Set up STB to DVDR to TV

[razblads]

Hi all,

I wasn't sure where to put this question - on this or the STB forum.

I have a Teac D500 STB connected via Scart OUT to Component IN on my TV. It works fine, good PQ.

I've got the second output from the D500 via Scart OUT to S-Video IN to my recently purchased DVDR (Pioneer DVR-530H) and then Component OUT to Component IN of my TV. The colours when viewing via this are terrible, hardly any colour.

I contacted Teac and they said there is a compatability problem and I should connect the STB to the DVDR using Composite.

Does this sound right??

Appreciate any advice/opinion.

Raz.

[pgdownload]

Hi Raz,

Well composite it 2nd on the list up from lowly RF. Component and SVideo should both be better. However as Teac have suggestted there may be a fault/compatability issue here. I suggest you do some experimenting to try workout what works and what doesn't. Swap the cables around.

From what you've said, component IN to the TV works. But component OUT from the DVDR may not? Remove the STB (and SVideo) from the equation and see if this is still true.

ie try find out where the weak link is in your set up.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[razblads]

Thanks Peter.

Yes, Component IN to TV from STB works fine.

So just have the antenna going into the DVDR and Component OUT to TV and check that. If it works OK, it must be the STB I guess.

Raz.

[pauls1503559629]

razblads

I don't know anything about your Teac model, but I have a Stron 5390 set up the same way. With the Strong, it is not capable of outputing RGB (from the TV Scart) and s-video (from the Video Scart) simultaneously. I need to go into the Settings of the Strong menu and change the "video" output if I want to record from the Strong to the DVDR in s-video.

Apparently, the Video Scart can output composite when the "video" output of the Strong is set to RGB, but I prefer to use the better quality s-video if I want to back up a recording and muck around with the settings. Note that I still need to adjust the setting even if I use the dedicated s-video out socket on the Strong. ie The dedicated s-video out only outputs s-video if the setting is used in the Strong menu.

You may find that your Teac has this same limitation.

pauls

[obliviON]

razblads

I don't know anything about your Teac model, but I have a Stron 5390 set up the same way. With the Strong, it is not capable of outputing RGB (from the TV Scart) and s-video (from the Video Scart) simultaneously. I need to go into the Settings of the Strong menu and change the "video" output if I want to record from the Strong to the DVDR in s-video.

Apparently, the Video Scart can output composite when the "video" output of the Strong is set to RGB, but I prefer to use the better quality s-video if I want to back up a recording and muck around with the settings. Note that I still need to adjust the setting even if I use the dedicated s-video out socket on the Strong. ie The dedicated s-video out only outputs s-video if the setting is used in the Strong menu.

You may find that your Teac has this same limitation.

pauls

I think such limitation is found in many other set-top boxes, including Pace 420 box for Foxtel Digital (maybe other Foxtel boxes too, but I have never seen them).

[razblads]

Thanks all.

I'll digest this and the info received from the same question I put on the SD STB forum and have a play around.

A seperate question.

I've connected up the RF to my DVDR in 2 alternate ways. I've connected it passing through the STB to the DVDR and also direct from the wall using a splitter at the wall with one going to the STB and the other to the DVDR.

I think the latter gave me a better PQ overall (especially via the DVDR), but I was a bit concerned about "halving" the signal going to the STB and its effect on the TV PQ.

Any thoughts on this?

Razblads.

[Mr Flibble]

RF pass-through can do all sorts of funny things including attenuating the signal even more than a splitter or adding some noise and amplifying the whole lot.

Your best bet is to have an antenna capable of supplying a strong enough signal to all of your devices & a good shielded splitter (f-type preferably) rather than one of those plastic cheapies.

[razblads]

Thanks LoS.

Yeah, I found the pass through seemed to add noise as you indicated, although I didn't play around with it too much.

I've currently got a "plastic cheapy" splitter. What is an f-type splitter? Where would I get one? JB Hi Fi? Jaycar? DSE?

Raz.

[Mr Flibble]

F-type fittings are the screw on kind which you may have seen used for cable tv & cable modems.

Put simply, they allow the signal to pass through better / cleaner and also shield out interference.

They are available at Jaycar & DSE. Don't know about JB but doubtful?

Just keep in mind these are a totally different fitting to the standard PAL push-on type like what goes into the back of your tv, stb etc. Converting to f-type fittings will require you to cut / unscrew the existing ends off your coax & re-terminate them. (Probably a no-no if you're renting etc)

If you're going to bother with that though it may also pay to check what kind of coax you have. Quad shielded RG6 should really be used for digital installations.

I have just replaced my antenna with a high gain narrow band one & re-run all wiring with quad shield RG6 & crimp-on f-type fittings & splitter. I now have solid 100% signal to all digital channels and no impulse noise from light switches etc.

That said, at the end of the day if you don't have any problems with your current setup including plastic splitter then "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" (Not that I am very good at taking my own advice though)

[razblads]

Yes, that does sound a bit extreme. I'll have to think about that.

My PQ is pretty good, although I do get annoying impulse noise and audio drop out from light switches.

Once again, thanks for your advice. It's really appreciated.

Raz.