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Why are there so many sorts of connecting cables? Find out with this quick guide.
The connectors on each cable are called plugs (and are also called male) and they will usually fit only into one sort of socket (or female connector).
Most cables you will come across are male to male. Occasionally you will find leads with a socket on one end and a plug on the other, and these are called "extension cables".
SCART
The SCART cable is used to connect a set-top box to a television set, or to a video recorder. This can only be a short cable. The SCART cable carries all of these types of signal:
As stereo sound, RGB picture and widescreen signal is the best possible combination for digital television viewing, it is vital to use a SCART lead between any set-top box and the main television.
The composite video picture with stereo sound is the best combination for a VHS video recorder. If your set-top box has two SCART sockets, it is likely that the one marked TV will carry RGB picture information and the other will not.
If your television has more than one SCART input, you may need to choose a special one (marked RGB) if you want to use RGB from the SCART cable.
On most set-top boxes it is possible to turn the RGB output on and off. This can be used to test the RGB input function on the television ? the picture quality appears blurred when it is disabled.
If have a DVD player, rather than a VHS recorder, you can attach this to the set-top boxes second SCART connector. The signal from the set-top box will normally be overridden by the DVD player when it is on, usually in high-quality RGB.
Some very cheap SCART cables do not have all the pins connected. They may not provide RGB and widescreen picture signals. SCART cables are normally no more than three metres in length.
UHF lead
The UHF lead is a lead that you would traditionally associate with television signals. They can carry:
up to 45 (but normally only five) analogue television channels
You can't avoid these cables if you are going to use Freeview, as these cables are the only ones that you can use to distribute Freeview signals around the house.
Where you have an integrated digital television (an idTV) you just need to get the signal from the aerial to the television with one of these cables.
If you are using a Freeview set-top box, you will need to get the signal from the aerial to the set-top box using this aerial lead, but for best results connect the TV to the box with a SCART cable.
You can also use a UHF lead to connect a set-top box to a television somewhere in the house. Your set-top box will require a RF (radio frequency) modulator. Note that "RF passthough" is another way of saying there is no modulator. You will be able to "tune" the second television into the picture showing on the set-top box.
Some boxes (all Sky boxes) have the ability to connect a remote control receiver to the second TV end of the interconnecting cable, so you can change channels.
The set-top boxes, whilst providing a reasonable quality picture to the second TV, will always provide only mono sound via a UHF lead.
The step-change in picture quality obtained by switching to RGB on a SCART is far greater than any obtained though spending any more on a gold-plated SCART cable.
Satellite or cable TV cable
These cables are usually very stiff, and have a very basic screw connector on the end. Usually they will provide an unbroken link to the satellitedish. At the dish end they plug into the device on the end of the arm, the LNB.
Don't try to disconnect these cables when the set-top box is on. Usually there is a small voltage that will cause dangerous sparks.
If the cable connects to a satellite dish, there is not much you can do with the cable. Each receiver in the set-top box needs it's own wire to the LNB. With a personal video recorder (such as Sky+), or a multi-room installations there are two cables to the four-output LNB on the dish. If you want more rooms, each will require it's own cable.
If the cable is providing cable TV, then it is possible to use inexpensive "Y connectors" to link the incoming signal to various set-top boxes, cable modems, or - via an adaptor - directly to the back of a TV.
Composite video cable
This is the most simple and basic video connection you can get. It carries:
a single picture from a set-top box
The picture will be in colour, and of comparable quality to a analogue broadcast station. However, there is no sound. For that reason this cable is often found joined to a stereo audio cable.
These signals are quite robust and can be carried for many metres. Often modern television sets have a single yellow photo input on their front input panel.
You also use an identical cable to carry digital stereo (SPDIF) sound.
Stereo audio cable
These cables carry the left and right channels of sound on two joined cables. They are usually required when a SCART cable is not being used, as the SCART cable already carries stereo sound.
If you are connecting your set-top box to an external stereo system, a separate stereo audio is used.
There is no real practicable limit to the length of these cables, but excessive length will degrade the quality of the signal.
S-video cable
The S-video standard is not well supported by most UK digital TV boxes, and very few have a S-video socket. If you need one for a particular analogue camcorder, use it, but avoid S-video with digital television. If you are using what appears to be a monochrome picture from a SCART lead, it will certainly by an incomplete S-Video signal and you should change to the RGB input.
