H D M I Cable linking VCR to new TV

[STEVIEBOY1]

I may have to get a new TV set, my TV which is over 20 years seems to be on it's last legs, picture going yellow.

I use the TV with a freeview Diggi box and VCR Video Cassette Recorder which I find alot easier than recording onto DVDS.

I know new TVs come with Digital Freeview included, so I won't need to use the Diggi box when just watching the new TV, but will I still be able to use the VCR with the New TV?. At the moment the Aerial from the roof goes into the Diggi box which is then connected to the VCR by another coaxial aerial connection and Scart Lead, and then VCR is then connected to the TV again by the coaxial aerial connection and Scart Lead. However the new TVs don't seem to have Scart connection points, but just the aerial socket.

I have asked in the shops, but they don't seem to be sure if it would still work. They mention using a HDMi lead, which the new TVs seems to have, but the VCR does not. I was wondering if it would be ok just to use the aerial connections and the Diggi box for the VCR.

Many Thanks.

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yes you could, also there are still plenty of current range TVs that have analogue Euro/Scart sockets fitted and also the option of a composite (video only) input too, take a look at the Panasonic Viera range for starters, you won't go wrong there.

(Example Model: Panasonic TX-40DS500DS Smart tv)

 

[Nym]

A lot of new TVs will also output via SCART. So if the VCR has bidirectional port, you can record / play via it

 

[Andyjs247]

No. You will need to get a scart to HDMI converter plus an HDMI lead. From about £20 if you look on somewhere like Amazon. This will convert the analogue picture from your VCR and upscale it to 1080 pixels for the digital HDMI on your new TV.

 

[Johnuk123]

VCR ! no one surely still uses one of them, they're up there with Kojak and bell bottoms.

 

[AM9]

A lot of new TVs will also output via SCART. So if the VCR has bidirectional port, you can record / play via it

I think you will find that most TVs now will not output video at all. For most of this years models the sole use for a scart is an input form an analogue port on a DVD player or VCR.
If there is a wish to record TV on a VCR or DVD recorder, then if they don't themselves have DVB-T tuners, the only solution is to get a set-top-box. There are still a few available for under £30. There's no point in getting a DVB-T2 to record HDTV as none of them will allow recording of HD channels' output from an HDMI port. *

*Well that's not quite true but for the purposes of this discussion it should be assumed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No. You will need to get a scart to HDMI converter plus an HDMI lead. From about £20 if you look on somewhere like Amazon. This will convert the analogue picture from your VCR and upscale it to 1080 pixels for the digital HDMI on your new TV.

Don't bother about the upscaling, the TV will do a better job than any £20 gadget.

 

[Ash Bridge]

I think you will find that most TVs now will not output video at all. For most of this years models the sole use for a scart is an input form an analogue port on a DVD player or VCR.
If there is a wish to record TV on a VCR or DVD recorder, then if they don't themselves have DVB-T tuners, the only solution is to get a set-top-box. There are still a few available for under £30. There's no point in getting a DVB-T2 to record HDTV as none of them will allow recording of HD channels' output from an HDMI port. *

*Well that's not quite true but for the purposes of this discussion it should be assumed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Don't bother about the upscaling, the TV will do a better job than any £20 gadget.

As the OP currently owns a set top box he can continue to use this for the purpose of making SD broadcast recordings on his VCR as he does currently, I agree the Scart to HDMI converter is not necessary and like you say the upscaling provided by this will be of very dubious quality next to what a decent TV can achieve.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

If your only need of a VCR is to record TV programs to watch later, when depending on your available budget go for something along the lines of:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-...?s=home-theater&ie=UTF8&qid=1476613649&sr=1-3

 

[dosxuk]

While Scart inputs are disappearing, many tv's still have a composite/left/right input on phono's, which is exactly what you'd get through the scart connector anyway*. Adaptor cables between scart and phono are readily and cheaply available.

* Yes, scart also supported s-video connections, but the resolution / encoding of VHS means you're not really missing any quality by only using the composite connection.

