Help! (again)

[Petrushka]

Having some problems with my hi-fi/DVD/TV set up at the moment and it's proving impossible to isolate the culprit and I wonder if members could throw up some suggestions.

My set up is: Digi-box into TV and DVD recorder connected into my hi-fi amplifier.

The problem is: Very little sound coming through my speakers and TV. I have to turn both amp and TV up to full volume to hear anything at all via 'Tape 2' to which the DVD recorder is connected (I think). However, if I listen via the 'Monitor' switch it comes through perfectly via the speakers. No sound comes through when recording from Digi-box/TV or on playback. However, when playing back (via 'Tape 2') a commercial DVD or something I've recorded previously everything is perfect!

Just to complicate the picture even more, listening to the i-player from my laptop to DVD recorder is exactly the same as watching/listening via the digi-box ie very little sound.

That some sound, albeit very, very little, is emerging makes me feel sure that there is not a connection problem and indeed all connections seem OK as I've checked them over and over again. As everything is OK on normal DVD playback my gut instinct tells me that the problem is with the digi-box but am completely flummoxed that everything works fine through the 'Monitor' outlet.

So I am left scratching my head with no idea which component is at fault and am tempted to replace the lot! To avoid a very expensive overhaul can anyone suggest which component is at fault? Unfortunately, the set up has been like this undisturbed for several years and I can no longer be fully sure of all the inter-connections. It looks like a cat's cradle behind it all and impossible to sort out.

[Ferretfancy]

Petrushka,

This is a little confusing! Is your DVD recorder connected by a scart cable? The multi connections on these can be a bit erratic. One plan would be to disconnect and re-connect all your cables one at a time, ensuring that everything is switched off between each operation. That way you won't have to sort out the jumble of cables, but if there's a poor connection somewhere, it might function properly after this procedure. Be very careful not to alter anything at full volume on the controls!
Good luck!
Ferret

[Richard Tarleton]

Having some problems with my hi-fi/DVD/TV set up at the moment and it's proving impossible to isolate the culprit and I wonder if members could throw up some suggestions.

My set up is: Digi-box into TV and DVD recorder connected into my hi-fi amplifier.

The problem is: Very little sound coming through my speakers and TV. I have to turn both amp and TV up to full volume to hear anything at all via 'Tape 2' to which the DVD recorder is connected (I think). However, if I listen via the 'Monitor' switch it comes through perfectly via the speakers. No sound comes through when recording from Digi-box/TV or on playback. However, when playing back (via 'Tape 2') a commercial DVD or something I've recorded previously everything is perfect!

Just to complicate the picture even more, listening to the i-player from my laptop to DVD recorder is exactly the same as watching/listening via the digi-box ie very little sound.

That some sound, albeit very, very little, is emerging makes me feel sure that there is not a connection problem and indeed all connections seem OK as I've checked them over and over again. As everything is OK on normal DVD playback my gut instinct tells me that the problem is with the digi-box but am completely flummoxed that everything works fine through the 'Monitor' outlet.

So I am left scratching my head with no idea which component is at fault and am tempted to replace the lot! To avoid a very expensive overhaul can anyone suggest which component is at fault? Unfortunately, the set up has been like this undisturbed for several years and I can no longer be fully sure of all the inter-connections. It looks like a cat's cradle behind it all and impossible to sort out.

Hi Petrushka

You'll probably get more competent responses, but how is your DVD player connected? I had a new Sky+HD box installed and the Sky bloke left my DVD player attached to the Sky box via Scart lead. Result no sound. Another Sky bloke caled and connected the Scart lead from the DVD player to the back of my TV and I had to get new audio leads to go from the two audio output sockets on the TV to the amp. That worked perfectly. My digibox is connected to the Video sockets, my turntable to the Disc socket, my CD player to the CD socket, and my DVD player to the Tuner socket. The Aux socket is connected to something but I'd have to dismantle it all to find out what. I don't appear to use my Tape 1 or 2 sockets for anything.....

Hope this helps.......

[Petrushka]

My TV/DVD are connected by Scart leads and audio leads go from DVD to amp using the Tape 2 socket (I think). The Tape 1/Monitor is absolutely fine - except that I can't record from it. The trouble is that I have had this set up for several years and, like Richard, I've completely forgotten what connections exist. Ferret's suggestion makes sense but it really is a nightmare getting behind the tangle of cables.

[MrGongGong]

Does it look like this ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4526921958_830b96ebf5.jpg

[amateur51]

Does it look like this ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/...830b96ebf5.jpg

[johnb]

The trouble is that I have had this set up for several years and, like Richard, I've completely forgotten what connections exist. Ferret's suggestion makes sense but it really is a nightmare getting behind the tangle of cables.

If you are suddenly experiencing these problems without having changed anything then, as Ferret says, the first thing to do is to check that the all the scart plugs are firmly connected. Just reach behind the DVD player and the TV and press them all firmly in place. (If there is a blue flash and your hair stands on end you will know that you have just been electrocuted.)

[MrGongGong]

SCART leads are spawn of Satan IMV

I'd avoid them at all costs if possible

[Petrushka]

Does it look like this ?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/...830b96ebf5.jpg

[Dave2002]

Having some problems with my hi-fi/DVD/TV set up at the moment and it's proving impossible to isolate the culprit and I wonder if members could throw up some suggestions.

My set up is: Digi-box into TV and DVD recorder connected into my hi-fi amplifier.

The problem is: Very little sound coming through my speakers and TV. I have to turn both amp and TV up to full volume to hear anything at all via 'Tape 2' to which the DVD recorder is connected (I think). However, if I listen via the 'Monitor' switch it comes through perfectly via the speakers. No sound comes through when recording from Digi-box/TV or on playback. However, when playing back (via 'Tape 2') a commercial DVD or something I've recorded previously everything is perfect!

How are you controlling these units? It may not be a connection problem, but possibly the settings have been changed if you are using a remote control. I don't know your kit, but we have problems sometimes if the remote controls are left lying around and buttons get pressed by accident.

I also wonder if in fact you are listening to the right input. If the sound is coming through weakly this could be crosstalk from the channel you think you are listening to/want to listen to - to the one you are actually listening to.

There aren't any mute buttons which could have been pressed accidentally?

I'm just throwing out ideas for you to think about. The others who've responded are right that problems with SCARTS can arise if they're not plugged in firmly, or if they're plugged in at an angle, but
it seems odd that this should happen if you've not changed anything recently.