VGA cable
This is the cable you will use to connect a computer to a old style monitor, and some modern LCD screen too. Most modern LCD TVs will have a VGA input too.
If you want to connect a set-top box to a LCD monitor, you can buy a conversion box from around 60. However this will not result in a better picture than using an existing SCART socket if there is one.
The only way to get higher than normal television resolution is to use a VGA in conjunction with a personal computer or modern games console.
DVI cable
If you want to get the very best out of a television or monitor use a digital video interconnect (DVI) cable.
This will be the only way for most televisions and monitors to receive high-definition pictures from a computer, and some set-top boxes.
If you can use either a VGA cable or a DVI cable, choose the DVI option.
HDMI cable
If you want to get the very best out of a television use a HDMI cable.
This will be the only way for most televisions to receive high-definition pictures from set-top boxes.
Bryan Wensley I have a Fortec Star Passion Plus HD free to air satellitereceiver which has one HDMI output and I have been using this with a Sony RDR HXD 870 DVD/Hard Drive Recorder but this has no HDMI input so I can only use SCART leads (or phono inputs on the front panel).
I think that this absence of HDMI inputs is fairly typical on recording equipment although I'd like to hear from someone in the know if I've got this wrong. E.g. I have more recently bought a Panasonic DMR-BWT700 Blu-ray Recorder and was disappointed to find that it too has no HDMI inputs so can only record in true HD by using the internal freeview HD tuner.
However I have found that the quality is much better when I record HD programmes on the DVD recorder from satellite than when recording SD programmes despite using a SCART lead. On the odd occassion that I have watched an HD programme on TV connected by HDMI lead and recorded it at the same time on the DVD recorder I haven't noticed any degredation in quality when I've played it back later (although this may be the subjective judgement of my 64 year old eyes!) I've yet to try recording an HD programme from satellite on the Blu Ray recorder but almost certainly will when I'm home over Christmas.
So in brief you should be able to record HD programmes on a hard drive recorder but you will probably have to use a SCART lead. If the hard drive recorder has an HDMI output you should of course connect it to your TV using an HDMI lead.
My dvd player recently started playing up.
For some reason it will not load, and I cannot get the tv to recognide the hdmi connection- no signal message. The dvd works fine with a scart conection,
which seems to be the default when connected with hdmi and scart.
MY
Sky HD box works fine.(this is connected to port 3 on my Samsung- hdmi/dvi-is this correct?)
I have tried everything without success, and
I don't want to buy a new dvd
(not Samsung just to overcome connection problems.
Any advice would be welcome.
How can I connect a 2003 Sony TV, a 2003 Pioneer DVD player and a 2007 Panasonic DVD recorder using 2 SCART cables and 2 coaxials? Mine went for repair and I can't remember how it connected up! Can't get the TV to connect the the DVDR now - what a techdope.
Helen McCarthy: Assuming that the Sony TV has two scart sockets, basically the DVDR's AV1 should be connected to the TV's AV1 input, and the Pioneer DVD player's AV1 output should go to the TV's AV2.
A co-ax cable should go between the DVD recorders RF out and the TV's aerial socket, the other co-ax connecting the DVDR's aerial input to the aerial wall plate, should you use one.
Do not have the DVDR switched on when connecting it to the TV, but when you do switch it on the TV should change over to it, or at least when you press "play" on it.
Switching the TV to the Pioneer DVD player can be achieved by pressing the AV button on the TV's remote control.
It would have been of assistance to know the model numbers of the devices being used, especially the Sony TV and the DVDR, as it helps to eliminate the guesswork.
NIGEL: There are various ways that its possible to do this, but for accuracy you really have to provide the make / model number of the TV involved plus that of the Blue Ray system.
Basically though in theory it involves using an HDMI lead to couple the Blue Ray system into the TV's HDMI socket that contains the "audio return" facility, this should be indicated in your user manual, and then the Freeview HDbox would be connected into the Blue Ray system using another HDMI cable, but should the Blue Ray not have two HDMI sockets then link it (Freeview box) into another of the TV's HDMI sockets.
Hi
Have got V+ box and Sony VCR, on the way are a new TV Panasonic TX L32X3B and LG DRT389H DVD recorder.
I plan to record TV onto the V+ box and archive anything I want to keep from there to the DVD. I also want to save material on VCR to disc.
How do I connect it all up to achieve this please ??
