Lazy question, but I'll chance it ... maybe someone can suggest a
website.

I have just bought a digital set-top box (STB) (Panasonic TU-CT30) and
I'm receiving properly.

Problem: recording onto VHS, and general SCART connections.

Each of the VHS machine, the TV, and the STB have two SCART
connections. All are Panasonic -- and they seem to be able to talk to
one another; but maybe the latter is standard across all brands
nowadays?

One STB SCART goes to the TV, the other to the VHS. The other VHS SCART
goes to the TV; and that's it. No other SCART plugs sockets to use.

1. What would one do about a DVD player (hardly ever used, so not a big
deal).

2. I assume that the STB has but one analogue output channel (like NTL
cable); at least only one video signal channel.

3. When I press 'direct record' on the VHS, I get a message something
like 'recording directly from TV'; and it records okay. But when the TV
gets switched off, the recording stops.

4. Recording via VHS programme timer does not work (using AV1 as the
channel) -- I sort of expected it to work like NTL (by choosing the
channel programmed to NTL output). Blank recording, but not noise.

5. I don't need to be able to switch between digital channels during a
recording sequence. But I see the STB has some sort of timer facility
-- there are instructions on the timer, but no indication what is its
purpose.

TIA,

Jon C.

wrote:
Lazy question, but I'll chance it ... maybe someone can suggest a
website.

I have just bought a digital set-top box (STB) (Panasonic TU-CT30) and
I'm receiving properly.

Problem: recording onto VHS, and general SCART connections.

[...]

Okay, I have downloaded a likely looking document from:

http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/publications.html

"Connectivity Guidelines for Installers and Manufacturers

A guide to the best practice for the connection of set-top boxes and
other products to digital and analogue TV sets to enable recording and
optimum digital performance
"

Looks like may solve my problems (if solvable). This may take some time
.... :-)

Best regards,

Jon C.

In article .com,
" says...
Lazy question, but I'll chance it ... maybe someone can suggest a
website.

I have just bought a digital set-top box (STB) (Panasonic TU-CT30) and
I'm receiving properly.

Problem: recording onto VHS, and general SCART connections.

Each of the VHS machine, the TV, and the STB have two SCART
connections. All are Panasonic -- and they seem to be able to talk to
one another; but maybe the latter is standard across all brands
nowadays?

One STB SCART goes to the TV, the other to the VHS. The other VHS SCART
goes to the TV; and that's it. No other SCART plugs sockets to use.

1. What would one do about a DVD player (hardly ever used, so not a big
deal).

Get one of those switchable SCART multi-adapters, or just swap the
cables around when you use the DVD.

2. I assume that the STB has but one analogue output channel (like NTL
cable); at least only one video signal channel.

Eh?

3. When I press 'direct record' on the VHS, I get a message something
like 'recording directly from TV'; and it records okay. But when the TV
gets switched off, the recording stops.

I'd guess the SCART you have connecting the TV to the video is in/out
on the video, and the one connecting the STB to the video is out-only
on the video - try swapping them around and see what happens.

wrote in news:1123425939.817610.188530
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:


Okay, I have downloaded a likely looking document from:

http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/publications.html

"Connectivity Guidelines for Installers and Manufacturers

If it doesn't work ypu could try

uk.tech.digital-tv

mike

In article .com,
wrote:
Lazy question, but I'll chance it ... maybe someone can suggest a
website.

I have just bought a digital set-top box (STB) (Panasonic TU-CT30) and
I'm receiving properly.

Problem: recording onto VHS, and general SCART connections.

Each of the VHS machine, the TV, and the STB have two SCART
connections. All are Panasonic -- and they seem to be able to talk to
one another; but maybe the latter is standard across all brands
nowadays?

One STB SCART goes to the TV, the other to the VHS. The other VHS SCART
goes to the TV; and that's it. No other SCART plugs sockets to use.

1. What would one do about a DVD player (hardly ever used, so not a big
deal).

The problem is that not all SCARTS are the same. Some are RGB - the
highest quality - some S-Video, the next best, and some composite only.
And then there's whether they link through or accept all the various
commands from peripherals. It's a total minefield.

The STB should be connected to the RGB SCART on the TV for best results,
as should the DVD (or maybe S-Video). The VHS, either S-Video if an S-VHS,
or composite if not, as VHS is way below accepted standards for picture
quality these days.

2. I assume that the STB has but one analogue output channel (like NTL
cable); at least only one video signal channel.

It depends. They're not all the same. You'll need to check the spec.

