What connections are used from set top box to TV (such as SCART) ?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV You can use the following ways to connect a set-top box to a TV:
1. SCART on STB to SCART on TV. This provides the best possible connection, with stereo sound and "RGB" highest quality connection;
2. SCART on STB to composite on TV. Older TVs without SCART connections usually have "composite" inputs, usually three "phono" sockets (often red, white and yellow). This offers stereo sound and good picture quality. You will need a special cable from a high-street retailer.
3. UHF ("aerial lead") box to TV. This requires that the STB you choose (all Sky, MOST Freeview) has a UHF output. You will need to "tune" the TV into the box, and you will get OK pictures and only mono sound.
If you are stuck with mono or poor quality sound on the TV, you can still use the SCART output (and the same cable as 2) to a separate amplifier to listen in stereo.
All questions
In this section
Sunday, 8 January 2012
P
polly11:34 AM
if i want to connect my virgin plus box to an lcd tv do i just use the scart or hdmi leads or both?
| link to this comment |
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
V
viv jones4:10 PM
viv jones:
Hi.....you are a Star!....I changed the scart leads into different sockets and that has now sorted problem.....it has not gone into fault since Carry out the Change...Well Done.
The only other issue I have now got to try and overcome is when I called out the Sky Engineer to Check if I had a Problem with the Sky plus Box....He went into the TV menu and tried to Re-tune the TV....not sure exactly what but C37 comes to mind....anyway since then I get a Buzzing noise on the TV especialy Noticable when Bring up the Sky Menu to Change Channels, also the picture is not as sharp as it use to be....I am thinking the sky may not be tuned into the TV properly.....would you have any thoughts on this?
Thanks Again.
Kind Regards
Viv
| link to this comment |
J
jb385:28 PM
viv jones: Well, that has got to be good news, and maybe light at the end of the tunnel! however regarding the buzzing noise referred to there is a couple of things you could try to see if anything changes, first of all though I would like you to check for purposes of determining if the buzz is actually coming from the speakers or from the internals of the set, as larger screen Plasma TV's can unfortunately be notorious for this annoying type of problem (even some of the latest!) so whilst the noise is in evidence press the "mute" button on the Sony's remote control and see if the noise stops.
If it does, then on the Sky boxes remote control press "services - system set up - picture" then look down the list where you should see "contrast", if this is set on high change it to medium or even low, saving the result and observing the level of buzz.
If this makes no appreciable difference, then if you have another scart lead kicking about (preferably of the thicker better screened type) I would like you to change it with the one presently being used from the bottom scart connection on the Sky+ box to the TV, giving an update on results. (don't at this time alter their positions though)
| link to this comment |
V
viv jones6:42 PM
viv jones: Hi,
Many thanks for your Reply, Pressed Mute Button and Buzzing Stops...Noise Definately comming from Speakers, Tried Changing Contrast From Medium to Low...but no Difference.
I will Purchase New Scart Lead Tomorrow and Follow your Last instructions.....Is there a Type of Scart Lead you would Recommend?
Could it be that the Sky is Not tuned in properly to the TV?....as Engineer did adjust certain settings on the install, but I am not sure how to check this?
once again thank you for All your Help in these Matters.
Regards
Viv
| link to this comment |
J
jb388:15 PM
viv jones: No, as you cant really not tune a Sky channel in properly, as its either there or it isn't.
The reason I suggested changing the scart lead is in case there is a bad joint (internally) on one of its earthing pins as that can cause video signal buzz, that being what a video signal sounds like if leaking into an audio connection.
I did also consider the possibility that the TV's scart socket pins could be oxidised which could also cause a bad earth, the way to clean them being to take out the scart plug and give the TV's socket a quick blast of WD40, the DIY spray used on car electrics as well as a multitude of other applications. Matter of fact if you have WD40 around you could maybe try that before purchasing another scart lead.
By the way, I also did consider that the SAT1 problem could well have been caused by this same reason, with the action of changing the scart connections over partially cleaning the socket pins, but that's just a theory!
As far as a new scart lead is concerned, its not necessary to fork out any more than about £6.00 or so for one, as so long as its a thick heavy cable it doesn't matter who makes it as they are basically all the same, but don't entertain these thin cable versions as seen on some market stalls etc, as the screening is no use on these types and which can cause background ghosting etc.
| link to this comment |
J
jb388:23 PM
viv jones: I knew I would forget something! what I also meant to ask is now that you have changed the scart leads over which of the three scart sockets on the TV does the scart lead from the Sky box go into? these being numbered from the left 1 / 2 / 3 when viewed from the rear.
| link to this comment |
V
viv jones9:05 PM
viv jones;
Hi,
Thankyou for the additional advice....Will Give you the answers Tomorrow.
Thanks again.
Viv
| link to this comment |
Thursday, 12 January 2012
V
viv jones9:21 AM
viv jones: Hi,
Many Thanks for your Advice....everything now OK....cleaned Scart Lead Sockets and Buzz has Now Cleared...you certainly Know your Stuff!.
Just a Quick Observation of one previous comment.
My picture has allways suffered from Light Ghosting most Noticable when watching football etc....I have No Trees or obsticles near Dish...so is it your Thoughts I should invest in a New Scart Lead anyway? ( it is Not the Thin Cheap one you would get on a Market Stall)
Many Thanks again for all your Advice.
Thanks
Viv
| link to this comment |
J
jb384:52 PM
viv jones: Excellent news!! as scart sockets as well as plugs on the end of the leads can get oxidised even after a year or so, this whereby they do not connect properly even although they are fully inserted and a blast of electrical cleaner usually always works on them, plugging the scart in and removing it again a couple of times to work the cleaner into the socket, it also works on lots of other video / audio equipment as well, like curing crackly volume controls on amplifiers etc to name another common use for it.
However as far as your picture query is concerned, that effect you get can be quite a commonly seen thing on analogue video signals from a scart socket, but you should check to see what type of video output your Sky box is feeding to the TV, so on the Sky boxes remote control press "services" then 4 - 1 (picture) and look at what is indicated in the box, if its PAL change it to RGB, as if you have the lead from the Sky box plugged into either No1 or 2 input sockets on the TV (first two from LHS when viewed from rear) then that will be the best quality setting.
Just for your info though, if when on the picture settings screen you observe the menu boxes printing whilst you are changing the settings, (PAL to RGB or vice-versa) you should see the a slightly cleaner image on RGB. (if not already on it, and remember to store any changes made)
This said, taking into account you having mentioned that your scart lead isn't one of the thin types I had referred to.
| link to this comment |
Friday, 13 January 2012
V
viv jones11:44 AM
viv jones: Hi,
Thanks for your Reply....I have Checked and System is Set to RGB Not Pal and sky box is plugged into No 1 Socket....so maybe worth investing in a couple of New Scart Leads?
Thanks
Viv
| link to this comment |
Select more comments
Your comment please