OT Slightly - SCART Digi-box and Scartless TV

Greetings utdtv

I hope this isn't too off topic, but it all erupted when I bought one of
those Argos Wharfdale digi-boxes and subsequently noticed that the
excellent old TV (Alba CTV744) I want to plug it into does not have a
SCART socket, only a blanking plate.
Question is - might it be possible to plumb in a SCART socket, given
that the TV almost has one already?
Any links to the subject would be most welcome too, because I'm not
exactly an expert on the subject ...

Cheers
--
Roger Hunt

Roger Hunt wrote:
Greetings utdtv

I hope this isn't too off topic, but it all erupted when I bought one of
those Argos Wharfdale digi-boxes and subsequently noticed that the
excellent old TV (Alba CTV744) I want to plug it into does not have a
SCART socket, only a blanking plate.
Question is - might it be possible to plumb in a SCART socket, given
that the TV almost has one already?
Any links to the subject would be most welcome too, because I'm not
exactly an expert on the subject ...


Doubt you can add it. The only option would be if the TV
had another input besides the aerial - you could probably
get a lead to connect.

What you really need is a set-top box with a "RF modulator"
- this works like a VCR, sending the selected channel out
onto the aerial lead (as well as the SCART), so you just
need to tune into the extra channel on the TV.

There are not too many of these boxes around and I can't see
one on the Argos web-site. Look for the Humax brand (sold
in Currys, etc), though they're around twice the price. If
you're lucky, you might find an obsolescent model, like one
of the Thomson units, on sale.

Failing that, there's loads on e-Bay e.g.
http://search.ebay.co.uk/thomson-dti2300

Though I expect you could pick up a cheap SCART TV there as
well.

On Wed, 25 Oct 2006, JW typed this :
Roger Hunt wrote:
Greetings utdtv

I hope this isn't too off topic, but it all erupted when I bought one of
those Argos Wharfdale digi-boxes and subsequently noticed that the
excellent old TV (Alba CTV744) I want to plug it into does not have a
SCART socket, only a blanking plate.
Question is - might it be possible to plumb in a SCART socket, given
that the TV almost has one already?
Any links to the subject would be most welcome too, because I'm not
exactly an expert on the subject ...

Doubt you can add it. The only option would be if the TV
had another input besides the aerial - you could probably
get a lead to connect.

What you really need is a set-top box with a "RF modulator"
- this works like a VCR, sending the selected channel out
onto the aerial lead (as well as the SCART), so you just
need to tune into the extra channel on the TV.

There are not too many of these boxes around and I can't see
one on the Argos web-site. Look for the Humax brand (sold
in Currys, etc), though they're around twice the price. If
you're lucky, you might find an obsolescent model, like one
of the Thomson units, on sale.

Thanks - I already have a Daewoo Setpal digibox that does this - it
comes through the aerial socket on analogue Ch66.
The Wharfdale is a recent addition for another room, so I thought I'd
investigate the possibility of a bodge on the old Alba TV before
deciding how to plumb it in, and what to plumb it into.
Failing that, there's loads on e-Bay e.g.
http://search.ebay.co.uk/thomson-dti2300

Though I expect you could pick up a cheap SCART TV there as
well.

Yup - I'll go looking for something basic.

Regards
--
Roger Hunt

"Roger Hunt" wrote in message
...
Greetings utdtv

I hope this isn't too off topic, but it all erupted when I bought one of
those Argos Wharfdale digi-boxes and subsequently noticed that the
excellent old TV (Alba CTV744) I want to plug it into does not have a
SCART socket, only a blanking plate.
Question is - might it be possible to plumb in a SCART socket, given
that the TV almost has one already?
Any links to the subject would be most welcome too, because I'm not
exactly an expert on the subject ...

Cheers
--
Roger Hunt

You could buy a standalone modulator. Do a quick grep through this group's
"back-issues" and you'll find some recommendations.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...10&sour ce=15
is allegably such a device but no recommendations etc. But it sounds like
you already have a box that does this so can't you just swap them?

Paul DS

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006, Paul D.Smith typed this :
"Roger Hunt" wrote in message
...
Greetings utdtv

I hope this isn't too off topic, but it all erupted when I bought one of
those Argos Wharfdale digi-boxes and subsequently noticed that the
excellent old TV (Alba CTV744) I want to plug it into does not have a
SCART socket, only a blanking plate.
Question is - might it be possible to plumb in a SCART socket, given
that the TV almost has one already?
Any links to the subject would be most welcome too, because I'm not
exactly an expert on the subject ...

You could buy a standalone modulator. Do a quick grep through this group's
"back-issues" and you'll find some recommendations.

OK thanks. Will do. It'll be a hobby-ish pursuit that I can do in my own
time, and there is a Maplins fairly close as well (free parking too!).
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...10&sour ce=15
is allegably such a device but no recommendations etc. But it sounds like
you already have a box that does this so can't you just swap them?

Swapping is an option but unplugging and moving stuff gets genuinely
tiresome after a while and an antenna socket broke the other day because
of this (repaired), so I'm still trying marry my pieces of semi-obsolete
receivers with modern technology.
--
Roger Hunt

Swapping is an option but unplugging and moving stuff gets genuinely
tiresome after a while and an antenna socket broke the other day because
of this (repaired), so I'm still trying marry my pieces of semi-obsolete
receivers with modern technology.

I sort of get your point but as a stingey git, the one-off swap around
always works for me ;-).

Paul DS.

On Fri, 27 Oct 2006, Paul D.Smith typed this :
Swapping is an option but unplugging and moving stuff gets genuinely
tiresome after a while and an antenna socket broke the other day because
of this (repaired), so I'm still trying marry my pieces of semi-obsolete
receivers with modern technology.

I sort of get your point but as a stingey git, the one-off swap around
always works for me ;-).

Yeah, but I'm a stingy, lazy old git, and the laziness is winning. :-)
--
Roger Hunt

What you really need is a set-top box with a "RF modulator" - this works
like a VCR, sending the selected channel out onto the aerial lead (as well
as the SCART), so you just need to tune into the extra channel on the TV.

You can use the modulator in a VCR.
connect the STB to the VCR via SCART
and the VCR to the TV with an RF lead
Tune the TV to the VCR's channel and select the
SCART input 'channel' on the VCR.

Also works with CD players that dont have RF, but usually
gives problems with Macrovision protected disks,
this won't be a problem with Freeview.
--

Graham.
%Profound_observation%

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006, Graham typed this :


What you really need is a set-top box with a "RF modulator" - this works
like a VCR, sending the selected channel out onto the aerial lead (as well
as the SCART), so you just need to tune into the extra channel on the TV.

You can use the modulator in a VCR.
connect the STB to the VCR via SCART
and the VCR to the TV with an RF lead
Tune the TV to the VCR's channel and select the
SCART input 'channel' on the VCR.

Thank you very much - that'll do nicely, and will fit with the desired
locations of the various devices concerned.

Cheers!
--
Roger Hunt