3. When I press 'direct record' on the VHS, I get a message something
like 'recording directly from TV'; and it records okay. But when the TV
gets switched off, the recording stops.

With mine, I have Smartlink. To set an unattended recording, you do this
via the STB - not the VHS or DVD recorder, although obviously they have to
be left in a record ready mode.

4. Recording via VHS programme timer does not work (using AV1 as the
channel) -- I sort of expected it to work like NTL (by choosing the
channel programmed to NTL output). Blank recording, but not noise.

5. I don't need to be able to switch between digital channels during a
recording sequence. But I see the STB has some sort of timer facility
-- there are instructions on the timer, but no indication what is its
purpose.

If the recorder has a Smartlink facility, then this is the way to go. And
it will work whether the TV is on or off.

--
*On the seventh day He brewed beer *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article .com,
wrote:

Each of the VHS machine, the TV, and the STB have two SCART
connections. All are Panasonic -- and they seem to be able to talk to
one another; but maybe the latter is standard across all brands
nowadays?

Forget the "talking to each other" gimmick. It will force you to connect up
incorrectly and cause strange things to happen.

One STB SCART goes to the TV, the other to the VHS.

Quite so, AV1 in both units.


The other VHS SCART
goes to the TV; and that's it.

NO NO NO. Did I say no ?


1. What would one do about a DVD player (hardly ever used, so not a big
deal).

AV2

2. I assume that the STB has but one analogue output channel (like NTL
cable); at least only one video signal channel.

Not messy celery.

3. When I press 'direct record' on the VHS, I get a message something
like 'recording directly from TV'; and it records okay. But when the TV
gets switched off, the recording stops.

See my first comment.


4. Recording via VHS programme timer does not work (using AV1 as the
channel)

Will work if connected correctly.


5. I don't need to be able to switch between digital channels during a
recording sequence. But I see the STB has some sort of timer facility
-- there are instructions on the timer, but no indication what is its
purpose.

Its purpose is to switch channels unattended.

--
AJL Electronics (G6FGO) Ltd : Satellite and TV aerial systems
http://www.classicmicrocars.co.uk : http://www.ajlelectronics.co.uk

Andy Luckman (AJL Electronics) wrote:
In article .com,
wrote:

Each of the VHS machine, the TV, and the STB have two SCART
connections. All are Panasonic -- and they seem to be able to talk to
one another; but maybe the latter is standard across all brands
nowadays?

Forget the "talking to each other" gimmick. It will force you to connect up
incorrectly and cause strange things to happen.

Okay, tend to agree.


One STB SCART goes to the TV, the other to the VHS.

Quite so, AV1 in both units.

Experiments follow.

In each case, aerial RF - VCR - TV.

Setup 1.

STB - TV AV1 SCART.

STB - VCR SCART socket marked AV2 Decoder EXT, AV1 TV
nothing to other VCR SCART.

Result 1.

Analogue and Digital TV okay. But not tape playback; assume no record.

Setup 2.

STB - TV AV1 SCART, as above

STB - lower VCR SCART socket (i.e. one NOT marked AV2 Decoder EXT, AV1
TV);
nothing to SCART marked AV2 Decoder EXT, AV1 TV.

Result 2.

Analogue and Digital TV okay. Tape playback on AV1: sound only.

Setup 3.

STB - TV AV1 SCART.

STB - VCR SCART socket marked AV2 Decoder EXT, AV1 TV
nothing to other VCR SCART.

VHS lower SCART - TV lower SCART.

Result 3.

Analogue and Digital TV okay.

Record by REC button on VCR remote control. But no 'Direct TV Rec'
(neither via VCR remote nor TV remote). Playback okay (AV1). Possibly
this record sees only AV1?

Summary of current state.

Can do most of what I want; have not bothered about DVD yet. Dunno
about record via program/timetable. Thus, same as two days ago, except
no record via 'Direct TV Rec'.

Is getting VCR to work in Setup 1 (or 2) a matter of retuning the VCR
playback channel?



The other VHS SCART
goes to the TV; and that's it.

NO NO NO. Did I say no ?


1. What would one do about a DVD player (hardly ever used, so not a big
deal).

AV2

Seems plausible.

[...]

5. I don't need to be able to switch between digital channels during a
recording sequence. But I see the STB has some sort of timer facility
-- there are instructions on the timer, but no indication what is its
purpose.

Its purpose is to switch channels unattended.

Okay.

I do have a pal who is an ex-TV repairman; he's due to call any day
now, so I'll report any further progress.

Many thanks,

Jon C.