Copying from DVR to DVD-R

[bgardam]

When I try to copy from a program stored on my DVR hard drive to my DVD-R hard drive, I get nothing - just a long blank recording. Copying from my VCR to the DVD-R works fine. I am using the feature on my DVR for copying to a VCR. There is no option for copying to a DVD.

Is the problem one of incompatible format? Should I be able to do this?

Thanks.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

In order to help, I have some questions:

• How do you have the DVR connected to the DVD-R?
• What are the model numbers of your DVR and DVD-R?

 

[bgardam]

Connections

My connections are like this:

The center of my system is my Denon AVR-3805 Receiver.
My Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 HD is connected by component video for regular viewing to the Denon, but for the record-out feature is connected to one of the Denon's two VCR inputs.
My DVD-R is a Pioneer DVR-520H. For recording, I have a connection from one of the two Denon VCR outputs to the input on the DVD-R.

To record, I have to set the "Recout" on the Denon to the source of the signal to be recorded. The VCR is connected to the Denon VCR2 input, and the DVR VCR output is connected to the Denon VCR1 input. To copy from the VCR, I set "recout" to VCR2, hit record on the DVD-R, and I get a nice copy. However, when I try to record from the DVR by setting "recout" to VCR1, I get nothing.

Should I try connecting the DVR directly to the DVD-R and bypass the Denon receiver?

 

[Adam]

Hi, and sorry for the delay. I was off eating lunch.

Okay. I might have an idea as to why this is happening. Let me make sure that I have the connections correct:

• VCR output connected to "VCR-2 IN" on the Denon
• DVR output connected to "VCR-1 IN" on the Denon
• VCR input connected to "VCR-2 OUT" on the Denon
• DVD-R input connected to "VCR-1 OUT" on the Denon

Are those correct? I would suspect that the Denon won't send the "VCR-1 IN" signal out through the "VCR-1 OUT" jacks because it would represent a VCR recording from itself. I can't say that for sure, but that's my guess.

I'd suggest trying this. Connect the DVR to one of the following inputs if you have any of them free: "DVD", "VDP", "TV", or "DBS" (the inputs that are inline with and above the VCR inputs on the back panel). If it would be easier to try out, you could also connect the DVR to the "V.AUX" input on the front of the Denon.

Please let us know if that fixes the issue or not. Thanks.