Recording Freeview on Video

You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.
Evi

Evi wrote:
You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.

You've got a TV with Freeview built in. This doesn't automatically build
in Freeview to your Video too!

You need to see if there's a way that the video can record what is
showing on the TV, but the downside will be that you can't record one
thing while you watch another, and you have to leave the TV on while you
record.

Alternatively you need to buy a Video, DVD or Hard disk recorder with
built in freeview. Or buy a freeview box for your video recorder.

On 9 May, 13:24, "Evi" wrote:
You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.
Evi

Giving us the Make and Model of the TV might helpm but in the
meantime, I would imagine that it has at least one SCART socket and
that whatever is being displayed on the TV will be output to that
socket as either composite or RGB. You would probably need to make
sure it it going out as composite, and then connect the TV's SCART
output to the SCART socket on your video (There may already be a lead
connected), and then "tell" the video to record from the SCART (may be
called AUX or AV)

It may be that the TV and or video has more than one SCART socket, in
which case it get's more complicated, but if you've grasped the
general idea, you should be ok.

NB Most SCART cables are two way, they will carry signals from device
A - B and from device B to device A. Some only go one way (if you
want to display stuff from the Video on the TV via SCART, and record
stuff from the TV to the video via SCART, then you will need a two way
cable. You can check if you have a one way cable by simply reversing
it.

If you are displaying a video on the TV via SCART, stop the video and
switch the kit off, unplug the cable and put the end that was in the
TV in the video and vice versa, switch back on and set the video
playing. If nothing comes out on the TV now, then you have a one way
cable, and will need to buy a 2 way (also known as fully wired) SCART
cable.

Don't be too scared by the above, it's most likely you've got a fully
wired SCART anyway.

Of course if your video only connects via RF, then you NEED to go and
buy a SCART cable.

HTH!

Let us know how you get on / come back for more advice.

"Evi" wrote in message
...
You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not
being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't
see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control
and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.
Evi


Well you need to buy a seperate set top box I believe and feed to output to
your VCR input

In article .com,
wrote:
Giving us the Make and Model of the TV might helpm but in the
meantime, I would imagine that it has at least one SCART socket and
that whatever is being displayed on the TV will be output to that
socket as either composite or RGB.

I don't know of any TV which outputs RGB from a SCART. If there is one I'd
be interested.

--
*24 hours in a day ... 24 beers in a case ... coincidence? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Evi wrote:
You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.
Evi



You should check the TV instructions to see if there's a
menu option for the TV to output a signal on AV1. If not,
try AV2. The video must then be set to record the signal
from its TV port (usually labelled AV1/AV2, L1/L2 or Aux).

The TVs may also have a timer option allowing selection of
programmes using the guide. Check to see if this facility
has a "record" option for use in standby. If not, you may
only be able to record when the TV is on.

A better option may be to buy a separate Freeview adaptor
(from £20) and connect it to the video (if it has a second
SCART connector).

Best option would be to invest in a Freeview recorder. This
will replace the video and do the same job, recording while
you watch another programme on the TV.

"JW" wrote in message
...
Evi wrote:
You all did such a good job helping me to get BBCi up and running (I got
a
new aerial and that sorted it) that I'm encouraged to ask again.
I've got a digital TV with Freeview. I also use NTL cable but it's not
being
used much now because it clashes with Freeview.
Is it possible for me to record Freeview channels on my old VCR? I can't
see
how to get my video to recognise the Freeview channels. I can get it to
recognise my Analogue channels and also NTL cable channels which are on
Channel 9 on the video but although I've done a Search on the video, it
never seems to get the Freeview programs.
Is it something that can't be done?
I can watch videos ok by pressing the Input button on the remote control
and
going to AV1 but can't work out how to record.
Evi



You should check the TV instructions to see if there's a
menu option for the TV to output a signal on AV1. If not,
try AV2. The video must then be set to record the signal
from its TV port (usually labelled AV1/AV2, L1/L2 or Aux).

The TVs may also have a timer option allowing selection of
programmes using the guide. Check to see if this facility
has a "record" option for use in standby. If not, you may
only be able to record when the TV is on.

