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General discussion

*Digital* VCR/DVR Combo and *Analog* TV?

Dec 22, 2008 10:08AM PST

Can I connect my "on the roof" antenna to a Digital VCR/DVR Combo (with a Digital Tuner), and then run the "antenna out" cable to a Digital Converter box tuned to channel 3 or 4 and then run the antenna out on the converter box to an analog TV? If so, I could use the VCR to record one channel while I viewed another? Also, would I have to leave the VCR "on" when just watching TV programs through the converter box? Walmart is selling these Digital VCR Combo's for $179.95 each, and I don't know whether their sales people always know what they are talking about. It does seem feasible , but I'm no expert. Does anyone have an answer or suggestion?

Discussion is locked

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DVD/VCR CONNECTIONS
Jan 19, 2009 8:18PM PST

HHank,
Once again, Yes, you can set up the Walmart Combo to record one channel, watch another. Yes. you can set it to record multiple channels/programs while you are away. It will work exactly the way your old one did, because it has its own DTV tuner.
You hook up your Rooftop antenna to your DTV Converter Box to the plug marked "IN". Then you insert a co-axial cord into the Converter Box plug "OUT", and hook the other end to the "IN" on you Magnavox DVD/VCR. Same thing from Magnavox to TV, Co-axial "OUT" from DVD/VCR to TV "IN". After that, use the Red/White/Yellow cords to connect DVD/VCR "OUT" to TV "IN".
As far as I know, there is no universal remote to control the Magnavox, so you will have to use at least two remotes for now.
I hope this answers your question. If not, I'm sorry, I just don't understand.

The TV

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DVD/VCR Connections
Jan 20, 2009 10:57AM PST

Thanks OTAFAN, So the signal from the antenna passes through the converter box to the VCR/DVD Combo and while it is recording from a pre-programmed channel, it will also allow you to change the channel to another for the analog TV with the converter box remote without disturbing the VCR Combo? That was my question! I had thought that the VCR/DVD Combo would have to recieve the signal first, and then run the coavial cable to the converter box and then to the TV. What you are saying is that it is exactly the opposite,right? I hate to keep asking the same question, but so many people want to know how to solve this considerable problem that I just want to be extra clear. Please confirm again (one more time). Walmart doesn't know, Radio Shack doesn't know, and HH Gregg doesn't know either! You should open up a temporary electronics business during this change-over.

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dtv converter box
Jan 20, 2009 8:15PM PST

Ha, Ha ha! Well, I don't know much, but I bet you and I know more about OTA (Over the Air) TV than most of these fresh-faced kids in the stores. They've been in the internet-based world most of their lives.
Yes, that is how I have my sets hooked up. I guess you could configure it differently and get the same results, but I did it this way because that is how the Converter Box directions said to, and I am not using an analog VCR.
If you think of the TV signals, Digital or otherwise, coming "through" the wires, imagine ALL of the channels being downloaded to each device. Then imagine each tuner as "picking out" a particular station. It doesn't matter if the Magnavox DVD/VCR is "watching" channel 2, the TV can "watch" channel 5 at the same time. The key word is TUNER. Without a built-in tuner, the DVD/VCR has no choice but to watch what the TV is watching. That is why people with cable have to have a box for each tv, they are special tuners for the cable signal. Hope I didn't confuse you again, but just remember when you buy a recording device that it says "built in tuner" somewhere on the box.

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"ZOOM Capability?"
Feb 8, 2009 1:16AM PST

OTAFAN, one more question: Does the Magnavox ZV450MW8 DVD/VCR Combo/W Digital Tuner allow you to "Zoom" in and *fill* (crop) your TV screen while watching rental videos? I really dislike the "postage Stamp" sized way they currently shoot and record most modern movies with those "black bars" on each side of the picture. Can't you imagine the reaction if they did this while you were watching the "Super Bowl" and they attempted to tell you that "you can see more" with this small format? HAH!! Thanks again for all your help.


HHank

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ZOOM CAPABILITY
Feb 8, 2009 8:13PM PST

Hhank--
You can do that on the Magnavox with DVDs, but not with "live" TV or video tapes. Yeah, I agree! What's the point of buying a large screen TV if they are going to condense the picture?

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"Zoom Capability?"
Feb 9, 2009 2:07AM PST

OTAFAN, the reason that I asked this question (about the ZV450MWCool is that on Walmart's internet page www.walmart.com (I think) a question on page #9 was asked: "I need to zoom in and fill my TV screen when I watch DVD's will this unit Zoom in?" Answer: (on the site) *NO*. I visited Walmart and they could not find a "Zoom" feature on the picture of the remote on the box. They refused to open the box and retrieve the remote!(unless I bought the unit on the spot). Is this "Zoom" feature visible on your remote? Zoom is not listed in the specs for this item.

