View Full Version : Comcast HD with DVD/VCR
tjohn
06-20-2007, 08:13 AM
My old setup = cable split, one going to Comcast HD STB, other going to old VCR then to Antena 1 on back of tv. This would alow me to switch to ant 1 on tv and use the vcr to tape live tv by passing the STB. Well my VCR broke so....
I just bought a new Toshiba DVD/VCR combo to replace the one that broke. When installing, I noticed there is no coax/antena in jack on the back of it?? The only way to hook this up (to be able to tape live tv) it to run component wire from the STB to the VCR/DVD, then to TV. Will I lose any HD signal/clarity by doing this?
There is another possibility, S-Vid out from STB to VCR/DVD... havent' tried that yet though. Would that work?
Thanks, TJ
kevinw
06-20-2007, 08:20 AM
The component is for siganls formyour DVD/VHS. US the S-video for incoming signal. Better yet see if you can upgrade to a STB with a built in DVR. Then you could record in HD. I would then connect the antenna to the TV.
tjohn
06-20-2007, 10:50 AM
Thanks, I'll get an S-vid cable to go between the stb and vcr. But I'm still confused. Will that allow me to tape signals coming from the stb? And if I connect the second cable from my splitter to my ant 1 of my tv will I be able to switch to that and tape from that signal?
Please see the following FAQ for the appropriate connections:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1330
tjohn
06-21-2007, 08:07 AM
Great thanks!
tjohn
06-21-2007, 09:23 AM
Ok, read it all and understand. But I still have one problem.
1. Split the "incoming" "audio/video co-ax" with a two way splitter - one coax to the STB input, one to the VCR input.
My VCR/DVD does not have a coax input. Here's a link to my exact model. If you click on the product pics, you can see the back panel.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8231503&st=toshiba+vcr/dvd+combo&type=product&id=1167445401579
kevinw
06-21-2007, 09:59 AM
Split the cable before STB send one to the TV and one to the STB. From the STB to TV, From VHS to TV use S-Vid.
tjohn
06-21-2007, 10:19 AM
I'll try it, thanks :)
Take the unit back and get one with a coax input if you actually want to use it to record the analogue channels while watching another channel from the STB.
If you can get by with simply recording from the STB, then you don't need an RF-coax input to the VCR and you don't need a splitter upstream of the STB - connect the STB to the VCR with composite cables - Yellow, plus red/white for audio.
Another option - get yourself a DVR instead of a STB and record your programmes on it - only costs a few $ per month. You can then use the VCR/DVD as a player most of the time and then archive from the DVR when/if necessary.
tjohn
06-21-2007, 09:15 PM
Yeah, it looks like I'll be taking this one back to best buy. I'd rather be able to tape analog while still watching digital. (while that lasts of course). I've been so out of touch with the VCR thing that I didn't realize they even made VCR's without tuners :sightv: Looks like I can get a better deal for what I'm looking for on ebay than on the popular websites.
Thanks for the help guys!
TJ
