digital converter and VCR
zubi
for my analog
TV and VCR. Got each to work individually. Now I need to work out the
problems. In
reverse order of importance:
1/ The antenna signal splitter means BOTH devices will receive the
same channel at the same time.
Pity. My TV has picture-in-picture. It would be nice to view two
things at once. I'm guessing I have
to get another converter (that also implies another set of rabbit
ears). Right? If so, any report on
what are the best types of antennae to get? (booster?)
2/ Why do I not get all the channels? I went to www.antennaweb.org and
checked reception/distance.
Some that are missing are too close to not have been caught in the
scan or my manually putting
in the channels. I don't know for sure that these channels are yet
broadcasting in digital but based
on their importance (and their funding) I can't imagine that they
aren't. Is there some place to check?
3/ If I set the vcr on live viewing thru the digital converter on
channel three, I can record but how do I
program-record? I presume I could pre-set the channel I wish to
record to be the current one then
just record ch3 at the specific time. (Actually haven't tried
that yet) But what about other channels?
This unit has the following options in setup mode if it helps:
tv mode = catv-irc/tv/catv-std/catv-hrc. It's currently set to
tv as we have no cable (or this wouldn't
be an issue in the first place.) I'm guessing analog VCR simply
can't time-record multiple channels.
Is that right? That really sucks. That implies I'll have to get a
new device to replace it anyway....
Steven L.
> Just got a $50. (Minus $40. coupon) magnavox converter from Wallmart
> for my analog
> TV and VCR. Got each to work individually. Now I need to work out the
> problems. In
> reverse order of importance:
>
> 1/ The antenna signal splitter means BOTH devices will receive the
> same channel at the same time.
> Pity. My TV has picture-in-picture. It would be nice to view two
> things at once. I'm guessing I have
> to get another converter (that also implies another set of rabbit
> ears). Right?
Wrong.
Yes you do need two converter boxes to watch two channels via P-in-P,
but you do NOT need two antennas. You need a signal splitter to split
the signal coming from the one antenna into two leads, each going to a
different converter box.
> 2/ Why do I not get all the channels? I went to www.antennaweb.org and
> checked reception/distance.
> Some that are missing are too close to not have been caught in the
> scan or my manually putting
> in the channels. I don't know for sure that these channels are yet
> broadcasting in digital but based
> on their importance (and their funding) I can't imagine that they
> aren't. Is there some place to check?
Look up the channels on the Internet and contact them directly. Since
you're receiving over the air, there's no satellite or cable provider to
complain to in your case.
If the channel is not yet broadcasting in digital, it sure will be as of
next year.
In the meantime, it sounds like your converter box is not passing
through the analog signal of a legacy analog channel. If so, that could
mean more hassle: You will need to buy more signal splitters, and split
the signal from the antenna to yet another lead that (for now) bypasses
the converter box altogether for these legacy analog channels. Send
that into your VCR on a different input. The deluxe VCRs have more
than one selectable input source (so that you can switch between cable
or satellite inputs, for example). If your VCR has that feature, then
you can use an alternative selectable input source for the pass-thru signal.
> 3/ If I set the vcr on live viewing thru the digital converter on
> channel three, I can record but how do I
> program-record? I presume I could pre-set the channel I wish to
> record to be the current one then
> just record ch3 at the specific time. (Actually haven't tried
> that yet) But what about other channels?
Some VCRs (like my RCA VR708HF) can send out an infrared signal to the
converter box that mimics the signals sent out by the remote. Thus my
RCA VCR can direct the converter box to change its own channels
automatically at specified program times. When the timer goes off to
record "Lost," for example, my VCR automatically sends its own infrared
signal to the converter box to make it switch to the right channel
(which for me is WMUR-09).
Not all VCRs had that feature. Check the manual that came with your VCR.
> This unit has the following options in setup mode if it helps:
> tv mode = catv-irc/tv/catv-std/catv-hrc. It's currently set to
> tv as we have no cable (or this wouldn't
> be an issue in the first place.) I'm guessing analog VCR simply
> can't time-record multiple channels.
> Is that right? That really sucks.
No, I keep telling you that it depends on the features of your analog
VCR how flexible it is--whether it can automatically control converter
boxes itself, whether it can switch between multiple input leads either
manually or automatically, etc.
If it's less flexible than you can buy add-on equipment that will do the
necessary switching and routing separately.
In the early days of cable TV, they actually supplied me with multiple
converter boxes because each premium channel had its own converter box,
and because the converter boxes scrambled some basic channels but not
others. So I had signal splitters, A/B switches, cables, snaking all
over the place. My living room looked like the telephone central office.
--
Steven L.
Email: sdli...@earthlinkNOSPAM.net
Remove the NOSPAM before replying to me.