Pundit
Post by Dom on May 17, 2021 17:47:42 GMT 12
Hi there, our present living-room viewing is a CRT tv - > DishTV Freeview box - > roof-mounted aerial. For internet serials, we have to go upstairs and watch them on the iMac.
Is there a box we can get instead of the Freeview box that will also pick up our wi-fi as well as TV so we can watch internet TV through our TV? TIA, Dom.
|
Pundit
Post by raveydave on May 17, 2021 19:02:24 GMT 12
Since you have an iMac, would an AppleTV suit?
But CRT TV probably means no HDMi or Toslink connections right?
With Apple TV can push video content from your iTunes or Airplay / mirror from iphone etc.
Probably depends a bit on your network / ecosystem...
|
Post by RdM on May 17, 2021 20:17:37 GMT 12
Look, an off the cuff reply, Dom, but I suspect the box you will need to change will be the old CRT TV. Even though I still have a couple stashed, at least in the lounge a smarter flat panel TV with lots of inputs, from the basic single cable yellow composite video in (that your CRT will have) to the 3 video channel leads component video inputs (like RGB but labelled Y Pb Pr, look on your freeview box). then better still HDMI, also some USB ports, and ideally too a PC VGA connector so it can act as a monitor as well. And that's a relatively old one ... do due diligence, research reviews, in considering a new replacement. HDMI will get you full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels (1080p), component DVD quality 1280 x 720 pixels (720p), composite is way down at ? Then there are the even newer 4k TV's, but you'd need a blu ray player to feed them;- you likely don't need that!) (Going up to 4k/UHD 3840x2160 or 4k 4096x2304. On really advanced screens. But again, where do you get such a signal from? Forget that!) So let's come back down to earth. There is no way you can feed 'internet' reception to an old CRT TV, even through the Freeview box. Time to upgrade, research upgrades, do due diligence and self education as above;- Remember too that it's not just about 'pixels';- quality in contrast ratios and general build quality too.
Apart from that, with such a modern TV, you could buy a Chromecast or similar device that you plug in to that TV (USB?) and that will pick up your wifi? signal from the iMac and 'cast' it to the TV downstairs... but then you'd have to be running up & down to control it. Or cast from your smartphone, as a friend does, to the big TV. (I don't have such a device.) Or buy a laptop and a new TV, for the lounge, and integrate them? Others might well have better &or further advice! ;=}) _ www.multicominc.com/training/technical-resources/component-video-vs-composite-video-whats-the-difference/But then it all also depends upon how far you are sitting away from your screen, whether it will make any difference. Sitting up close to a laptop might be as good as a larger screen meters away. www.whathifi.com/au/advice/tv-buying-guide-how-to-choose-right-tv-you
|
Post by sub on May 17, 2021 21:13:34 GMT 12
Depends on the freeview box. If you have a model with HDMI in you could buy a universal disc player that is internet capable, Or a Google Chromecast.
I have an Oppo BDP-103, which comes with a wifi dongle that connects to a USB input on the Oppo. My Oppo has presets for viewing You Tube and Netflix (subscription required) as welll as other internet services. I believe other brands also can connect to wifi.
However, connection to tv is via HDMI from the Oppo. Other brands may have composite out, Michael Wong will know.
|
Post by sub on May 18, 2021 7:39:54 GMT 12
Just realised you can get an HDMI to composite cable/adapter. Which would enable a wifi device to connect directly to your tv. Am assuming your CRT tv has composite in - I can’t imagine a tv old enough to only have aerial in to be still functioning!
|
Post by michaelw on May 18, 2021 11:22:42 GMT 12
My first Freeview box - an unofficial Draco, had a modulated RF output so in theory could be coupled to an old CRT TV, never tried it so can't attest to the efficacy. Easy solution is buy a new TV  You might find a one box media player that can provide all the digital features you want but such boxes are unlikely to have old school analogue connectivity. HDMI is a must.
|
Pundit
Post by Dom on May 18, 2021 16:25:31 GMT 12
Thank you all. As I predicted, I am a saddo and actually only understand every 6th word. I'm fine with stereo/mono but have no clue what any of this means. Our TV is a much-loved Loewe with scart sockets on the back. Sub, I almost understand your comments, I'm going to look into these boxes/adaptors further. Cheers, Dom
|
Post by Citroen on May 18, 2021 17:12:55 GMT 12
Dom Do you understand this? GET A NEW TV! 
|
Post by RdM on May 18, 2021 19:44:33 GMT 12
Our TV is a much-loved Loewe with scart sockets on the back.
