Set Top Box connection to a TV (Dick Smith Electronics G1185

Hi,

I have a 2 year old set top box (Dick Smith Electronics G1185)
which I understand recvieves digital TV stations and converts the
signal suitable
for an analogue TV. My TV is quite old so it is basically a VHF
receiver although it can receive one UHF channel 28.

How do I connect the set top box to my TV? Perhaps you have this
model?

The back of the set top box has connects labelled:
TV Arial
TV/VCR
ANT INT
TV OUT
RS232
L
R
Video Out
SPDIF
SVIDEO

I assume that I connect my indoor arial to the "TV Arial" and my TV to
"TV/VCR". What TV channel do I tune my TV to get the output signal.
Needless to say I have lost the manual.

I have tried channel 3 which is an old standard for VCRs I have had in
the past.
Thanks for any help.

 

[mm]

On Sun, 2 May 2010 21:23:27 -0700 (PDT), pwu@qantas.com.au wrote:

Hi,

I have a 2 year old set top box (Dick Smith Electronics G1185)
which I understand recvieves digital TV stations and converts the
signal suitable
for an analogue TV. My TV is quite old so it is basically a VHF
receiver although it can receive one UHF channel 28.

Does it get channel 3 or 4? That's all you need. Set the box on 3
or 4 (there's a switch somewhere proobably.) and set the tv to the
same channel. If all the connections have been made and you have
plugged in the set top box and turned it on and the tv on, do you see
anything on the tv? If not, set the box to the other number and set
the tv to the same channel.

If you can't find any switch, just connect and try channels 3 and 4 on
the tv.

How do I connect the set top box to my TV? Perhaps you have this
model?

The back of the set top box has connects labelled:
TV Arial

Connect an aerial. If your stations are near, within 10 or 20 miles,
you can probalby just put a thin stiff wire in the center hole of the
connector and stretch the wire out. Make it at least 3 feet long but
maybe 6 or 7 feet would be better.

For info on how many stations you should be able to get and what
direction they are from where your tv is, check out www.tvfool.com .

TV/VCR

Connect a piece of co-axial cable from here to your tv. Does your tv
have a connector like the one here? If so no problem . How old is
your old tv? Does it have a knob to turn to change stations or just
up and down buttons, or numeric buttons, like you used to press 1 and
3 to go to channel 13. And you press 3 to go to 3? If it's the
latter, it almost surely has a co-axial connector on the back.

If it's the former, a knob to turn to change channels, they can get
dirty and sometimes not work well on a given channel. Try holding the
knob a little bit off the place it comes to rest and see if it works
then, or if the static on the screen changes. If it won't work on 3
or 4 To clean the connections, turn the knob back and forth through
channels 3 and 4 a few times. That can help a lot.

ANT INT

It has both this and TV Arial? Do they look different? What do they
look like?

TV OUT
RS232
L
R
Video Out
SPDIF
SVIDEO

If your tv is old, I doubt you have an svideo jack on it. Is your tv
stereo. Does it have RCA jacks. (See images.google.com to see what
an RCA jack looks like.)

What connections do you have on your tv. What are they labeled? How
many of them physically resemble any of these last 7 on your box?

I assume that I connect my indoor arial to the "TV Arial" and my TV to
"TV/VCR". What TV channel do I tune my TV to get the output signal.
Needless to say I have lost the manual.

I have tried channel 3 which is an old standard for VCRs I have had in
the past.
Thanks for any help.

--
Posters should say what U,S. state if any they live in. Why
do so many keep their state as secret as their own name?

IANAL. That is, I am not a lawyer.

 

[Phil Allison]

<pwu@qantas.com.au>

2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V

** The DSE set top box only outputs video signals - so you MUST use the AV
inputs on your TV.





..... Phil

 

Does it get channel 3 or 4? That's all you need. Set the box on 3
or 4 (there's a switch somewhere proobably.) and set the tv to the
same channel. If all the connections have been made and you have
plugged in the set top box and turned it on and the tv on, do you see
anything on the tv? If not, set the box to the other number and set
the tv to the same channel.

If you can't find any switch, just connect and try channels 3 and 4 on
the tv.

The TV does get channel 3 & 4. I did tune the TV to 3 and 4 and I
don't
get anything although the front of the set top box shows "signal".
The
box does not have a switch which says 3 or 4.

It has both this and TV Aerial? Do they look different? What do they
look like?

Both TV Aerial and ANT INT look the same - I think they are called BNC
you know
where a coax cable goes in. That is what is confusing

If your tv is old, I doubt you have an svideo jack on it. Is your tv
stereo. Does it have RCA jacks. (See images.google.com to see what
an RCA jack looks like.)

What connections do you have on your tv. What are they labeled? How
many of them physically resemble any of these last 7 on your box?

My TV does not have SVIDEO.