I have a sony bravia kdl-37v55 tv,a sony rdr-gx210 dvd recorder,and a hitachi hdb70-s receiver.How do i connect so i can record as well as watch tv. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
ANTHONY CARROLL: As your TV already has Freeview the HDB70 is used purely for recording purposes.
Connect a scartcable between the GX210's ext1 output and your TV's AV1 input, the TV should switch to the GX210 when the latter is first switched on, otherwise use the A/V button on the TV's remote to select it.
Then connect a scart cable between the Freeview receivers AV1 output and the GX210's decoder input, (ext3?) make sure that ext3 input is permanently selected as such via the GX210's "input select" menu.
In operation, you simply leave the Freeview receiver switched on and press the A/V button on the TV's remote to connect it to the GX210, (if not auto already auto-switched over to it) then go into the aforementioned "input select" menu and make sure the decoder input is selected, this connecting the GX210's input to the Freeview boxes output enabling you to select what you want to record, likewise play back from the GX210 into the TV.
Unless you have analogue in your area (which you still use) don't daisy chain the aerial through the GX210, but connect it to the Freeview receivers aerial input, then from its RF output into the TV, the only thing being that as you haven't mentioned your location the signal strength expected isn't known, so if any glitches start to occur when the aerial is daisy chained purchase a powered two way splitter and give each device (TV and Freeview box) its own input.
Thanks for the imformation JB38.I connected as you said ,but unfortunatly i cannot seem to get a tv picture through the GX210.The tv does recognise the GX210 when first turned on but then goes blank.
ANTHONY CARROLL: When the TV goes blank after recognising the GX210 what happens when you press the menu button on the GX210's remote control? as what you have reported suggests that the DVD recorder is sitting on its default tuner input position, hence it goes blank as no signal exists on that position.
Just to check for satisfactory operation of the GX210 you should try playing a DVD back on it, as you have to be able to access its input select menu to be able to set its "ext 3" scart socket as the input or the Freeviewbox will not feed through it.
To make testing easier, try connecting the Freeview boxes AVI output straight into the TV's AVI input then leave the Freeview box on any of its menu screens, this so that this screen can be identified during tests and not get mixed up with Freeview being received internally by the TV itself.
ANTHONY CARROLL: Just to add in case you do not have the GX210's manual, the "Input select" button I refer to is immediately on the right hand side of the button marked "Rec mode" situated on the lower section of the remote control, you keep pressing it until you see line 3 indicated.
ANTHONY CARROLL: Well that indicates that the DVD to TV side is OK, what I would now like you to do is to pull the scart plug out of the TV's AV1 socket and leave it unconnected, (it being from the GX210) then pull out the scart plug that's connected to the GX210's top scart socket (line 3) and put it into the TV's AV1 socket, this to ensure that the Hitachi Freeviewbox is actually working. (make sure its the AV1 socket that's being used on the Hitachi)
If this works OK then replace both scart plugs to their previous positions, as that test will have confirmed that the problem is caused by the GX210's input line 3 not feeding the signal through to its AV1 output, so keep pressing the input select button until you see "line 3" showing on the GX210's indicator "on its front panel", as these are definitely the correct connections as I have the manual in front of me.
ANTHONY CARROLL: If you cannot get anything showing on the TV when a scart lead is connected between the Hitachi's AV1(TV) output socket and the TV's AV1 then that indicates that the box is faulty, this said though assuming that when you were testing the Hitachi you tried pressing the A/V button on the TV's remote control just in case the Hitachi hadn't switched the TV over to it, plus that you did connect the aerial to the Hitachi?
The point is, that when you previously carried out the DVD test you were connecting it (the TV) in exactly the same way, except that the other end of the scart was in the DVD's AV1 output rather than the Hitachi's.
please how do i connect my grundig freeview hdbox to my tv and surround sound system panasonic sc-pt90 1 hdmi. freeview 2 scarts i hdmi i spdif tv has 2 scarts 2 hdmi i spidif
CAROLINE: The normal way of doing things would be for an HDMI lead to be used between the Freeview HDbox and your TV, and another HDMI lead connected between the TV's second HDMI socket and the surround sound system, but "IMPORTANT" you have to state the model of TV involved for purposes of checking if its ARC compatible, that is having an audio return channel on one of its HDMI sockets, as if not the audio wont link back through the HDMI lead to the surround sound system.
