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Topic:
Newbie Question - VCR Hookup
This thread has 5 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Sunday January 5, 2003 at 11:04
Stcuk
Lurking Member
Joined:
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January 2003
4
Like the subject states, I'm a newbie to the Home Theater realm, and thus has what is most probably a simplistic question.

I'm trying to hook up my VCR, (Panasonic PY4 - 46A) to my DIGITAL Cable reciever. It works if I'm just trying to play back a tape, or record directly from whats on the monitor right now, my question is: Is there a way to attach my VCR to my DIGITAL cable system so I can record one show and watch another? Or since the VCR is an analog device, it can't decode the digital signal. If that is the case is there a device available, (short of TIVO) that will allow me to do this?
Post 2 made on Sunday January 5, 2003 at 13:58
Stephane
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2002
980
On 01/05/03 11:04, Stcuk said...


my question is: Is there a way to attach my VCR
to my DIGITAL cable system so I can record one
show and watch another?

no your vcr can not decode you need a digital cable system with two tuners for that ( I know that Scientific Atlanta is coming out with one)

Post 3 made on Sunday January 5, 2003 at 16:10
Kam G
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2003
59
There is no waty you can record one thing and watch another from any cable box. even with tivo in order to do so you need 2 cable boxes. if you want to record something form local ch. that is possible.
Post 4 made on Sunday January 5, 2003 at 16:51
Larry Fine
Loyal Member
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August 2001
5,002
Let's clarify the previous information:

There should be no problem recording from a digital cable box if it can feed a television. Digital, when referring to cable, merely means that the input to the box is digital. There should be at least a coax, and also audio/video outs (the red/white & yellow RCA jacks). How is the signal getting to your TV?

As for recording one program while watching another...

First of all, there's the fact that non-digital cable is receivable by any cable-ready TV, with the exception of scrambled (premium and/or PPV) channels. These channels can be watched and/or recorded directly, with no cable box at all. All digital channels require a box.

However, the option of watching any channel while recording any channel requires two boxes, one for the TV, and one for the VCR. The wiring is actually a little simpler than with one box, and the versatility is the best.

If you can handle watching (or recording) a non-digital/non-scrambled channel while recording (or watching) a digital/scrambled one, or vice-versa, one box will do, but the wiring grows more complex. There are A/B switches and splitters.

If you're interested, I can make a diagram and post it here.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com





This message was edited by Larry Fine on 01/05/03 22:40.
Post 5 made on Monday January 6, 2003 at 09:00
ericstac
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
October 2002
312
Larry is right..

I usually setup homes with this scenario like he mentioned..
cable is split from wall.. One line to tv (ant1) the other rg6 goes to cable box and sends the digital cable to vcr. Then it is routed into tv (ant 2).
This way you can record all cable shows including digital and still watch all the non-digital stations.
This is what most customers like.
Post 6 made on Monday January 6, 2003 at 14:20
westmetro
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2001
63
If you really want the full digital tier you'll need another cable box.

If your cable system uses Scientific Atlanta set top boxes (Time Warner and others), call them and find out if you can use the SA Explorer 8000 set top box. This is a full digital cable box with PVR (TIVO-like) capabilities and 80 Gb of disk. Tivo is far nicer (espec the channel guide) but the SA 8000 does a good job too.

On the gripping hand, most cable companies still support analog cable and don't bother to block the analog when a customer signs up for digital.

If getting the analog channels is 'good enough' for you, just hook the VCR up (to a split off the cable TV run) and run a channel search. You obviously will not receive any of the pure digital or premium/scrambled channels. But you may pull in the full range of basic analog. Even if that doesn't work initially you can always call the cable company to see if they can enable the analog channels.


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