It has "A/V" and when I around the back I see 4 connectors
in that area. The top row is labelled "IN" and bottom row "OUT" and
the first column is
labelled "Audio" and "Video". I suppose the set top box is sending out
stereo and the
TV epects mono - I can probably plug either L(Left) or R(Right) into
that connector and
"Video out" to "video" and press "A/V" on my TV.

So in summary I:
Connected a indoor aerial to "TV Aerial"
Connected the "TV/VCR" to TV's "ANT"
Switched my TV to channels 1,3,4 but I don't get anything

1. Anyone have any ideas?
2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V

Thanks for any help

 

[Ian Jackson]

In message <8476kjFe2mU1@mid.individual.net>, Phil Allison
<phil_a@tpg.com.au> writes

pwu@qantas.com.au


2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V


** The DSE set top box only outputs video signals - so you MUST use the AV
inputs on your TV.

http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=53445

This does say "Optional UHF Modulator, PAL G/I/K, NTSC".
What 'optional' means is anyone's guess! [Turn off / Turn on?]
But it obviously isn't Ch3 or 4.

How come the VHF TV set can actually receive one UHF channel? Is that a
special Australia 'feature'? If your TV set does have A/V inputs, you're
better off using them instead of trying to get the set-top box output
onto Ch28 (assuming you can).
--
Ian

 

[Grant]

On Mon, 3 May 2010 22:54:54 +0100, Ian Jackson <ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote:

In message <8476kjFe2mU1@mid.individual.net>, Phil Allison
phil_a@tpg.com.au> writes

pwu@qantas.com.au


2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V


** The DSE set top box only outputs video signals - so you MUST use the AV
inputs on your TV.

http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=53445
This does say "Optional UHF Modulator, PAL G/I/K, NTSC".
What 'optional' means is anyone's guess! [Turn off / Turn on?]
But it obviously isn't Ch3 or 4.

How come the VHF TV set can actually receive one UHF channel? Is that a
special Australia 'feature'?

Nah, years ago it was standard to use a modulator output (usually on VCRs)
tuned to one of the low VHF channels. These days one expects to find A/V
on a TV.

Grant.
--
http://bugs.id.au/

 

[Phil Allison]

"Ian Jackson"
Phil Allison
<pwu@qantas.com.au>

2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V


** The DSE set top box only outputs video signals - so you MUST use the
AV
inputs on your TV.

http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=53445

This does say "Optional UHF Modulator, PAL G/I/K, NTSC".
What 'optional' means is anyone's guess!

** Obviously it is a *factory option* not fitted to the DSE boxes.


...... Phil

 

[Ian Jackson]

In message <giout5d477d5ol9r6amio9dgtsmhjm1j1o@4ax.com>, Grant
<omg@grrr.id.au> writes

On Mon, 3 May 2010 22:54:54 +0100, Ian Jackson
ianREMOVETHISjackson@g3ohx.demon.co.uk> wrote:

In message <8476kjFe2mU1@mid.individual.net>, Phil Allison
phil_a@tpg.com.au> writes

pwu@qantas.com.au


2. I guess the next thing would be to try it on A/V


** The DSE set top box only outputs video signals - so you MUST use the AV
inputs on your TV.

http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=53445
This does say "Optional UHF Modulator, PAL G/I/K, NTSC".
What 'optional' means is anyone's guess! [Turn off / Turn on?]
But it obviously isn't Ch3 or 4.

How come the VHF TV set can actually receive one UHF channel? Is that a
special Australia 'feature'?

Nah, years ago it was standard to use a modulator output (usually on VCRs)
tuned to one of the low VHF channels.

The UK used Ch36 (tuneable +/- two or three using a small screwdriver or
trimming tool). Actually, I see that Australia used the same, so I don't
know why even an old 'VHF-only' type of TV should be 'specially
equipped' to receive only Ch28 (527.25MHz).

These days one expects to find A/V
on a TV.

Initially, in the UK, nearly every digital STB had an integral UHF

output modulator (fully tuneable from the menu). These days, hardly any
do. If you really do need an RF signal, you have to use an external
modulator.
--
Ian

 

[Phil Allison]

"Ian Jackson"

The UK used Ch36 (tuneable +/- two or three using a small screwdriver or
trimming tool).

** Cos unlike Australia, all colour TV in the UK was on UHF.

Actually, I see that Australia used the same,

** Absolutely NOT true.

A tiny few ( AFAIK only Sony ) VCRs sold in Australia used Ch 36

so I don't know why even an old 'VHF-only' type of TV should be 'specially
equipped' to receive only Ch28 (527.25MHz).

** You don't know the "why" of any damn thing.

Ch 28 ( a government sponsored channel ) was the only UHF channel on air in
Australian capital cities for many years.


..... Phil

 

[Ian Jackson]

In message <hrouoa$8va$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au>, Phil Allison
<phil_a@tpg.com.au> writes

"Ian Jackson"

The UK used Ch36 (tuneable +/- two or three using a small screwdriver or
trimming tool).