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ZOOM CAPABILITY
Feb 9, 2009 2:19AM PST

Hhank,
Hmm, this is a tough one, as I don't have access to the tv...but at the top of the remote, third button from the left there is a button that says DISPLAY. While you are watching the DVD, press that button and a bar will appear at the top of the picture. if you use the arrow buttons you can find the icon that controls the zoom. I can't recall which one, but it is closer to the right side. when you hover over it, you will know, and sort of figure it out. a lot of the features are a mystery to me, but the basic ones are there.

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using two DVD/VCRS
Jan 19, 2009 8:24PM PST

dbkg,
Thanks, you are right, I did not need another splitter. I found a switcher box at Walmart that you use for multiple Red/White/Yellow cable connections. It automatically senses which DVD/VCR unit is being used and switches accordingly. I can also set it to manual. It cost 25 bucks, and was worth every penny, even it is one more thing to plug in.

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dvd connection w/ converter box
Feb 3, 2009 5:08AM PST

I bought the Magnavox and tried Otafan's method of hooking up my machines. I am unable to watch one program while viewing another. I did need to use a rf modulator but I wouldn't think that would make a difference. I am trying to use the timer record feature. Is that what you used, Otafan? Has anybody else tried this? Can you suggest something else that needs to be added to the original instructions?
Thanks!

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dvd connection w/converter box
Feb 3, 2009 8:37PM PST

dbkg,

I am at a loss as to what to tell you. As I said, my Antenna coaxial is connected to my DTVPal converter box. From there another coaxial goes to my Magnavox Digital Combo(with built in tuner). Magnavox connected to TV, and Red Yellow and White cables from Magnavox to TV.
I do NOT use the DTVPal coverter box for anything other than watching TV. Therefore, my TV is set to channel 3, and the my recorder is set to VID,which is the auxilliary input for my RCA TV. I use the settings on the Magnavox to record, which means you have to use the timer set button, located on the lower right portion of the remote. This turns the unit off until the programmed recording starts.
A universal remote helps to switch between the DTVPal setting(with tv on channel 3) and the Magnavox on the VID input, but I have yet to find a universal that will operate the Magnavox as well as my RCA TV and the DTVPal.
HOWEVER--
If you have to use an RF modulator because there is no coaxial jack on you TV, maybe that could be the reason you are having problems. If you have a coaxial connection coming from your antenna, maybe you should use a splitter at that point and make connections to DTV converver box and recorder seperately. If you have, for want of a better word, "flat" wire coming from your antenna, then I am unsure as to what connections would be correct. Sorry if I am being confusing, but I am not an electronics whiz--I just try to use what I have, rather than be railroaded by salesmen into forking over fees forever and ever.

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I might also add here that there are 2 types of converters;
Feb 4, 2009 12:45AM PST

box with and without "pass-through" feature. The one with pass-through maybe $10-20 more.. and yours is the pass-through type.

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DVD/VCR COMBO HOOKUP
Feb 4, 2009 12:49AM PST

ahtoi,
Thanks! I didn't even think of that. That could be the reason.

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dvd connection w/converter box
Feb 4, 2009 5:12AM PST

Thanks, Otafan. Now that I know that you have the DVTPAL converter box, I would guess that it makes the difference. That particular converter box has some capabilities that the other boxes don't have. I considered buying one, but then I found out that there had been technical difficulties with many of the boxes. I ended up buying the Zenith converter box instead. And BTW I do have analog pass through.

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Connecting a VCR, DVD Recorder, and Analog TV Using One DTV
Apr 30, 2013 7:10PM PDT

If your Television, VCR, and DVD recorder only have analog NTSC tuners, and you receive your programs with an antenna, ordinarily you would need a separate DTV ...

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Walmart Magnavox DVD/VCR with Digital Tunner
Feb 19, 2009 7:14PM PST

The Walmart Magnavox does not work! If you hook up the outside Antenna to the Coax input, and to Coax Output to your TV you will not get a signal on channel three or four. We tried two different units and neither one worked, and Walmart Refused to say there was anything wrong with there Magnavox, The Lady said we did not know how to hook it up.

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Walmart Magnavox does not work
Feb 19, 2009 7:19PM PST

The Walmart Magnavox does not work! If you hook up the outside Antenna to the Coax input, and to Coax Output to your TV you will not get a signal on channel three or four, and no setup menu. We tried two different units and neither one worked, and Walmart Refused to say there was anything wrong with there Magnavox, The Lady said we did not know how to hook it up.

