How do you hook a vcr/dvd combo to directv high def dvr?

[scooter46534]

I have a diectv High def dvr reciever model hr21-700 and I have a sony high def tv and I can not get my DVD/vcr player to record some shows off my reciever. I tried several times to hook it but nothing will record. I can get my dvd/vcr combo to play on video one but my high def dvr plays on video six. Does any one know anything about this? I was told I would need a rf modular to hook it up. Is that right if so How? Thanks for any help any one gives me

[TonyD79]

No, you should be able to take s-video or line video out of the HR21 into the DVD/VCR combo.

[Eddie501]

How do you have the VCR/DVD hooked to the DVR? You need at minimum the red/white going in for audio & yellow (or S-video) going into it for the video. Over & above what you have going into the TV. And you'll have to tune the DVD/VCR to the 'line in' input to pick up what's being output from the DVR via these cables.

[TyroneShoes]

It sounds like you have the DVD/VCR connected to one TV input and the HR21 connected to another. That's good, but you also need to connect the DVR directly to the inputs on the DVD/VCR.

Some combos don't have inputs of any kind. Hopefully yours does. You need baseband inputs (separate RCA video/audio L/audio R, or S-video/audio L/audio R). And, you might need to place the DVR in 480i mode and the proper aspect ratio (futz with the format button on the DVR remote until video looks right). Be sure you are monitoring the DVD/VCR rather than the DVR directly. Also make sure you have selected the baseband inputs on the DVD/VCR. If you can see the DVR video on the TV when set to monitor the DVD/VCR, you should be golden.

If you have only RF inputs you will have to modulate the signal somehow, either with an outboard modulator from RatShack or by using a VCR instead. Even an old broken one will do, as those still usually can pass a signal and modulate it even if they no longer record well.

Connect the DVR outputs to the baseband inputs on the VCR, place the VCR in "input" mode (not "tape" mode), and tune to the baseband inputs on the VCR (typically "Aux" or "Line").

Now connect an RF cable to the ouput of the VCR and connect the other end to the RF input on the DVD/VCR. Tune the DVD/VCR to the same channel (3 or 4) set on the back of the old VCR.

Good luck, post back.