John asked

29th February 2012

I have a Hitachi PW1A 42PD4200 plasma display monitor. This has an DVI input and supports VESA signals to high resolutions.

Will this support HDTV and if so, what connector should I use?

You should be able to get a high-definition television on your Plasma display but it's not especially simple or guaranteed to work. If the DVI port on your display supports HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) then you can use just about any TV platform/service (and probably an HDMI to DVI converter) and it should work. If it doesn't support HDCP and you want the best picture quality you are most likely to find HDCP-free content on the Freesat platform, Freeview HD boxes by standard must have HDCP. Another option if you have it may be to use a slightly inferior analogue component video connection if you have one on your TV.

Also have a look at the HD Fury and other similar devices that may allow you to circumvent HDCP and still use the DVI connection.

Denise asked

24th February 2012

I've recently purchased a Samsung Smart TV UE32D6530 with build in Freeview HD. I previously viewed Sky on my old TV upstairs via a mouse link connect to the Sky+ HD box downstairs. Any tips on how I can use the Samsung Smart TV connected directly to digital aerial to view Freeview HD and connect the Samsung TV to Sky via the mouse link so we've got the best of both worlds, i.e., there aren't enough aerial sockets to connect both.

If your Sky+ HD box is one of the ones with 2 RF outputs you can use those to split you aerial connection between your upstairs TV and Samsung Smart TV downstairs. If it doesn't assuming your signal strength is reasonably good a cheap 2-way RF splitter will allow you connect both TVs to your aerial at the same time.

Jean asked

24th February 2012

I Have a Sony HD Ready set. I receive my signals to an outside aerial from Hannington. How do I get HD programmes on the set? I cannot find any channels called HD.

The Hannington transmitter group has already switched to digital and so you should be able to receive the Freeview HD channels at your location. In order to watch the HD channels you also need a high-definition receiver of some kind. An older HDTV that's HD-Ready may only contain a standard-definition Freeview tuner so you should check your TV's documentation for mention of Freeview HD or DVB-2 support. If your TV isn't able to receive Freeview HD by itself you can simply purchase a separate Freeview HD set-top box or recorder and connect that to your HDTV likely with an HDMI cable.

Beryl asked

18th February 2012

I have recently bought a Samsung LED TV and wish to use it together with my Thomson DTI 6021 TV Recorder. My son is having trouble finding a cable to connect the two. Must I buy a new HD recorder or is there a way to connect my TV and recorder?

As best I can tell both your devices have SCART sockets so connecting them up should be as simple as plugging in a cable and selecting the corresponding input with with your television remote

There shouldn't be any need for you to buy a new HD recorder, once connected you existing one will work with your HDTV, albeit in standard-definition.

Graham asked

17th February 2012

When will Freeview HD be available in NR34 7XX area?

If my TV has Freeview HD fitted will I be able to view ordinary Freeview programmes?

It should already be available in your area although it looks like the reception may be marginal for these channels based on the information on the Digital UK site for your postcode here:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/display/detailed/NR34+7XX

It may therefore be worth contacting one of the registered installers linked from that website to see what advice and assistance they can offer based on your particular circumstances.

An HDTV with in-built Freeview HD will be bacwards compatible and allow you to watch all the existing standard-definition Freeview channels.

Andrew asked

14th February 2012

I have a non-HD Sky box and am looking to upgrade my TV, will an HDTV work with my old Sky box?

So long as you're able to physically connect the two devices the new HDTV should allow you to watch the Sky box without issue. In terms of connections unless you Sky box has an HDMI output you'll need to make sure that you prospective HDTV purchase has either a SCART or component video input, to which you can either directly or with a simple adapter connect to your Sky box.

John asked

14th February 2012

I have a Panasonic HD-Ready TV, and a Grundig Freesat box with HD support. The two are connected by an HDMI cable. I can watch and/or record from all channels, but cannot record from the BBC1 or ITV1 HD Channels, which fail with a "No Signal" error.

You need to make sure that your recorder box is capable of recording the high-definition channels as this is a separate function from being able to receive them. If that is the case and you're able to watch but not record this points to a problem with how to satellite signal is connected/distrubuted.split amongst your devices.

Susan asked

14th February 2012

For the last two Friday evenings my HD channels have been breaking up. Postcode CH1 6XX. The Winter Hill transmitter not reporting any problems. Last weekend the channels came back Monday evening. Any suggestions?

Assuming your aerial is in good condition and you have reliable connection between it an your HDTV you may benefit from retuning to another local television transmitter. You can see the alternative transmitters you should be able to receive at your address at the following page on the Digital UK site:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/display/alternative/CH1+6XX

You may only need to manually re-tune the HD group/miltiplex to solve you're problem but there's instructions on how to do so on the Digital site here:

http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/manual_retuning