Poor DVD-R reception w/Terk 5 indoor antenna (with new HDTV)

harryjjj

My Panasonic DVD-R worked great with my old '94 Panasonic TV. It recorded beautifully, the picture was great. Currently I can play a commercial video and get a great picture. But with my new Samsung HDTV the DVD-R reception sucks.

I use a Terk 5 indoor antenna and get great reception on the HDTV -- but not the DVD-R. I've tried connecting it two ways and I added the 3-connection video cable. I do get a picture and I can record, but the picture quality is very poor. It seems that the Terk-5 works with the TV but not the DVD-R. HELP! How can I fix this?
thanks

DoctorCAD

Are you using the DVD-R as a receiver?

My guess is that the tuner in the TV is a newer and better version that the one in the DVD-R.

oljim

The new TV is getting digital channels but the DVD-R is not, The TERK -5 is a poor antenna, any terk antenna is not a good idea

harryjjj

The Terk-5 is a superior antenna to my old Radio Shack antenna, which worked fine with my old TV and the same 2-year old DVD-R. I don't think the antenna is the problem.

IDRick

What is the model number of your panasonic dvdr? Mine is 3 yrs old and only has a NTSC tuner. Are you getting the same channels on the Sammy and the Panasonic? I am not following how you can connect the antenna "two ways and adding the 3-connection video cable". Assuming both tv and dvdr have ATSC tuners, the connections from the antenna should be:

Ant --> coax to splitter ---> output 1 to tv ATSC input
---> output 2 to dvdr ATSC input

Connections from dvdr to Sammy should be component or HDMI. Composite is definitely a step down from component connection. Remember, your dvdr is outputing 480i and your tv ATSC tuner is receiving 720p or 1080i OTA signal. PQ should be higher with the Sammy HDTV. Also, many HDTV's do a great job with HDTV but not so good on SD (partly due to larger screens, people stretching 4:3 content to fill screen, etc).

harryjjj

IDRick: thanks for questions, here are my partial answers.
DVD-R: Panasonic DMR-ES20 (2005)
I don't know which tuner it has.

I know realize that the DVD does not have a digital tuner – it can pick up only the analog stations – and not very well. Do I need a digital tuner for it, or can I somehow use my new HDTV's digital tuner.

Setup: Now it is Antenna to DVD-R RF-In, second antenna cable is RF-Out to Samsung TV. My DVD-R is a 'component' on my TV.

IDRick

Hi Harryjjj,

We have a similar panasonic dvdr. I purchased an APEX 502 converter box to use with my dvdr. Only used occasionally as we have a cableco dvr as well. This box is eligible for one of the government coupons so if purchased on-line, it'll cost you under $10 out of pocket. There are many converter boxes out there. See this discussion forum for more details: http://www./avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=186

harryjjj

IDRick:
The URL below doesn't work, typo I guess. I already asked for 2 gov't coupons for converter. I used one and threw the other away. Can I get another? I guess I would connect it between my DVD-R and the antenna, as if the DVD-R were a TV. thanks

IDRick

This forum does not like direct links to avsforum... Copy my previous link directly into your webbrowser and it should work. It is my understanding that each house can acquire only two coupons. Unfortunately, you've used your allotment.... The connections you state are correct.

Best,

Rick