Ha! One of my stashed CRT TVs is also a Loewe, with scart sockets (and various leads). And remote and separate DVD.
There were versions of scart socket pinouts, but mainly composite video, the bog standard. I can't find the manual for it.
(The other one is an LG Flatron, a giant heavy totally flat face CRT, which actually has component inputs as well as composite video.)
In the end, as others advise, you might be better to explore (and research) getting a new TV, whether s/h through TM, or new (but read reviews on each!)
Best Wishes ! ;=})
|
Post by rmc001 on May 19, 2021 11:25:31 GMT 12
I had a Loewe (sp?) tv at one stage and still have a scart to component cable going free if anyone wants.
Re: panel TV 's I still find the plasma tvs really interesting compared to our fairly 6 or 7 yr old Samsung led at home. Any KFC outlet has one (I know I shouldn't know that) and despite the blue colouration and surface reflections I think they're great. But that's possibly or probably all surpassed by now.
|
Post by RdM on May 19, 2021 19:27:05 GMT 12
I had a Loewe (sp?) tv at one stage and still have a scart to component cable going free if anyone wants. You have to be careful with scart and understand the difference between RGB and component (YPbPr) video; although they use the same colour plugs, the signals are different. Some older monitors and projectors used actual RGB (and sometimes separate sync lines) and TVs had RGB through scart. Many gaming consoles output RGB through SCART.
I found my Loewe TV manual - it accepts RGB in through SCART. That said, in my collection of SCART cables I do have one with 3 leads labeled Y, Pb, Pr so clearly component. Perhaps Dom's might, since he's connecting it to a Freeview box already, (but how?) - and yours must have if the cable is labeled thus.
To convert component Y Pb Pr say from a Freeview box to my old RGB on SCART Loewe TV, I'd need an active converter, like this:
(In reverse, to convert actual RGB say from a gaming console to component YPbPr:)
I became interested in this after acquiring a Sony DVD recorder (with internal HDD as well) cheap off TradeMe;- although it can output HDMI and component (and s-video and composite) video, the only inputs are s-video and composite (and stereo audio) RCA in a flap on the front, or RGB (and S-Video or composite) via SCART on the back. Oh, and a mini DV socket also on the front.
So to record anything with it in decent quality from the freeview box, I'd need to buy or make a component to RGB converter, as above.
I did find a schematic for one, using 5 ICs...
Suffice it to say I've never actually used it yet... still, it was only $25! ;=}) The Loewe TV is stashed in a walk-in wardrobe on top of a chest of drawers, fate as yet undecided. Sorry that's a bit of a tangent off topic! _
But back on topic, I've thought of a potential solution for Dom, if he wants to keep his much loved TV, and if it actually does have component (Y, Pb, Pr) video inputs, not RGB (in the Scart/Euro socket) - and for all I know he may be using just composite video (and stereo audio) from the Freeview box - Dom? What outputs are you using from the Freeview box? (Also, what model Loewe TV? Or, if you have the manual for it, what does it say in the technical data section about what inputs the Scart (Euro) connector accepts?)
But if the iMac is upstairs you'd still need to start the show there, and come back down. There's also this, which appears to have chromecast built in, as well as apps for paid streaming services:
and then
You can get HDMI to component video (and stereo audio) converters.
So, then, if Dom's TV actually does accept component video (not RGB) via scart then a Chromecast could plug into an HDMI to component converter, then to his TV. Do a search too on 'comparison chromecast other dongles' to read more about various editions of Chromecast and other similar devices.
But if just using composite video (yellow RCA) from the Freeview box, and/or the manual says RGB not component, say, then a further component to rgb converter would be needed, and for the kind of money all those would add up to, you might be better off getting a smarter TV after all, whether off TM or new - with HDMI, so then plug in a Chromecast or etc.
Whew! ;=})
|
Post by michaelw on May 19, 2021 22:00:04 GMT 12
Things will get complicated if Dom wants HD from his FV setup.
Does the Loewe have HD capability ?
In all honesty a new TV is the easiest route and needn't cost big bucks.
Avoid the crap like Veon but some new brands like TCL can provide excellent performance for peanuts.
|
Post by RdM on May 19, 2021 23:02:22 GMT 12
Things will get complicated if Dom wants HD from his FV setup. Does the Loewe have HD capability ? In all honesty a new TV is the easiest route and needn't cost big bucks. Avoid the crap like Veon but some new brands like TCL can provide excellent performance for peanuts.
