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TribeLeader · Sep 4, 2008, 04:43 PM

I just bought a DVD Recorder (with VCR combo) and when I went to connect the cable TV to the DVD/VCR unit, I noticed there was no place to connect it. After some digging I see that it does not have a TV tuner -- I assume that's why I can't connect the TV cable, right? Or am I missing something?

I just want to make sure before I return it (by mail)?

IOW, to connect cable TV to the unit, I'll need to buy a unit WITH a TV tuner, is that right?

ort888 · Sep 4, 2008, 04:50 PM

Do you have a cable box?

Post the model number on here.

TribeLeader · Sep 4, 2008, 04:59 PM

No cable box. (The manual does give instructions for connecting to cable box, but not directly to cable as far as I can tell).

Here's the unit: Samsung DVD-VR357.

ort888 · Sep 4, 2008, 05:14 PM

Yeah, I think you're out of luck. If it doesn't have a coax in you won't be able to use it without a cablebox. Maybe you can get some sort of converter box though. Maybe one of those digital to analog converter boxes the are rolling out that takes coax in and outputs component or composite.

reader50 · Sep 4, 2008, 05:34 PM

You need a tuner somewhere in the system. Without a cable box, you either need a DVR with tuner, or an old VCR with tuner to handle the channel changes. A DVR with tuner will be the most convenient; you won't have to worry about the channel changes taking, which doesn't always work with an IR blaster.

Edit: or like ort888 suggests, pick an HDTV converter that has suitable outputs. Such converters usually don't have NTSC tuners though, just ATSC (hi-def) tuners.

mduell · Sep 4, 2008, 05:58 PM

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/d...amp;fullspec=F

That box has no inputs on the specs list... perhaps it's just for VHS->DVD copying?

Big Mac · Sep 4, 2008, 06:39 PM

I have the same model, and most of the time advertisements for it very clearly state it is tuner-less. It has RCA, composite, component S-Video and even HDMI (out) connections but no coax. I have been very pleased with it so far. If your TV is too old to be analog cable ready it's really high time to upgrade your TV. Or you could get a digital cable box.

TribeLeader · Sep 4, 2008, 09:56 PM

Thanks all.

Re: TV, it's new -- Samsung LN40550.

I may have seen that it was advertised as without TV tuner but didn't know what that meant. Expensive lesson. :-(

Big Mac · 11:57 PM

Your new TV has built-in tuners. Why would you need or want another? Perhaps I'm missing something. You just connect the DVD recorder to the TV with RCA or component cables - simple. There's no need for a coax connection for any reason I can think of. You're not changing the cable connection to the TV; you're just adding a new video source. And as a matter of fact, I've never seen a DVD unit with coax. The only people who need tuners built-in are those with really old TVs that lack tuners or those who want digital tuner support. But you're a cable subscriber then it shouldn't matter to you. I'm really curious as to why you think you made the wrong purchase.

TribeLeader · Sep 5, 2008, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Your new TV has built-in tuners. Why would you need or want another? Perhaps I'm missing something. You just connect the DVD recorder to the TV with RCA or component cables - simple. There's no need for a coax connection for any reason I can think of. [...]

Ah, thanks. That's what I wanted to know, I just didn't do a very good job asking.

residentEvil · Sep 5, 2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Your new TV has built-in tuners. Why would you need or want another? Perhaps I'm missing something. You just connect the DVD recorder to the TV with RCA or component cables - simple. There's no need for a coax connection for any reason I can think of. You're not changing the cable connection to the TV; you're just adding a new video source. And as a matter of fact, I've never seen a DVD unit with coax. The only people who need tuners built-in are those with really old TVs that lack tuners or those who want digital tuner support. But you're a cable subscriber then it shouldn't matter to you. I'm really curious as to why you think you made the wrong purchase.

uhm, it is a dvd recorder. plugging it into another input on the tv is fine, if you want the recorder as a simple video source to play dvds.

but it won't do any recording that way. and since i'm sure the OP wanted the recording option to record tv...your idea won't do him/her any good.

dvd recorder OUT to tv IN is only for viewing dvd as a source. you don't have tv OUT via rca/hdmi/etc.

Big Mac · Sep 5, 2008, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

but it won't do any recording that way. and since i'm sure the OP wanted the recording option to record tv...your idea won't do him/her any good. dvd recorder OUT to tv IN is only for viewing dvd as a source. you don't have tv OUT via rca/hdmi/etc.

I doubt you've set up any DVD recorders. They all use RCA or component connections. Regular DVD players only have AV outputs, but DVD recorders have AV inputs and AV outputs. Unless you want to tell me my DVD recorder (the same model the OP purchased), which is connected via RCA cables, isn't able to record TV broadcasts that I record on it. Perhaps you misunderstood my previous post.

TribeLeader · Sep 5, 2008, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I doubt you've set up any DVD recorders. They all use RCA or component connections. Regular DVD players only have AV outputs, but DVD recorders have AV inputs and AV outputs. Unless you want to tell me my DVD recorder (the same model the OP purchased), which is connected via RCA cables, isn't able to record TV broadcasts that I record on it. Perhaps you misunderstood my previous post.