 

[Mag_seven]

VCR ! no one surely still uses one of them, they're up there with Kojak and bell bottoms.

I still have one for the substantial collection of tapes I have - why should I dump these tapes and buy DVD's of the same thing!

 

[Nym]

I think you will find that most TVs now will not output video at all. For most of this years models the sole use for a scart is an input form an analogue port on a DVD player or VCR.
If there is a wish to record TV on a VCR or DVD recorder, then if they don't themselves have DVB-T tuners, the only solution is to get a set-top-box. There are still a few available for under £30. There's no point in getting a DVB-T2 to record HDTV as none of them will allow recording of HD channels' output from an HDMI port. *

You'll find that all LG TVs that are SCART equipped, are bi-directional when using internal tuners.

 

[Darandio]

I think what really needs to be established is what the OP really needs the VCR for. Does he really need it for recording TV, if he is buying a new TV, there isn't any reason for this now. If it is just to play the old tapes, simply buy a Freeview HD TV with a scart socket for the VCR and record direct from the TV to a USB stick.

What price range can the OP afford? What size TV does he want/need?

For starters, here is a 32" one under £200. http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5443332.htm#pdpFullDesc

Scart socket for his VCR playback with no arsing around. USB slot with recording enabled, simply record to a USB stick or external hard drive. It's also a Smart TV, meaning you can connect the TV directly to the internet for catch up services such as BBC IPlayer.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

If it's to play old tapes and it's just a handful it might be worth looking into the cost of transferring them to DVD

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Thank you for the replies and information. I knew I would get better info here than I was getting in some of the shops who said that no new TVs don't have Scart, it seems from here that they do and I shall look into that. It does seem do-able. Yes I do already have a set top diggi box so I would leave that connected to the VCR as I do already now.

I have a large collection of VCRs and find using them easier than DVDs, especially when zapping through the advert breaks on a number of programmes / films I have recorded. I did not realise that you can record from a new diggi TV onto a USB and resumably play that back on the TV.

 

[dgl]

ALL new TV's I've seen have Scart sockets and I'm usually concerned with the lowest end Vestel and cello models. All new TV's I have set up also seem to have analogue tuners as well and I would have thought that would be the first thing to go.

As for recording these are pretty cheap refurbished recorders, with the last software update work flawlessly and support HD (and yes they are slim, ~1.5-2cm thick! and can even be mounted on the back of the TV).

 

[DarloRich]

what is a VCR? Is that an old sky box?

( i should point out i don't even own a TV so can add much to the debate!)

 

[Peter Mugridge]

All new TV's I have set up also seem to have analogue tuners as well and I would have thought that would be the first thing to go.

Isn't that because some countries still use analogue TV so they fit them with both systems in order to have a standardised production for anywhere in the World?

 

[AM9]

ALL new TV's I've seen have Scart sockets and I'm usually concerned with the lowest end Vestel and cello models. All new TV's I have set up also seem to have analogue tuners as well and I would have thought that would be the first thing to go.

No not really, analogue channels, whilst in rapid decline will still be needed in some European countries for a few years and the tuners modules are compatible with both anyway, the function being firmware selectable. SCARTs on the other hand are the last vestige of bi-directional analogue interconnections and they are large, cumbersome and most importantly only relevant in the european market. The latest sets, (i.e. not two-year old chassis with 2016 trim on the case, all have HDMI inputs, with a concession to analogue source interconnections via phono sockets. They might offer component as well as CVBS, as that is compatible with the far-east and the US/Canada market, but SCART has been dead on the new mainboards for two or three years.[/QUOTE]

As for recording these are pretty cheap refurbished recorders, with the last software update work flawlessly and support HD (and yes they are slim, ~1.5-2cm thick! and can even be mounted on the back of the TV).

