I need help with my hookups.

[EBunny]

Hello,

I hope somebody out there can help me get all my stuff hooked up right. I have a DVD recorder, cable box, VCR, and a home theatre system. I can't record anything on my DVD recorder unless I am also watching it on the TV. So something isn't hooked up the way it should be. I tried redoing it and now I can't even watch a VCR tape, nor can I record on the DVD recorder. Something isn't right and I am not tech savy. Can anyone offer help? Thanks! But my sound system is good!!

 

[agarwalro]

As long as the DVD-Recorder is getting signal on the video input, you should be able to record it. It does not have to be conected to a TV to enable recording.

Providing brand and model numbers with details like which video connections you are trying to use and how you have the signal routed will help give a precise answer.

 

[EBunny]

My cable box is a Motorola, can't find the model number. My provider was Adelphia, and then Comcast bought them. Don't know if that helps any or not. My DVD recorder is a Cyberhome 1600, VCR is Sylvania 6240VE, home theatre is Onkyo HT-R530. My cable box doesn't have a s-video output. TV is a RCA. If you need the number I can find the book for the number. It is a big screen, 48in, it has the video 1 and video 2 inputs. I thought that might be important information too. I really appreciate your help. This is so frustrating.

 

[MDS]

In order to watch one channel and record another you need two tuners. The cable box has a tuner, the VCR has a tuner, and the TV probably has a tuner too BUT you need to go through the cable box to get encrypted/premium/pay-per-view channels.

If you split the cable line from the wall and send one leg to the cable box and one leg directly to the TV or VCR you could watch one channel while recording another but will only be able to record the basic analog channels that do not require the cable box.

 

[EBunny]

I see, so is there a way to hookup the DVD recorder to record the premium channels while I am away? I really would like to watch some of the movies I have missed, but only when there isn't anything else I want to watch. I got the ones I can erase and use again, just for that situation. Thanks!!

 

[markw]

digital cable isn't like the old fashioned analog TV.

Back then a splitter could solve most problems.

Today's digital cable requires special boxes, which must be activated by the cable company. You can't just go out and by a digital tuner and have it work.

Like MDS said, if all you want is the bottom tier analog channels it's not a biggie, but if you want the premium channels, you're gonna have to play their game.

In my humble opinion, if you want record the premium channels, I suggest you simply bite the bullet and rent one of the cable companies diskless recorders.

Your only other alternative is to connect the red/white/yellow outputs from the cable box to the aux inputs on the DVD recorder, tune the cable box to the channel you want to record, leave it on, set the DVD recorder to start and stop at a certain time, and make sure it's set to record from it's aux inputs. You won't be able to watch one thing and record another, though.

 

[EBunny]

Ok, I get it now. Thanks to all for explaining this to me. Glad I found this forum.