Ooooh... just got meself a Blu-ray player/thanks to BB

[daveh75]

Its probably either an amplifier or the PSU for a masthead amp.

Either way you'll probably find the output from it is connected to the DVD-Rs 'in' and then the DVD-Rs 'out' connected to the TV.

 

[chebby]

Two years ago, when the digital switchover took place, an engineer came in while I was at work and ever since there's a box of tricks on the floor, so I'll have another look tomorrow.

Its probably either an amplifier or the PSU for a masthead amp.

Either way you'll probably find the output from it is connected to the DVD-Rs 'in' and then the DVD-Rs 'out' connected to the TV.

If you still had your old analogue CRT telly when the aerial installer came (and assuming that the old Sony DVD-R is analogue only), then it might be a free 'set-top' box.

In which case remove it and plug in the aerial feed from the roof directly to the back of the TV. (And switch your current LG TV to digital or DVB or whatever it is called on your's.)

Show us a photo of the mystery box.

 

[chebby]

PP, can you confirm that this panel on the back of your LG is identical to the photo? ...

... most importantly the 'Optical Digital Audio Out' connection.

This appears to be the only audio output (everything else - excepting the headphone output - is inputs).

You must have that 'Optical Digital Audio Out' on your TV if you want to connect a DAC.

Just thought it worth a double-check before you spend more money.

 

[John Duncan]

This appears to be the only audio output (everything else - excepting the headphone output - is inputs).

Apart from the headphone socket on the right.

 

[daveh75]

Possibly the scart too.

Worth spending a couple of quid on one of these to find out

 

[chebby]

This appears to be the only audio output (everything else - excepting the headphone output - is inputs).

Apart from the headphone socket on the right.

I think PP tried that before. It worked but he didn't like the sound quality much and didn't like having to unplug the cable every time he needed to return sound back to the TV speakers.

 

[chebby]

Possibly the scart too.

Worth spending a couple of quid on one of these to find out

Not with the SCART in the photo (AV input) unless there is another SCART for output somewhere else on the TV.

From the same manufacturer, this lttle box might be better ...

clicky

 

[chebby]

SCART is bi-directional, and TVs often output audio/video. Its difficult to tell from the photo (and the crappy site no longer allows zooming on mobile) but the SCART symbol looks to me to have the double headed arrow indicating its a bi-directional SCART socket, rather than just an input (would have a single headed arrow pointing into the box)

Ok I understand but I am trying to keep this to certainties rather than 'worth having a try'. I don't think PP is at the point where he wants to take any more chances.

 

[daveh75]

SCART is bi-directional, and TVs often output audio/video. Its difficult to tell from the photo (and the crappy site no longer allows zooming on mobile) but the SCART symbol looks to me to have the double headed arrow indicating its a bi-directional SCART socket, rather than just an input (would have a single headed arrow pointing into the box)

 

[plastic penguin]

PP, can you confirm that this panel on the back of your LG is identical to the photo? ...

... most importantly the 'Optical Digital Audio Out' connection.

This appears to be the only audio output (everything else - excepting the headphone output - is inputs).

You must have that 'Optical Digital Audio Out' on your TV if you want to connect a DAC.

Just thought it worth a double-check before you spend more money.

Yes, that's the one.

Anyway, I've made a decision: For the timebeing, for a month or so, I've decided to knock on the head the idea of having the TV run thru the hi-fi. Instead, I'll use the Sky Box for that purpose (Freeview radio and TV programmes) and obv the Blu-Ray player. Far too many financial commitments (van MOT, new business website/brochures).

However, I'll have to take back the Samsung as, after thorough cleaning of several (random) home DVD-RW and Rs, it still won't play them. Bit of a bind really...

Hopefully around Oct/Nov-ish I can look at a better Dac.

Thanks for the help given over the above Blu-Ray troubleshooting. I'll keep you informed as to which one I decide on... probably a Panny.

 

[chebby]

And the mysterious 'box of tricks' ... have you discovered what it is yet?