** Cos unlike Australia, all colour TV in the UK was on UHF.


Actually, I see that Australia used the same,


** Absolutely NOT true.

A tiny few ( AFAIK only Sony ) VCRs sold in Australia used Ch 36

Sadly, I don't have your intimate knowledge of how TV developed in

Australia. It's something I'll try not to regret it until my dying day.

so I don't know why even an old 'VHF-only' type of TV should be 'specially
equipped' to receive only Ch28 (527.25MHz).


** You don't know the "why" of any damn thing.

Ch 28 ( a government sponsored channel ) was the only UHF channel on air in
Australian capital cities for many years.

In the UK, even though we only had Ch33 (serving the London area) for a

couple of years or so, we never had TV sets capable of receiving only
that one channel. Maybe the Australians are a load of cheapskates?
--
Ian

 

[Phil Allison]

"Ian Jackson"
Phil Allison

"Ian Jackson"

The UK used Ch36 (tuneable +/- two or three using a small screwdriver or
trimming tool).

** Cos unlike Australia, all colour TV in the UK was on UHF.


Actually, I see that Australia used the same,


** Absolutely NOT true.

A tiny few ( AFAIK only Sony ) VCRs sold in Australia used Ch 36.


Sadly, I don't have your intimate knowledge of how TV developed in
Australia.

** Be a real good idea if you shut completely up about the subject then

- wouldn't it ????

It's something I'll try not to regret it until my dying day.

** Shame to waste the rest of your miserable living in regret

- avoid all the pain and just die now.

so I don't know why even an old 'VHF-only' type of TV should be
'specially
equipped' to receive only Ch28 (527.25MHz).


** You don't know the "why" of any damn thing.

Ch 28 ( a government sponsored channel ) was the only UHF channel on air
in
Australian capital cities for many years.

In the UK, even though we only had Ch33 (serving the London area) for a
couple of years or so, we never had TV sets capable of receiving only that
one channel.

** Australian TVs ( monochrome and colour ) all receive the whole VHF
band - was once up to 15 channels till FM broadcast stole a few.

Never heard of any TVs sold here equipped to receive only UHF ch28 *as
well* as VHF - till the OP mentioned it.

Must be an odd ball.

But not as odd a mad poms like you.


..... Phil

 

[Ian Jackson]

In message <hrp515$b1q$1@news-01.bur.connect.com.au>, Phil Allison
<phil_a@tpg.com.au> writes

"Ian Jackson"
Phil Allison
"Ian Jackson"

The UK used Ch36 (tuneable +/- two or three using a small screwdriver or
trimming tool).

** Cos unlike Australia, all colour TV in the UK was on UHF.


Actually, I see that Australia used the same,


** Absolutely NOT true.

A tiny few ( AFAIK only Sony ) VCRs sold in Australia used Ch 36.


Sadly, I don't have your intimate knowledge of how TV developed in
Australia.


** Be a real good idea if you shut completely up about the subject then

- wouldn't it ????


It's something I'll try not to regret it until my dying day.


** Shame to waste the rest of your miserable living in regret

- avoid all the pain and just die now.



so I don't know why even an old 'VHF-only' type of TV should be
'specially
equipped' to receive only Ch28 (527.25MHz).


** You don't know the "why" of any damn thing.

Ch 28 ( a government sponsored channel ) was the only UHF channel on air
in
Australian capital cities for many years.

In the UK, even though we only had Ch33 (serving the London area) for a
couple of years or so, we never had TV sets capable of receiving only that
one channel.


** Australian TVs ( monochrome and colour ) all receive the whole VHF
band - was once up to 15 channels till FM broadcast stole a few.

Never heard of any TVs sold here equipped to receive only UHF ch28 *as
well* as VHF - till the OP mentioned it.

Must be an odd ball.

But not as odd a mad poms like you.

You snipped my thoughts that Australians might be cheapskates, and

(thank heavens!) you haven't commented on it. As it appears that they
didn't produce an 'el cheapo' single-UHF-channel TV set, it would appear
that they're probably normal, lateral-thinking people. Actually, all
those whom I've met are quite nice, so I suppose that applies (with
maybe a few notable exceptions) to the whole nation.
--
Ian

 

[PeterD]

On Tue, 4 May 2010 22:47:26 +1000, "Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au>
wrote:

Never heard of any TVs sold here equipped to receive only UHF ch28 *as
well* as VHF - till the OP mentioned it.

Must be an odd ball.

Years ago, back in the "good old days" of turret tuners, you could
replace one of the VHF bits with a UHF allowing you to receive that
channel. Because in the US the VHF channels always skipped a number in
any given location, you had space for as many as perhaps 5 UHF
channels. You just had to remember that when the dial said "6" for
example, that it was UHF channel "38". Some units even had little
plastic lables so you could properly label the indicator!