[altyfc]

Hi everyone... I wonder if you could help.
Forgive me, I'm very clueless on all of this.

We are in the Border TV region which I think has just undergone the switchover whilst we've been away on holiday.

Currently we have the following:

Main TV in open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room (Panasonic TH-50PZ81) with Freesat plus a few channels we subscribe to.

Additional TV (flatscreen iiyama) in study that, until recently, just got normal signal (but now gets nothing due, presumably, to switchover)

Additional TV (flatscreen iiyama) in "gym", mounted in front of running machine, which presumably also now has the same problem. Never got much use because running machine seemed to interfere with the picture and sound wasn't all that audible over the machine.

Crappy, cheapo Daewoo TV (not flatscreen, but it works just fine!) in spare bedroom, which again I assume no longer gets a signal.

We are also planning on getting a new TV for master bedroom, perhaps something similar to what we have in the lounge.

Would also like to sort something speaker/music wise in the open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room where we can just insert an iPod and play whatever.

My questions are:

1) what do I need to do to get TVs working again? I think I need a set top box for each TV other than the main one... is that right? I also read about a thing called Slingbox Pro ( Sling Media - Slingbox PRO ) which led me to think that I could send whatever is on the main TV to any other TV, and I wondered if that negates the need for multiple boxes if I was happy to watch whatever the main TV was showing. If so, does the main TV actually have to be on when using that device?

2) if my TV in the gym was to get a digital signal, would that mean that the running machine wouldn't interfere at all, or does that not necessarily follow? Someone said I should get the 'cadence' of the running machine checked... does that sound right? I was also advised that I could get an amplifier for the TV's sound so that I could hear it over the running machine... I don't really want to run with headphones if I can help it, and I don't want to deafen everyone in the house, but I got the impression it was possible to improve the volume 'locally' if that makes sense (ie. in the exact vicinity of the running machine)

3) The TV in the master bedroom... are there any advantages in getting the same one as we have in the kitchen/lounge/dining room? I seem to remember something about Panasonic devices with Viera being linkable or something... sorry, I don't really know what I'm talking about, but just wondered if there was any particular reason/advantage for getting the same.

4) Any recommended solution for speakers for the iPod/music? I was wondering if there was any benefit in the TV sound also going through the same speakers... at the moment, the sound from the main TV comes from the telly only.

Sorry, that's been a longer post than I'd envisaged... I'd be very grateful for help with any of these questions. Thanks.

[DPinBucks]

Others will probably have better ideas, but for what it's worth here are my thoughts:

• Given your current setup, I would think that the best thing for you is a set-top box for each TV. They're very cheap these days, and would give you all the flexibility you currently have.
• Signal strength. Generally-speaking, a digital signal is considerably weaker than an analogue, so it's possible that one or more of your TVs will not work with digital with your current aerial. However, now that your area has switched over, the digital signal will have been considerably strengthened. I suggest you buy one set-top box first, and try it on each of your TVs to see which if any would give trouble. You don't say what your aerial setup is, but an amplifier/distributer may well help. Again, quite cheap.
• Set top boxes are generally SCART only. Your flat screens will certainly be OK, but it's possible your old Daewoo doesn't have SCART inputs. You'll need to check that.
• There's no advantage in having all your TVs the same make unless they're linked in some way (that really applies to DVDs, PVRs, etc attached to the TV). That being said, you can't go wrong with Panasonic.
• If you want a simple, low-cost solution to your iPod music requirement, I can recommend this
  Sony CMTBX70DBI iPod Docking DAB Micro System: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo,
  which I've recently bought. Has DAB, FM, AM, CD, iPod dock.
• Afraid I can't help with the sound issues in the gym or the Slingbox product. TBH, the latter doesn't sound like something you'd need.
• Silly question: I assume none of your existing flat screen TVs have digital capability already?

[mike7]

The Slingbox is a device for sending your TV signals over the internet,not from Tv to TV.