I'm having no trouble viewing DVDs/Videotapes but I'm not able to record (using a videotape); it's recording, but it's not recording anything. I have RCA cables OUT from the DVD/VCR player/recorder and IN to the TV.

(As a side note, when I set the recorder, I'm not even seeing a way to choose which channel to record. Am I missing something?)

FWIW, I'm hoping to pick up an HDMI cable this weekend to take full advantage of the TV and DVD/VCR unit.

Big Mac · Sep 5, 2008, 09:08 PM

If the on screen display shows that it's recording and the red record light is on, then it should be recording. Actually, I have yet to use the VHS side of my unit for recording, but it's definitely one of the features. Have you tried recording to DVD yet? As for setting the channel to record, I assume you mean you're doing a timer record. It only has the ability to record the channel you're currently on because the unit itself doesn't have the ability to change the channel on another device. Some recorders use little wired infra-red panels that you're supposed to tape on to your tuner device so that they can switch the channel, but in my experience that never really works properly. It's a better idea to use your TV guide to automatically change channels before you record, if you need to do that.

residentEvil · 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

I doubt you've set up any DVD recorders. They all use RCA or component connections. Regular DVD players only have AV outputs, but DVD recorders have AV inputs and AV outputs. Unless you want to tell me my DVD recorder (the same model the OP purchased), which is connected via RCA cables, isn't able to record TV broadcasts that I record on it. Perhaps you misunderstood my previous post.

you are misunderstanding and i have two, thanks. yes, the recorder has inputs (for recording) and outputs (for viewing).

in order to record, the signal has to come from something, right? what would that be? another video source...like the OUT on a vcr or the OUT on a tv turner/cable box. so, you don't have a box. you plug in your antenna or cable line into the tv and the TV acts as the tuner. you get picture and sound.

how the **** do you record that when a tv doesn't have an video out? i just checked all 5 of my tvs. only audio out. what magical tv do you have that has video out?

you are either not telling the entire story of how you have your setup hooked up, or you aren't recording.

again, you use INPUTS for recording to the dvd r/tape and OUTPUTS for viewing the source (dvd or tape). there is no way for you to hookup the INPUTS on the recorder to the TV INPUTS and record video/audio. the only way is to hook up the recorder to another source that has OUTPUTS, be it coax, rca or component. and since the OP doesn't have coax on the recorder, that leaves rca or component. of which, his TV doesn't have those as OUTPUTS. end of story.

Big Mac · Sep 7, 2008, 01:21 AM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

you are misunderstanding and i have two, thanks. yes, the recorder has inputs (for recording) and outputs (for viewing).

Okay, so far we're on the same page.

in order to record, the signal has to come from something, right? what would that be? another video source...like the OUT on a vcr or the OUT on a tv turner/cable box. so, you don't have a box. you plug in your antenna or cable line into the tv and the TV acts as the tuner. you get picture and sound.

Yes, we agree there. You need to have a tuner and a source that's connected to the TV in some fashion to receive broadcasts, obviously. It's just that the OP thought a tuner was required on the recorder when it's not.

how the **** do you record that when a tv doesn't have an video out? i just checked all 5 of my tvs. only audio out. what magical tv do you have that has video out?

Ah, so that's where things got mixed up. I see now. The thing is, newer TVs usually have a full assortment of ports, including component video out, s-video out and often composite video out. Just do a Google image search and you'll see pictures of them, if you don't believe me. Older TVs don't have as many ports, but in case yours doesn't, then yes you'll need another box (cable, VHS, or converter) to do the loop through so that you can view and record broadcasts on a tuner-less recorder.

residentEvil · Sep 7, 2008, 08:21 AM

but the OP TV does not. NOT. so it won't work. period.

and yes, 2 of my TVs are less then a year old and top of the line. no video out (sony and samsung) .

and i did do a search as you suggest. but i went to the source, crutchfield. compared all their top of the line sonys. NO VIDEO OUT.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/P...ems=158KD52XB6

and then looked at all the photos for the above tvs. no VIDEO OUT. did the same thing with toshiba. did the same thing with samsung. the 3 most popular LCD TV makers on the market today. none with video out.

sorry. until you show me your TV with video out (which you haven't done) i will go with my knowledge.

reader50 · Sep 7, 2008, 12:50 PM

Chances are TribeLeader wants to use his DVR/VCR box like a traditional VCR, for time shifting. While you can do that with an external tuner (such as a TV's video out), it imposes problems.

• Can't record unless the tuner device is left on.
• Can't record a different channel than the one currently being watched - unless your TV had PiP with separate tuner, and a separate video out for the PiP tuner, or you use a non-TV tuner box.

Getting a DVR/VCR with self-contained tuner simplifies things greatly, both when you're gone, and when you're watching something else. Rather than fight cables and more-complicated configurations, just get a recording box with a tuner built in.