 

[plastic penguin]

Nope, not yet. Been a long, long day. Literally only come through the door.

Been over to Bromley branch of RS (By the power of Alfa! that was a long journey) and got Big Boss's suggestion, the 500. Took some test discs (RW and R) and they work fine. Also has the analogue outputs, and all looks dandy. Still in the box and won't connecting it until tomorrow... probably. Completely spent physically.

Big thanks to BB.

 

[bigboss]

Big thanks to BB.

*drinks*

 

[iceman16]

Hi PP

Looking forward to your thoughts on the bdp500 as I got one myself for my ht. IMO it's very good with movies and cd playback(analogue out) aswell.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi PP

Looking forward to your thoughts on the bdp500 as I got one myself for my ht. IMO it's very good with movies and cd playback(analogue out) aswell.

Tricky to give a 'stone wall' appraisal as I don't have the Pioneer side-by-side. Think it's also true what BB and JD said about subtle differences. As for upscaling, I couldn't really say with any certainty because the Sony DVD-R was so old it wouldn't upscale.

However, the picture quality to my eye is very impressive: Spun bits of 'Finding Nemo', 'Ice Age 2' and the colours are so vivid and detailed, and my daughter's newest DVD, which is the first Blu-ray disc, The Lego Movie, and can't find any real faults with the Panasonic. The way it tracks fast sequences is excellent, as was the Pioneer and the Samsung TBF. (IMHO WHFI were a bit harsh in their review of the Sammy). The biggest plus, compared to the Samsung, is the way the Panny's sound quality really hits you -- the Samsung sounded insipid and a little uninvolved, somehow didn't feel the movie experience, unlike the Panasonic.

Speaking of sound, I tried a CD (Chic, which is usually a good test of a hi-fi) and although crystal clear it lacked pretty much everything compared to the Naim CD5i, which isn't surprising but thought I would just add a quick comment.

In a nutshell: For Films (DVDs and Blu-rays) and the respective sound tracks and backing music the Panasonic is excellent. And all for £120.

 

[chebby]

Glad you're sorted now.

I suppose you'll be de-cluttering a bit. Removing the old Sony DVD-R and it's cabling (SCART? co-ax 'fly lead' to telly etc.) and seeing if that 'box of tricks' is required (once you know what it is).

If it's some set-top box installed for your old analogue Sony then it can go.

A quick photo here (if you aren't sure) might help.

Are you still watching Freeview SD (no HD channels from ch 101 onwards) or are you totally reliant on the Sky box to get Freeview HD?

I still have some confusion about how your set-up all hangs together (or at least how it was all connected until the new BDP) especially when it comes to the Digital Terrestrial signal from the roof aerial into your LG.

 

[plastic penguin]

Glad you're sorted now.

I suppose you'll be de-cluttering a bit. Removing the old Sony DVD-R and it's cabling (SCART? co-ax 'fly lead' to telly etc.) and seeing if that 'box of tricks' is required (once you know what it is).

If it's some set-top box installed for your old analogue Sony then it can go.

A quick photo here (if you aren't sure) might help.

Are you still watching Freeview SD (no HD channels from ch 101 onwards) or are you totally reliant on the Sky box to get Freeview HD?

I still have some confusion about how your set-up all hangs together (or at least how it was all connected until the new BDP) especially when it comes to the Digital Terrestrial signal from the roof aerial into your LG.

First question: The DVD-R is only used presently for the TV aerial, so no Scart or interconnects. It isn't even switched on. TBH, I don't know what this little box of tricks is, certainly smaller than a set top box.

Secondly pretty much using the Sky Box only for HD channels and for use of TV thru the hi-fi (where necessary).

Okay, I'll try and explain, but this week has been Blu-ray 'brain drain', so there needs a little cable tidying. But I'm giving myself a days rest from travelling, and thinking about the said Blu-rays (plaural).

