57U
10-10-2002, 11:05 PM
This setup applies to a cable STB, but is applicable to other STBs as well.
Here's a solution for high picture quality and the fullest possible functionality using a STB and a VCR (standard or S-VHS). A DVD Recorder, or TiVo can be substituted for the VCR)
1. Split the "incoming" "audio/video (RF) co-ax" with a two way splitter - one coax to the STB input, one to the VCR input. (use a good splitter rated at 5-1000 MHz) (This step is not necessary for satellite STBs since a VCR/DVD Recorder cannot record satellite without the STB)
2. Connect the STB to the VCR via S-video, or composite video (your preference - use composite if you don't have an S-VCR, or there is no s-video connection on either device).
3. Connect the STB to the TV via S-video or composite video (opposite of what you did in 2). (if you have an HD STB you can use the component video or DVI/HDMI cables instead).
4. Connect the VCR to the TV via the same type cable as in 2. (If using a DVD recorder, then you can use component video cables, or HDMI for this connection)
5. You'll need to send the audio signals from the STB to the VCR and to the TV, if your STB doesn't have two sets of audio outputs you'll need audio piggyback cables or "Y" connectors for the analogue audio (two outputs to four inputs). (If you're using digital audio to the receiver and don't want to connect the analogue audio to the receiver, you can omit one set of audio cables - the ones between the STB and the receiver (or TV).)
6. There is no need to use "audio/video (RF) coax" "downstream" of the VCR or STB since all the audio/video signals are already taken care of above. If you want to watch the TV without either the STB or VCR or receiver on, you can run the "audio/video (RF) coax" from the VCR to the TV if you want. (or run an additional split upstream of the STB to the TV - not applicable to Satellite)
7. If you are going to a digital A/V receiver, you can replace "TV" with "Receiver" in all the above and then connect from the Receiver to the TV in the appropriate manner.
8. If you want a digital audio signal for the Receiver simply connect that "digital" cable from the STB to the receiver (actually it's simply another RCA plug cable) (if you have optical for digital sound, use a toslink cable instead) If using a DVD recorder, you can send a digital signal from the DVD recorder to the A/V Receiver.
You can now record any analogue signal while watching anything via the STB (not applicable to Satellite).
When you want to record from the STB, program your VCR to, instead of selecting a channel, you select Video1 or V1 or LINE or channel 0 or whatever it is called on your VCR. Refer to your VCR manual to find out how to select it. Now your VCR will record whatever channel your STB is on. So if you leave it on channel 201 it will record channel 201. Read your STB manual to find out how to set up a TIMER or VCR timer so that you can record that programme. You'll need to set the timer on the STB and the VCR. (Some advanced users will use a "VCR commander" and avoid the VCR programming setp, but that's for advanced users and doesn't work if you want to also use the VCR's analogue tuner)
Some of the STBs will let you record "HD" channels downconverted to 480i. These recordings may need to be stretched/zoomed to be viewed "properly", depending on whether the STB does an "anamorphic squeeze" to the SD output.
If you have a satellite STB, you don't need step one obviously and, of course you can't record any analogue channels because satellite is digital.
Alternately, you can buy one of those Radio Shack switch boxes, but then you need to remember to "switch" to the proper input before recording, which you don't need to do with my solution.
If you want to watch and record two digital channels, you'll need two STBs or purchase a two-tuner digital DVR, like the Motorola 6416, or SA8300HD, or BEV92XX
If you have an HD STB, you'll need to connect the component video cables, or DVI/HDMI, or firewire, to the TV/Receiver (Receiver must be compatible with wideband component video, etc.).
These instructions are only on how to include the VCR "in the loop". You'll still have to make all of the other approriate connections (DVD, turntable, MD, Laserdisk, audio tape, etc)
For Cable - one option that some people utilize is that they use a three-way splitter connecting one of the outputs directly to the TV's internal tuner. In this way you can watch the TV's internal analogue tuner while the other two devices are busy.
Some newer DVD recorders have digital tuners, however, their use is usually limited due to encryption by the service provider.
Whew, I don't think I've forgotten anything...
Want to avoid all this - get yourself an integrated PVR and enjoy - I did.
