Connecting VCR + old tv

[Dollyvarden]

Hi

Yesterday I bought a B&O Beovision 7700 from 1983. I really just want to use it for watching VHS, but I ran into some trouble while trying to connect it with my Prosonic vcr.



The VCR is clearly not as old as the tv, and I tried connecting the vcr and tv with a scart cable. It did not work though I tried the AV channels and so on.

Back on the tv there is some different kind of connections.



I should probably use the tape output right? But what kind of cable will connect that output with the vcr?

As you can see the outputs on the video is a little different.



I really appreciate your help

[hech54]

That's B&O right? Weren't they famous for proprietary connections between other B&O products only?
Although your scart looks quite substantial.....maybe you need one of those rare cables that has EVERY pin wired and functional?
Did you actually SEE the TV functioning before you bought it?

[Dollyvarden]

Yes it is hech54 It might be that it will only work with a beocord (the vcr of B&O)

But was it normal to connect a vcr with scart 30 years ago? Would I be able to put a s-video-scart cable in the tape output and connect with the vcr's scart?

I did not see the tv working, but I bought for 15 dollars, so I could live with that. It works great with a Philips Videopac G7000 though, but that connects through the UHF/VHP output.

I suspect a broken scart output, but is there a way I can work around that and connect my vcr?

[newpball]

Yes in Europe, ages ago, it was normal to connect a VCR with scart to a TV. Not only the signals were connected but also synchronization. When you would press play on the VCR the TV automatically switched to video play.

The scart connector should have gotten the price of the most idiotic connection ever invented since the latest major ice age.

[JVRaines]

I suspect a broken scart output, but is there a way I can work around that and connect my vcr?

You can put an RF modulator between your VCR and the 75 Ohm input to the TV.

[hech54]

Having grown up in America, and now living in "SCART-Land".....SCART is just as good as S-Video AND it carries audio too. I still have my DVD players attached to my televisions via SCART. There is no reason to not use them, they are still far superior to RCA/Cinch connections. Only my cable box is connected to my TV via HDMI.....everything else I choose SCART first.

[Dollyvarden]

[QUOTE=JVRaines;2377450]

I suspect a broken scart output, but is there a way I can work around that and connect my vcr?

You can put an RF modulator between your VCR and the 75 Ohm input to the TV.[/QUOTE

So I could buy this (http://elektronik-lavpris.dk/p95600/N-GAME-AVRF_AV_til_RF_adapter/?) and connect it with a RCA cable, right? That way I would get the signal from the vcr on the regular channels (scanning first ofc) and not the av channels, right?

[hech54]

Is analog TV completely dead where you are? Here in Germany you can still stick the TV cable from the wall to the back of your TV and get SOME stations.....just to see if the TV is dead or not?

[Dollyvarden]

Well, no hech54, but the thing is that I don't watch tv And I think most of the channels in Denmark are digital only now.

But as I mentioned, the UHF/VHF output works fine. I connected an Videopac G7000 (old console) and it worked perfect.

[Dollyvarden]

Oh .. So someone suggested me to buy a TV/video RF cable, connect the video and tv and do a search on the channels. That is supposed to work. Seems very simple.

[JVRaines]

I suspect a broken scart output, but is there a way I can work around that and connect my vcr?

You can put an RF modulator between your VCR and the 75 Ohm input to the TV.

So I could buy this (http://elektronik-lavpris.dk/p95600/N-GAME-AVRF_AV_til_RF_adapter/?) and connect it with a RCA cable, right? That way I would get the signal from the vcr on the regular channels (scanning first ofc) and not the av channels, right?

Yes, as long as the converter is putting out a PAL signal that the TV understands. Unfortunately, RF is the lowest quality signal. Does your VCR send s-video through SCART? That may be the problem. Such an old TV probably accepts only composite. If you can configure the VCR to send composite over SCART, or use an RCA-SCART adaptor, it may work.

[Skiller]

So someone suggested me to buy a TV/video RF cable, connect the video and tv and do a search on the channels. That is supposed to work.

That is going to work. You don't need an external RF modulator, every consumer VCR has one built in.

However, RF is much more prone to noise interference – you should prefer Scart. Your TV has a Scart input and the VCR a Scart output (since it is not an S-VHS deck it certainly outputs composite video via Scart, so that should be no problem for the TV), so all you need to do is switch the TV to it's Scart input and then press Play.

With some devices the switching to the TV's Scart input "channel" happens automatically, but in my experience VCRs usually do not (for whatever reason) put any voltage on Scart Pin 8 to trigger this (DVD-players and set top boxes usually all do it though).

