Please help with connecting new Hard Drive Recorder and ntl box.

Fingerscrossed1 · 12-01-2009, 7:59 PM

Hi everyone.

We got a Hard Drive recorder for xmas but are having trouble connecting it to our ntl box (just the normal box) and our tv - no other gadgets involved, so you would think it would be simple!!!

Please tell me where I need scart leads to be attached from and to and do I need to use my outside aerial as I get a very poor picture through it.

Please explain why we need an external aerial fitted - I thought this was the point of having cable (as we are in a bowl so normal tv aerial signal is rubbish!!)

I have tried to follow a previous post but do not know what HDMI stands for!!

Sorry - no good with technical issues/gadgets as you can tell.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Boostrail · 12-01-2009, 8:28 PM

Welcome to AVForums I am sure one of us can help you but....

Please post what Make and Model the hard drive recorder is please. It would help if we can find whether we are talking about a freeview type PVR or perhaps a hard disc DVDR?

Also which cable box do you have?

Fingerscrossed1 · 12-01-2009, 8:39 PM

Hi, thanks for the quick reply.

We have a Sharp Digital TV Recorder, TU-R162H with freeview, and its a Samsung ntl box - is this enough info??

Boostrail · 12-01-2009, 8:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingerscrossed1

Hi, thanks for the quick reply.

We have a Sharp Digital TV Recorder, TU-R162H with freeview, and its a Samsung ntl box - is this enough info??

Yes thanks - not familiar with the Sharp - will google for info - back soon.

Boostrail · 12-01-2009, 9:09 PM

OK the Sharp is a Freeview Hard disc PVR. It is intended to receive decode and record Freeview from an aerial. It can record one programme whilst you watch another from it.

This model does not get good reviews and seems to have a reputation for poor reliability.

I regret that if Freeview reception from an aerial is not possible it is as good as useless and cannot be used in any way to record material from your cable Samsung V box (ex NTL).

Depending on who gave it to you I would politely ask them to take it back whence it came and give you something else!

If you want this facility then upgrade to a V+ box that does the basics of the Sharp and far more on a cable connection.

Tkrockeruk · 12-01-2009, 9:19 PM

Depending on what cable package you have, meaning if you only subscribe to the basic package and only receive FTA channels then I guess you could plug your Virgin cable into the freeview box, the watch the FTA channels through that.

However if you subscribe to more than the basic package, you will loose any subscription channels.

Fingerscrossed1 · 12-01-2009, 9:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boostrail

OK the Sharp is a Freeview Hard disc PVR. It is intended to receive decode and record Freeview from an aerial. It can record one programme whilst you watch another from it.

This model does not get good reviews and seems to have a reputation for poor reliability.

I regret that if Freeview reception from an aerial is not possible it is as good as useless and cannot be used in any way to record material from your cable Samsung V box (ex NTL).

Depending on who gave it to you I would politely ask them to take it back whence it came and give you something else!

If you want this facility then upgrade to a V+ box that does the basics of the Sharp and far more on a cable connection.

Thank you for taking the time to reply - packing it back in the box now!! Sounds like the V+ is the easiest way to go.

Boostrail · 12-01-2009, 9:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tkrockeruk

Depending on what cable package you have, meaning if you only subscribe to the basic package and only receive FTA channels then I guess you could plug your Virgin cable into the freeview box, the watch the FTA channels through that.

However if you subscribe to more than the basic package, you will loose any subscription channels.

Regret even that is not correct. The Freeview PVR box will only receive Freeview multiplexes(several channels digitally "coded" into the the carrier bandwidth of a conventional analog broadcast channel).

This Sharp box connected to a VM cable will see nothing, furthermore direct connection of equipment not supplied by VM to their network with the intent of receiving their sevice is in contravention of their terms and conditions of supply. This could render the user open to prosecution.

bjjgann · 13-01-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingerscrossed1

Thank you for taking the time to reply - packing it back in the box now!! Sounds like the V+ is the easiest way to go.

In my opinion that would be the best way to go. I and many others have been there with various Video recorders, DVD recorders (DVD recorders are just such a bad idea) and HDD recorders. It is just not worth the grief if you can afford the V+ box.