A quick question from a newbie - I couldn't find this exact issue addressed elsewhere?

I'm home from the US for a couple of weeks, so need to help my parents set up a STB, that will then work as reliably for them as their TV's do - and for almost as long.

They want to be able to record ABC2, SBS2, etc on the DVD recorder, not just the "analogue" channels. I figured I would accomplish this easily by connecting a component or S-video cable to the TV, and composite to the VCR, along with relevant audio connections. (I have multiple satellite receivers in the US where this is done)

However, the Strong, Teac and Topfield SD boxes, for which I've skimmed the user manuals, all talk about "video output setting" being set to Component, Svideo, OR Composite.... implying signal will only be output on one cable at any time?

Is this really true? The Strong 5023 even has two sets of audio RCA's, so you can hook up component and composite cables. But why would you do that if the receiver can only output signal in one format at any given time?

if I can't get signal from the box going down a component or S-video cable and a composite cable at the same time, then I guess my only option is to resort to a box with an RF modulator and connect the VCR with the RF-coaxial output from the box. (And boxes with RF modulators are few and far between, from what I've seen)

Any advice?

Thanks

Why do you want both a VCR and a DVDR hooked up to the STB?

Why not make the DVDR the main recorder and just plug the VCR in to the TV so it can PLAY only?

You want something that will "that will then work as reliably as the TV" yet your proposing a pretty fiddly setup. In all likelihood the equipment will work fine, but they'll forget to switch to the right channel/input/time/etc. and end up stuffing things up. Why not get a cheap SD PVR ($300 for a good one) and make that the place they do all their recording and viewing. Very simple. Then if they want to transfer a show to the DVDR they just press play on the PVR and REC on the DVDR.

FWIW most equipment does output on composite outputs at all times regardless of what output option is set in the menu.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the help. I must have started using terms interchangeably late last night in the original post.

They have a single DVDR/VCR combo unit. The DVDR/VCR can only take in composite or antenna signals. The TV can take in composite, antenna, or S-video.

I tried to talk them into a PVR, but failed. I could not live without mine in the US these days, but I failed here, despite my Dad complaining for 30 years that wickets only fall/goals are only kicked when he's getting something from the kitchen or is otherwise distracted!

So, yes - the plan is for the DVDR/VCR combo to be the sole recording unit. My plan was to set it up like this:
STB: composite and L/R audio to DVDR/VCR
STB: S-video and L/R audio to TV
STB: antenna loop thru to DVDR/VCR - to enable recording of analogue channels as they do now, regardless of STB

The aim here is not picture quality (which they can't notice), but new TV channels/programming. If I could get a box with RF modulator output, they'd be quite happy with everything hooked up via antenna cable as it is now.

My hope is that with such a setup, the only difference in watching/recording will be leaving the TV on AV1 or AV2 all the time; using the STB remote instead of the TV remote; and having to program the STB and the DVDR/VCR to work at the same time (when recording from ABC2, SBS2 or ONE). Anything more than that will bring the confusion you describe above!

If the video signal is always coming out of the composite video port, regardless of the video output setting, then I think I'm all set. I'll get a Strong 5023, as it has two sets of L/R audio outputs, and so avoiding the need to get/use RCA splitters to create the two audio feeds.

Does the TV have composite video OUT?
Does the TV have RF OUT (pass through)?

I'm concerned the two inputs in to the DVDR might confuse issues when it comes time to set a recording? Also once you do loop through stuff you can start to get significant degradation of analogue signals (PQ). I'd be inclined to do the following:

1) You can try a passive splitter and see if th PQ is ok, but I'd probably go a powere splitter (Dick Smith Kingray 2 way powered splitter $40 with 14 day money back no questions asked option)

2) Antenna to the splitter

3) 1 RF to the TV so they can watch analogue as currently

4) 1 RF to the STB and then from the STB composite to the DVDR inputs

5) 1 S Video (and sound) from the DVDR to the TV.

With this setup I'd envisage the following usage:

- 95% of the time watch TV via the DVDR using the STB remote to change channels (don't use DVD remote)

- Access to all digital channels and great PQ (make sure they realise about the 4:3 16:9 aspect ratio button).

- If they need to start a live recording then just hit REC on the DVDR

- If the need to set a timer, set the STB to the relevant channel and set the DVDR to record it later.

- If they are recording that night (live or timer) they can switch to the TV RF input and watch analogue TV (might be surprised if they start to like the digital PQ better in comparison though )

- If you got a four way kingway splitter ($80) you could also add in a RF analogue to the DVDR if you wanted although as I say that start complicating things a little bit IMO

You might also want to tell them that staying analogue is not an option. In the next 3 years they must have a PVR or STB in the mix.

Anyway just a suggestion as an alternative.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

I just bought an Strong 5023x at the weekend ($72 from the Good Guys, Fyshwick ACT). It replaces my Teac-420. My setup has a widescreen CRT and VCR.
The Teac was set up with component (over via SCART) going to the TV and composite going to the VCR. Worked great.

I was originally looking for a HD STB (to get all the channels) but none had the dual RCA audio I needed for the above setup. The only other option was the Strong 5440u which was not stocked and was $240 online. I considered piggy-back leads for the audio but both the good guys and jaycar suggested it may deliver poor result. The Strong 5023x fits the bill. I have been using it all weekend with no problem. Picks up all the SD channels.

Some minor issues:
- On standby LEDs are very bright. Want to get some tint film to tone them down.
- Subtitle button jumps to a menu. Teac just had an on/off.

Interestingly when I first hooked it up I was getting a reasonable picture on the TV (connected as component). I then told the STB to set the TV output as component (instead of composite) and suddenly my picture improved. Don't know how my TV was translating that. Picture is better than my Teac produced I reckon.

I expect the TV to outlast the STB so $72 is a good investment I reckon. The other bonus with the Strong being PVR ready it that when the VCR packs it in I should be able to get a cheap USB stick to record on. 16GB should be about right, approx 4 tapes. On top of that I should be able to show photos on the TV (untested).