Edit: It is vital that you use the TV Scart connector of your VCR, you cannot use the other one labeled "SAT" or similar.

[hech54]

That VCR is definitely not S-VHS/S-Video so I doubt that is an issue, and with SCART, a SCART cable wired for S-Video is backward compatible to non S-Video. If you bought a good, quality SCART cable it would work on anything.....and the SCART cable pictured looks pretty hefty to me. I've seen some real crappers over here.....20 pins but only 5 wires running through.

[Dollyvarden]

So someone suggested me to buy a TV/video RF cable, connect the video and tv and do a search on the channels. That is supposed to work.

That is going to work. You don't need an external RF modulator, every consumer VCR has one built in.

However, RF is much more prone to noise interference – you should prefer Scart. Your TV has a Scart input and the VCR a Scart output (since it is not an S-VHS deck it certainly outputs composite video via Scart, so that should be no problem for the TV), so all you need to do is switch the TV to it's Scart input and then press Play.

With some devices the switching to the TV's Scart input "channel" happens automatically, but in my experience VCRs usually do not (for whatever reason) put any voltage on Scart Pin 8 to trigger this (DVD-players and set top boxes usually all do it though).

Edit: It is vital that you use the TV Scart connector of your VCR, you cannot use the other one labeled "SAT" or similar.

Skiller, I tried that yesterday. I tried both scart outputs on the vcr (there is only one in the tv) and switched to the tv's av channels. I also tried changing channels on the video, but nothing helped.

I believe there is a problem with the scart output on the tv. Earlier today I tried connecting a Playstation 1, but the picture just "jumped around".. I could briefly see the Playstation logo inbetween the madness on the screen. So that seems like trouble right?

But if I want to play with my Playstation then I shold get an RCA/UHF adapter, right?

[Skiller]

I believe there is a problem with the scart output on the tv. Earlier today I tried connecting a Playstation 1, but the picture just "jumped around".. I could briefly see the Playstation logo inbetween the madness on the screen. So that seems like trouble right?

Yes, that sounds like trouble. The Scart input may be broken.

But if I want to play with my Playstation then I shold get an RCA/UHF adapter, right?

You can use the VCR's UHF/VHF modulator to connect the PS1 to the TV. Just connect the PS1 to the VCR's front input (yellow, red and white RCA cables), then connect the VCR via RF cable to the TV. Select the front AV-in on the VCR and on the TV tune to the channel the VCR uses.

[Dollyvarden]

I believe there is a problem with the scart output on the tv. Earlier today I tried connecting a Playstation 1, but the picture just "jumped around".. I could briefly see the Playstation logo inbetween the madness on the screen. So that seems like trouble right?

Yes, that sounds like trouble. The Scart input may be broken.

But if I want to play with my Playstation then I shold get an RCA/UHF adapter, right?

You can use the VCR's UHF/VHF modulator to connect the PS1 to the TV. Just connect the PS1 to the VCR's front input (yellow, red and white RCA cables), then connect the VCR via RF cable to the TV. Select the front AV-in on the VCR and on the TV tune to the channel the VCR uses.

Thanks for the advice. Actually the Playstation 1 does not have RCA cabels but scart .. But I should still be able to plug the playstation to the vcr's scart, the vcr to the tv with UHF and then scan for it right?

My god it is difficult to live a vintage life

[Skiller]

Actually the Playstation 1 does not have RCA cabels but scart ..

In Europe the PS1 was shipped with this cable and Scart adapter.



If you have a different cable then it's probably an RGB-Scart cable (which is actually good, but of no advantage with this TV). It does not matter though, because...

But I should still be able to plug the playstation to the vcr's scart, the vcr to the tv with UHF and then scan for it right?

...yes, it works anyway.

[Dollyvarden]

Actually the Playstation 1 does not have RCA cabels but scart ..

In Europe the PS1 was shipped with this cable and Scart adapter.



If you have a different cable then it's probably an RGB-Scart cable (which is actually good, but of no advantage with this TV). It does not matter though, because...

But I should still be able to plug the playstation to the vcr's scart, the vcr to the tv with UHF and then scan for it right?

...yes, it works anyway.

Thanks Skiller. I appreaciate your help and knowledge

[hech54]

My god it is difficult to live a vintage life

I own NOTHING "Hi-Def" or Blu Ray.....and I just bought another VHS tape on Ebay on Friday.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Yes in Europe, ages ago, it was normal to connect a VCR with scart to a TV. Not only the signals were connected but also synchronization. When you would press play on the VCR the TV automatically switched to video play.

The scart connector should have gotten the price of the most idiotic connection ever invented since the latest major ice age.

