Need help getting VCR to work w/ TV & Sat

[codefree]

I own the Samsung HCL473W 16:9 TV, a Hughes 86 STB w/DirecTV, and an older Panasonic VCR. Problem is, while I can watch a videotape I cannot record onto one. I can't get the VCR's on screen display to show up at the same time as the DirecTV broadcast. I must have missed something important but for the life of me I can't figure this one out. Any suggestions as to what may be wrong? Do I need a D-VHS player to record now? http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/frown.gif

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codefree (http://codefree.i8.com)

[Gregg Lengling]

So are you feeding the VCR with the SVHS or composite video input from the Sat Box? And if so are you actually viewing the program through the VCR or are you viewing through the HiDef input to the set. I may be mistaken but it may be possible that the box will only output one type at a time and you may have to select the SVHS or composite and view it through the VCR to actually record.

I may be wrong, but............




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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net

[codefree]

My VCR isn't SVHS. I have composites going from the Sat Box to the VCR and from the Sat Box to the TV. I can't see the programs I want to record which is what's telling me it's hooked up wrong.

[Gregg Lengling]

I think you have to turn off the component output from your STB to turn on the composite feed to the VCR. The VCR then feeds the composite input of your display and you should be able to see it and record it.

[codefree]

I don't see a way to turn off the component output from the STB.

[codefree]

If I get a SVHS player will everything work as it should to record TV shows thru the Sat Box?

[Gregg Lengling]

I wouldn't count on it...if you cant' get the composite video output to work how do you think you'll get the SVHS output to work. And S/VHS machines are getting hard to find......tape is dying.

[Tom Snyder]

codefree....

Are you and I the last two people on the planet without Tivo or Replay? http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/wink.gif

I ended up hooking my VCR for recording to my second Satellite receiver in the bedroom.

[veyj]

Tom and Codefree, you're not alone. No Tivo or Ultimate here. Waiting to see the next generation (What's the lastest borghe) and debating if I should "experiment" with HTPC like Gregg and others.

Codefree, Gregg was right. You need to toggle to SD from the remote (ACTION + HD/SD). You should also use this setting for almost all DirecTV viewing that's not HD. The picture will look better and you'll have more control with your TV's zoom settings.

John

[Matt Heebner]

I dont have any type of PVR either...yet. I too am also waiting on some sort of HD PVR. I considered going the Hi-Pix and HTPC route, but I think I will wait.

Matt

[Pat]

I think you'll just have to read the manuals (usually between the lines!) to figure out what each input and each output of the different components does. In particular, if you have a new-ish audio receiver, you may have a "monitor" connector on your receiver that needs to be used for getting it set up right. You end up with everything hooked up to the receiver and only the receiver hooked up to the TV. The receiver switches everything around for you.

If you don't have a new-ish receiver, get one!

One mistake some people make (I did) is to wire a DVD player through the VCR. The DVD's copy protection scheme will distort the DVD's output so you can't watch it (or record it!).

I doubt that what Mr. Free is seeing, but I thought I'd mention it.

[codefree]

I'm going to play around with the connections again this evening and see what I can do based on the replies here. I think Pat may have hit the nail on the head though, I do have a newer receiver and it does have a billion inputs and outputs. I had the Sat box audio connected thru it already but not the video. Thanks for the tips everyone. http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/smile.gif

[codefree]

You need to toggle to SD from the remote (ACTION + HD/SD). You should also use this setting for almost all DirecTV viewing that's not HD. The picture will look better and you'll have more control with your TV's zoom settings.

When I hit "ACTION" on the Sat remote and then HD+SD the video doesn't change. Well I can't see the VCR's on screen display anyway. http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by codefree (edited 10-30-2002).]

[This message has been edited by codefree (edited 10-30-2002).]

[Gregg Lengling]

I think you have to tell us how you have everything hooked up....it sounds like you don't have the VCR feed the Display properly or you haven't switched to the input on the Display that you feed the VCR with.....give us the low down of the setup.


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net

[codefree]

Here's how the VCR is currently connected:

VCR in = Satellite out
VCR out =
VCR in from antenna = Satellite out to TV
VCR out to TV = Receiver in from TV/Satellite

I've had the "VCR out to TV" connected to the TV but haven't gotten any results.

[codefree]

No picture on TV except Satellite broadcast. I have a tape playing in the VCR which I can hear thru the receiver but I can't see it on the TV. TV is set on S-Video 1.


[This message has been edited by codefree (edited 10-30-2002).]

[Gregg Lengling]

You have to explain better....what output to the tv are you using from the VCR. It sounds like you have the satellite direct to the TV via SVHS if this is so and you connect the VCR to the TV via the VCR Input jack on the TV you need to turn off SVHS input on the tv and select the AUX (VCR input).
Let's take this discussion off the board and we'll just email...use glengling@ameritech.net or if you have yahoo or aol Instant messenger just call me, my id is glengling.


[This message has been edited by lummox (edited 10-30-2002).]

[codefree]

Originally posted by lummox:
It sounds like you have the satellite direct to the TV via SVHS if this is so and you connect the VCR to the TV via the VCR Input jack on the TV you need to turn off SVHS input on the tv and select the AUX (VCR input).

I just did exactly as you described above and it works now! Thanks a ton! http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/smile.gif I had it in my head that the Sat box had to go thru the VCR and then out to the TV. http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/redface.gif

[P a u l]

I see a PO for an HD VTR in the near future for codefree.

[This message has been edited by P a u l (edited 10-31-2002).]

[Gregg Lengling]

Yeah and I'll probably get a call from him to hook it up right the first time....


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Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
HiDTV Pro 2 computer reciever card
glengling@ameritech.net

[codefree]

Well damn, excuse me for not knowing how to do everything. I thought this forum was here to not only discuss HDTV with others but also to help lend a hand and educate people as well. I guess I expected too much. I'll go elsewhere if I need any help in the future.

[ReesR]

(I reply hoping codefree is still with us)

It "is" here for lending a hand and educating people. You did not expect too much and I certainly hope you don't go elsewhere.

HDTV is NOT plug and play. Many factors go into getting this to work even if you do have experience. Some have said we are experimenters but I suggest we are people with certain expectations and when those expectations are not fulfilled we seek out any help we can.

As a fellow HDTV'r please accept my sorrow and apology. I didn't enjoy reading that either. I also have been one who has vented (certainly unnecessarily at times).

But please understand that we all have been frustrated and once placed into that context maybe you can understand that it was merely an "intended" piece of humor. Bad as it was, it was intended that way.

Had I not had some background I wouldn't have been able to objectively understand that. I hope you may come to understand this someday. But I do understand your need to react the way you did.

Stay with us. We are better with you.

Rees

[codefree]

Thanks for your kind words ReesR. I guess lummox's post would have been taken better if he would have added a simple http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/ubb/wink.gif at the end. He was very helpful in answering my questions and I thanked him. His post just reads like I'm a total idiot. It's obvious I'm new to HDTV and I've been upfront about it. I'm thankful for the help I received. I only hope I can return the favor for another newbie someday soon.