can i make an old vcr work with a new hdtv?

balandsal · 12-07-2008, 03:12 PM

Hi, I'm new here so this is a learning experience for me. Our old analog tv just died so we bought a new lcd hdtv. I love it! But.... we still have our old vcr. We do not have cable or dish - don't want it - just regular local channels. After getting TV, DVD player and VCR all hooked up, we discovered we can't record digital channels. The VCR will play back already recorded tapes on the the new TV and will record the stations still broadcasting in analog. Is there some way to record the digital stations or are we going to have to get a new VCR? Are there digital VCRs or do we have to invest in a DVR? Any answers will be appreciated. Even my techno geek son didn't have an answer. He's already set up with all digital stuff and didn't even want to deal with my old clunker.

jim5506 · 12-07-2008, 03:18 PM

Buy a digital to analog converter box and connect it to the VCR.

Either connect it by composite, S-video or RF and set the VCR appropriately.

**rbinck** · 12-07-2008, 04:07 PM

If you are currently getting your digital signal via an antenna, the what jim suggested will work just fine. Walmart has the converters for about $50 and if you get a coupon that'll knock $40 off of the cost. see: www.dtv.gov for coupon application.

If you are getting the analog signal for the VCR from cable, nothing should change for you in Feb 2009.

pdxsam · 12-07-2008, 04:07 PM

A digital to analog converter box doesn't have the smarts to change channels if the OP wants to record more than one channel. A digital VCR and a Digital Video Recorder can be one in the same. The Tivo HD and Tivo HD Xl have digital tuners in them so you can record digital signals. You have to pay a fee.

Rumor had it that DISH/Echostar was going to come out with a digital OTA only DVR for somewhere in the 250 dollar range that would be fee free and do the same as the Tivo. This hasn't hit the store shelves yet.

Loves2Watch · 12-07-2008, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxsam

A digital to analog converter box doesn't have the smarts to change channels if the OP wants to record more than one channel. A digital VCR and a Digital Video Recorder can be one in the same. The Tivo HD and Tivo HD Xl have digital tuners in them so you can record digital signals. You have to pay a fee.

Rumor had it that DISH/Echostar was going to come out with a digital OTA only DVR for somewhere in the 250 dollar range that would be fee free and do the same as the Tivo. This hasn't hit the store shelves yet.

Actually it may be quite some time before the Dish DTVPal DVR does hit store shelves but you can purchase it now from here - http://www.dtvpal.com/ It has 2 tuners so you can watch one program while recording another or record two programs at once.

balandsal · 12-07-2008, 04:18 PM

Hi again, I read the replies and still have a question. We have 2 of the converter boxes, one to be used with another old tv in the bedroom and we were going to use the other on our main tv. Since the new tv is digital and doesn't require a converter box, will the converter box still hook up to the tv so I can use my old vcr?

IDRick · 12-07-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdxsam

A digital to analog converter box doesn't have the smarts to change channels if the OP wants to record more than one channel.

There are three converter boxes that will change channels: Apex 502, Zinwell 970A, and DTVPal. I have the Apex 502 and it works well with a dvd recorder. I set a manual timer on the dvdr for input2 (output from converter box). The Apex 502 has reminders and changes the channel to the correct station. There are threads on each box in converter box forum.

see: http://www./avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=186

IDRick · 12-07-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balandsal

Hi again, I read the replies and still have a question. We have 2 of the converter boxes, one to be used with another old tv in the bedroom and we were going to use the other on our main tv. Since the new tv is digital and doesn't require a converter box, will the converter box still hook up to the tv so I can use my old vcr?

Use the output from your converter box as the input source for your vcr. Split your antenna cable and use one run to feed the new tv directly and the other run to feed the converter box --> vcr.

***Add Connect your vcr to one of the inputs of your new tv. Use s-video and audio connections or use the composite connections.

12-07-2008, 03:12 PM	#1
balandsal Major Colts Fan Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 8	can i make an old vcr work with a new hdtv? Hi, I'm new here so this is a learning experience for me. Our old analog tv just died so we bought a new lcd hdtv. I love it! But.... we still have our old vcr. We do not have cable or dish - don't want it - just regular local channels. After getting TV, DVD player and VCR all hooked up, we discovered we can't record digital channels. The VCR will play back already recorded tapes on the the new TV and will record the stations still broadcasting in analog. Is there some way to record the digital stations or are we going to have to get a new VCR? Are there digital VCRs or do we have to invest in a DVR? Any answers will be appreciated. Even my techno geek son didn't have an answer. He's already set up with all digital stuff and didn't even want to deal with my old clunker.

12-07-2008, 03:18 PM	#2
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 3,303	Buy a digital to analog converter box and connect it to the VCR. Either connect it by composite, S-video or RF and set the VCR appropriately. __________________ Seeking colinear harmonics! Programming: Dish AT120 Displays: Sony VPH-D50Q FPCRT - 7 ft on the wall; Hitachi 57R59 RPCRT; Panasonic 42" Plasma; 26" Sanyo LCD Receivers: DishNetwork ViP722k; DishNetwork ViP211K;2 - DishNetwork ViP211; 2 - TiVo HD Series 3; 2 - TiVo Series 2's; Accurian 6000; Samsung SIR-T351; Panasonic ShowStopper 2000; ATI HDTV Wonder Dish 1000 on 110,119,129; Dish 500 on 61.5; DPP44 Sony 80GB PS3; Toshiba HD-DVD

12-07-2008, 04:07 PM	#3
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 15,602	If you are currently getting your digital signal via an antenna, the what jim suggested will work just fine. Walmart has the converters for about $50 and if you get a coupon that'll knock $40 off of the cost. see: www.dtv.gov for coupon application. If you are getting the analog signal for the VCR from cable, nothing should change for you in Feb 2009. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

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12-07-2008, 04:07 PM	#4
pdxsam High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 37	A digital to analog converter box doesn't have the smarts to change channels if the OP wants to record more than one channel. A digital VCR and a Digital Video Recorder can be one in the same. The Tivo HD and Tivo HD Xl have digital tuners in them so you can record digital signals. You have to pay a fee. Rumor had it that DISH/Echostar was going to come out with a digital OTA only DVR for somewhere in the 250 dollar range that would be fee free and do the same as the Tivo. This hasn't hit the store shelves yet.

12-07-2008, 04:18 PM	#6
balandsal Major Colts Fan Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 8	Hi again, I read the replies and still have a question. We have 2 of the converter boxes, one to be used with another old tv in the bedroom and we were going to use the other on our main tv. Since the new tv is digital and doesn't require a converter box, will the converter box still hook up to the tv so I can use my old vcr?