Freeview box for "old TV's" - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 2:10 pm

Hi all

Simple question from someone who doesn't know much about TV...

How do I tell if a Freeview box can be used with an old TV? I have a 625 line Crown B+W portable and just picked up a Goodmans GDR11 on the market.

Of course I can just try it, but it may be faulty anyway. This box has a RF In and RF Out as well as Scart sockets.

It was worth a punt at 20p

Martin

Lloyd 1985 · 27th Oct 2016, 2:29 pm

Hi,

You may be in luck! A lot of free view boxes don't have the built in RF modulator, but I just googled your model and it says it does have it, so if you plug it all in and connect an RF lead from the tv aerial socket to the RF out of the box, you should be able to tune the tv into the box. There may be the option in the menu to set the RF output channel, just in case it clashes with the off air signal.

Regards,
Lloyd

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 2:34 pm

Super... I may stick the LCD TV in the shed and see how well my suggestion of watching in B+W from now on goes down

Lloyd 1985 · 27th Oct 2016, 2:36 pm

Ooh, good luck with that one!!! I tried to get the rest of the family to ditch the Sony LCD and use a Samsung slimfit, I was told to bog off... Same when I tried a Bush TV22!

Regards,
Lloyd

27th Oct 2016, 2:41 pm

Bear in mind that co-channel interference from freeview looks like noise on a proper telly. You won't see the classic rolling picture behind just a noisy one.

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 3:08 pm

I'm looking forward to this. Normally when I get some time I get the record player out... next time it will be the little set out the shed.

Let's hope it works.

emeritus · 27th Oct 2016, 4:16 pm

One to be cautious about is the Ferguson F01SDB. This comes in (at least) two different versions. Both have identical front panels, but can be easily distinguished by their remotes and back panels. The earlier version comes with a rectangular remote, and has a "D" connector on the back. The later model comes with a "dogbone" remote, and has no "D" connector. The remotes are not interchangeable. While the modulator of the earlier model can be tuned all over the UHF band, the frequency of the modulator of the later model is fixed and cannot be adjusted. In my area, the fixed frequency is occupied by a digital multiplex, making the modulator useless.

paulsherwin · 27th Oct 2016, 4:28 pm

I think all the ones that were supplied for free as part of the switchover had modulators. The 'black Thursday' stall had one of those last week, but it was gone today, so that may be the one you've bought. You can spot them because they have a sticker on top (which is very difficult to get off). The ideal models for old TV use have both a UHF modulator and a 14:9 output mode, which was the compromise aspect ratio used for widescreen stuff during the analogue days.

I got a long RCA cable for 20p, and a full bottle of Danish oil and a full aerosol of clear lacquer for 50p each

. I usually come away with something.

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 4:57 pm

That's the one. It has the sticker on... thought it was just about worth 20p.

I got an old Woodbine packet too in memory of my great grandma who used to smoke them.

I spotted that cable so yes, I must have been before you.

paulsherwin · 27th Oct 2016, 5:04 pm

You can get the sticker off with white spirit, a rag and your fingernails, but it's quite a job.

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 5:13 pm

But it is "original"��

I will see how I get on with it and the TV set. It is without its remote but seems to have the buttons to change channel on the front. Wonder if it auto tunes...

We shall find out I suppose.

paulsherwin · 27th Oct 2016, 5:29 pm

You will almost certainly need the remote to do a channel scan, and also set the aspect ratio. Forum members may have a spare remote from a scrap box if you can determine what it is. If it's a Vestel, all their Freeview boxes seemed to use the same remote.

Apparently the remote is a URC-60500R01-11.

27th Oct 2016, 5:41 pm

Quote:

You can get the sticker off with white spirit, a rag and your fingernails, but it's quite a job.

A bit of non volatile oil or even margarine left for a day or two will ease a paper label off.

paulsherwin · 27th Oct 2016, 5:47 pm

It's not paper, it's some sort of plastic. Any solvent has to get to the underlying adhesive from the edges, which is why it's such a job. I know, I've done it!

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 5:49 pm

Cheers Paul I will investigate. 20p box, £5 remote

Thanks also for the cleaning tips too.

paulsherwin · 27th Oct 2016, 5:55 pm

Try the box out first. If it produces some sort of signal, I'll have a look and see if I've got a suitable remote in the junk box. If I have I can meet you in Oxford and hand it over FOC.

Martin Bush · 27th Oct 2016, 7:51 pm

I will report back, hopefully over the weekend. Thanks Paul

27th Oct 2016, 7:58 pm

Quote:

It's not paper, it's some sort of plastic.