I'm not up on analog connections much, in spite of being kind of interested in them, but did this thing ever get used in the US? I've never seen one before.

[newpball]

Yes in Europe, ages ago, it was normal to connect a VCR with scart to a TV. Not only the signals were connected but also synchronization. When you would press play on the VCR the TV automatically switched to video play.

The scart connector should have gotten the price of the most idiotic connection ever invented since the latest major ice age.

I'm not up on analog connections much, in spite of being kind of interested in them, but did this thing ever get used in the US? I've never seen one before.

No, not to my knowledge. It is sometimes called Euroscart and if I am not mistaken there also was a Japanese version of it.

[hech54]

I have a VHS tape arriving tomorrow in the mail and I'll most likely be using SCART from my Panny VCR to my Medion DVD recorder HDD.....if the tape is as long as I think it is(running time). If it's under 2 hours then I'll use my Philips VHS via S-video.

SCART is not dead by a long shot, and it was always superior in every way to RCA/Cinch and at least equal to S-Video in quality. Don't let someone's ignorance of a subject cloud the facts.

[newpball]

The physical connector is simply a bad design, the pins can bend and the metal cast sometimes breaks, falls apart in two pieces or bends. Also the screw holding the thick cable was not very well thought out.

[hech54]

I've got 4 SCART cables I've been using for over 10 years. SCART to Component, SCART to S-Video(plus audio), SCART to RCA(plus audio), and one huge, fully pinned SCART to SCART that's WAY over 10 years old. Never had a problem with them and I connect/disconnect them way more than the average consumer. Again....don't let bullsh|t read from the internet by someone who has never used( or even seen in person) a SCART connection is his/her life cloud the facts.
The best way to connect two quality machines together in PAL-Land is via a quality SCART cable.....not those little €3.99 jobs taken from a peghook in MediaMarkt(Europe's Best Buy).

[newpball]

I've got 4 SCART cables I've been using for over 10 years. SCART to Component, SCART to S-Video(plus audio), SCART to RCA(plus audio), and one huge, fully pinned SCART to SCART that's WAY over 10 years old. Never had a problem with them and I connect/disconnect them way more than the average consumer. Again....don't let bullsh|t read from the internet by someone who has never used( or even seen in person) a SCART connection is his/her life cloud the facts.
The best way to connect two quality machines together in PAL-Land is via a quality SCART cable.....not those little €3.99 jobs taken from a peghook in MediaMarkt(Europe's Best Buy).

Okay, So basically you think Scart is a great design for a connector. The pinnacle of French design perhaps? Add to that it was legislated to be on any French TV/VCR and arguably designed to protect its own industry.

But, good for you!

I agree to disagree!

[hech54]

I've got 4 SCART cables I've been using for over 10 years. SCART to Component, SCART to S-Video(plus audio), SCART to RCA(plus audio), and one huge, fully pinned SCART to SCART that's WAY over 10 years old. Never had a problem with them and I connect/disconnect them way more than the average consumer. Again....don't let bullsh|t read from the internet by someone who has never used( or even seen in person) a SCART connection is his/her life cloud the facts.
The best way to connect two quality machines together in PAL-Land is via a quality SCART cable.....not those little €3.99 jobs taken from a peghook in MediaMarkt(Europe's Best Buy).

Okay, So basically you think Scart is a great design for a connector. The pinnacle of French design perhaps? Add to that it was legislated to be on any French TV/VCR and arguably designed to protect its own industry.

But, good for you!

I agree to disagree!

Mine is based on daily use for 12 years here....and growing up in the US before that......not basing it on the "Freedom Fries" mentality.

[jman98]

Mine is based on daily use for 12 years here..

You're feeding a troll, man. Note that none of his posts are in any way helpful to the OP. Saying "X sucks because blah blah blah. You need to use Y instead which has these advantages..." is one thing. But all he does any more is join threads and stir up trouble by saying how much something sucks and not offering any alternatives.

[hanshotfirst1138]

Was S-video the intermediary between RCA/coaxial and HDMI? All I remember back in the analog days was RCA and RF adapters? Didn't some game systems have S-video connectors? What differentiated it from the standard analog hookups?

[mikel]

IIRC

RCA & Coaxial RF
S-Video separate Luminance (brightness) & Chroma (color)
DVI
HDMI

[newpball]

IIRC

RCA & Coaxial RF
S-Video separate Luminance (brightness) & Chroma (color)
DVI
HDMI

So HDMI comes after DVI?

They are two separate approaches to video connection, one is proprietary, encrypted and royalty generating (HDMI) the other one is open.

And while DVI already has an operational DisplayPort as its successor HDMI 2.0 is more like pie in the sky.