Home > Consumer Reviews > Philips SBCVL1400 Wireless TV Link

This system comes at a premium when compared to other wireless AV "senders" available. However, it is well worth the extra money. The ability to watch a different source at both main TV and receiving TV(s) soon becomes a godsend. The ability to transmit full RGB quality video is also very nice. Automatic Source Switching (at main TV) makes viewing very easy. Whilst it does state that it doesn't work with NTL or Telewest systems, this isn't precisely true. It will transmit the AV signal but the Remote Control extender will not work as the set-top boxes use a different version of Infra-Red transfer (IRDA) rather than the industry standards IR5 or IR6. So in this instance you would set the channel you wish to view, then set up autoview reminders for the remainder of the evening and then go watch the TV elsewhere whilst the STB does the channel changing. A superb package - buy it now.

Quik Tip : When running the remote control "blaster" cables - avoid running them under the dvd/vcr/sky box and also avoid running adjacent to power cables. This creates feedback in the wires and this in turn blocks your standard remote signals.

I Could not find much information on the net regarding this product only the version below and people seemed to like Philips earlier offerings so I thought i'd give this one a go.

I wanted to connect this unit through my Telewest dgital reciver to watch in my bedroom (above the living room)

As soon as I opened the box I was faced with a sticker advising (this product does not work with NTL or Telewest digital systems) What this meant is that you are able to watch whatever is being displayed via the digital box BUT you are unable to change channels from your room of choice. I was VERY annoyed with this as I felt that this information should have been displayed before I purchased the item.

I hooked it up netherless (took about 5 minutes) and was amazed with the picture/sound quality, first class. I then tried my MP3 dvd player through the system and again it was fantastic, no interference whatsoever

All in all an excellent product although if you are a Telewest or NTL subscriber I would ask myself, can I really be bothered to run downstairs every time I want to change channels.

Received the item and had it up and running after 5 minutes. Picture quality is excellent. The remote control supplied will control tv, video, dvd player, sky and cable - even from another room!

I have set the base unit up in my living room and the other unit in my bedroom, this means that the signal has to travel through three brick walls. The picture quality is excellent and the remote reaches with no problems at all. I can change sky channels, play DVD's and videos and turn all equipment off from upstairs.

The set top base unit fits nicely in my video unit and even though it doesn't face the tv, satellite, video or dvd it still controlls all of them with 100% success rate.

This really is a great bit of kit and whilst not cheap it is a remarkable wireless tv solution.

This unit is ideal if you want to watch Sky or DVD etc in your bedroom. Both the transmitter and receiver are compact. It is very easy to set up. The worst part for me was getting behind my 75kg Sony wide screen television! I had to do this twice. The first time I put the transmitter on the floor underneath the shelves of my TV cabinet. I then noticed that my TV picture had deteriorated. I then moved the transmitter to the top shelf, beside my Sky digibox and above DVD player and video. I also took the opportunity to tidy up all the wires that were behind TV. Everything is now perfect. To connect up all you have to do is to take a Scart lead from each of your equipment items and put into transmitter box (it can take 4 items). Only one Scart lead then connects transmitter box to TV set (use RGB input if your set has one). Upstairs it is only a matter of one Scart lead going from receiver box (which is very small) to the TV. I put my Sky Scart lead into input no.3 on the transmitter box. This input is RGB enabled and my Sky picture has improved dramatically. I was also really surprised at the quality on my bedroom set. It is as good as downstairs. You can use your Sky remote to do everything on the bedroom ( remote ) set as you can on your main set and its fast. I don’t even have to aim it at receiver! You get a universal remote with the package. It does work but I found that my original remotes no longer worked, and I preferred them, so I just reset the universal and bought a second Sky remote instead to keep in bedroom. Obviously this is not a solution if you have people using the downstairs set at the same time as whatever you are watching on Sky in bed they will have to watch also! Likewise with DVD. However this is a great way to watch all your sources on a remote TV wirelessly. I have a perfect picture and no problems from interference and have it a month now. The box has a sticker which says it does not work with NTL cable boxes so beware.

Please see the other reviews for this item.

I have had great success with it. Set up took a few short minutes and I had no problems. The quality of the picture on the second TV is excellent. I can control DVD/VCR and SKY+ from the second TV with ease. Another reviewer has expressed concerns with controlling SKY+, but no problems here. The transmitter unit sends IR signals to replicate remote control of the DVD/VCR/SAT devices you are replicating. These IR signals can be boosted with addition IR lights (blaster cables). I had no need to use these.

A major word of caution is that video senders including this use the increasingly crowded 2.4GHz band. This is used by many digital phones, baby monitors and 802.11b wireless computer networks. Make sure that you won't clash with other devices in the home. I use BT cordless phones that use another band. I do have an 802.11b network which can clash. A neat feature of the SBCVL1400 is that it can operate in one of four strict channels within the 2.4GHz band. You can play around to find the best channel to use, if necessary.

Some reviewers of several video senders have reported big conflicts with 802.11b networks. The picture quality can suffer from interference from the 802.11b systems that tends to scan across the 2.4GHz band for the best signal. I have little or no interference. I use two 3com 802.11b cards in an ad-hoc network. A connected network has no noticable affect on picture quality. Disconnection of one of the cards causes the other card to scan more. A very minor interference line can be noticed every few seconds in this scenario.

To sum up, I am very pleased with the Philips TV link as it does what it says on the box. You have to be prepared for some conlflict with other devices, but I recommend having a go!