VCR socket re-enabled when using HDMI

Ian Dudley · 25-07-2008, 1:02 PM

Just noticed in this digital spy article (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitalt...f-of-2008.html) that Virgin have apparently been rolling out a software upgrade which re-enables the VCR Scart when using HDMI for Hi-Def.

I've been wondering about this, as while most posts on the forum say the socket doesn't work, there has been the odd post saying it does.

Can people maybe check whether this update is generally available and if so the sticky connections thread should probably be updated?

(I get my V+ next week so will check then)

essjay · 25-07-2008, 3:57 PM

Yep been enabled for about 3/4 months now

Forget_The_Rest · 25-07-2008, 3:59 PM

This was re-enabled with the 3.1.6.1 software around 3-4 months ago.

sotonjoe · 25-07-2008, 4:30 PM

But what does it do?

Forget_The_Rest · 25-07-2008, 4:53 PM

It allows you to transfer stuff off of your V+ hard drive. At one point they turned it off while using HDMI as the main output due to various issues so to back up you would have to switch to using SCART. That was fixed and so they re-enabled it.

Ian Dudley · 25-07-2008, 5:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forget_The_Rest

It allows you to transfer stuff off of your V+ hard drive. At one point they turned it off while using HDMI as the main output due to various issues so to back up you would have to switch to using SCART. That was fixed and so they re-enabled it.

Is this the archiving function, or a normal live feed? i.e. can I record programs as they are playing?

Forget_The_Rest · 25-07-2008, 6:29 PM

It's designed for archiving.

I've not tried doing it with a live feed but there is a picture output of whatever channel you were watching until the transfer begins so it might work for that as well.

kgollop · 25-07-2008, 9:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Dudley

Is this the archiving function, or a normal live feed? i.e. can I record programs as they are playing?

It is the live feed that was re-enabled. The archiving function always worked (well with some issues!) and was never disabled.

flyingscotno1 · 26-07-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgollop

It is the live feed that was re-enabled. The archiving function always worked (well with some issues!) and was never disabled.

I currently use the RF out on the V+ to run the signal round to a few other TV's. Is this now possible if HDMI is used or would it have to come from VCR scart?

essjay · 26-07-2008, 5:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingscotno1

I currently use the RF out on the V+ to run the signal round to a few other TV's. Is this now possible if HDMI is used or would it have to come from VCR scart?

It would have to come from the VCR scart

Ian Dudley · 26-07-2008, 6:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingscotno1

I currently use the RF out on the V+ to run the signal round to a few other TV's. Is this now possible if HDMI is used or would it have to come from VCR scart?

If you have another device with an RF out (e.g. an old VCR), you can send the Scart signal into that, then take the RF out from there to the rest of your house.

Ian Dudley · 26-07-2008, 7:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgollop

It is the live feed that was re-enabled. The archiving function always worked (well with some issues!) and was never disabled.

That's what I was hoping, thanks for the confirmation.

Chilly Willy · 27-07-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingscotno1

I currently use the RF out on the V+ to run the signal round to a few other TV's. Is this now possible if HDMI is used or would it have to come from VCR scart?

Hi mate

Yes you can use HDMI socket and link up to four televisions using:

HQ 4 Port HDMI Splitter

Although expensive it has some benefits over VCR Scart and RF outputs:

1 Better picture quality.

2 It is possible to see menus while pressing remote buttons via magic eye or whatever remote sensor you use.

The drawback is:

1 Can only view the same channel on all televisions linked.

I hope this has helped