Even those submit after a month or so as the oil creeps under. The plastic labels on Baby Oil bottles fall off after a while.

colly0410 · 27th Oct 2016, 9:01 pm

I've got an old Pioneer STB with an RF output to fire up my 3 TV's (2 B&W & t'other colour) without scart sockets now & then. A black & white TV always seems to look better to me than a colour set with the colour turned down..

ntscuser · 27th Oct 2016, 10:06 pm

The remote is a bespoke job by Goodmans and almost as big as the box:

http://icserver.no-ip.biz/coventry/v...p?f=17&t=20588

27th Oct 2016, 2:10 pm	#1
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Freeview box for "old TV's" Hi all Simple question from someone who doesn't know much about TV... How do I tell if a Freeview box can be used with an old TV? I have a 625 line Crown B+W portable and just picked up a Goodmans GDR11 on the market. Of course I can just try it, but it may be faulty anyway. This box has a RF In and RF Out as well as Scart sockets. It was worth a punt at 20p Martin

27th Oct 2016, 2:29 pm	#2
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,820	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Hi, You may be in luck! A lot of free view boxes don't have the built in RF modulator, but I just googled your model and it says it does have it, so if you plug it all in and connect an RF lead from the tv aerial socket to the RF out of the box, you should be able to tune the tv into the box. There may be the option in the menu to set the RF output channel, just in case it clashes with the off air signal. Regards, Lloyd

27th Oct 2016, 2:34 pm	#3
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Super... I may stick the LCD TV in the shed and see how well my suggestion of watching in B+W from now on goes down

27th Oct 2016, 2:36 pm	#4
Lloyd 1985 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coningsby, Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 2,820	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Ooh, good luck with that one!!! I tried to get the rest of the family to ditch the Sony LCD and use a Samsung slimfit, I was told to bog off... Same when I tried a Bush TV22! Regards, Lloyd

27th Oct 2016, 2:41 pm	#5
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Bear in mind that co-channel interference from freeview looks like noise on a proper telly. You won't see the classic rolling picture behind just a noisy one.

27th Oct 2016, 3:08 pm	#6
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' I'm looking forward to this. Normally when I get some time I get the record player out... next time it will be the little set out the shed. Let's hope it works.

27th Oct 2016, 4:16 pm	#7
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 5,349	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' One to be cautious about is the Ferguson F01SDB. This comes in (at least) two different versions. Both have identical front panels, but can be easily distinguished by their remotes and back panels. The earlier version comes with a rectangular remote, and has a "D" connector on the back. The later model comes with a "dogbone" remote, and has no "D" connector. The remotes are not interchangeable. While the modulator of the earlier model can be tuned all over the UHF band, the frequency of the modulator of the later model is fixed and cannot be adjusted. In my area, the fixed frequency is occupied by a digital multiplex, making the modulator useless.

27th Oct 2016, 4:28 pm	#8
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' I think all the ones that were supplied for free as part of the switchover had modulators. The 'black Thursday' stall had one of those last week, but it was gone today, so that may be the one you've bought. You can spot them because they have a sticker on top (which is very difficult to get off). The ideal models for old TV use have both a UHF modulator and a 14:9 output mode, which was the compromise aspect ratio used for widescreen stuff during the analogue days. I got a long RCA cable for 20p, and a full bottle of Danish oil and a full aerosol of clear lacquer for 50p each . I usually come away with something.

27th Oct 2016, 4:57 pm	#9
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' That's the one. It has the sticker on... thought it was just about worth 20p. I got an old Woodbine packet too in memory of my great grandma who used to smoke them. I spotted that cable so yes, I must have been before you.

27th Oct 2016, 5:04 pm	#10
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' You can get the sticker off with white spirit, a rag and your fingernails, but it's quite a job.

27th Oct 2016, 5:13 pm	#11
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' But it is "original"�� I will see how I get on with it and the TV set. It is without its remote but seems to have the buttons to change channel on the front. Wonder if it auto tunes... We shall find out I suppose.

27th Oct 2016, 5:29 pm	#12
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' You will almost certainly need the remote to do a channel scan, and also set the aspect ratio. Forum members may have a spare remote from a scrap box if you can determine what it is. If it's a Vestel, all their Freeview boxes seemed to use the same remote. Apparently the remote is a URC-60500R01-11.

27th Oct 2016, 5:47 pm	#14
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' It's not paper, it's some sort of plastic. Any solvent has to get to the underlying adhesive from the edges, which is why it's such a job. I know, I've done it!

27th Oct 2016, 5:49 pm	#15
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Cheers Paul I will investigate. 20p box, £5 remote Thanks also for the cleaning tips too.

27th Oct 2016, 5:55 pm	#16
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,970	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' Try the box out first. If it produces some sort of signal, I'll have a look and see if I've got a suitable remote in the junk box. If I have I can meet you in Oxford and hand it over FOC.

27th Oct 2016, 7:51 pm	#17
Martin Bush Octode Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,911	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' I will report back, hopefully over the weekend. Thanks Paul

27th Oct 2016, 9:01 pm	#19
colly0410 Pentode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 223	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' I've got an old Pioneer STB with an RF output to fire up my 3 TV's (2 B&W & t'other colour) without scart sockets now & then. A black & white TV always seems to look better to me than a colour set with the colour turned down..

27th Oct 2016, 10:06 pm	#20
ntscuser Hexode Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Coventry, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 280	Re: Freeview box for 'old tvs' The remote is a bespoke job by Goodmans and almost as big as the box: http://icserver.no-ip.biz/coventry/v...p?f=17&t=20588