dbartoschek
join:2004-09-19
Waterloo, ON
| question regarding DVD Recorder setup
Hi all,
I just purchased a Toshiba DVD Recorder and I'm a little confused about the way the instructions tell you to connect it all. Here's what they say to do for connection with a cable/sat box.
Run RF coaxial cable from wall outlet to ANT-IN on cable box.
Run RF coaxial cable from RF OUT on cable box to ANT-IN on DVD Recorder.
Run RF coaxial cable from ANT-OUT on dvd recorder to ANT-In on TV.
Run A/V cables (RCA, S-vid, etc) from cable box to A/V IN on DVD Recorder. RUN A/V cables out from DVD recorder to TV.
Here's my confusion:
Why am I not connecting any A/V cables from the cable box to the TV? Whats the purpose of running the coaxial through the dvd recorder and then to the TV if it records from the cable box via the A/V cables anyways, and thus does not allow me to record one channel and watch another? If someone could explain the reason for all of these connections it would be greatly appreciated.
Further, when I do finally buy an HDTV wouldn't it make more sense to run an HDMI directly from the cable box to the TV, and another HDMI from DVD to TV, and then just A/V between cable box and DVD recorder?
The inclusion of the coaxial cable in the set-up confuses me.
Thanks in advance for all your help/answers. |
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royphil345
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lakewood, OH
clubs:
| You're probably supposed to choose between using the coax cables or the audio / video cables depending on what hookups you have available on your other equipment.
They probably tell you to put the recorder after the cable box so you can record any channel, even premium encoded ones that must be decoded by your cable box. It's also possible your DVD recorder has no built-in tuner to select channels with if it were hooked straight to the cable? That might be what's going on here... What model is it?
If the DVD recorder does have a built-in tuner, you could hook it straight to the cable using a Y-splitter on the cable coax (1 to the recorder, 1 to the cable box) or hook the cable box to the output from the DVD recorder. This would allow you to record something besides what you're watching, but not encoded premium channels. |
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dbartoschek
join:2004-09-19
Waterloo, ON
| The Model is Toshibia D-R6. It does have a built in tuner.
There is no mention of choosing between a/v cables and coax. They want you to hook both up.
My main question is in regards to the coax's role in all of this. I want to be able to record premium channels from the cable box. thus when i record I would be selecting the input that the cable box is plugged into on the dvd recorder.
But for example, if I have an HDMI line going to my TV from the cable box, and another HDMI going from dvd to TV. (one for high def from cable, other for upconverted when watching dvd's) does the coax cable even do anything. Doesn't the tv receive the signal from the cable box via HDMI? |
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royphil345
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lakewood, OH
clubs:
| reply to dbartoschek
The coax connection would be unnecessary if you already have a HDMI connection. That's what I was saying.
They often show diagrams of different hookup methods all hooked up at once. Directions are often unclear or even in error.
The fact that you're using HDMI connections for your other equipment is going to complicate things. The D-R6 has no HDMI input, so simply adding it to the chain between your cable box and TV as they suggest isn't going to happen. Adding the DVD recorder to the chain using a different method of hookup between the cable box and DVD recorder would prevent you from getting true hi-def from the cable box to the TV.
So... Instead of adding the DVD recorder to the chain as they suggest, I would hook the recorder up to a separate HDMI or other input on the TV just like you're saying. Seems like you already figured that out for yourself. You only need to choose one hookup method. Coax OR component and audio OR S-video and audio OR HDMI, etc... This will take care of playback from the new player.
As far as getting input into the player to record... You could use a splitter or add it to the coax chain before the cable box and not record premium channels...
Or... You could run a free output from the cable box to an input on the recorder (S-video + audio cables, coax, etc...). You will probably have to select the output you choose on the cable box in the cable box's menu in order to be able to record from it. You will only be able to record the channel the cable box is set to.
Actually... you could probably use both of these hookup methods at the same time. Use the recorder's tuner and timer to record straight from the coax (no premium channels). Or... choose a different input on the DVD recorder's menu and record from an output on your cable box to record premium channels. There is no way to record a premium channel and watch something else. You'd need another cable box. Same problem has always existed with VCRs...
This is a tricky hookup... You'll make it work though. Hope something here helps....  |
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