VCR record/play with digital tuner

Aren't there also timed devices that will mimic the remote control
signal?

Dave Boland wrote:
I'm ready to replace the old VCR, but I can't find a VCR with a digital
tuner. There are VCR players, DVD recorders with a VCR player and
digital tuner, etc., but all I want is a simple VCR with a digital tuner
to replace the analog unit. I just assumed (yes, I know the old saying)
that this would be easy. Any one know of an inexpensive unit that works
ok? I will eventually go with a PVR, but not right now.

Thanks,
Dave,


Here is what I did when I chucked the old broken VCR. I replaced it with
a Panasonic DVD recorder/VHS VCR (older DRM-EZ47K)and record everything
to DVD-RAM. Works great and you even need to turn it off after setting
the timer just like that old VCR...LOL. DVD-RAM can be recorded 100,000
times and can also time shift like a hard disk recorder. Be sure to
check them out.
-Mike

Dave Boland wrote:
Remysun wrote:
On Jan 13, 3:41 pm, Dave Boland wrote:


How do you make the connections between the boxes and the TV? I got
to thinking about this and it looks like I would need to split the
converter output to the TV and the VCR antenna inputs. Then The old
VCR output needs to be combined with the converter output to the TV,
or switched so that the TV sees either the converter or the VCR.
Looks a little messy, but it may work for a while (until I get my
stimulus or tax refund and buy a decent PVR anyway).


Most people would use coax on one and the composite video cables for
the other.

Ah, those would be the people that have composite video. No such luck
here, and it turns out those wonderful converters I bought don't have
timers in them (odd, they didn't mention that in the CNET review). I
love this DTV transition (along with root canal).

Looks like the best alternative is to buy a recorder of some sort with a
digital tuner and be done with it. Any make/model suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave
I like my Panasonic. I have been recording to DVD-RAM for about 6
months, works great. (older DMR-EZ47K)
-Mike

Dave Boland wrote:

Ah, those would be the people that have composite video. No such luck
here, and it turns out those wonderful converters I bought don't have
timers in them (odd, they didn't mention that in the CNET review).

I bet the CNET review didn't mention it lacked a QAM tuner, a HD, or for
that matter, a toaster oven either. When only TWO out of a hundred or so
models have built in timers, it's an added feature. The lack of one is
hardly noteworthy.

Remysun wrote:
On Jan 13, 3:41 pm, Dave Boland wrote:

How do you make the connections between the boxes and the TV? I got
to thinking about this and it looks like I would need to split the
converter output to the TV and the VCR antenna inputs. Then The old
VCR output needs to be combined with the converter output to the TV,
or switched so that the TV sees either the converter or the VCR.
Looks a little messy, but it may work for a while (until I get my
stimulus or tax refund and buy a decent PVR anyway).

Most people would use coax on one and the composite video cables for
the other.

I agree that that is the easiest way to do it.

The way I do it is that the OTA antenna feeds a 4 port (RF) distribution
amp and one port goes to the input of the digital converter box. The
coax output of the converter box goes to the RF in of the recorder. The
composite output (yellow, white, red) of the digital converter box goes
to the TV video input #1 of the TV. The output of the recorder is
connected via a composite cable to TV video input #2. If you devices
have s-video inputs and outputs I recommend using them.
--
Bill R.


e-mail address disguised to reduce spam

On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:39:53 -0500, Dave Boland wrote for every to trash:

Bill R wrote:

Dave Boland wrote:

I'm ready to replace the old VCR, but I can't find a VCR with a
digital tuner. There are VCR players, DVD recorders with a VCR player
and digital tuner, etc., but all I want is a simple VCR with a digital
tuner to replace the analog unit. I just assumed (yes, I know the old
saying) that this would be easy. Any one know of an inexpensive unit
that works ok? I will eventually go with a PVR, but not right now.

Thanks,
Dave,


Dave,

You could just add a digital converter box with timers to your current
VCR. Both DISH (the DTVPal) and Zinwell (the ZAT-970A) have them. The
downside of doing that is that you have to set timers on both the VCR
and the converter box.

Thanks Bill, but for the reasons you cited I wanted a simple digital
VCR. I have enough problems getting one VCR set right, the thought of
getting two boxes programmed is not what I want right now. However,
this is Plan-B just in case. Thanks again.

Dave,

Yes I agree with you. You'd think by now new DVR, PVR, VCRs and home
theater receivers would include the digital tuners as standard. I have
the cheapo converter boxes and the cheaper one is smart enough to
automatically switch aspect ratio but neither is a programable tuner.

The best I can do is set the DVR recording for times and one channel for
the converter channels, or just use the analog channels.

