SCART Multi-Adaptor / STB

Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.

Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to the TV the picture's fine.

Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.

Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?

Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?


Thanks
--
Derek

On 28 Dec, 11:53, DerekBaker wrote:
Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.

Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to the TV the picture's fine.

Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.

Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?

Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?

Thanks

Eeek. How much was that? (reads: Monster - thinks: £££££)
I've seen boxes like this before causing chaos with (for example) PACE
Sky digiboxes. That being said something like the Monster 'should' be
capable of doing a reasonable job. The fact that the DVD only has one
SCART means you're losing out on the benefit of RGB, when plugged in
via the route you suggest.
How about the VCR and DVD into the switch box and then into the STB to
the TV?

Doc

* Dr Hfuhruhurr:
On 28 Dec, 11:53, DerekBaker wrote:
Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.

Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to the TV the picture's fine.

Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.

Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?

Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?

Thanks

Eeek. How much was that? (reads: Monster - thinks: £££££)


£29.99. Thought if I bought cheap I'd have problems!

I've seen boxes like this before causing chaos with (for example) PACE
Sky digiboxes. That being said something like the Monster 'should' be
capable of doing a reasonable job. The fact that the DVD only has one
SCART means you're losing out on the benefit of RGB, when plugged in
via the route you suggest.

Explain?

How about the VCR and DVD into the switch box and then into the STB to
the TV?

Doc

Thanks for the reply.

--
Derek

On 28 Dec, 13:59, DerekBaker wrote:
* Dr Hfuhruhurr:



On 28 Dec, 11:53, DerekBaker wrote:
Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.

Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to the TV the picture's fine.

Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.

Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?

Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?

Thanks

Eeek. How much was that? (reads: Monster - thinks: £££££)

£29.99. Thought if I bought cheap I'd have problems!

I've seen boxes like this before causing chaos with (for example) PACE
Sky digiboxes. That being said something like the Monster 'should' be
capable of doing a reasonable job. The fact that the DVD only has one
SCART means you're losing out on the benefit of RGB, when plugged in
via the route you suggest.

Explain?

Both the STB & the DVD player are capable of transmitting RGB signals
across the SCART connections to the TV. Most TVs with a SCART socket
can make use of the RGB signal and give a better picture quaility
because of it. The VCR will only be able to use Baseband or composite
video. Connecting the DVD THROUGH the VCR will basically reduce the
picture quality of the DVD output to that of the VCR. The STB should
be able to 'pass through' the RGB signal but the VCR won't.

Doing what I suggested below may alleviate that.

Hope this explains somewhat.....

Doc

How about the VCR and DVD into the switch box and then into the STB to
the TV?

Doc

Thanks for the reply.

--
Derek

Did not say if the vcr had a tuner for digital or not, as connection via dtb
would mean no recording from freeview most probably.

I think someone needs to figure out here what video method is in use and
why its being altered or the signal degraded.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff -
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"DerekBaker" wrote in message
...
* Dr Hfuhruhurr:
On 28 Dec, 11:53, DerekBaker wrote:
Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have
the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.

Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark
overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to
the TV the picture's fine.

Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.

Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?

Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have
two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?

Thanks

Eeek. How much was that? (reads: Monster - thinks: £££££)


£29.99. Thought if I bought cheap I'd have problems!

I've seen boxes like this before causing chaos with (for example) PACE
Sky digiboxes. That being said something like the Monster 'should' be
capable of doing a reasonable job. The fact that the DVD only has one
SCART means you're losing out on the benefit of RGB, when plugged in
via the route you suggest.

Explain?

How about the VCR and DVD into the switch box and then into the STB to
the TV?

Doc

Thanks for the reply.

--
Derek

* Brian Gaff:
Did not say if the vcr had a tuner for digital or not, as connection via dtb
would mean no recording from freeview most probably.

I think someone needs to figure out here what video method is in use and
why its being altered or the signal degraded.

Brian


VCR is analogue only.