Okay I could never get the Tv playing thru the hi-fi for all the reasons given in previous posts (apart from the fated headphone socket to the amp, which was useless). The only way I could get the TV to play as a channel via the amp was to connect the analohue outs on the DVD-R to the amp and a Scart lead from the DVD-R to the TV. This didn't impede on the funtion of the TV as only the sound was directed away -- all other functions on the TV was done thru the TV on the TV remote. However, it did mean leaving the DVD-R switched on for obvious reasons. Now just using the Sky box your cutting out the middle man (if you like) by not using the DVD-R other than a bulky aerial/signal feed.

Hope I've explained it enough. Think I'll go and lay down with a cold flannel on my forehead. *acute*

 

[chebby]

First question: The DVD-R is only used presently for the TV aerial, so no Scart or interconnects. It isn't even switched on.

Well at least that can all go now.

Just plug in the lead from the outdoor aerial directly into the telly instead.

That'll clear some space (and get rid of one cable).

 

[plastic penguin]

First question: The DVD-R is only used presently for the TV aerial, so no Scart or interconnects. It isn't even switched on.

Well at least that can all go now.

Just plug in the lead from the outdoor aerial directly into the telly instead.

That'll clear some space (and get rid of one cable).

The DVD-R can't go yet. The TV aerial is plugged into the TV and that one goes into the back of the DVD recorder. There's also another coax aerial coming from the DVD-R which goes no-not-where at this stage.

Before the engineers came to do the digital switchover we plugged the 2nd coax in to the wall socket (aerial not mains) but since then the socket's been bypassed, and I'm sure that little 'box of tricks' has something to do with it, but until I pull the lot away from the wall and follow each lead (they're all tied up together), I'm puzzled by the thing.

However, with the return of the school term on Wednesday and business really picking up after the summer lull, really haven't got the time or enthusiasm to start dissecting the whole set-up. For the next week I'm going to clear my mind before starting over again.

 

[plastic penguin]

After a couple of days with the Panny the picture quality is sensational. Even my home DVD-RW and R are crisper with more depth. Pretty happy.

Got to get some Blu-ray discs, although I think I'll knock one of Chebby's suggestions 'The Battle of Britain' on the head, as my current DVD of the film is digitally remastered, and non too shabby.

The World at War

6 disc Bond films from early Connery to a couple of Moore editions and one Brosnan film.

Couple of music DVDs, although not sure which ones yet.

That's enough to get started.

 

[chebby]

....although I think I'll knock one of Chebby's suggestions 'The Battle of Britain' on the head, as my current DVD of the film is digitally remastered, and non too shabby.

You're probably right. Repeatadly scooping my jaw off the floor during the first 15 minutes of the Blu-ray was very distracting for me. (And I had the most recent DVD too.)

 

[chebby]

The World at War

The last time I read the reviews the Blu-ray version was panned for merciless (and pointless) chopping and cropping of the original to make it fit a 16:9 format.

The World At War contains hundreds of interviews with historically important figures whilst they were still alive and it's sheer vandalism to mess around with this kind of 'document'.

If they ever put out the un-molested 4:3 print on Blu-ray then I will invest. In the meantime I will keep my old DVD boxset.

 

[plastic penguin]

....although I think I'll knock one of Chebby's suggestions 'The Battle of Britain' on the head, as my current DVD of the film is digitally remastered, and non too shabby.

You're probably right. Repeatadly scooping my jaw off the floor during the first 15 minutes of the Blu-ray was very distracting for me. (And I had the most recent DVD too.)

TBH, although I'm a WWII anorak I'm not a huge WWII film fan. Much prefer documentaries, and my favourite docudramas is this one of Dunkirk. Pretty sure you'll like it as it's based on true accounts, with great cimematography and script. Also shows throughout the tensions between Churchill, Halifax and the rest of the coalition. Unfortunately you can't get it on Blu-ray, only in a box-set which costs a fortune. So I'm happy to stick with my DVD-RW of the series.

 

[BenLaw]

I would make The Dambusters a blu ray priority, it's amazing what they've done with it. Sound as well.

 

[iceman16]

How about a free trial on Netflix for a month?