SCART to HDMI Cable

[sparkybun]

Hi,

A strange one this. I have a installed in trunking my cables to the TV so thay are NOT removable. I have put in a SCART and HDMI to the TV. I am currently using the HDMI fine with a switcher. I now need an extra HDMI to the TV. So, is there such a beast as a HDMI to SCART cable/converter. Now I am not looking for a SCART in and HDMI out box. I need a HDMI to SCART cable converter one end and SCART to HDMI cable converter the other end. If there is a beast on the Market great. If not, can anyone recommend a custom cable manufacturer. Would there be any problems running the HDMI signals up the SCART? I realise that the HDMI signals are Digital based and the SCART Analogue so there potentially migth be some problems there.

Thanks

Mel

 

[MarkTaylor]

Interesting question.

A fully wired SCART cable has enough cores, but I'm not at all sure if the wiring used and the quality of the connectors would be up to the job.

Do check you have a fully wired SCART though or you fail at the first hurdle.

 

[dwhite]

Can't you get a new switcher with the required extra input(s).

 

[sparkybun]

Hi,

Yes it is a fully wired scart BUT I have done my homework and the HDMI cable construction is almost along the lines of a CAT5 due to the bit rates the HDMI cable has to transmit. I cannot see the SCART cable being able to cope with this without some horrendous crosstalk or losses/attenuation which will degrade the signal badly. It took ages to find a switcher that does EXACTLY what I want - Fully Automatic! I cannot find a 4 way switcher that does exactly what the Oppo does.

Thanks anyway

Mel

 

[Joe Fernand]

Hello sparkybun

Forget the HDMI over SCART cable idea - that's not going to work.

Octava have a 5x1 unit with Auto source selection - http://www.octavainc.com/HDMI switch 4port.htm

Joe

 

[sparkybun]

Hi,

Yes, ok, I worked out it wasn't going to work. I'm just not convinced about this smartscan algorithm! I tried three switchers that apparently did 'automatic' switching before finding the Oppo, which I have now, did exactly what I need. I am a little swayed by the 'Wives & Kids' approved bit though, as that is exactly the reason for my need!! I'm ok but it has to be absolutely Wife and Kid proof and totally seamless. Can you confirm that it works in exactly the same way as the Oppo? It doesn't explain what the 'algorithm' actually does. Is it based on last one live or prioritising as does the Oppo? One thing to bear in mind with these switchers, which I learnt the expensive way is that SKY does not actually turn the HDMI off totally when the box goes into Standby. There is some sort of signal still there. This is why most of the so called 'Automatic' switchers do not work because they are all based on the signal disappearing when the Item is turned off.

Thanks

Mel

 

[sparkybun]

Hi,

Just read up about the Octava and no the Octava will not work. Again its one of these 'Select the newest Active Source'. That is exactly what I don't want. I do want 'select the newest Active source' BUT only based on priority. This is exactly what the Oppo does and why it appears to be unique. Lets give an example, which I can't say is unique in a lot of SKY households. We have the SKY box in the Lounge along with the DVD Player. Somebody turns on the DVD Player to watch it in the Lounge. Now a little later, someone else decides to watch the SKY box via its RF2 (because we're tight and won't pay the £10 multiroom!!). The Oppo does not Flinch and the DVD watcher in the Lounge is still happily watching the DVD. Every other Switcher would have switched to the SKY box and believe me World War III would have broken out!!!!

Thanks anyway

Mel

 

[Joe Fernand]

Hello sparkybun

Any Auto switch can be fooled by some of the oddities out on the Source device market.

SKY HD is an 'always on' source in that its HDMI port never goes into standby - stick SKY HD on Input 01 of the Octava and the Octava switch will always see it as an active source.

Now power on your DVD on Input 02 and the Octava will go to Input 02 - if someone simultaneously decides to view SKY HD on its RF Output its not a problem as until you put the DVD into standby or power on the Source attached to Input 03, 04 or 05 the Octava wont flinch.

We have hundreds of the Octava Smart Scan units installed in systems that include SKY HD and we don't get problems.

Joe

 

[sparkybun]

Hi,

Yes but you missed my point if you re-read my post. If someone is watching the DVD player THEN someone switches on SKY, the Octava, from what I read, then will switch to the SKY. The Oppo has Priority over its inputs and will not switch to SKY as it is on a lower priority input. Have you got an Octava that you can test this out on?

I am very grateful for your help on this not trying to be obstructive!

Thanks

Mel

 

[Joe Fernand]

Hello sparkybun

Lots of Octava in stock so not a problem to test

The SKY HD box doesn't send out a trigger over HDMI when it goes into or out of standby so if you are viewing another Source on Inputs 02, 03, 04 or 05 and someone takes SKY HD out of standby to view via RF2 it will have no effect on the Octava Switch.

You can purchase an Octava unit on Sale or Return from plenty of places if you want to test it out in your system.

There are other HDMI Switch solutions you can consider - though they are higher spec/cost than the units being discussed here.

Joe