vcr/dvd combo

[vrf]

Can I add a vcr/dvd combo to my tv with a dish network receiver to record shows of my tv, if so is there a step by step illustrations on how to hook this up , I have a radio shack accurin model ADR-0106 combo ,I have been trying to get this hooked up but still did not get it to record the shows.

 

[CoolCat]

You didn't state what model TV and STB (set-top-box) you have, so your available connections to these two devices are unknown, but your basic question can be answered fairly easily.

Your TV is just the monitor, you can't record video from it. Your VCR needs to be hooked up to the audio/video source itself (which in your case is the Dish network STB). You need to hook the VCR up between the Dish network STB and the TV.

The best quality video input on the ADR0106 is S-Video, and the best quality output is Component-video. If you are using an old CRT TV then S-Video will be fine for both input and output. If S-video isn't available, then you can use a standard composite video connection between the STB and the VCR (the video quality on VHS tapes is so poor that you probably wouldn't see a difference anyways).

If you are using a newer LCD or Plasma TV then I would use HDMI (or component-video) to directly connect the TV to the STB, and use S-Video (or composite) to connect the STB to the VCR (most STBs have more than one output).

 

[vrf]

Thanks , I have a Sony 55" model KDF-55E2000 tv and a dish network dvr receiver 625 , yes I use the dvr but I was wanting to record on my dvd or vhs also, any information or illustrations on the hookup would be appreciated very much !!! Or what would be the easiest thing to do to record with my vcr/dvd combo at this point.I may have to do away with the receiver and maybe go direct to tv.

 

[n5ims]

One thing to watch out for though is your VCR/DVD will have no control over your Dish STB so it'll be up to YOU to set the channel and make sure that it's on when you record to the VCR/DVD. Since your STB is a DVR, you'll also have to worry about the DVR function changing the channel on you to record something on its own. You'll also not be able to view another show while you record on your VCR/DVD since it's basically only able to pick up what the TV would normally be showing.

While I don't know about the Dish STB DVR, my old DirectTV DVR had a function where you could record to tape a show recorded on the DVR. It wasn't much more than pressing record on the VCR and playing the recorded show on the DVR though.

Basically to set up the VCR/DVD you take the outputs (red - left audio, white - right audio, and yellow - video or s-video) connections from the STB and connect them to the associated inputs on the DVD/VCR. Be aware that this connection will be standard def quality, not HDTV.

 

[CoolCat]

Thanks , I have a Sony 55" model KDF-55E2000 tv and a dish network dvr receiver 625 , yes I use the dvr but I was wanting to record on my dvd or vhs also, any information or illustrations on the hookup would be appreciated very much !!! Or what would be the easiest thing to do to record with my vcr/dvd combo at this point.I may have to do away with the receiver and maybe go direct to tv.

OK, so now we have more info about your available connections; but...

Your Dish Network STB can only output 480i resolution (through the S-Video output), but your TV is capable of a native 720p resolution (HDTV). In other words, your TV is high def but your STB is only standard def,therefore limiting your video quality to standard def for your entire setup.. That being said...

I would recommend upgrading your STB to an HD model (with an HDMI output, or at least component video output). But for now, here is how I would hook up what you have (see attached image): NOTE: for the video connection between the DVD/VCR and the TV, you can use component video OR S-Video. Component is better (for DVD), but S-video will be ok too.

 

[vrf]

Thanks , I hooked up the audio and component video lines as illustrated , did not use any of the S video lines , when I record on my DVD it does not not replay on my video 4 all it does is have audio , my STB is set on channel three and tv set to channel 60 , any help will be greatly appreciated ,I am using a Memorex DVD-R , did not try the VCR if it is going to work.When I put the dvd combo on L1 it has the audio but no picture,

 

[CoolCat]

Now I'm confused.. Are you trying to record from the STB? or are you trying to record "over-the-air" shows directly from your TV itself?

As I stated earlier, you cannot record video from the TV (your TV does not have a video output). If you want to record OTA local channels, then you will have to use a separate digital TV tuner box and record from that.

 

[vrf]

THANKS , CoolCat, I was trying to record shows that is playing on my tv thru my STB and or record the shows that I have on my DVR tru Dish Network Sattelite , now I'm confused , what can I do with a separate digital tuner box and would it do all the sattelite channels too ,and what can I do with what I have now on my combo , What info. can you give me on the type of digital tuner box I need and estimate price ???

 

[CoolCat]

Ok, so you are trying to record video from the STB, but...

Thanks , I hooked up the audio and component video lines as illustrated , did not use any of the S video lines

If you did not use any S-video cables then you did not hook it up as illustrated. Without the S-video cable between the STB and the DVD/VCR then you will have no video on either device.

when I record on my DVD it does not not replay on my video 4 all it does is have audio

As noted above, you have no video because you did not hook up the S-Video cable between the STB and the DVD/VCR.

my STB is set on channel three

Your STB should be on whatever channel you wish to record.

and tv set to channel 60

Why? Your TV should not be set to any channel, as you should not be using the TV's built in tuner.

You need to set your TV to use whatever video input you used to hook up the DVD/VCR to the TV. You stated earlier that you used component video, if that is the case then you need to set your TV to use the "component input" (either video 4 or video 5). Component video is 3 video cables and 2 audio cables, you must have all 5 cables hooked up.

it has the audio but no picture

I get the feeling you may have used a composite video cable on the component video input and that may be why you have no video. Do you have all 5 cables hooked up to the back of your TV in the "Video 4" column?

 

[vrf]

Yes I have all 5 cables hooked up on video 4 , I will try and fiqure out what I am doing wrong , any input will be gladly appreciated.Any info. on the digital tuner , would it be advisable to get this ????