How connect Sky receiver + pana HD recorder + TV?

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ritchie

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#26055 10-Sep-2008 18:19

Bit of an idiot question I'm afraid...

I've got a new Pana HD recorder connected direct via HDMI to my tv which is fine for playing a DVD - but I want to set it up to be able to record Sky or other Tv and it's not immediately obvious how to make the connections between the 3 devices. I'm assuming the HD recorder sits between the Sky box and the TV? Can someone point me to a newbie guide or briefly explain the big picture to me...

thanks

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#163568 10-Sep-2008 19:03

ritchie: Bit of an idiot question I'm afraid...

I've got a new Pana HD recorder connected direct via HDMI to my tv which is fine for playing a DVD - but I want to set it up to be able to record Sky or other Tv and it's not immediately obvious how to make the connections between the 3 devices. I'm assuming the HD recorder sits between the Sky box and the TV? Can someone point me to a newbie guide or briefly explain the big picture to me...

thanks

If the TV has two HDMI inputs I would connect both Recorder and HDi to the TV via HDMI. Then connect the HDi scart VCR out to the Recorder video in for recording Sky. Terrestrial TV aerial to recorder as normal.

If one HDMI only, maybe Recorder to TV via component.

Dingbatt

6756 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#163715 11-Sep-2008 10:15

Okay so when you say a Panasonic HD Recorder I'm assuming you mean a HDD recorder (as far as I'm aware HD recorders not available in NZ yet). And that you have a plain SD Sky Digital Decoder. If so that is the same setup as I have.

Firstly the modulator in the Sky decoder is uber-powerful so leave it out of your aerial loop if you can.
Leave your hdmi connection TV-HDD recorder as is.
Connect your Sky Decoder to the recorder using SCART VCR socket on the decoder (that ensures decoder volume and mute controls are bypassed).
Connect your decoder to the TV using SCART-Composite (or component if decoder is capable), or composite to composite.
Loop your aerial through the recorder then to the TV.

That will allow you to record Sky while watching analogue TV (yuk) or vice-versa.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#163725 11-Sep-2008 10:53

Sorry richie, thought you were using the HDi when I read your question.

gedc

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

#164463 15-Sep-2008 11:15

Can someone check mine out please?

SD sky ( looking to upgrade to HDI sometime when it all settles down)

Sky box connected to the Panasonic HDD recorder via SCART. Panasonic recorder connected to Sony LCD HD TV via component cable input as the recorder doesn't have an HDMI output. Its about 3.5 years old - 80 gig drive... I reckon thats the best quality I can get from the available connections...??

TV aerial connected directly into Telly...Allows us to watch terrestrial and record a sky channel.

Standalone PS3, standalone DVD player connected via HDMI into TV. Optical output for sound from DVD goes to yamaha amp. All other sound is carried from TV to amp via twin cable. Means we can switch upto better sound when watching a DVD only...

Any major improvements we could make? Any benefit in plugging in TV aerial into HDD recorder?

Cheers

Ged

Dingbatt

6756 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#164481 15-Sep-2008 11:40

gedc: Can someone check mine out please?

SD sky ( looking to upgrade to HDI sometime when it all settles down)

Sky box connected to the Panasonic HDD recorder via SCART. Panasonic recorder connected to Sony LCD HD TV via component cable input as the recorder doesn't have an HDMI output. Its about 3.5 years old - 80 gig drive... I reckon thats the best quality I can get from the available connections...??

TV aerial connected directly into Telly...Allows us to watch terrestrial and record a sky channel.

Standalone PS3, standalone DVD player connected via HDMI into TV. Optical output for sound from DVD goes to yamaha amp. All other sound is carried from TV to amp via twin cable. Means we can switch upto better sound when watching a DVD only...

Any major improvements we could make? Any benefit in plugging in TV aerial into HDD recorder?

Cheers

Ged

If you run the aerial cable to the HDD Recorder then to the TV it will allow you to record analogue TV if you are watching SKy. Avoid looping the aerial through the Sky decoder as the modulator in the decoder can cause interference.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996