I have a TV with 1 scart socket, a Freeview box with 2, and a VCR with
2. I have 3 scart leads: one connects the Freeview box and the VCR,
the other 2 go from the Freeview box and the VCR respectively into a
3-to-1 switchable adapter which plugs into the TV.

The coaxial lead goes into the Freeview box first, then the VCR, then the TV.

From the various manuals supplied with these components, this seemed
to be the correct way of hooking things up.

However, a couple of things puzzle me and I would appreciate
explanations, or advice about a better way of doing things if
appropriate.

1. If I try to watch the TV through the video channel when the
Freeview box is on standby, I get sound but only a fuzzy black and
white picture. However, if the Freeview box is on or off, there is no
problem. But the picture quality is poorer than when I watch TV
through a TV channel.

2. If I watch a Freeview programme with the scart adapter switched to
that input, there is picture interference (a kind of ghostly drift
down the screen). But if the adapter is switched to VCR input the
picture is perfect!

Are all these leads really necessary or would I be better off with
fewer/different connections? I thought scart was supposed to improve
quality, so what am I doing wrong?