Cable to VCR to TV ?

[Ken1222]

Hello - Just a basic question here. I had previously split my cable as it entered the house to my cable box and also to the TV set, ant-1. The cable box output went to my VCR, whose output went to ant-2.

I disconnected ant-1 and it seems like all is normal. I can watch TV (VCR doesnt need to be on), record all channels etc.

I am wondering why I split this in the first place. How do others have their hookups?

Thanks

[bryanr72]

I have mine split 3 times coming into the house. Each of my VCRs get cable and then my TV gets the 3rd. I can watch TV (or DSS), and record 2 shows on 2 different VCRs at the same time. I guess one day I'll look into TiVo, UTV or something like that and get rid of some of the cable connections.

[Ken1222]

My situation is unique, because my Cable company forces me to have the box tuned to the channel I am taping. What this means is that I cannot tape one while watching another, cause if I change the channel, it will disrupt the recording, regardless of the fact i have two antenna feeds on the back of my TV

[danger boy]

i just unplugged my VCR. i don't use it anymore. and the blinking 12:00 was driving me nucking futs! :p

I use a hard drive recorder with the Dish Network. But i can only watch what i'm recording.. which isn't a problem.. since cable/sat shows are usually repeated many times. I set the PVR to record the shows overnight.. and I can then watch them at my leisure.

The nice thing about HD recorders... no searching for a blank tape.. no accidently erasing grandma's 90th birthday party, and the best part about HD's NO REWINDING!! :D

EDIT: Oh yeah.. movies are recorded in DD if they are fed down in DD. Or pro logic at least.

[Fastmerc]

Ken,
Just curious how your cable company restricts your taping ability. If you have cable coming into your house and you run it straight to the vcr...the vcrs tuner "should" dial in the channel you want...except for pay channels of course.

[Ken1222]

Sorry, what i meant to say was that I am restricted to taping what I am watching. I have seen this on with other posters here. Maybe it is a limitation of digital cable service?

[avelanchefan]

YEs, With a digital box you can only watch the show that you are taping.

But here is what I do, and this entirely depends on what type of TV you have.

I have a Toshiba 36" TV. It has two seperate antenna connections on the back of the TV set. So I have one set to antenna "A"...which is digital, then I have the cable split at the wall with basic cable running to antenna "B". That way I can watch what I want. The only way I am screwed is if I want to watch something on digital, and I have to record a digital channel.

[Ken1222]

Avelanche - I have a Toshiba too, with 2 antenna connections. I guess I just didnt understand or remember how to toggle between them. I checked out my remote and there it is...ant 1/2

Thanks!

[avelanchefan]

I am glad i was able to help you Ken.....Enjoy!