It won't have HD and we're still wondering whether the SCART plug (typical of European TVs at the time)
expects RGB or YPbPr as well as composite &or s-video. But as above if really component then with complicated converters it could be made to get only at least the 720p DVD quality component can do. Casting from iMac. HD 1980x1020 would need a real direct HDMI input.
So I agree, it's a bit of a lost cause. Internet for the old Loewe. And that a new TV is easiest - necessary - and needn't cost much.
TradeMe as well, being very careful, if someone has genuinely upgraded and in good condition, if on a budget.
But better new. And always do a search on [brand model review] on anything you're investigating;-
Learn all about it / them and the competing alternatives, a free education and surely intellectually interesting window shopping.
4K is not needed, just one that has good specs and is a good size for the space (hence read reviews)
because the say 42" is a diagonal viewable area dimension. The specs online or downloadable manual for ones you get really interested in will tell you the actual HWD overall size.
Looking through reviews, you'll start to get a feel for what may be quality and what not. After all, this is a purchase you're wanting to last for a while. But again, you don't need (or could use, you'd need a blu-ray player, for what, to have to purchase discs for?) 4K, just the now standard HD 1980 x 1020 pixels 16:9 widescreen format, which will be very nice in your lounge. Connect audio to the HiFi system! ;=}) See what size would fit.
You still would have to buy a Chromecast or similar to stream content from your ph or imac, but it could connect straight in to its HDMI port.
And maybe recent TVs have some inherent internet capability, ethernet or wifi dongle, I haven't kept up, mine's old now but still works fine for what I want. I picked up an LG LCD TV off a CBD street when moving 7 years ago, right outside my old place! Dusty, but I took it upstairs, checked, it worked! Some folk, even at the new apartment complex, when moving back home, I've found, tend to just shed / dump stuff rather than TM or Freecycle it.
And maybe you could repurpose the Loewe to somewhere else.
Well, that's my several standard drinks response ... ;=}))
|
Post by michaelw on May 20, 2021 9:41:55 GMT 12
Sidebar - how did you get 720p from DVD ?
DVD res is 480/ntsc, 576/pal
|
Post by RdM on May 22, 2021 20:36:15 GMT 12
Sidebar - how did you get 720p from DVD ? DVD res is 480/ntsc, 576/pal
Oops you're quite right. Thanks for calling me out on that!
(Always be skeptical of authoritative-seeming statements!)
Not sure, maybe the 720 horizontal resolution, assuming, not grokking the nomenclature correctly, etc.
Or thinking about component video cable resolution, but finding since they can go up to 1080i, but not 1080p.
General confusion!
My also cheap $25 TM Panasonic DVD-S54 does up-scaling, as maybe the old LG LCD TV/monitor too, I'm not sure.
So I have to take back my remarks, to Dom, re 'not needing' a 4K TV. Evidently they will upscale from lesser capable sources.
While it's true that perhaps (unless online?) the only direct source of full 4K resolution will be from a blu-ray player, some 25GB or 50GB dual layer storage vs 4.7GB or 9.4GB DL for DVD, they can evidently do a nice job of 'up-scaling' content from DVD, internet, Freeview - use the best connection possible, of course! HDMI better than Component.
So really it is maybe time to start window-shopping TV's ? Reading adverts and reviews? Asking advisement on short list choices? Go for it!
But reviews are worth looking through. At least with a modern TV with HDMI you can use an internet/WiFi dongle thing, cast from mobile or PC.
"I might have been drunk at the time"
Cheers ;-)
|
Post by michaelw on May 22, 2021 20:51:43 GMT 12
And here I thought you were using some fancy line doubling/de-interlacing black box thingy that was all the rage amongst videophiles before we entered the age of High Definition. Speaking of upscaling my OPPO 103 does 4k upscaling but won't play native 4k.
|
Post by RdM on May 22, 2021 21:06:37 GMT 12
And here I thought you were using some fancy line doubling/de-interlacing black box thingy
I still retain a bookmarked interest in a component to RGB box that can feed the Sony DVR from Freeview, if they ever have anything on worth watching - or recording! ;=})
|
Post by michaelw on May 22, 2021 22:01:36 GMT 12
Back in the day I had a Keene Electronics (from UK) RGB2C box that could convert RGB to component and vice-versa with Scart or 3x RCA output.
Was a handy way to get higher quality, though still SD, video into my Sony CRT.
|
Post by rmc001 on Jul 4, 2021 11:40:49 GMT 12
Don't know if this problem still exists - Dom - but I found my Scart to 5 rca's (ie RGB + audio) cable - if its helpful. In the process of looking for another item. :-> Attachments:
|
