changing from analogue to digital

roger42 · 27-02-2005, 10:39

I have an ntl analogue stb, and can record channels 1 - 5 with my VCR while watching a satellite channel and vice versa. Will I still be able to do this if I switch to a digital STB?

Roger

Pob! · 27-02-2005, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger42

I have an ntl analogue stb, and can record channels 1 - 5 with my VCR while watching a satellite channel and vice versa. Will I still be able to do this if I switch to a digital STB?

Roger

Yes you will, using one of two methods:
1. Assuming you get a new Samsung box, it has RF loopthrough much like a Freeview STB. This means that if you plug a roof aerial into the Samsung, and then feed the RF out from the STB into the video / TV, then you can use your video as you do now - at least until they turn off analogue broadcasts.
2. If you have no roof aerial, then you will need to ask the installer to fit an RF splitter onto the back of the Samsung - however this cannot be taken for granted, as you cannot get the sales staff to even acknowledge such a thing exists, let alone gaurantee the engineer will fit one - it's down to wether he has one in the van when he visits. I was lucky, he did. Ask him nicely...

roger42 · 27-02-2005, 18:05

Thanks for that. I don't have an aerial so will need an RF splitter. Will there be one on the back of my analogue box? What exactly does it split? And can I buy one if I fail to get one from NTL.

Roger

Aragorn · 27-02-2005, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by roger42

Thanks for that. I don't have an aerial so will need an RF splitter. Will there be one on the back of my analogue box? What exactly does it split? And can I buy one if I fail to get one from NTL.

Roger

The analogue box doesn't need an RF splitter as it only outputs RF.

On the digital box, the primary output is via SCART, but the RF splitter takes the standard five terrestial channels (plus the Digital signal and QVC!) and outputs on an RF cable which can then be fed into your VCR and on to the TV. This will allow the terrestial recording while watching digital.

Afaik, you can't buy one. Just make sure you keep the engineer sweet when he arrives