I think home theater receiver makers have their heads in the dark because
they should be including digital channel reception especially since
digital channels are supposed to have multichannel sound. Why should I
buy a HT receiver just to play DVDs and Blu-ray in stereo or through a
HDTV stereo speakers?

On Jan 15, 12:44*am, Chill Out wrote:
On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:39:53 -0500, Dave Boland wrote for every to trash:
....
Yes I agree with you. *You'd think by now new DVR, PVR, VCRs and home
theater receivers would include the digital tuners as standard. *I have
the cheapo converter boxes and the cheaper one is smart enough to
automatically switch aspect ratio but neither is a programable tuner.

I believe that as of some time in early 2008, all TV devices made for
sale in the USA that include a tuner must include an ATSC tuner. If
you purchased a tuner equipped device after that and the device did
not include an ATSC tuner, it should have been left over stock of an
older model.
*
....

Dan (Woj...)

On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:30:17 -0800, dmaster wrote for every to trash:

On Jan 15, 12:44Â*am, Chill Out wrote:
On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:39:53 -0500, Dave Boland wrote for every to
trash:
...
Yes I agree with you. Â*You'd think by now new DVR, PVR, VCRs and home
theater receivers would include the digital tuners as standard. Â*I have
the cheapo converter boxes and the cheaper one is smart enough to
automatically switch aspect ratio but neither is a programable tuner.

I believe that as of some time in early 2008, all TV devices made for
sale in the USA that include a tuner must include an ATSC tuner. If you
purchased a tuner equipped device after that and the device did not
include an ATSC tuner, it should have been left over stock of an older
model.
Â*
...

Dan (Woj...)

Yes the new TV devices takes care of VCRs and DVRs.
My chief complaint is that home theater makers don't include digital
tuners. Likewise I don't know if these digital tuner DVRs and VCRs
record ATSC in multichannel DTS or Dolby Digital.

Isn't that the purpose of home theaters to play DTS and Dolby Digital?

Chill Out wrote:

Thanks Bill, but for the reasons you cited I wanted a simple digital
VCR. I have enough problems getting one VCR set right, the thought of
getting two boxes programmed is not what I want right now. However,
this is Plan-B just in case. Thanks again.

Yes I agree with you. You'd think by now new DVR, PVR, VCRs and home
theater receivers would include the digital tuners as standard.

By law, they do. Lots of old stuff out there, though.

I think home theater receiver makers have their heads in the dark because
they should be including digital channel reception especially since
digital channels are supposed to have multichannel sound. Why should I
buy a HT receiver just to play DVDs and Blu-ray in stereo or through a
HDTV stereo speakers?

Huh? Home theater amplifiers are AUDIO ONLY amplifiers. AVRs have the
capability to handle most of the audio codecs. Those with HDMI inputs
even can handle the new BD HD audio codecs. What home theater AVR does
only stereo?

On Jan 15, 2:40*pm, Chill Out wrote:
On Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:30:17 -0800, dmaster wrote for every to trash:





On Jan 15, 12:44*am, Chill Out wrote:
On Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:39:53 -0500, Dave Boland wrote for every to
trash:
...
Yes I agree with you. *You'd think by now new DVR, PVR, VCRs and home
theater receivers would include the digital tuners as standard. *I have
the cheapo converter boxes and the cheaper one is smart enough to
automatically switch aspect ratio but neither is a programable tuner.

I believe that as of some time in early 2008, all TV devices made for
sale in the USA that include a tuner must include an ATSC tuner. *If you
purchased a tuner equipped device after that and the device did not
include an ATSC tuner, it should have been left over stock of an older
model.
**
...

Dan (Woj...)

Yes the new TV devices takes care of VCRs and DVRs.
My chief complaint is that home theater makers don't include digital
tuners. *Likewise I don't know if these digital tuner DVRs and VCRs
record ATSC in multichannel DTS or Dolby Digital. *

Isn't that the purpose of home theaters to play DTS and Dolby Digital?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've only used the now discontinued Sony HD DVR, but that unit does
record whatever sound is being broadcast, including Dolby Digital
5.1. If I'm not mistaken, my Panasonic DVD recorders (I don't have a
unit with both a VCR and an ATSC tuner) record in Dolby Pro Logic II.
So I still get surround sound from the recorded DVDs, just not
necessarily as good as the original broadcast. I'm unaware of anyone
broadcasting multichannel DTS, but I could be wrong.

As far as "home theaters" go, I'm assuming you are referring to the
all-in-one "home theater in a box" concept. Those are really nothing
more than an audio receiver, DVD player, and speakers. Without
including a DVD recorder, I don't see why an ATSC tuner would be
included. The industry usually just never has included a TV tuner in
a receiver, even today's stand alone audio and video switching
receivers.

Dan (Woj..)