Help! My family may break down entirely if we don't sort this out...

[lalalonglegs]

My family's sanity is hanging by a thread. We have a freeview box (ie. access to CBeebies) connected to our TV by scart leads. Normally, when you switch the freeview box on it overrides whatever terrestial channel is on, but now it no longer flips in even when you switch to the AV channel. We have tried our DVD as well which is on the same system and again, nada so I don't think there is a problem with the freeview box (unless the DVD player conked out at precisely the same time as well). We have tried a new set of scarts, didn't work. What is going on? It's been three days now and we're desperate here, people.

[FritesMenthe]

No idea but freeview boxes had to be re-tuned a couple of weeks ago for some reason. Maybe that's affected it?

[lalalonglegs]

Don't think it's that because our DVD should still be working. Thanks for trying.

Anyone else?

[FritesMenthe]

So you cannot view DVD or CBeebies, at all? I feel your pain. Perhaps someone will come along with a helpful suggestion in a minute.

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

sorry love, no idea

sorry, the only thing I can think of is that the scarts on the back of the telly have gone kaput

Is the telly old??

[lalalonglegs]

Telly ancient (not even a flatscreen ) but all terrestial channels fine. Tried different scart leads, no joy. Do you think the scart sockets within the telly might be knackered? Is that what you're saying mighty Trinity?

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

yeah thats what I'm thinking

all the signs point to that

because both of the scarted things aren't working

bummer

what about freecycle?

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

TR, i lost your email. Can you email me again? I wondered if you wanted to meet up this week. I've got the week off work so we could do a daytime. DB here.

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

db??
sorry

totally lost all ability to do anything

my email is [email protected] if that helps

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

just worked it out

sorry thick as....

have so many people mailing me, I'm getting confused

[1dilemma]

lala can I wave to you please?
thought you'd gone

havn't seen you on property for ages!

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

no worries TR.
it's your friendly local well-meaning but far too effing busy mumsnetter who feels bad for not sorting out that bottle of wine.
Are you free at all during the day next week?

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

yes, I'm pretty muchh free all day every day
kids aren't at school and I'm not ging out much still

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

Do you fancy a day out?

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

hmm, I dunno

yes, I think

Are you bringing your children?

Cause we would have to take two cars if you were

Oh I dont know

I would love to meet you and I reckon purplepillow would too

hows about you come over and take charge, make me go out and do something

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

Right, in that case.

You and purplepillow should come at meet me at either cream o galloway or mabie park farm.

Proper day out.

How old are you kids?

Mine are 5 and 2.

[lalalonglegs]

Yes, don't go on much now. No one ever took any notice of me anyway... Does that count as a flounce?

[BubbaAndBump]

At the risk of sounding like an I.T. professional, have you tried turning it on and off again? Our freeview box goes on the blink occasionally (as do I), and I turn if off at the wall and it plays ball again...

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

mine are 9,4 and 2

purples dd is 9

cream of galloway??

sorry, did I mention I was crap

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

just googled, sounds lovely, just trying to see how far away it is

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

about 60 miles, not bad, we could do that, I think

I'll have to speak to purple

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

oh we can fire the 9 year olds in barrels down a big slide!
I've not seen anyone do that yet!

[TrinityHasAVampireRhino]

whereabouts are you coming from?

just woken purple up and shes up for something

I like the sound of cream of galloway

we'll have to chat about when

[Pyrocanthus]

To return to the OP - can you try taking the dvd player out of the circuit in case a knackered dvd is stopping the freeview box from working as they're all entwangled together by the scart leads? Or vice versa?

You can tell I'm technical, can't you? Fiddling does sometimes work though.

[GordonBrownsTeaLady]

i'll email you

[WebDude]

How many SCART sockets on TV ? Just curious as some have 2 so it might be that only one is dead (perhaps more convenient to get to and the one you have tried for both DVD and Freeview box).

Fingers crossed it isn't all SCART input, but if it is, then either a TV via Freecycle might help (surely someone replacing their TV with a new flat screen this time of year) or ...

might be a cheap solution using a SCART to UHF box - I used to use a VHS VCR to convert from a SCART security camera to UHF for a 14" TV which was so old it had no SCART at all - so another option might be a VCR if you know someone chucking one out/ Freecycle (just don't be too picky if asking for VCR on Freecycle - most should have SCART anyway!)

I know that last option might sound daft, but if it means CBeebies can be watched, as well as DVDs, via a VCR to give a signal on UHF for your TV, it puts off the need to replace the TV for a bit...