Use DVD Recorder with cable TV?

[Big Pat]

Hi,

We only recently got cable TV installed (Virgin Media) and now I'm thinking of buying a DVD recorder as the old VCR is on it's last legs. The Missus says I'm being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century at last!!

Anyway, since we got this, our TV is ALWAYS tuned to a channel called EXT1, because that's where the cable comes in. Buttons 1-5 still have the five UK terrestrial channels, but we never use them as we can get everything through the cable channel, so why use two remote controls.

So far so good, but what will happen if I get a DVD recorder (or even hard disk recorder which is another possibility) ? If I'm watching one cable channel, how am I going to record another, as everything effectively comes through one channel?

I must be missing something I suppose. Currently the cable-box connects directly to the TV, as the VCR doesn't even have a scart scocket, so we can only tape terrestrial channels. If I get a DVD-Recorder, will I be able to direct cable TV through it and then onto my TV? And crucially, will I be able to watch one channel and record another?

I must sound like an old Luddite, but I don't want to waste money if it''s not going to work.

Any tips gratefully received, including which make/model you think I should buy and where you think I should get it from.

Pat.

 

[ColinEssex]

Use the scart sockets on the TV to plug the DVD into. Most tellies have at least 2 (one for the DVD and one for the PS2)

The old ariel goes into the cable box, the output goes to the DVD then onto the scart1 on the telly.

It's all in the DVD recorder instructions, or the DVD retailer will show you.

Go for it, the DVD recorder is fab - so much easier than the old video (which we also have linked in as well)

You can watch one channel and record another, you need to work it out between cable and analogue though, and remember, you can't record any freeview programmes, and ITV1 is not on freeview.

Col

 

[Big Pat]

I have a BetaMax recorder we have never used if you would like that.

Hmmm...sounds like I'd have to build up a good head of steam to run that bad boy. Where would I keep the coal? ;-))

 

[Big Pat]

The old ariel goes into the cable box, the output goes to the DVD then onto the scart1 on the telly.

We don't have the OLD arial available anymore. I routed that down the back of the house and into my daughter's room to replace her indoor arial which gave awful reception.

So: the cable goes into the cable box - then the cable box is connected to the DVD recorder - and the DVD recorder to the TV. Is that right?

(And the head-bone connected to the neck-bone)

and remember, you can't record any freeview programmes, and ITV1 is not on freeview.

Col

Can't record freeview? Why not? I don't have a separate freeview box. Virgin Media carries the freeview stations BBC3, ITV4 etc. on CABLE. Will I be able to record a CABLE channel, whilst watching a different CABLE channel?

 

[statsman]

Use the scart sockets on the TV to plug the DVD into. Most tellies have at least 2 (one for the DVD and one for the PS2)

The old ariel goes into the cable box, the output goes to the DVD then onto the scart1 on the telly.

It's all in the DVD recorder instructions, or the DVD retailer will show you.

Go for it, the DVD recorder is fab - so much easier than the old video (which we also have linked in as well)

You can watch one channel and record another, you need to work it out between cable and analogue though, and remember, you can't record any freeview programmes, and ITV1 is not on freeview.

Col

There was a similar conversation in the movie "City Slickers". Billy Crystal was explaining to one of his buddies how he could watch one show while taping another. The fellow just didn't get it. After the fourth or fifth attempt to explain it the third friend chimed in that even the cows understood how to do it.

 

[Big Pat]

There was a similar conversation in the movie "City Slickers". Billy Crystal was explaining to one of his buddies how he could watch one show while taping another. The fellow just didn't get it. After the fourth or fifth attempt to explain it the third friend chimed in that even the cows understood how to do it.

I remember that! The guy says something like "Wait. You mean I don't even have to WATCH the channel to record it?" And then the Billy Crystal characyer explains that that's sorta the point! Damn that was funny!

 

[statsman]

To this day, I have a friend who's VCR flashes 12:00 She just can't grasp the concept of how to change the time. I have to go over when the clocks change in the spring and fall and whenever she accidently pulls the plug.

 

[ColinEssex]

Can't record freeview? Why not? I don't have a separate freeview box.

I've got no idea. But our telly has built in freeview, maybe its something to do with that.

Virgin Media carries the freeview stations BBC3, ITV4 etc. on CABLE. Will I be able to record a CABLE channel, whilst watching a different CABLE channel?

If your cable box is tuned to say UK Gold, then you can't record any other station via that box at the same time - unless you had another cable box or maybe an old Sky digibox that will pick up freeview (for free) via that, then route it into the telly via another scart socket.

Also, you could get an analogue arial splitter box and have it go to the daughters bedroom and the lounge

Col

 

[Brianwarnock]

Go mad , get the Virgin PVR box or what ever its called, I have two relatives with it and they wonder how they lived without it. You can watch 1 channel whilst recording 2 others, pause and rewind tv transmissions, but it wont retreive a beer from the fridge, you still need a wife for that.

Brian

 

[GaryPanic]

spend a little extra and get a twin hardd rive recorder - this allows you to record 2 programmes (at the same time )
and you should be able to record freeview - we do - mind you our free view is a sepearate box

we can record on the hard drive and watch either a video(dvd) or a trestirial channel -

our ext upgrade is a twin drive

 

[Rich]

What the hell is there on the box these days worth recording?

 

[Brianwarnock]

What the hell is there on the box these days worth recording?

Liverpool matches.

Brian

 

[Pauldohert]

Are you recording the LFC v Blackburn reserves game tonight?

 

[Rich]

Liverpool matches.

Brian

Or pref. ManU, hell even Everton

 

[Vassago]

Re: watch tv

Just get this program

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