TECHNOLOGY UNCONNECTED.

My 5 year old TV speakers has started to vibrate and distort the sound so I bought a 4K UHD smart TV which arrived today. The only trouble is that my original connection from the Sky Box is SCART but of course that is old "techie", so now I'm going to have to get the new appropriate cables to get the TV up and running. But it just shows the tech world moves on and on leaving the "old" stuff behind.

 

To be honest, Clueless, so did I. But, no, this one does not have SCART but has the HDMI, LAN, USB, Optical, Common Interface slot connections. I've suddenly realised that i will need new cables for my Playstations as well Still, I think a HDMI cable should get me up and running but I won't be able to get one until late tomorrow as it's my sister's birthday tomorrow so I'll be busy taking her out for a Birthday meal etc.

 

I can already talk to my car with voice recognition which I find slightly distracting, so I opted out of the voice and motion options with the TV, Martin, as in truth I have no need for them. I spend very little time in front of the TV, [except to watch Game of Thrones and any science/astronomy/gardening programs], as I'm either in the garden, in the Observatory, on the Computer, or out driving somewhere. I try to keep to the KISS principle as I've found the more apps you have the more there is to go wrong.

 

Not a problem, and I'm always will to help. One word of advice, do a little research first and maybe join Cloudy Nights, Astronomy UK forums and read some of the posts to get their experience and opinions......not all agree with each other on equipment but that's not a bad thing. Basically, you have to recognise that there are in general 3 types of scopes, Refractor, Newtonian [reflector], and Schmidt Cassegrain, with variants [reflector]. After using all three types I've found I like the Schmidt Cassegrain for ease of use, reduced need to collimate, and good light gathering power........but it's all a matter of choice. You get more "bang for your buck" with a Newtonian, but you're constantly having to collimate the scope, and also you probably find a need to upgrade the eyepieces etc. Just settle on a budget, do a little research and take it from there, but don't settle for a "cheap" scope which, if new, will probably be of low quality and you'd waste your money. 3 out of my 5 scopes are second hand bought off reliable e-bay people.......and every one a bargain in mint condition. So take your time and don't rush it.

 

I've just run into one problem, which is that my present TV cabinet is too small to take the new TV due to the legs of the TV being at the corners of it whereas my old TV was on a single wide stand. So it's a case of cancel the plans for the wade in the pond for tomorrow and go hunting for a longer cabinet at a place called Dagfield's just outside Nantwich.

 

I'm not a wall mount fan to be honest, Martin. My lounge decor wouldn't take kindly to a wall mount as it would definitely clash and look out of place, plus I don't like holes in the walls!! I'll have to find something that will fit in with the rest of the Lounge furniture and style of the Lounge otherwise it'll stick out like a "sore thumb".

I wouldn't be in a rush anyway, Martin...........the stars will still be there whenever you can afford a decent scope.........do a bit of research on an 8 inch aperture sct and see what you think.