NTL box/DVD recorder/TV connection

Posted by: Martin C on 23 January 2007

Hi there,

Need some advice here, I am intergrating my naim system to the Av, I am using Roksan AV processor, powered by NAP90.3 for the centre (Lin Trikan) and another NAP90.3 for the rear (Intro). REL Strata 5 sub.

Just got a Sont 860 DVD recorder, want to set it up, I thought it would be straightforward, it's not. I connect a Scart from NTL box to TV,
Scart from NTL to DVD recorder, HDMI cable from DVD to TV. What I can record is what I choose on the NTL box? When I do the easy set up, can't find any channels from the NTL cable box at all.not one? I even tried to connect the RF Coaxial cable, from NTL box to DVD recorder and RF Coaxial cable from DVD recorder to TV, still can't search any channel. I thought I can watch TV and record on other channel? Do I have to get a bypass connector in order to do so? Need some precious advice here!

Thought about to get rid of all and get a N-Vi!!!

cheers
Martin
Posted on: 23 January 2007 by ajalden
Hi Martin,

I think it's more a limitation of NTL then anything your doing or your equipment.

Check with NTL first!.

Regards, Andy
Posted on: 24 January 2007 by Graham Russell
Martin,

I recently bought the same DVD recorder.

You will need a terrestrial signal for the Sony box to tune into. I have Sky rather than NTL, but I assume it's similar in that you need an aerial. The Sony box has a freeview tuner so it needs an RF feed from a roof-top aerial.

Once this is set up you can record freeview while watching another channel via NTL. What's really cool is you can be watching the programme you are currently recording. Once a recording has started you can watch the programme from the beginning while you're still recording the rest of the programme - this can take a while to get your head around the concept.

I hope this helps.

Graham.
Posted on: 24 January 2007 by Martin C
Hi Graham,

Thanks for your advice.

So I need to connect an RF coxial cable from the external aerial (or indoor one if I do not have a external one). But I can only record from the channels available from the freeview tuner? Not from NTL?

What I do not understand is even if I connect the scart cable, as well as the RF Coaxial cable from NTL box to DVD recorder, then RF Coxial cable from DVD recorder to TV, Scart from NTL box to TV, no signal pick up from the NTL from the easy set up? Not even one channel.

Also what TV are you using? I have the Pioneer Plasama, I try to use the Sony remote to work on the Pioneer TV, but surprises surprises, pioneer is not on the manual, but Bush, Nokia is on, strange. I even asked Sony, they do not have a clue, they asked me to check with Pioneer? By any chance you have a Pioneer TV?

Hope to sort out the set up ASAP, my missus is pressurising me!!!

cheers
Martin
Posted on: 24 January 2007 by Graham Russell
Martin,

Again based on my experiences on Sky not NTL, but I assume the theory is the same...

The RF out of the NTL box is likely to be a single channel only not the 5 TV channels you'd get with an aerial. The reason set-top boxes have RF out is to support old TVs that don't have scart. What you'd see on the RF out is the same as what's on scart i.e. whichever channel is selected on the set-top box.

To see the terrestrial and freeview channels you will need an aerial - either external or internal depending on signal strength.

You have said you've connected the NTL box via scart to the recorder. This will allow you to record NTL programmes as long as on the Sony recorder you select the scart input as the video source. You are able to manually select different inputs e.g. tv, dv, scart etc.

The Sony box also supports syncro record. This means it will automatically record a signal that appears on the AV scart input. The recording will start & stop when the signal starts and stops. This means you can record multiple NTL programmes by setting the Sony box onto syncro record and setting up a programme list on the NTL box. Again assuming NTL is the same as Sky the NTL box will turn itself on ands off at the beginning and end of each programme.

In summary you will need an aerial as well as scart connection to the NTL box. This will allow both freeview and NTL programmes to be recorded.

I'm afraid I have a 32" Sony CRT (how old fashioned !!) so my remote works just fine. All I can suggest is you try each of the TV settings listed in the manual to see if Pioneer uses the same codes as another manufacturer.

As clear as mud I bet Smile

Graham.