Does a TV need a scart connection to use a Freeview set top box?

Answer 1

A Freeview set top box is a digital television receiver for use in the UK and delivers analogue signals at the output, for use with analogue televisions. All Freview receivers have video and audio outputs and normally these are found on a scart connector, the European multi-pin AV interface. If a television has no scart connector, it may be possible to use separate video and audio connectors, normally phono or RCA sockets. If the television doesn't have any kind of video input, then the only option is to use the RF connection. Not all Freview units have an RF output. If the Freeview signal must be taken into the television, then the receiver must have the output signal encoded to RF. Note that some Freeview receivers have an RF output but only to loop through the antenna signal and do not deliver the digital programme to the RF output. To be sure that it will work, you must ask the question "does the output of this receiver feed the RF output?" Remember that many salesmen will not know the answer to this, may say yes to get the sale and you get a unit that doesn't work. If that happens, you are fully entitled to return the unit and get a FULL refund as long as you asked the question before you bought it. (The Sale of Good Acts make complete provision for this). This isn't meant to be an attack on salesmen by the way but I have a big problem with poorly trained sales staff gicing out incorrect information!

Answer 2

Freeview set top boxes are specifically marketed for use with older televisions that will not have HDMI inputs. To accommodate the analogue televisions, all set top boxes will have an analogue output. As the scart connector is a European standard, it is likely that any Freeview receiver will have one fitted.

If a television does not have a scart socket, it may have a set of three phono sockets that will take video and audio. A cable with a scart connector at one end and phonos at the other will link the two.

If the television has only digital inputs, such as HDMI, it is very likely that it will also receive digital television without a box.

If the television has no AV input at all, then a few Freeview receivers will output their signal on an RF connector (the aerial lead). It is important that you ask if it has an RF output before buying it. Make sure that a salesman can confirm without doubt that the receiver supports RF output.