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Using Video Recorders after the Digital TV Switchover
The humble VHS video cassette. Some of may be worried that you can't record onto video tape, or play back your old collection of videos after the switchover, but fear not - you can.
Here we offer advice on watching and recording with a VCR after the switchover.
Can I record onto video cassettes after the switchover?
Most VHS video recorders only have a receiver capable of getting analogue TV signals, not the newer digital signals. If you don't have a digital video recorder, after your region goes digital, you won't be able to record the standard 5 channels just by plugging in a TV aerial.
That doesn't mean that your video recorder is obsolete - you can still use it for video playback, and if your video recorder has an input socket for a SCART lead (pictured), you'll still be able to record TV on it - by connecting a digital TV set-top box to the SCART input.
For more on recording digital TV, see our Recording Digital TV page.
Need a Freeview box? Available from Dixons and Comet |
Can I watch video cassettes after the switchover?
"What about playing pre recorded video cassettes after we go digital? I've been told that after the switchover, I will be unable to play the hundreds of pre-recorded video cassettes I already have. Is this true?"
The good news is that you'll still be able to play back your existing video cassette tapes after the switchover. You will need to connect the output of your video recorder to your TV set. Typically you will do this with a SCART lead (pictured) going from your recorder to a spare SCART socket on the TV.
No spare SCART socket on your TV? Help is here |
The digital switchover only affects the reception and recording of the five standard TV channels via a TV aerial. If you connect the output of an existing analogue VHS video unit to an analogue or digital TV set, you'll still be able to play back video cassettes on your TV.
Your questions on Video Cassette Recorders
"My daughter has a telly in her room, but only watches videos and DVDs on her telly. Will we have to convert hers to digital or will she still be able to watch videos and DVDs?"
All that the digital switchover affects, is the ability to watch analogue TV (the 5 standard channels) via a TV aerial. If your daughter doesn't want to watch or record live TV in her room, she won't need to 'go digital' - playback of video/DVD isn't affected by the digital switchover.
"Are there any new style PVRs or DVRs which also have a slot to play videos or to record onto videos as an alternative?"
As far as we know, there are no PVRs that have a built-in video recorder, however all PVRs can be connected to a video recorder using a SCART lead, so that you can transfer recordings to videotape if required.
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