Sounds about right from my untrained eye. Don't have the plasma but do have amp/receiver, DVD player, recorder, video & sky. Managed to rig all that little lot up with scart leads only.

So you should not have a worry. DVD recorder should have 2 scarts? The Plug DVD recorder into TV. Then Sky can go via DVD recorder to TV.

Assuming you want to add any further inputs I'm guessing you can get a simple scart hub and route anything (e.g. xbox) through that ?

... simple ... ?

Now where is the right remote control ...

 

Is there any point in having the serial cable from the Sky box to the TV?

And why would you use the serial cable rather than a Scart lead to connect these two together?

And the Denon AV amp has a programmable remote

 

Mark,

I *like* to think I'm fairly clued up in this area, but I have no idea what you're talking about with this "serial" cable? Is it a composite, s-video, RGB or digital signal?

If it were me by the way, I'd want the following inputs:

VGA - for plugging the laptop in (does this come as standard, without needing an input board?)

DVI - for the DVD, or component if you don't have a digital out DVD
A second VGA or component input for taking the feed from a RGB to

VGA / Component converter (http://www.js-technology.com) to get the best out of Sky - you'll probably have this on a lot, so worth doing.

Of course, if you have an AV amp with high quality and high bandwidth video switching, you'd only need one component input and let the amp switch the Sky / DVD (/ Xbox).

Read this in any case! http://www.js-technology.com/technical/ ... facing.pdf

Clive

 

Yeah, the 1 std terminal board is a VGA connection for a PC.

The Sky serial board is a 24 pin serial connection. I believe (not got a Sky box in front of me) that the serial connection on the rear of the Sky box is the same. Thus allowing diect connection between the Sky tuner and the Plasma. Is this VGA? Can't be... surely :?

The Denon AV amp does video switch, but has no Scart inputs... only component RCA, S-Video (9 pin) and composite RCA. I only want to use the component connections (obviously).

When I wrote the first post I was hoping not to be able to use video converters... but if I want to get the best from the Plasma I guess I need to convert RGB to component. How good are these boxes? Not used one, but I'm guessing that the pseudo component signal post conversion is better than the RGB input it takes?

Anyway, given that the answer to the above question is "yes" and there is no benefit in using the 24 pin connector for Sky, then my solution now is the following...

Sky to DVD rec (Scart)
DVD rec (scart) (to RGB>component) to AV amp (TV in, component)
DVD (BNC component) to AV amp (DVD in, component)
AV amp (component) to plasma (component)

My only outstanding question then is... is there benefit on connecting the Freeview scart direct to the plasma via a RGB to component converter or should I take the Freeview scart and connect it to the AV amp 9 pin s-video input and use the video switching?

 

The more i read this I'm getting confused :roll:

How many component connections does your Amp have?

If it were me i would connect DVD Rec,Sky (far better PQ via the JS box),Freeview, via a Quintro RGB switcher to a JS tech RGB/VGA converter to your VGA input on the Plasma. All the Above connected to Amp via Audio connections.
This will also allow you to connect Xbox.

DVD player via Amp to Component Board.

Only one board needed (Component) and selling the Scart board and the Sky thingy you bought will pay for the JS box and Quintro Switcher.
You could also connect the Xbox via componet cable to the Amp.
If yoiu want to connect the PC buy another VGA board which are the cheapest ones for the screen.
Jonah

 

In answer to the questions:

The amp has 2 component connections in and one out.

The amp has a composite and S-Video for every possible source but Mark would rather use component connections to maximise quality.

And fwiw I would rather not have extra "little boxes" to find space for as well as all the other AV stuff... :wink:

 

Well one "problem" solved... I've found a Freeview box that has component outputs

Just need to configure the rest now

 

Well one "problem" solved... I've found a Freeview box that has component outputs

Just need to configure the rest now

Why do you need Freeview if you have Sky?

 

So you can record one and watch the other...

I think.

 

So you can record one and watch the other...

I think.