A better option may be to buy a separate Freeview adaptor
(from £20) and connect it to the video (if it has a second
SCART connector).

Best option would be to invest in a Freeview recorder. This
will replace the video and do the same job, recording while
you watch another programme on the TV.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. A 2 way scart does not make a
difference. My Video does not have a second scart socket so it looks as if
I'll have to 'invest in a Freeview recorder' (when the piggy bank is
replenished). (Didn't know such a thing existed!)
Have you any recommendations?
Evi

Evi wrote:
Evi wrote:
"JW" wrote in message
...
snip


A better option may be to buy a separate Freeview adaptor
(from £20) and connect it to the video (if it has a second
SCART connector).

Best option would be to invest in a Freeview recorder. This
will replace the video and do the same job, recording while
you watch another programme on the TV.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. A 2 way scart does not make a
difference. My Video does not have a second scart socket so it looks as if
I'll have to 'invest in a Freeview recorder' (when the piggy bank is
replenished). (Didn't know such a thing existed!)
Have you any recommendations?
Evi


The video will be connected to the TV using the aerial lead,
so the single SCART could be used for another device.

There are quite a few Freeview recorders on the market now,
from about £90 up to £200. As you'd expect, the dearer ones
have more and better features, but the cheaper ones can be
OK - avoid those models that are new to market as they are
likely to have annoying bugs.

They are generally simpler to use than a video, being
programmed through the electronic programme guide, though
you can't use Videoplus. The main benefit of using a hard
disc is that you don't need to juggle or rewind tapes.
Picture quality should be as good as you get from live TV.

The more expensive recorders have two tuners, for watching
one channel while recording another. These are good for
people who still have analogue TVs, though can still be good
for those like yourself with digital TV as the recorder can
pause live broadcasts and replay what you've been watching
(e.g. skip back a minute to the bit of dialogue you just
missed).

"JW" wrote in message
...
Evi wrote:
Evi wrote:
"JW" wrote in message
...
snip


A better option may be to buy a separate Freeview adaptor
(from £20) and connect it to the video (if it has a second
SCART connector).

Best option would be to invest in a Freeview recorder. This
will replace the video and do the same job, recording while
you watch another programme on the TV.

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. A 2 way scart does not make a
difference. My Video does not have a second scart socket so it looks as
if
I'll have to 'invest in a Freeview recorder' (when the piggy bank is
replenished). (Didn't know such a thing existed!)
Have you any recommendations?
Evi


The video will be connected to the TV using the aerial lead,
so the single SCART could be used for another device.

There are quite a few Freeview recorders on the market now,
from about £90 up to £200. As you'd expect, the dearer ones
have more and better features, but the cheaper ones can be
OK - avoid those models that are new to market as they are
likely to have annoying bugs.

They are generally simpler to use than a video, being
programmed through the electronic programme guide, though
you can't use Videoplus. The main benefit of using a hard
disc is that you don't need to juggle or rewind tapes.
Picture quality should be as good as you get from live TV.

The more expensive recorders have two tuners, for watching
one channel while recording another. These are good for
people who still have analogue TVs, though can still be good
for those like yourself with digital TV as the recorder can
pause live broadcasts and replay what you've been watching
(e.g. skip back a minute to the bit of dialogue you just
missed).

Thank you, all of you, for your excellent advice.
Evi

You didn't say what make and model of tv you have. Could probably
suggest a method of recording from the tv if you could let us know.

Any freeview box with two scart sockets could be used by connecting
it, with scarts, between the VCR and the TV. You would then select AV
or EXT or E1 on the VCR to record from the box and when you play a
tape it would pass through the freeview box to the TV. Preferably you
would choose a Freeview box with a TV/DTV button so you dont have any
problem going back to seeing the TV itself whilst the box is on for
recording. Most TVs will let you do this anyway, but not quite all.

Finally, I agree that the best method is certainly to use a PVR
(Freeview Hard disk recorder). Although you can certainly buy cheaper
ones, you would never regret spending a bit extra to get the Humax
PVR9200. Twin tuners to record 2 channels at once, live pause, live
rewind and much more, and great to use.

Hope this helps.