I'm trying to find a neat cheap way of making a normal portable TV set switch on to the scart input. I've realized that sending 12v to pin 8 will do the trick but the signal arrives on 3 phono connections - Audio L, Audio R and Composite Video - which are fed through an adaptor into the (only) scart socket on the TV.

Is there a way to hot wire the scart input so that it always thinks it's getting a select signal on Pin 8?

It's a 4:3 portable TV, at least 5 years old and I'm looking for the neatest, cheapest solution.

Thanks.

[Chris Muriel]

Exactly what are you trying to feed the TV from ?
If it has a source of 12 volts, you could run the 12 volt wire along with the phono cables.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

[fallenangle]

You seem to be saying you're using an AV cable from some piece of equipment with the three standard RCA/Phono AV connections (composite/L/R audio) going into a SCART connector. If we knew exactly what you were trying to connect to the TV it might help with any solution.

Hi, thanks for your replies.

The TV in question is connected, via a 30m cable, to one output of an Inter-M VAMS-0808 - this piece of equipment is a Video Audio Matrix Switcher that allows each of the eight outputs (Audio L, Audio R, Composite Video per output) to be fed from any of the eight input sources, which are also Composite/L/R connections.

Currently someone has to find the 'AV' button on the TV remote (which sometimes goes missing) to switch over to the feed from the switcher. I'm trying to eliminate the need for any action at the TV end - it has no purpose other than showing whatever comes down this feed.

You're right, fallenangle, about the connection configuration.

Chris Muriel - The VAMS-0808 feeding the TV has no 12v output that I am aware of... although, if I could find or create on at that end could I send it along one of the existing 3 phono connections?

I was hoping that the scart on the back of the TV would have a handy 12v output that I could wire into the Pin 8 connector to force the TV to always look at the scart input... I'm guessing this is not the case as no-one has suggested anything like that.

What do you think?
Thanks.

[JayCee]

What's the make and model no of the TV?
Some sets can be programmed to start at switch-on on a particular channel from the service menu.
If you let me know I'll try and find out if yours can.

The TV make is 'Bush' and the model, I think, is '1433 Blu 3' and was made in Turkey. (I hope I've remembered that model number correctly - I wrote it down today and came home without it )

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by Pebblesculpt

The TV make is 'Bush' and the model, I think, is '1433 Blu 3' and was made in Turkey. (I hope I've remembered that model number correctly

If it is a 1433 BLU3?...confusingly they (Vestel the manufacturer) changed chassis midway through production...some use the 11AK20M chassis and others use the 11AK36 chassis.
Check the rear label and look for "AK20" or "AK36" printed on it.
If it's the 11AK20 it cannot be made to switch to the AV channel by default at switch-on...it may be possible with the 11AK36...this involves changing some option bytes within the service menu...I don't know if you're comfortable making adjustments here as one wrongly adjusted setting can screw the set up.

Originally Posted by JayCee

Check the rear label and look for "AK20" or "AK36" printed on it.
If it's the 11AK20 it cannot be made to switch to the AV channel by default at switch-on...it may be possible with the 11AK36...this involves changing some option bytes within the service menu...I don't know if you're comfortable making adjustments here as one wrongly adjusted setting can screw the set up.

I did read that other code and I think it was AK20. I'll check again. I'd be quite happy to change the settings in the service menu (how do you access that) so long as it's clear what does what.

[JayCee]

Originally Posted by Pebblesculpt

I did read that other code and I think it was AK20. I'll check again.

"If it's the 11AK20 it cannot be made to switch to the AV channel"

It is the AK20... oh drat!

Thanks for your help, anyhow. At some point I'll replace that screen with a dedicated monitor.