But the OP already has a Set Top Box with SCART(s) from which he can record SD TV on the VCR. He can play recordings through any available analogue port on a new TV, SCART or CVBS phono, the STB only now required for recording as the new TV would have at least DVB-T and maybe T2. If he goes slightly above the base models, he can as has been said, plug in a USB stick or a cheap portable HDD.

 

[ac6000cw]

I have a large collection of VCRs and find using them easier than DVDs, especially when zapping through the advert breaks on a number of programmes / films I have recorded. I did not realise that you can record from a new diggi TV onto a USB and resumably play that back on the TV.

As dgl suggested, if your primary interest/need is 'timeshifting' (recording then eventually discarding TV programmes), just get a simple Freeview+ digital recorder. They mostly have two tuners (to allow recording of multiple programmes transmitted at the same time), very simple to set up recordings from the EPG, have 'series' recording (so you just tell it to record all episodes of a series that are transmitted), automatic 'tracking' of programmes so if one is re-scheduled it will still be recorded. Instant access to recordings, very fast skipping through them e.g. for ad-breaks - all in all, a way, way better experience compared to a VHS VCR (and once you've compared the picture quality of Freeview HD on your new TV to what you get from the VCR, the VCR will start to gather dust (like the two I still own do most of the time...)

To add to the ones dgl mentioned, there are a couple of refurbished Goodmans Freeview+/FreeviewHD+recorders here - http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/444/Televisions-Tuners/ (if you don't feel like spending the money on a new one) - at that sort of price, they are not much more expensive than a portable hard drive or large-capacity memory stick to plug into a modern TV (which at the cheaper end of the market, probably only has a single tuner, so is less flexible about recording while watching a different channel).

 

[Peter Mugridge]

One thing to beware of when skipping across ad breaks, some broadcasters appear to be trying to counteract this in some way. On several occasions in the last few months, pressing the "skip" button at the start of an ad break has resulted in either it skipping only one advert at a time per press or skipping an entire 15 minute block of whatever I am trying to watch!

I am not sure how they do it, probably by deliberately spoofing the markers at the start and end of the breaks.

What I do now is I tend to use fast forward 3 to go across the adverts. Don't try fast forward 4 to do this - it's almost impossible to react in time to get back to "play" at the end of the ad break!

Oh - if you are awake enough it's possible to watch on fast forward 1 - easier if you record with the subtitles - and that runs at a speed of 40 minutes for one hour of actual broadcast. The sound is a bit funny at that speed ( no sound at all on fast forward 2 or higher ) but the rest of the family can follow the speech all right at FF1 so there's no reason why the rest of you can't do it to save a bit of time.

 

[dgl]

The 'skip' button should only skip a predetermined length of time which can sometimes be altered in the settings on the recorder (it can on the HUMAX freetime+ boxes) although I generally just use the high speed fast forward mode (64x iirc on the freesat recorders) which works fine and reduces the adverts to about 20s.

Another thing about the recorders is some still allow for copying recoded programs to a usb stick, great if you want to watch TV programs on the go on a laptop or such device. The unit I linked to offers such a feature.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The 'skip' button should only skip a predetermined length of time.

I can assure you it is skipping "by block" whether it's 30 seconds or 15 minutes on one press even within the same viewing session. The broadcasters must be doing something to trigger this and it must be with the intention of deterring people from trying to skip the adverts.

 

[Haydn1971]

As an aside, the last manufacturer of new VCRs stopped making them in the summer, so replacements will start to get increasingly more difficult from here onwards.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36857370


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Johnuk123]

The only thing an archaic VCR was good for was they remained in the same place when you put them back in the slot.
Otherwise they have been totally obliterated in the quality stakes by everything that has come after them, watching a video is something you would only do if you were forced to.

 

[J-2739]

what is a VCR? Is that an old sky box?

( i should point out i don't even own a TV so can add much to the debate!)

Video output machines like this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videocassette_recorder#/media/File:Phillips_Magnavox_VCR.jpg

that use these big, clunky devices:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VHS#/media/File:VHS-cassette.jpg

Anything familiar?