Get Sky+ then saves on connection and has 5.1 digital output

 

But costs more per month...

Working on a TIGHT budget!!

A BNC component board + new freeview box is the same price as 1 scart terminal board :?

So you can record one and watch the other...

I think.

Get Sky+ then saves on connection and has 5.1 digital output

 

Sky Plus is free if you have more than one premium channel. We had it installed last month, works a treat but had a minor problem that you need to run two cables to the dish from the box. We had cleverly laid only one under the oak flooring!!! Went up through the ceiling in the end!

 

Sky Plus is free if you have more than one premium channel. We had it installed last month, works a treat but had a minor problem that you need to run two cables to the dish from the box. We had cleverly laid only one under the oak flooring!!! Went up through the ceiling in the end!

You mean "free" apart from the £199 for equipment and £60 installation :roll:

 

But costs more per month...

Working on a TIGHT budget!!

A BNC component board + new freeview box is the same price as 1 scart terminal board :?

Cancel the sofas and get the best AV set up ............. you know it makes sense :wink:

 

But costs more per month...

Working on a TIGHT budget!!

A BNC component board + new freeview box is the same price as 1 scart terminal board :?

Cancel the sofas and get the best AV set up ............. you know it makes sense :wink:

PLEASE don't tempt me... you can't watch a great AV setup from 6' under :roll:

 

:twisted:

 

This might be a stupid comment but does your Plasma not have a media box to plug all your equipment into? My Philips has 5 scarts plus a host of other connections that I don't use.

 

It comes with configurable slots so that you don't end up with connections you'll never use... such as scart, composite and S-Video

The only std connection is a VGA for a PC... I know I should just buy component BNC boards and be done with it

 

My Sky+ was £99 and free installation last month on sky's website. Worth every penny though. I use it a lot more than I thought I would simply for fast forwarding through ads and pausing.

 

Its free mif you subscribe to a premium package £29 a month :wink:

Also i would connect all the scart connections to a Quintro £59 comes with a remote then a js box £120 all to your VGA input on the plasma.
DVD via component. Sell the two boards you have spare to pay for the above. and you'll have a few quid spare. This way two cables going to plasma and more connections if you ever need them

But costs more per month...

Working on a TIGHT budget!!

A BNC component board + new freeview box is the same price as 1 scart terminal board :?

So you can record one and watch the other...

I think.

Get Sky+ then saves on connection and has 5.1 digital output

 

Except any video "conversion" are faux... and not "real"... I'd rather not use scart, even if RGB if I can help it, or at least minimise the number of Scarts I use.

And although Sky+ is "free"... £99 + £60 install. Unless you are a new customer and then the install is free. The Subscription is only free is you have 2 or more premium packages.

I think the way I'm looking at things is

DVD > AV Amp via component
Sky to DVD rec via RGB scart
DVD rec to converter box
converter box to Plasma via component or VGA
Freeview to AV Amp via component
AV Amp to Plasma via component

£50 for new Freeview box with component outputs
£xx for RGB > component/VGA converter box
£75 for a new component board

Send back a 26 pin serial board for about £130 (still not exactly sure what this is :? )

 

The 26 pin board is for the Panasonic tunner i believe

 

:? And why would I need it... doh!!! Looks like I'll be ringing then sooner rather than later :roll:

 

I have all connections to my Panny TH-42PW5 plasma routed through a Panny tuner (TU-PT600B) - 3 Scarts (2 of which are RGB) and 1 component input. 26 pin output to tuner board (TY-42TM5H) in plasma screen. Quality is excellent and all switching taken care of by the Panny tuner. OK, so a bit expensive as a solution but, hey, when you've bought the plasma, digital surround sound amp, full set of speakers and a DVD then the tuner is not a lot extra in comparison. Besides which it makes for a very neat and aesthetic installation indeed!

 

But why do you need a tuner? Is it an analog tuner?

You're right we have spent a decent amount on the setup and that's why I'm not gonna be satisfied with scart... gonna stick with component or VGA