeview box, will I still be able to record from it and the digital box? And, will I be able separate the two signals (Freeview and DVD) on set-up?

[Buenchico]

What you suggest will probably work. It's difficult to say for certain because some devices have Scart sockets which are wired for 2-way communication whereas others have sockets which are specifically wired only for input or output. The simplest thing to do would be to try it.

Assuming that this works, you shouldn't have any problem separating the signals. When your DVDR records analogue transmissions received via the aerial, you'll set it up to record 'Channel 1', 'Channel 2', etc. When you record digital signals, you'll set the DVDR to record 'AV'. (The actual channel selection will be done with your Freeview box).

Try it and see!

Chris

[Brownlow]

I think I understand that and will give it a go. These things are always easier understood when actually being performed. The reason that I hadn't already set it up is that I'd taken one back because it 'wasn't working'. Nobody has ever suggested to me that DVD signals aren't sent via the RF output. There was a small note, in the booklet for this recorder, under the picture of the machine, which did say that, but it isn't mentioned anywhere else in the booklet. I think that is pretty remiss of the producers of these units. Perhaps, they assume that everyone has up to date TVs. Well, mine is newish, but being on the computer means that it it hasn't got a Scart socket. Oh, well...wish me luck!