Please PM me if you've got any comments or suggestions.
Here's a solution for high picture quality and the fullest possible functionality using a STB and a VCR (standard or S-VHS). A DVD Recorder, or TiVo can be substituted for the VCR)
1. Split the "incoming" "audio/video (RF) co-ax" with a two way splitter - one coax to the STB input, one to the VCR input. (use a good splitter rated at 5-1000 MHz) (This step is not necessary for satellite STBs since a VCR/DVD Recorder cannot record satellite without the STB)
2. Connect the STB to the VCR via S-video, or composite video (your preference - use composite if you don't have an S-VCR, or there is no s-video connection on either device).
3. Connect the STB to the TV via S-video or composite video (opposite of what you did in 2). (if you have an HD STB you can use the component video or DVI/HDMI cables instead).
4. Connect the VCR to the TV via the same type cable as in 2. (If using a DVD recorder, then you can use component video cables, or HDMI for this connection)
5. You'll need to send the audio signals from the STB to the VCR and to the TV, if your STB doesn't have two sets of audio outputs you'll need audio piggyback cables or "Y" connectors for the analogue audio (two outputs to four inputs). (If you're using digital audio to the receiver and don't want to connect the analogue audio to the receiver, you can omit one set of audio cables - the ones between the STB and the receiver (or TV).)
6. There is no need to use "audio/video (RF) coax" "downstream" of the VCR or STB since all the audio/video signals are already taken care of above. If you want to watch the TV without either the STB or VCR or receiver on, you can run the "audio/video (RF) coax" from the VCR to the TV if you want. (or run an additional split upstream of the STB to the TV - not applicable to Satellite)
7. If you are going to a digital A/V receiver, you can replace "TV" with "Receiver" in all the above and then connect from the Receiver to the TV in the appropriate manner.
8. If you want a digital audio signal for the Receiver simply connect that "digital" cable from the STB to the receiver (actually it's simply another RCA plug cable) (if you have optical for digital sound, use a toslink cable instead) If using a DVD recorder, you can send a digital signal from the DVD recorder to the A/V Receiver.
You can now record any analogue signal while watching anything via the STB (not applicable to Satellite).
When you want to record from the STB, program your VCR to, instead of selecting a channel, you select Video1 or V1 or LINE or channel 0 or whatever it is called on your VCR. Refer to your VCR manual to find out how to select it. Now your VCR will record whatever channel your STB is on. So if you leave it on channel 201 it will record channel 201. Read your STB manual to find out how to set up a TIMER or VCR timer so that you can record that programme. You'll need to set the timer on the STB and the VCR. (Some advanced users will use a "VCR commander" and avoid the VCR programming setp, but that's for advanced users and doesn't work if you want to also use the VCR's analogue tuner)
Some of the STBs will let you record "HD" channels downconverted to 480i. These recordings may need to be stretched/zoomed to be viewed "properly", depending on whether the STB does an "anamorphic squeeze" to the SD output.
If you have a satellite STB, you don't need step one obviously and, of course you can't record any analogue channels because satellite is digital.
Alternately, you can buy one of those Radio Shack switch boxes, but then you need to remember to "switch" to the proper input before recording, which you don't need to do with my solution.
If you want to watch and record two digital channels, you'll need two STBs or purchase a two-tuner digital DVR, like the Motorola 6416, or SA8300HD, or BEV92XX
If you have an HD STB, you'll need to connect the component video cables, or DVI/HDMI, or firewire, to the TV/Receiver (Receiver must be compatible with wideband component video, etc.).
These instructions are only on how to include the VCR "in the loop". You'll still have to make all of the other approriate connections (DVD, turntable, MD, Laserdisk, audio tape, etc)
For Cable - one option that some people utilize is that they use a three-way splitter connecting one of the outputs directly to the TV's internal tuner. In this way you can watch the TV's internal analogue tuner while the other two devices are busy.
Some newer DVD recorders have digital tuners, however, their use is usually limited due to encryption by the service provider.
Whew, I don't think I've forgotten anything...
Want to avoid all this - get yourself an integrated PVR and enjoy - I did.
Please PM me if you've got any comments or suggestions.