The HDMI leads used stating "high speed" on the packet, good quality types of the above being available from sources such as Lidl or Aldi at only around the £6.00 mark, I use a number of these and they compare very favourably to another high quality one I have costing nearly four times the price, this foolishly purchased by a "gullible to adverts" member of my family.
it also says on freeview intructions can connect freeview to surround sound system with spdif cable but my surround system does not have that but y tv does confused.com from padstow
CAROLINE: Yes, I realise that, and its because of its restricted input facilities that I suggested this way of connecting it, but as also mentioned, I have to know the model of TV you are using so that I can check not only its HDMI socket spec, but also its other output facilities just in case the its HDMI socket isn't suitable to be used.
If though you have the user manual for the TV, then have a look in the specifications section usually located at the back of the manual, and see if ARC compatible is listed against any of the HDMI inputs, as if it is then connect the devices as was mentioned.
Mike - You should be able to connect OK as the Viewsonic has a DVI port. Your "Freeview" chosen receiver would need to have an HDMI out and you would also need a compatible HDMI?DVI Lead to connect both. Picture refresh rate may not be as good as a dedicated TV but should be acceptable. "Cabling4less" are excellent for a balance of Quality and Budget.
mike: I have a Viewsonic VX912 and it has in-built speakers. I know that many of these models don't have speakers in.
If yours has speakers in (and you wish to utilise them), then you need a lead with a 3.5mm stereo jack on one end and phono plugs on the other. The phonos go into the Freeviewbox and the jack plugs in to the monitor.
I have recently purchased a Panasonic DMR BWT700 DVD recorder which is coupled to my Samsung tv via HDMI cable.
I also have a standard definition Virgin Media set top box, this is connected to the TV via Scart and to the dvd recorder's AV2 input also via Scart as stated in the dvd recorder's manual. However, although the picture is present there is no sound on av2. The recorder will record the AV2 picture well but still no sound.
The panasonic manual (which is not the best written manual) also states as a 'throwaway' that a 21 pin scart adaptor is needed. It states nothing about what type of adapator where it is connected etc.
Does anyone have any ideas about the lack of sound on AV2?
Alan Nicholson: I'm not familiar with these devices, but if I were you, I would remove the scart lead (from the VM box) that goes into AV2 of the DVD player and plug it directly into the TV.
If there is sound, then you know that sound is coming down the lead from the VM box. If there is no sound, then you know that the problem lies with the VM box not outputting it.
Another thought. I wonder what would happen if (as a test) you got rid of the HDMI cable and connected DVD player and TV with a scart (and put the lead from the VM box back into AV2). Can you hear the sound from the VM box with that setup?
Alan Nicholson I too have got a Panasonic DMR BWT700 Bluray Recorder and an SD Virgin Media STB and I just tried a short recording and the sound worked OK although it was intermittent on 1 channel at first due to a loose connection (I've got it wired through two switch boxes - just don't ask why! - but the final cable is a scart to AV2) I also tried (while recording) to use the BBC iplayer on the VM box and it (correctly) wouldn't let me record a copy protected programme but the BWT700 flagged this up so you'd know.
I'd double check the scart lead is fully home 1st and then try a different scart lead. The diagram in the BWT700 says you need a 21 pin scart lead and as you say it also says you need a 21 pin adaptor but I can't work out what is meant by that either.
Neil Bell: Re: 21 pin adaptor, they only mention this when referring to the external device in case someone has a box or whatever not fitted with a normal scart socket facility but phono sockets etc, such as found in many devices of non UK origin.
i bought a Ross Freesatdish and reciever - DUB-S 5010, from B&Q in May 2011 (£25) set it up, and connected to our old TV via the SCART socket, we recieved upto 445 channels. For Xmas i bought a new HITACHI TV/DVD combo - L26DP04UE (HD, DVB,HDMI,Digital,Freeview) back of TV has 1 SCART, 1 VGA, 1 SPD/F, and a Coax-out. When i tried to connect it together, it says NO SIGNAL, i have tried most combinations and am now getting confused and annoyed
kath: The Hitachi L26DP04 receives Freeview (digital terrestrial television) for which you need to connect an aerial. Have you done this and if so, what is your location (preferrably post code) so that the likely chance of reception might be checked upon.
