Where am I going wrong?

Zapp Brannigan · 06-03-2010 9:31pm #1

Okay folks here's my problem;

Have a DVR in the sitting room connected to my series 5 Samsung tv. The tv only has one scart lead so the connection is like this; Surround sound (plus DVD player) connected to the DVR via scart input and then DVR connected to the telly by scart as well.

Now everything works fine with the surround sound and digital TV, as in my extra speakers play the sounds of the TV etc. but when I try and play a DVD in the unit I'm getting no picture?

Can't seem to figure this one out, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

aidan_walsh · 06-03-2010 9:33pm

So your layout is

DVD -> DVR -> TV?

Maybe it should be

DVR -> DVD -> TV?

Zapp Brannigan · 06-03-2010 9:42pm

I'm not exactly following you. As far as I'm aware my DVD only has one scart output so I can't see how I'd change it around, if you follow me.

The DVR has two scart inputs one that says TV and another that says VCR/DVD so I thought I was doing it right but the no picture suggests otherwise!

paulm17781 · 06-03-2010 10:02pm

Could the cable just be a bit lose?

Zapp Brannigan · 06-03-2010 10:05pm

Tried that, tried changing the cables as well just in case I had a faulty one but it didn't change.

The thing that I think is throwing me off is that because my television only has one scart input technically I need two inputs (DVD player and the DVR television) that is why there doesn't seem to be anyway for this to happen? As usually I'd just switch sources but I only have one source to choose from, the scart.

neil_18_ · 07-03-2010 12:43pm

I dont want to sound like i'm making you out to be stupid if you have already done this but did you switch the tv to AV... The remotes usually have a 'source' button and then you just switch to the dvd...

It's a common mistake, you probably know it already but just incase, i know a few people who didnt know this when they were trying to get a dvd to work

EDIT : Just read your last post, never mind lol

superleedsdub · 07-03-2010 9:47pm

neil_18_ wrote: »

I dont want to sound like i'm making you out to be stupid if you have already done this but did you switch the tv to AV... The remotes usually have a 'source' button and then you just switch to the dvd...

It's a common mistake, you probably know it already but just incase, i know a few people who didnt know this when they were trying to get a dvd to work

EDIT : Just read your last post, never mind lol

...or the OP may need to switch to an AV channel on the DVR...

@Zapp Brannigan
What is the DVR you are using? is it sky+ or UPC`s digital+?
If yes, then i`m not sure how your setup would enable you to watch DVD`s by hooking up the DVD player to the tv via the DVR

Has your DVD player and TV got any HDMI connections?

It looks like the simplest solution to this problem would to be to buy a scart extender (similar to a power extension lead) where you can hook it up to your tv and add the number of SCART connections (sounds like quite an old TV if it only has one SCART connection)

Can you specify the model numbers of the DVD Player and TV?

Zapp Brannigan · 08-03-2010 9:14pm

The TV is a Samsung Series 5, only one scart but 3 HDMI and other ports as well.

Looks like the scart extender is the best bet, cheers folks.

zilog_jones · 11-03-2010 11:48pm

You should be able to loop your DVD player through the DVR (I assume you're talking about a UPC DVR?), this is what we do and it works fine. Make sure your DVD player is outputting RGB video (setup menu, or switch on the back if it's an old one) otherwise the loopthrough may not work properly.

TheRedDevil10 · 13-03-2010 5:37pm

my DVR only has 1 scart connection, so i cant use my DVD player, anyone have any thoughts

zilog_jones · 13-03-2010 11:48pm

Which DVR is this? Sounds odd, even the standard STBs had two SCART sockets...

Bazzer2 · 14-03-2010 9:00am

OP, this has me intrigued! Any chance of posting some pictures of your set-up, including connectors?

superleedsdub · 15-03-2010 10:26am

Bazzer2 wrote: »

OP, this has me intrigued! Any chance of posting some pictures of your set-up, including connectors?

Yeah, I`m intrigued too
@the OP - could you please provide the model numbers of the equipment involved?

If you have the option to use HDMI on your DVD or DVR - that would be the best option, otherwise a SCART extension lead would be the next best choice IMO

something like this:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=4724

highdef · 15-03-2010 11:24am

zilog_jones wrote: »

Which DVR is this? Sounds odd, even the standard STBs had two SCART sockets...

The Thomson DCI6221 has only 1 scart connector on it. This is a DVR and has a piano black front panel. It's a newish model so maybe the OP has this.

zilog_jones · 15-03-2010 12:06pm

The OP said their DVR has two SCART sockets, so I guess it's the older silver Thomson one like ours. That is really cheap that this one only has one socket. Even on TVs with more than one SCART socket, it's nearly always the case that only the primary socket supports RGB input (the other(s) will be composite/s-video which are poorer quality).

@TheRedDevil10
Your options are:
- If you have a modern TV, use HDMI or YPbPr component connections (red, green and blue phono plugs) for your DVD player (or get a new DVD player if it has neither of these)
- Get a SCART switch box
- Use the composite (yellow phono) or S-video (4-pin mini-DIN) inputs on your TV if you have them with your DVD player, but expect a reduction in picture quality and no more auto switching.

Where am I going wrong?

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