Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

Personally I'd go with scart for everything and get one of them multi-auto switching scart box thingies which'll automatically flick over to whatever connection is active.

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

Before I throw in the towel and move to a SCART switch box, perhaps someone can advise me on the S-video route. I've got hold of an S-video cable and a dual RCA plug lead for the audio. I've used them to connect the DVD player to the TV but there is no sign of the DVD menu appearing on the TV (the DVD player says that the disk is playing).

Attached below is a diagram of all the other leads between the STB, the VCR and the TV; I've had these for years and now I've examined them more closely there seems to be an awful lot of complication here; it partly goes back to what the ntl engineer (I think) set up and we've had no problems with it. Any suggestions?

EDIT All of the rectangular boxes in the diagram are SCART connections.

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

have you tried it with the telly in 'A/V' mode?

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

Possibly, possibly. Following your lead, I've just looked through the TV manual and there is a section about selecting the input mode. When I get a chance to have a free run at it I'll give it a try; in our house there always seems to be someone who wants to video record something or other. I suspect that messing up a recording of Eastenders could well qualify as a hanging offence. :)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

Thanks, homealone, it works. The fact that the necessary info is buried on page 16 of the TV manual means that I probably would never have found it without someone giving me a hint.

PS One further, possibly insuperable, problem. My wife says that cables coming out of the front of the TV look unsightly! :)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

unplug them then you wont have a problem , nah seriously , could you get some black or whatever colour shrink sleeve and disguise them a bit :)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

glad you got it working Theodoric.:)

not sure what to suggest about the aesthetics of the cables, though - arguing for a triumph of function over form is one possibility, but depends on the tolerance of your wife. - or only watch dvds in the dark?;)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

It's the economics that appealed to me. I bought a 3m S-Video Plug (gold plated) cable and a 1.2m 2xRCA plug cable from a firm called Cable Universe for £6.51 (and this included £2.99 p&P). So why, when you check sites like PC World or Dixons, does the cost far exceed this?

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

that's a good price, I'd expect to pay more than that for the S-Video cable, alone. Cable Universe eh, I'll keep an eye out for them - thanks Theodoric.:)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

Because specialist places like cable universe know that the people who go to them know what they're doing and so they can't over charge them like high street stores do :)

Thanks for letting us know about them :)

Re: DVD outputs and TV Inputs
 

And they were quick. I emailed the order on Saturday and received the goods on Tuesday.