--
Derek

* Dr Hfuhruhurr:
On 28 Dec, 13:59, DerekBaker wrote:
* Dr Hfuhruhurr:



On 28 Dec, 11:53, DerekBaker wrote:
Just bought a Monster Video 1 SCART Multi-Adaptor(3 in 1) so I can have the Freeview STD, VCR and
DVD connected to my single-SCART TV and auto-switch between them.
Hate the picture from the STB via the adaptor - picture's too dark overall, but some colours are too
bright. The Box and cable are okay - if I plug the box straight in to the TV the picture's fine.
Have tried putting the STB in a different slot on the adaptor.
Is this is this particular adaptor, this design or all of them?
Although the TV and DVD only have one SCART each, the STB and VCR have two each. A possible option
would be DVD- VCR- STB- TV. A better choice?
Thanks
Eeek. How much was that? (reads: Monster - thinks: £££££)
£29.99. Thought if I bought cheap I'd have problems!

I've seen boxes like this before causing chaos with (for example) PACE
Sky digiboxes. That being said something like the Monster 'should' be
capable of doing a reasonable job. The fact that the DVD only has one
SCART means you're losing out on the benefit of RGB, when plugged in
via the route you suggest.
Explain?

Both the STB & the DVD player are capable of transmitting RGB signals
across the SCART connections to the TV. Most TVs with a SCART socket
can make use of the RGB signal and give a better picture quaility
because of it. The VCR will only be able to use Baseband or composite
video. Connecting the DVD THROUGH the VCR will basically reduce the
picture quality of the DVD output to that of the VCR. The STB should
be able to 'pass through' the RGB signal but the VCR won't.

Doing what I suggested below may alleviate that.

Hope this explains somewhat.....

Doc

Thanks for the reply.

Tried what you said. Didn't like the VCR picture that way either.

Decided to forget the adaptor and chain them as I said. DVD picture is acceptable.

How about the VCR and DVD into the switch box and then into the STB to
the TV?
Doc
Thanks for the reply.

--
Derek


Thanks.

--
Derek

The general rule, as far as I am concerned, is that multiple into one
boxes are disconnected as soon as I see them.
I have seen very many cases where the tv has two or even three scart
sockets and people still choose to ignore this and fit a multi-way
box!
The cheapest boxes, without any form of switching just parallel all of
the connections which creates absolute havoc with all of the signals.
There ase even 5 way boxes around which do this!

Obviously there are times when there are few other options.
Before resorting to any type of box, check the following: (sorry if I
state the obvious but I will mention them all)

1) Is there really only one scart on the TV?
2) Are there any additional phono inputs on the back of the tv?
3) Does the tv have any extra phono inputs either behind a flap on the
front or at either side?

In any of these cases feed the DVD into those (its only composite but
it is better than nothing.

Does the Freeview box have one or two scart sockets?
Does the Freeview box have a modulator?
Is the VCR mono or stereo?

Asuming that there are no other inputs on the TV, you now have a few
options....


1) use a manual switch which definitely handles RGB on each input. (I
know the VCR doesnt need it)
This does not allow recording from the Freeview box.

2) And much better;
If the freeview box has two scarts, buy just a two way scart
switch (which must handle RGB switching).
Connect the switch box to the tv and connect scart 1 of the
Freeview box to input 1 on the switch box.
Connect scart 1 of the VCR to the VCR scart on the Freeview box.
(VCR chains through the Freeview box and can record from it)
Connect the DVD player to the second input of the switch.
Switch to A for Freeview and VCR and to B for DVD

3) Not so good, but neater:
If the Freeview box has a modulator and two scart sockets: connect
aerial to Freeview box first, then to VCR and then
to TV..
Tune the TV to accept the VCR on a spare channel number.
Tune the VCR to accept the Freeview box on a spare channel number.
Connect the DVD player to the second scart on the Freeview box. A
few Freeview boxes even pass RGB from scart 2
out of scart 1, but dont bank on it.
The Freeview and the DVD now both feed the tv via scart but the
VCR only records and plays via RF.
Given the qualityof VCR recording and playback this is often fine
as long as you choose the RF channels carefully to
avoid patterning but the VCR sound will only be in mono. Clearly
this won't matter if it is only a mono VCR anyway!

Its a bit like Suduku really.