Recording Freeview
 

I have a JVC 28"" IDTV with a built in Freeview card, which I am using in conjunction with my NTL STB and a Panasonic VCR. Regretably the VCR does not have TV link.

I'm trying to record Freeview programmes but cannot get the Freeview decoder to output to the VCR.

Has anyone got a workaround for this problem please?

Re: Recording Freeview
 

What connectors are available for output, on the telly?

What connectors are available for input on the VCR - I'm not sure I understand what you mean by 'TV link'?

Re: Recording Freeview
 

The TV has 3 SCARTS but unfortunately they don't all output the same signals. There is some mechanism within the TV that allows you to adjust what signal goes where. There are the usual RF connectors, stereo outputs, s-video connection for a video camera, component connectors which allow you to have High definition TV etc. THe VCR has two scarts one connected to the TV and one connected to the NTL set top box. It also has RF connectors and the usual stereo outputs.

The TV link is the automatic TV - VCR link similar to Sony's i-link which allows the TV and VCR to exchange information. When I play a video the VCR interrupts the current TV programme and plays the video. On my old VCR ( now defunct) the auto-setup on the TV sent all the channel info to the VCR and made the connection automatic.

If I want to activate Freeview I press a button on the remote and it just switches over from ordinary TV. Unfortunately, I cannot get the VCR to record the Freeview channels. Hope that clarifies things a bit.

Re: Recording Freeview
 

First thing that comes to mind is that, usually, one scart on a VHS is 2 way, for connecting satellite, decoder, etc, while the other is 1 way, only, usually out, to the TV.

What I'm wondering is should the TV out scart go to the 2 way socket on the VCR?

- problem here is that you then will have to connect the STB to the VCR using RF.

Re: Recording Freeview
 

I'd recommend using the setup guide on this site - http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/connecthelp.php - and configuring it according to their recommendation for your equipment. They've also got a very good forum there, where you can post questions if you still run into problems... they're very knowledgable people.

Re: Recording Freeview
 

but that assumes an external Freeview box, Gareth, I think ntlusrer's 'problem' is that he needs the VCR to have both an input & an output connection with the TV, as well as the STB, but because the TV is last in line, it can't be 'daisy chained' with scart, like a standalone Freeview box would be?

- does that make sense?? I think I'm confusing myself, here ;)

Re: Recording Freeview
 

Ahhh, yeah, I see what you mean. Hadn't thought of that. Good point :)