Digital TV switchover problem

A question about : Digital TV switchover problem

I have a very old 14 portable TV with no scart socket, it also cannot be tuned in as the remote control unit failed a few years ago, so I can only receive the basic 4 channels (yes its that old even ch5 isnt tuned in). Once the analogue reception is switched off later this year (Granada region) this TV will be completely useless.

It is only used occasionally in the spare room, so my question is, should I buy a new TV now or wait until after the switchover? Argos do a 14 LCD with built in freeview for Ј100. Do you think that TV's will be cheaper than this after the switchover and will retailer be doing more special offers?

Best answers:

• I don't think the switchover will have a huge effect one way or the other. The price of LCDs has been coming down, there's a huge difference in the prices compared to two years ago.
• I belive it is possible to convert your tv without a scart so that it can receive digital E.G.1
  E.G 2
  I know you don't have a remote, but you could get one, (maybe a universal one?).
  Or maybe this one.
  .
• You can get Freeview boxes that contain modulators which will allow you to connect the TV via a aerial lead. Some allow the modulator frequency/channel to be changed so you could set it to the same channel as our current bbc1. (after switchover)
  Just because you can does not mean you should! The freeview boxes which allow you what is required are Ј50 or up. IMHO better putting this towards the price of a new TV.
  Wait, technology prices never go up like for like in the long term.
• You should join your local freecycle group. Perfectly good 14" TVs (with SCART and remote!) are given away on my group quite often. Saves someone dumping a good TV...
• Thanks all for your replies
  I still have the remote but the actual remote control receiver has been removed from the TV because it started switching channels on its own , the TV repair shop couldn't fix it so they removed the remote control unit! :confused: The only buttons available are the channel and volume up/down on the front.
  The Freeview modulators sound like a possible idea, I was looking at them recently but I had discounted them because it said you need to tune them in. I didnt realise that you can change the frequency channel on the modulator itself . Ј50 is a bit steep though like you say.
• Hi,
  We used to have a freeview box which didnt need a scart input, just ran through to the TVs aerial socket.....from memory, it was a GOODMANS GDB2!
• I would have a bit of a google for Digital boxes that have RF output and then take a glance at the local freeadds etc and ebay.
  I recently bought a Humax 8000T PVR (freeview recorder) of ebay that had an RF output for under Ј30. It maybe about 4-5 years old but works perfect and allows you to record programs. I'd take a look around for one of these.
• im fairly sure the freeview boxes at asda for under 20 quid, still have a RF ouput socket.
• Argos are stocking up with Bush 16" lcd tvs for the next price drop or even easter
• tvonics do a box suitable for non scart tv's
• If you have an old video recorder you could feed the aerial lead into the freeview box, connect the freeview box to the VCR with a scart lead, then connect the VCR RF out socket to the TV aerial socket. The VCR doesnt even have to be able to record.
  Tune the TV to the VCR and leave it on that channel, and just use the freeview box remote to change stations.
• What a clever fellow
  veronarona
• I may be missing something here but isn't a freeview box a non-starter regardless of how it is connected to the TV?
  To connect via RF the OP would need to allocate a channel to the box and then tune the channel to the correct frequency (same way you would with a VCR).
  OP can't tune the TV at all which was the whole point of the thread :confused:
• Duplicate post
• All the video recorders I have had were able to change the frequency of the RF output (otherwise they could clash with broadcast stations in some areas).
  So, instead of tuning the tv to the VCR, you can select one of the "spare" channel buttons on the tv which were not allocated to one of the broadcast stations, and adjust the RF out on the VCR until you get the signal on the tv.
• what is a video recorder ?