VCR Scart from SA4000 box - problems!!!

FalkirkJim · 09-11-2005, 22:40

Hi, new to telewest, wonder if anyone can help.

If i connect my VCR Scart from my set top box to my DVD recorder, i can see a scart input from the Telewest box......however, if i connect it into my VCR, and select the AV channel on my VCR......i get a blank screen.

Therefore, at the moment i cant tape anything on my VCR from Telewest (Is there an RF output on these boxes????)

Thanks from a noob!

MovedGoalPosts · 09-11-2005, 22:50

to Cable Forum

I'm an ntl customer rather than Telewest, but most Set Top Boxes (STB) are similar.

There will no doubt be an RF output from the STB. It either will or will not accept a standard aerial type lead.

How many SCART sockets does your TV have? Assuming you have 2 best setup on SCART should be:
STB out #1 > TV in #1
STB out #2 > VCR in #1
VCR out #2 > TV in #2

Using the above to tune to the STB transmitted output on the VCR (to record) you'd set the VCR to the AV channel #1. To view the VCR recording (or the channel that the VCR would record) on the TV you set the TV to AV#2. whilst to watch the STB direct tune the TV to AV#1.

FalkirkJim · 09-11-2005, 23:01

My VCR only has one SCART, mate.

My old Sky box had a VCR Scart, and a TV Scart, and was connected the same way i mention avove......when i selected AV on my vid, i could tape Sky.....what is the difference with this telewest box???

MovedGoalPosts · 09-11-2005, 23:11

I've just done a

on your STB and came accross this http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums...&Thread=266697

I really don't know if a copy protection incompatibilty with your old VCR could be an issue. I'm assuming your VCR is old as it only has the one SCART.

I admit to being stumped. Have you tried calling Telewest to see if they have any ideas?

Certainly if you only have one SCART on the VCR you will need the STB to be powered on at when the VCR is in playback if your connections are only via SCART. i.e. playback needs the CART signal to pass via the STB to the SCART on the TV. Issue then is that the STB might interfere with the VCR's transmission.

FalkirkJim · 10-11-2005, 15:00

Hi Rob,

Funny you should link to that article, as i read that one last night and that was what got me thinking before posting on here!

Only seems to mention DVD-R's though, so i posted on here to see if anyone had experienced it with VCR's. As you say, the VCR is quite old, but to me that's no excuse for Telewest.....they have provided a VCR scart socket, why doesnt it work! I will call them later, as im currently niggling them about a few things with my installation that i have not been happy about.

Failing that, i might just borrow my dad's Pace box (the parents are in Tenerife at the mo!!) and hook it into my system to see if it makes a difference!

MovedGoalPosts · 10-11-2005, 15:25

i'd be very wary of taking a STB from one property to another. There could be all sorts of gadgetry going on that links the STB to a specific property or at least set of localised cables. Putting it in elsewhere might just upset that leaving your parents with no TV.

FalkirkJim · 10-11-2005, 20:05

I didnt swap the box, but i did take my VCR up to try it on my dad's PACE box, and lo and behold.....it worked!

Also.....proved it is the SA-4000 by running the TV out scart into the vid, and then viewing my video through RF....once i selected AV, i could see the telewest signal, but if i swapped back to the VCR out, then it was black again.....this proves to me that there is some sort of protection issue with this box, only on the VCR out though! For all you try to tell this to Telewest over the phone, and that you have read tons of articles online regarding this problem, they keep denying it........not a very good intro to Telewest digital at all, they shouldnt be fobbing people off!!!

Have demanded a new box though, and im getting it on Monday!

MovedGoalPosts · 10-11-2005, 22:16

Another thought is that the STB might be transmitting over the scart VCR out a signal type that your VCR can't decode - RGB / Composite. You'd need to check what your VCR can use, and then the settings menus of the STB.

Also I don't know, shouldn't be an issue if your Sky setup is wired similarly to your new Telewest, but not all scart leads can pass full signals in both directions. It might be as simple as a different lead being needed.

FalkirkJim · 11-11-2005, 06:36

Nah, i tried my video and the same scart lead with my Dad's PACE box, and everything was ok...

...it all really points to this iffy SA-4000 box im afraid. Like i said, if the VCR can see an AV signal from the TV Out Scart, but not the VCR Scart, then there is something there i think!