[altyfc]

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply. I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

You don't say what your aerial setup is, but an amplifier/distributer may well help. Again, quite cheap.

I'm sorry I don't know the answer to that beyond "there's something on the roof". I don't know if it helps, but the property is a new build, built just over 5 years ago (and that is when the aerials would have been fitted). Not sure if this helps narrow it down, or what I would need to do to find out what kind of aerial we have.

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

Set top boxes are generally SCART only. Your flat screens will certainly be OK, but it's possible your old Daewoo doesn't have SCART inputs. You'll need to check that.

Hmmm... I'm not sure but I'll check that when I'm home later today. I at least know what SCART is.

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

There's no advantage in having all your TVs the same make unless they're linked in some way (that really applies to DVDs, PVRs, etc attached to the TV). That being said, you can't go wrong with Panasonic.

OK, thanks.

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

If you want a simple, low-cost solution to your iPod music requirement, I can recommend this

Sony CMTBX70DBI iPod Docking DAB Micro System: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo,

which I've recently bought. Has DAB, FM, AM, CD, iPod dock.[/quote]

Thanks, that looks like it might be ideal. Would I be right in guessing you could get two additional speakers if required?

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

Afraid I can't help with the sound issues in the gym or the Slingbox product. TBH, the latter doesn't sound like something you'd need.

One thing that I thought the Slingbox might give me - and do please correct me if I'm wrong - is that I might be able to get the additional satellite channels that we get on our main TV on the other TVs also. With the current set-up, only the main TV has a good array of channels, and the others all just get channels 1-4. Would that change with moving digital? I guess it would, but as you'll have already realised, I'm a tad clueless on all of this!

Originally Posted by DPinBucks

Silly question: I assume none of your existing flat screen TVs have digital capability already?

Uhmm... not that I'm aware of. I guess I'd need to look at the manuals. One is around 5 years old and the other about 2 years old. They weren't cheap at the time but were far from top of the range also.

Thanks again for all your help. I guess I need to go and get a set top box and try that out for starters.

[mike7]

One thing that I thought the Slingbox might give me - and do please correct me if I'm wrong - is that I might be able to get the additional satellite channels that we get on our main TV on the other TVs also. With the current set-up, only the main TV has a good array of channels, and the others all just get channels 1-4. Would that change with moving digital? I guess it would, but as you'll have already realised, I'm a tad clueless on all of this!

A Slingbox is a device for transmitting tv material, from recorders Sky boxes etc via the internet to a personal computer so you can watch your home set-up when away from home. It's not easy to set up, but works quite well. It will not solve your problem. It is not connectable in any way to another TV set in the home.The promotional material makes this clear. If you want to distribute your satellite channels around the home you will either have to have separate satellite boxes for each TV, or make a connection from the main box to other TVs, but you will have to watch the same programme on all sets at the same time.

[altyfc]

Thanks for clarifying that, Mike.

Update: I bought a Bush set top box (a Bush DV1000B, as it was about all Argos had left) and have tested it on the Daewoo. I'm pleased to say it worked a treat, and I have no reason to suppose it won't work fine on the gym TV (neighbouring room to the Daewoo).

HOWEVER...

The iiyama in the study (the older of the two) appears to have no SCART connection on the back. It's the ProLite C171 WT. Does that mean it's now completely defunct or is there some way of turning it into a working TV?

ALSO...

I forgot to mention... we have one of those Tilevision TVs in our bathroom. There's no easy access to the back of it of course because it's 'tiled in'. Is there any solution for that one?

Thanks...

Paul

[altyfc]

I've done a bit of research and it sounds like something like the TVonics MFR-200 will solve my problem and can be connected via the aerial socket. That would solve the gym and I guess it might be the best option for the Tilevision TV. That all connects via an aerial socket in the bedroom next to it, and I don't suppose remote controls and set top boxes mix well with bathrooms. Downside is going to be that I can't change channels from the bathroom, but at least I'll be able to get a picture again.

If I'm missing something, do please let me know!