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General discussion

Cable/Satellite box renders some TV functions useless

by Dan Filice Mar 23, 2006 3:55AM PST

One of my HDTVs (Toshiba) has a couple of great functions that are useless now that I have a cable box connected. The two functions I most miss now are: Split screen, where my 50" TV could do a 50/50 split showing two channels (I could watch two basketball games) and it was easy to press one button on my remote and easily change which screen had audio. Option 2 was my "Favorites" option, where I could progarm up to 18 of my favorite channels and I could see 9 at a time (I would get thumbnail images showing an image of what is currently on). Both of these funcitons required that the tuner in the TV be functional. Now, with my cable box, the TV tuner is functionless and channels are obviously switched at the cable box. I miss the days when I simply had the cable hooked directly up to my TV and use the TV tuner. On the other hand I like the fact that I can get HD now, and I like the digital tuner menu. With a cable or satellite box, I guess we're simply using our TVs as a "monitor", which might be someting to consider before we spend money on TV functions that might be rendered useless.

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5 Posts
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TRY THIS
by stewart norrie Mar 23, 2006 5:07AM PST

If you hook up an outside antenna , Then you should be able to watch split screen on one side you see cable and the other would be over the air, This worked for me with my t.v. good luck stewart

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Local channels are so so
by Dan Filice Mar 23, 2006 5:43AM PST

Stewart,

Good suggestion, but if I hooked up the roof antenna, I'd only be getting the local channels 2-13, which I rarely ever watch. My TV does not have an builit in HD tuner, only a SD tuner. Oh well, such is life. Just a compromise I guess.

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Next...
by sirroundsound Mar 23, 2006 11:15AM PST

Stewart was on the right track.
Split the cable feed, one to the cable box the other direct into the TV. Now you have digital box on video and still can watch regular cable channels through the TV tuner, and enjoy the features of the set. Just not HD channels in the split screen modes.

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TRY USING RECAL BUTTON
by stewart norrie Mar 24, 2006 6:02AM PST

NO SPLIT SCREEN, but better than nothing.

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TUNERS ARE MORE FORM THEN FUNCTION
by BONSPEED Mar 23, 2006 12:37PM PST

the only reason why tuners are needed is so the unit can be called a "tv". with so many people using cable/sat providers, its a wonder why there arent more "monitors" on the market. however, this is an excellant way to save money for the consumer with the fore sight.your spilt screen feature can be saved with a 2nd cable box feeding into a secondary input. the only question is whether or not your cable provider will charge you for a second feed. Sad

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