If you have it connected to the Freesatbox using a Scart lead, then no tuning on the TV is necessary in order to watch the output of the Freesat box. Simply turn on the Freesat box (as you did with the other TV) and it should come on the screen. Should this not happen, then press the "Source" button on the remote (near to the top).
kath: thanks Dave,
postcode sk17 0be. connecting new TV to old aerial we get 10 TV channels and 21 radio.
attaching the Ross decoder box via the SCART produces - No input. have tried the 'source' on TV, SCART, etc still - No input. put it back on old TV and it works OK
kath: My suspicion here (can one of the experts on here confirm whether I might be barking up the right tree here?) is that the Ross box doesn't put the signal on the scart lead using RGB and that the Hitachi TV only receives RGB on the scart (not composite video).
If this is the case, then you could probably feed the output of the Ross box composite video from its scart socket to the phono inputs on the side of the TV (using a suitable lead).
kath: I've looked again at the manual for the Ross and I see that the rear panel has phono sockets for the output (composite and left and right sound). There is no scart out.
Furthermore, the instructions say that there is a scart adaptor supplied to allow you to connect the box to a TV which has a scart socket. I guess that you're using it.
Remove the scart adaptor and plug the three phono plugs into the three phono sockets on the side of the TV. If you refer to page 8 of the Hitachi's manual, you will see the connectors on the side. Number 4 is the composite video input (yellow) and below it is left and right sound. It is these connectors that you need to feed in the video and sound from the Ross box.
kath: tried that, putting them in at side and trying ALL source, aerial , scart, video/side AV etc but it wouldnt pick up. page 16/17 seem to be about these connections, will play tommorow. TV comes with a 3-1 connector, 1 is green, the 3 are blue/green/red would this be used ?
kath: No, green, blue and red (probably marked Y, PB/CB and PR/CR, respectively) are a different type of input known as Component Video.
The ones you want, according to the diagram shown in the manual are below the component ones. Below them is a USB socket and below those are the ones you want.
The top one should be yellow, then white and then red. These are the three connectors that you should put the lead from the Ross into.
kath: I think the issue is getting over complicated as basically what Dave Lindsay had said right from the start is correct.
The point is, that if you connected the Ross box up to your old TV via a scart then you "must" have been using the A/V lead supplied with the box plugged into the scart adaptor, then it (the adaptor) was connected into the old TV.
The problem with using an adaptor on these type of leads being that a TV (any) will not automatically switch to its scart input as leads of that type have no auto-switching connection, this meaning that you "must" have had to press the A/V button on your old TV's remote control to be able to view the Ross box as it would not switch to it itself.
What you require to do is have everything connected "exactly" as you did with your old TV, then as was said by DL, press the "source" button (under options at top of remote) until you see the Ross boxes menu shown.
When you had originally tried to get it to work and seen "no signal" on the screen this could have been due to either (1) the Ross box connected perfectly OK but not receiving any signal from its dish, or (2) the Hitachi scart input not having been selected properly whereby it (the Hitachi) was indicating that it was not receiving a signal via its aerial, depending on what channel it was sitting on.
kath: hi guys, tried again. i have now connected the Ross box to the TV - using the scart adapter, when i put tv onto source and SCART it pick up from the Ross dish, and works using Ross remote control. the tv remote doesnt work channel change etc. If i reconnected the old aerial would that work EPG / channel change etc ? is it possible to have them both connected and change from aerial to dish by using the SOURCE button on the tv remote
kath: Basically yes! as you have to adopt the attitude that you have two totally different systems with the only link between them being a scart connection, so when you selected the Ross sat box via the source button the TV is just acting like a monitor with the only thing you can control as far as the Ross box is concerned being its volume, with everything else concerning satellitereception having to be controlled via the Ross boxes own remote control.
On the other hand when you press the source button on the Hitachi again you can de-select the Ross box whereby the Hitachi will respond as though the Ross box wasn't there, and you can then view Freeview or anything else, so just couple your Freeview aerial back in again.
By the way, when on the Ross box I would leave its volume permanently advanced to about 80% and control the volume using the Hitachi's remote control.
kath: And if I could just second what Dave Lindsay has said! although what you mention about it not working as you envisaged, could I feel have partly been the cause of the problem you were having, but I can assure you that it "is" working exactly as it should be, this is two different systems selected purely by pressing the source input button.
How do I connect a dvd, freesatbox and tv when all only have one scart socket? The freesat works fine connected to TV but I would like to also use a dvd
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