How do I connect a Set Top Box to my old TV?

[bhundu]

Hi All,

I have an old TV that doesn't have any AV connections. It just has the aerial connection. The TV has a channel knob that you turn to change VHF channels. It also has a UHF tuning knob for 1 UHF channel.

I want to connect a Set Tob Box (in the U.S. I think you guys call them a Digital TV Converter?). I have tried tuning the STB to the TV by using the UHF knob but with no luck. I can't figure out how to change the tuning of the regular VHF channels. It seems like they are pre-set although there is an inner dial that seems to do nothing when i push it in and turn it.

Any ideas?

Lee

[zenith2134]

The inner knob is likely the fine-tuning. You need channel 2, 3, or 4 for the STB. What make model is the TV?

[bhundu]

Thanks Tom,

The TV is an AWA (Australian made). I'd say it was made around 1980.

The VHF channels are 0,1,2,3,4,5,5A,6,7,8,9,10 and U (for the UHF channel).

I'd say you are right about the inner knob being for fine tuning.

I remember when the first VCRs came out we had to tune the TV to an unused channel. I was hoping to do the same with the STB. The other TVs we had in the day usually had a panel that you could open up to do the main tuning with. Although this TV has a panel, there seems to be no way of doing major tuning.

I've tried the STB on every channel, plus I've tried it on the UHF channel and tuned it through the full UHF spectrum and can't get a picture via the STB.

[old_tv_nut]

Do you have the manual for the set top box, or alternatively are there markings to indicate what channel it works on? In the US, such a box will have a switch or a menu choice to select channel 3 or 4. However I don't know what the common output channels are in Australia. For example, I believe European VCRs use a UHF channel for RF output. So, I would guess that an Australian set top would use the same channel as an Australian VCR.

I found a web site that indicates Australian VCRs and set tops can cover a range of UHF frequencies.
http://www.tesc.com.au/retuningvcr.htm#paytv
If output channel is selected by an on-screen menu (sems like a dumb idea - how do you find the menu if you aren't tuned correctly?), you may have to connect to someone else's TV to check the setting and then tune your TV to it.

[bhundu]

Thanks old tv nut,

That's a great idea to change the output channel via another TV

I've changed my avatar to show the two tuning knobs...sorry about the dust

[fotno]

Question: How do you have your Set Top box connected to your TV? Via coax and an adapter? It might help to have a picture of the back of the box just to see how it's configured.

[bhundu]

Thanks fotno

i changed my avatar again to show you the back of the stb...it's not a clear image so i'll explain

on the left there is a computer looking adaptor at the top (says RS-232 next to it), below that there is "aerial in" (left) and "loop out" (right)

in the middle from L-R there is "hdmi", "s/pdif", "s-video"

on the right are the av connections. yellow, white, red on top, and then green blue red on bottom

I've been trying to connect using the loop out connection to the aerial socket on my tv.

currently i have this stb connected to a modern tv in my bedroom via the av jacks and it works fine. I would just like to use it on my old loungeroom retro tv

i just remembered that while connecting to my modern tv i tried the same loop out method, did an auto-search and even my modern tv did not pick up the signal

[fotno]

I suspect that's where the root of the problem lies.

Instead of changing your avatar each time you need to display an image, you can add the original image (up to a certain size) to a post if you'd like... Below the quick post box at the bottom of this page, there's a button that says "Go Advanced", click it and it will take you to a new page where you'll have lots more options, one of which is "Manage Attachments". Click that, and a new window should pop up allowing you to select and upload an image from your computer.

A bigger image will allow all of us to better see what you're dealing with, and perhaps give better help as well. If you have troubles with it give a shout, I'm happy to help.

Edit: I just attached an image file (for demonstration puposes only - the dog and cat are not relevant to the conversation) to this post in the fashion I described above. You'll notice it appears as a clickable thumbnail at the bottom of the post.

[radiotvnut]

I believe the "loop out" jack is just an antenna output jack for "pass thru" use. You'll likely need an RF modulator in order to use your older TV. In the USA, these have RCA input jacks for left audio, right audio, and video. There is a coax connector for antenna or cable input and another coax connector that feeds an RF signal (CH 3 or 4) to the TV.

[Robert Grant]

Do you have the instruction for your STB?


If the instruction book demonstrates ONLY the use of A/V cables for the hook, then you will likely need an RF modulator.

Sadly for you, I notice whilst doing a Google search that RF modulators are expensive in Australia ($49.95 AUD at getprice), versus about $ 12 USD (Family Dollar in USA).

An American RF Modulator won't work for you - our audio is only 4.5 MHz above the video, you wouldn't hear any sound, and the misplaced FM audio carrier would severely interfere with your picture.

[radiotvnut]

A VCR might work. I have the line out of my DVD player connected to the line in of my VCR. I just set the TV to channel 3, turn the VCR on, set it for line input and it seems to work just fine.

[bhundu]

Thanks for all the help.

It looks like an RF adaptor/modulator is the thing I'm going to need. I'm not worried about spending AU$50. That's about $30 in the U.S.

Thanks also for the tip on uploading images. I thought I had to be a subsriber to do this. Just for practice, I'll try it now

[zenith2134]

I like that TV from the looks of the illuminated tuning dials.

[bhundu]

For those interested i thought i'd give it a quick dust and take some pictures.

The tv measures 850mm wide x 570mm high x 400mm deep. The picture quality is fantastic for something around 30 years old

There is not much interest for these in Australia. I picked this one up last year for $1 on the bay. I have a look every now and again and there is always one or two similar items available (there's a great HMV for sale at the moment) but no one ever bids on them. It's a shame because they are beautiful televisions. The modern silver and black jobs just don't suit my 70's decor.

I'm lucky to have you guys here as honestly most of my friends think I'm a nutter.

Lee

[zenith2134]

Very nice picture! The older sets never cease to amaze me. Hey, that slider volume control reminds me of a 1980 Toshiba Blackstripe I once owned. Very similar.