Setting up your TV HD TV hints and tips

Intelligent Scart and HDMI switching boxes

If you simply don’t have enough sockets for all your various boxes we'd always recommend buying an intelligent switching box. 

Multiple Scart leads connect to the box, which then connects via a single Scart socket to the TV and automatically switches to whichever piece of equipment is being used.

The alternative is to ‘daisy chain’ Scart cables via other pieces of equipment, but this often means auto-picture-switching features, common on Scart sockets, can be lost. 

For instance, most Scart connections will automatically alter how different broadcasts are displayed – showing standard (4:3) broadcasts with black bands on either side so the images aren't stretched out of proportion.

To find the best television to meet your needs check our independent LCD TV, plasma TV and LED TV reviews.

Scart versus HDMI

If you’re short of Scart sockets, modern high-definition HDMI sockets can often be used as an alternative. Many standard DVD players and DVD recorders feature an HDMI output for connecting to an LED, LCD or plasma TV.

However, contrary to manufacturer claims, improvement in picture quality is uncommon, and there’s a chance you’ll actually lose some of the auto-picture switching functionality of a Scart socket.

Matching video signals

Scart leads can carry different types and quality of video signal - the best is RGB, but the slightly inferior S-video and video signals are common too. When connecting a television and, say, DVD player together, make sure to select the same type of video signal in their setup menus. 

For instance if your TV input is set to RGB, make sure the DVD output is set to RGB too. If the types of video signal don't match, chances are you won't get a picture at all, or it will be in black and white.

TV screen modes

TV broadcasts come in different formats, and a good widescreen TV can detect the format and deal with it accordingly. There are three main picture formats.

Most analogue programmes (on the five main channels) are transmitted in standard (4:3) format. When a widescreen TV displays the picture correctly, you will have to put up with black bands on both sides of the picture.

You may prefer to stretch the picture horizontally so that it fills the screen (as shown), although this distorts the image. Another option is to zoom the picture so that it fills the screen, but you’ll lose some of the picture at the top and bottom.

Many digital TV programmes and films on DVD and Blu-ray disc come in widescreen format. Pictures will fill the screen, without any stretching or picture distortion.

Auto widescreen format switching

It’s a good idea to opt for a set that recognises when the programme’s in widescreen and when it’s not – and automatically switches the display. We think it’s sensible for widescreen TVs to show standard (4:3) broadcasts with black bands either side, rather than stretching the picture to fit.

Still confused? Check out our TV jargon buster.