VCR/Tivo/converter box connection

[NB in the OC]

HELP, I have recently connected my converter box to my Series 2 Tivo and it works great, HOWEVER I can no longer record something on Tivo and watch a different channel on my VCR which I could do prior......The picture is extremely snowy with no audio.......It seems my VCR does not have the antennae connection any longer.......would anyone know how I can record one show on Tivo AND watch another channel on the VCR at the same time. The only connection I changed was to insert the converter box between the antennae and the Tivo.....I HAVE AN OTA rooftop antennae, NO CABLE, NO SATELLITE............

Please put any response in very simple terms.
Thanks, Nancy

[David_NC]

If you want to watch an analog channel on the VCR, you will need to split the feed from the antenna before the converter box and feed one line to the converter and the other to the VCR. You will need a second converter box for the VCR if you want to watch a digital channel (unless it has an internal ATSC tuner).

Splitting the antenna feed will reduce the signal strength to the converter, which can be a problem with weaker stations. Ideally you could put up a second antenna.

The converter box will only allow you to watch a single digital channel at a time, and if it has analog-passthru, you can't convert a digital channel while passing thru the analog signal.

[NB in the OC]

Thanx David.........I believe I already have a splitter for the antennae with one going to the VCR and the other, now, going to the converter box......and I'm pretty sure the VCR doesn't have the AST?? you mentioned as it is rather old..........when the change to all digital occurs i'm not sure what will happen with the signal even if i do put in another converter box (which I have, but not connected yet)........Is there a way to hook up another converter box to the same antenna wire coming in from the roof......I really, really don't want to think about installing another antennae.......I had thought about purchasing a cheap portable with rabbit ears, but not sure if those have to be connected to my roof top antennae as well?? any other suggestions.....what a mess this "easy" transfer to digital is becoming....:)....

thanx again, Nancy

[classicsat]

Just split the cable from the roof (you may need an amplified splitter, or to install a preamp at the antenna) to the two convertor boxes, A/V from one to the TiVo, and A/V of RF from the other to the VCR.

[NB in the OC]

Classicsat.......could you explain in some simpler terms........I understand a little of what you said, but not completely and is this some way I can do this without having to climb up on the roof.........not exactly in a position to do that, lol.........

also, I currently have a splitter that my antennae use to plug into with cables going off it to the VCR and the Tivo, however I moved the antennae to the converter box and attached the converter cable to the splitter and left the other 2 cables the same.....seems tho, that i still am not getting any reception on the VCR so am wondering if i can connect another converter box to that splitter and then to the VCR, just not sure how to go about this or if it would work, OR WORSE if it would mess up what I currently have set up.........as it is, I thought i could set the VCR on ch. 3 and then change the converter station and all would be well........i did this last night and got a good picture only to find out that the show i was in the process of recording had changed as well to the one i was seeing.......so, needless to say, that didn't work.....getting a migraine trying to figure out the best way to do this, if any, just seems it really shouldn't be this difficult........

thanx for your input...........Nancy

[rocko]

Classicsat.......could you explain in some simpler terms........I understand a little of what you said, but not completely and is this some way I can do this without having to climb up on the roof.........not exactly in a position to do that, lol.........

also, I currently have a splitter that my antennae use to plug into with cables going off it to the VCR and the Tivo, however I moved the antennae to the converter box and attached the converter cable to the splitter and left the other 2 cables the same.....seems tho, that i still am not getting any reception on the VCR so am wondering if i can connect another converter box to that splitter and then to the VCR, just not sure how to go about this or if it would work, OR WORSE if it would mess up what I currently have set up.........as it is, I thought i could set the VCR on ch. 3 and then change the converter station and all would be well........i did this last night and got a good picture only to find out that the show i was in the process of recording had changed as well to the one i was seeing.......so, needless to say, that didn't work.....getting a migraine trying to figure out the best way to do this, if any, just seems it really shouldn't be this difficult........

thanx for your input...........Nancy

Since you split AFTER the converter box what's going to the TiVo is also going to the VCR. If you want to use converter boxes (which you'll have to do after 2/2009) and watch/record 2 different things you'll need 2 converter boxes.

So you split the antenna to 2 wires, then run each into a box and each into the TiVo and VCR.

Hope that makes sense to you.

[NB in the OC]

Rocko: I have one question, how do I split the antennae to 2 wires? I also found an olllllddd black and white set with rabbit ears that i've had for eons and thought i could connect a converter box to that and solve the problem by watching 2 different sets (ugh) however there is only 1 wire connected to the rabbit ears and no place to connect a jack or anything else (course they weren't around then).....

as my setup is currently I get nothing but snow on my VCR, not sure, but i'm thinking that's because I have the antennae connected directly to the converter box and then to the splitter, maybe if i change this and try to run another converter box off the splitter, again ugh.......too much for my brain to comprehend........

thanx so much for your input and thanx in advance for any further ideas........again, it really shouldn't be this difficult should it? Nancy

[David_NC]

Connect the antenna to the input of the splitter.

Connect one cable from the splitter to the converter input, then the converter output to the Tivo input.

Connect the other cable from the splitter to the VCR input.

This will allow you to record on the Tivo while watching an analog station on the VCR.

To watch digital on the VCR, you will need to insert the second digital converter box between the splitter and the VCR.

Splitting the signal from the antenna will decrease the signal strength, so you may need an amplifier between the antenna and splitter.

Also, if you are going to use two digital converters at the same time, you will have to do something to prevent the remote control from changing channels on both converters.

[NB in the OC]

David: AT the risk of sounding like everyone else these days, AWESOME, sounds do-able......will try as soon as i get the chance.............thanks again, Nancy

[RonDawg]

any other suggestions

These are your options:

1. Use one converter box with your TiVo, and use your VCR for analog channels until February 2009, at which time its internal tuner becomes useless for OTA broadcasts.

2. Buy a second tuner box for the VCR, but as David mentioned you'll need to figure out a way to keep the wrong box from having its channel changed. Probably the easiest way is to buy a different brand for the second box.

3. Buy a new VCR that has a built-in ATSC tuner. Note that I don't think you can get a standalone VCR anymore, so you'd have to get one with a DVD player or recorder built-in.

4. Buy a dual-tuner ATSC compatible TiVo such as the S3/648, TiVoHD, or XL.

5. Buy a new TV with a built-in ATSC tuner.

[rocko]

These are your options:

1. Use one converter box with your TiVo, and use your VCR for analog channels until February 2009, at which time its internal tuner becomes useless for OTA broadcasts.

2. Buy a second tuner box for the VCR, but as David mentioned you'll need to figure out a way to keep the wrong box from having its channel changed. Probably the easiest way is to buy a different brand for the second box.

3. Buy a new VCR that has a built-in ATSC tuner. Note that I don't think you can get a standalone VCR anymore, so you'd have to get one with a DVD player or recorder built-in.

4. Buy a dual-tuner ATSC compatible TiVo such as the S3/648, TiVoHD, or XL.

5. Buy a new TV with a built-in ATSC tuner.


6. Upgrade to a DVD recorder with digital tuner.