Decent RGB Scart Switcher

Anders0n · 18 Jun 2006 at 13:19

Hi there,

Just ordered some new RGB cables to from Sky+ and the DVD Player to the TV. However my TV only has 1 RGB Scart socket. So could someone recommend a decent switcher for around £20? Ideally it needs to automatically switch.

Many thanks,

Mike

Anders0n · 20 Jun 2006 at 11:46

C'mon people!

pinkaardvark · 20 Jun 2006 at 12:14

doesn't sky or your DVD have a pass though?

Tesla · 21 Jun 2006 at 10:49

Plug the DVD player into the Sky+'s "VCR" scart socket and then the Sky+ box to the TV.

I would be suprised if you see a difference with the new cables.

I assume your TV is a few years old/not massive if it has only one scart socket.

pinkaardvark · 21 Jun 2006 at 10:52

Tesla said:
Plug the DVD player into the Sky+'s "VCR" scart socket and then the Sky+ box to the TV.

I would be suprised if you see a difference with the new cables.

I assume your TV is a few years old/not massive if it has only one scart socket.

I think he means it only has 1 RGB scart Tesla.

Tesla · 21 Jun 2006 at 10:53

pinkaardvark said:
I think he means it only has 1 RGB scart Tesla.

Ahh missed those letters.

If it does have more than one scart socket then perhaps the second or third accepts SVideo? Does your DVD output Svideo via scart?

Anders0n · 21 Jun 2006 at 10:55

Yeah the tv has 3 scarts, but only 1 is RGB. It's a 51" Sony RPTV.

Thing is, only 1 of the scarts on the sky+ box is RGB...

Edit: Yeah the 3rd scart on the TV can do S-Video. Not sure about the dvd outputting it via scart though.

Anders0n · 21 Jun 2006 at 11:10

Just found the manual and yes it does output s-video through scart.

Jez · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:33

Just get an el-cheapo scart doubler mate. They are fully wired and will pass the 2 devices into the TV no worries. I did the same on my sony RPTV.

Tesla · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:52

Jez said:
Just get an el-cheapo scart doubler mate. They are fully wired and will pass the 2 devices into the TV no worries. I did the same on my sony RPTV.

It's not needed though.

You;re correct about Sky+. Only the TV scart will output RGB but VCR will input RGB and loop it through to the TV out.

I would plug the DVD into the SVideo scart and set the DVD player to SVideo.

That way, you can connect a recorder to the sky if need be at a later date.

Jez · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:54

S-video looks really poor on these sets though mate

RGB shifts the TV into a different mode and looks completely different.

If the sky+ box will loop the RGB feed from the DVD then do it that way. Failing that the scart doubler will effectively give you 2 RGB scarts on the TV which will be useful.

Tesla · 21 Jun 2006 at 12:57

Didn't realise that with regards to SVid/RGB.

Sometimes you get feedback problems with the splitters though. Apparently Argos sale a cheap one which is supposedly rather good.

The Sky+ loop through method is free but as Jez says, having an extra RGB socket could be handy.

Richiev4 · 21 Jun 2006 at 19:43

You could try this

http://www.bluedelta.co.uk/Smart-SCART.htm

My brother uses one and it does all the switching for you. about £35 but very good value for money.

Rich

fish99 · 21 Jun 2006 at 20:14

Jez said:
S-video looks really poor on these sets though mate RGB shifts the TV into a different mode and looks completely different.

Sure you're using a scart socket that takes an s-video input, and that you've selected s-video input for that socket via the tv's menu? S-video doesn't look as good as RGB it's true, but it shouldn't be far off.

Jez · 22 Jun 2006 at 10:19

fish99 said:
Sure you're using a scart socket that takes an s-video input, and that you've selected s-video input for that socket via the tv's menu? S-video doesn't look as good as RGB it's true, but it shouldn't be far off.

Yes, i'm sure

fish99 · 22 Jun 2006 at 11:40

Fair enough