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Walmart Magnavox
Feb 19, 2009 8:06PM PST

Did you remember to set the TV to "AV INPUT", OR "VID" OR whatever it is called on your TV? Check the TV manual.

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Remember the vcr day?
Feb 20, 2009 1:43AM PST

AV connection is not manatory and older tv may not have that function.

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DTV PAL
Feb 23, 2009 2:14AM PST

OTAFAN, I remember that you said that the digital converter box that you use is the DTVPAL. I have read that this type of box is the only one that can be programmed to turn itself "on" and then tune itself to a pre-selected channel. It is listed as having a five channel timer programing option. My question is this: After recording the first program channel, will the DTVPAL then automatically change to the next programmed channel? If so this would allow one to record several channels while away from home with my current VCR. Is this true?

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DTV PAL
Feb 23, 2009 4:46AM PST

I bought the DTV Pal solely for the EPG. Yes, you can program it to change its internal channels at a specified time, but you have to program your VCR/DVD to record, using channel 3, or whatever you used for the converter box. That way both units supposedly come to life at the same time and record.
However, I have heard that this feature, like so many, can be extreemly buggy, so that is why I went and invested in the digital recorder as well. I'm not deleriously happy with either, but it's the best set up I could come up with on my budget.

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You have a analog or digital TV?
Feb 20, 2009 1:24AM PST

TV broadcast has been switch to digital yet?

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Your Magnavox problem
Feb 20, 2009 10:22AM PST

The Magnavox vcr/dvd recorder doesn't work unless you hook it up with both coax and rca cables. If your tv doesn't have rca jacks, you will need an rf modulator.
If you have it hooked up correctly and are still having problems, it may be due to a defective tuner. My new Magnavox worked for two weeks. Then it suddenly stopped receiving any tv stations. I called technical support. After having me try several things, they told me it probably had a defective tuner. I returned it to Walmart. They were out of stock, so I currently don't have one.

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DVD/VCR PLAYER USAGE WITH DIGITAL TV
Jul 25, 2009 4:37AM PDT

I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO FIND A DVD/VCE PLAYER TO RECORD ON ONE CHANNEL WHILE WATCHING ANOTHER TO USE WITH MY DIGITAL TV. DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT BELIEVE THE SALEMEN THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS. YOU NEED 1 OR 2 DIGITAL TUNERS IN THE DVD/VCR TO MAKE THE CONNECTION WITH THE TV. BUT AS THE PANASONIC ( OH YEAH BETWEEN BUYING AND RETURNING I'M GETTING THE PICTURE)SAID IF YOU HAVE CABLE OR SATELLITE THE DVD WILL NOT RECORD AND IF YOU HAVE A ANTENNA THEN THE VCR WILL NOT RECORD.DUH! THIS INFO WAS GIVEN TO ME AFTER RETURNING THE NEWEST DVD/VCR ON THE MARKET AND I WROTE TO PANASONIC. TiVO HAS SOMETHING THE BOX IS 299.00 PLUS MONTHLY FEE BUT CNNOT RECORD MOVIES YOU HAVE TO DOWNLOAD THEM OR WATCH (NOT SURE WHICH) FROM NETFLEX.I'M STILL TRYING AND IF I FIND I WILL UPDATE INSTANTLY. REALLY. DO NOT GET SONY THEY SAY IT WORKS BUT NO TUNER SO IT'S USELESS EVEN WITH CONVERTER BOX. THE MAGNVOX WON'T WORK EITHER EVEN WITH TUNER. YOU CAN ONLY USE WHILE WATCHING SAME CHANNEL. GOOD LUCK JUST DON'T GIVE UP. OH, I EVEN GOT IN TOUCH WITH FCC UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE CLUELESS AS WELL.

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Digital VCR/DVR Combo
Jan 25, 2009 4:53AM PST

We suggest you call or stop by "Best Buy". They are very, very helpful We just got a DVR and are having difficulty taping on our VCR at this time also. We are also seeking help as to do this.

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In the same boat!

I bought the same Magnavox vcr/dvd combo recorder you are all talking about. Only problem is my tv is analog, have been using the cable to receive my signals.

The problem seems to be the "digital coaxial" end on the back of the Magnavox unit and the "analog coaxial" end on the back of the tv.

Apparently the modern units do not have built-in tuners.

I connected the Magnavox to an old vcr and the vcr to the tv. I am able to receive signals for recording and playback.

Am trying to solve this problem: As I cannot see the instructions on the tv screen from the Magnavox, I am not able to program it for timer recording.

If anyone knows of an "adapter" I can attach to the Magnavox that would connect to the analog vcr or tv, it would be great!

I am also going to try the one converter box I have (bought when the digital malarky happened) and see if I can bypass the problems.

Sam