Question on using 2 vcrs in the digital age

[r***@this.newsgroup.com]

For over 3 decades we've used 2 VCRs daisy chained into the TV so we can
either tape 2 & watch 1 or watch 1 & tape 1. This was easy for it was
RF in to RF out for each. No cable box for we wanted to recorders
programmed to switch channels.

We're still on analog TV as we're on cable. When last VCR died the
replacement with both digital and analog tuners had one big difference
-- the output RF was only a feed through from the input, not the output
of the VCR. So to be able to use it I had to hook up two outputs from
VCR #1, RF to VCR #2 (which feeds RF to TV) and audio/digital output
from VCR #1 (3 cables) into AV input on TV.

Fine for now, but ultimately when we are forced to go all digital is
there any way to daisy chain or otherwise accomplish the goal of using
old fashioned (but newer) VCRs which have digital tuners to daisy chain
in some way to the TV so all three tuners can be used?

Of course we'll need to purchase TV with digital tuner another VCR with
digital tuner, but want to be sure I can use both VCR's. The goal again
is to be able to either tape 2 shows while watching 1 or watch one tape
while taping another.

I know they don't make the tapes any more, but I figure what we have
won't die for years as ours seem to live longer than some CDs and DVDs
we've had or made.

Ideas welcome.

[b]

Post by r***@this.newsgroup.com
For over 3 decades we've used 2 VCRs daisy chained into the TV so we can
either tape 2 & watch 1 or watch 1 & tape 1. This was easy for it was
RF in to RF out for each. No cable box for we wanted to recorders
programmed to switch channels.
We're still on analog TV as we're on cable. When last VCR died the
replacement with both digital and analog tuners had one big difference
-- the output RF was only a feed through from the input, not the output
of the VCR. So to be able to use it I had to hook up two outputs from
VCR #1, RF to VCR #2 (which feeds RF to TV) and audio/digital output
from VCR #1 (3 cables) into AV input on TV.
Fine for now, but ultimately when we are forced to go all digital is
there any way to daisy chain or otherwise accomplish the goal of using
old fashioned (but newer) VCRs which have digital tuners to daisy chain
in some way to the TV so all three tuners can be used?
Of course we'll need to purchase TV with digital tuner another VCR with
digital tuner, but want to be sure I can use both VCR's. The goal again
is to be able to either tape 2 shows while watching 1 or watch one tape
while taping another.
I know they don't make the tapes any more, but I figure what we have
won't die for years as ours seem to live longer than some CDs and DVDs
we've had or made.
Ideas welcome.

I've never seen a VCR with a digital tuner (DVB-T). Are you sure ?

Personally I would just get two cheap digital set top boxes, and
connect them to the AV-in of the vcrs. The loop thru means you can
daisy chain them with coax cable, the fianl one going to the TV's
antenna input.

The AV-out (RCA phonos, SCART or whatever) of each vcr then goes to
two Av inputs on the tv.
-B

[UCLAN]

Post by b
I've never seen a VCR with a digital tuner (DVB-T). Are you sure ?

Since it appears that the OP was posting from North America, he probably
needed an ATSC digital tuner, not DVB. Lots of DVD/VCR combos have ATSC
tuners.

Post by b
The AV-out (RCA phonos, SCART or whatever) of each vcr then goes to
two Av inputs on the tv.

Again, North America. We don't use SCART.

[UCLAN]

Post by b
I've never seen a VCR with a digital tuner (DVB-T). Are you sure ?

Since it appears that the OP was posting from North America, he probably
needed an ATSC digital tuner, not DVB. Lots of DVD/VCR combos have ATSC
tuners.

Post by b
The AV-out (RCA phonos, SCART or whatever) of each vcr then goes to
two Av inputs on the tv.

Again, North America. We don't use SCART.

[Peter]

Post by r***@this.newsgroup.com
For over 3 decades we've used 2 VCRs daisy chained into the TV so we can
either tape 2 & watch 1 or watch 1 & tape 1. This was easy for it was
RF in to RF out for each. No cable box for we wanted to recorders
programmed to switch channels.
We're still on analog TV as we're on cable. When last VCR died the
replacement with both digital and analog tuners had one big difference
-- the output RF was only a feed through from the input, not the output
of the VCR. So to be able to use it I had to hook up two outputs from
VCR #1, RF to VCR #2 (which feeds RF to TV) and audio/digital output
from VCR #1 (3 cables) into AV input on TV.
Fine for now, but ultimately when we are forced to go all digital is
there any way to daisy chain or otherwise accomplish the goal of using
old fashioned (but newer) VCRs which have digital tuners to daisy chain
in some way to the TV so all three tuners can be used?
Of course we'll need to purchase TV with digital tuner another VCR with
digital tuner, but want to be sure I can use both VCR's. The goal again
is to be able to either tape 2 shows while watching 1 or watch one tape
while taping another.
I know they don't make the tapes any more, but I figure what we have
won't die for years as ours seem to live longer than some CDs and DVDs
we've had or made.
Ideas welcome.

It sounds as though your cable provider is supplying an analog signal through
the cable. You need to find out if that will continue for the indefinite
future, or if the cable provider has definite plans to discontinue analog cable
signals and only provide digital cable signals.

As long as you are getting analog out of the wall, you don't need any digital
tuners on a TV or a recording device. In fact, you will not receive any
stations if you connect an analog input to a digital only tv tuner.

However, if your cable provider switches to digital, you may or may not need to
use his box depending upon what type of service you want to receive (premium
channels or not, high def or not, pay per view or not, etc.) and also whether or
not your devices (tv and recording units) contain a QUAM tuner in addition to an
ATSC tuner. If you only want the very basic digital cable services and have a
tv or recorder with a QUAM tuner, you can usually hook up the cable directly to
that device without any intermediate box and tune the digital stations just the
way you tune the analog stations now with your analog cable signal.

You probably don't know which is going to go first, your TV or your older VCR.
I wouldn't worry too much at present about hypothetical future hookups because
newer equipment tends to have a greater number of input and output options that
make those items more versatile.

One potential future solution if your signal becomes digital and your
replacement devices won't allow daisy chain of inputs to enable recording 2
different channels while watching a third would be to find out from your cable
provider if you are allowed to insert a splitter between the feed from the wall
and your devices. Of course, if you don't have QUAM tuners, you may have to
rent more than one cable box and you won't be able to program your recorders to
change channels unattended if a box needs to be inserted between the wall and
the recorder. (The only alternative at that point may be to subscribe to TIVO.)
Peter

[UCLAN]

Post by Peter
However, if your cable provider switches to digital, you may or may not
need to use his box depending upon what type of service you want to
receive (premium channels or not, high def or not, pay per view or not,
etc.) and also whether or not your devices (tv and recording units)
contain a QUAM tuner in addition to an ATSC tuner. If you only want the
very basic digital cable services and have a tv or recorder with a QUAM
tuner, you can usually hook up the cable directly to that device without
any intermediate box and tune the digital stations just the way you tune
the analog stations now with your analog cable signal.

There is no such thing as a "QUAM" tuner. There *are* however QAM (Quadrature
Amplitude Modulation) tuners.

[Peter]

Post by UCLAN

Post by Peter
However, if your cable provider switches to digital, you may or may
not need to use his box depending upon what type of service you want
to receive (premium channels or not, high def or not, pay per view or
not, etc.) and also whether or not your devices (tv and recording
units) contain a QUAM tuner in addition to an ATSC tuner. If you only
want the very basic digital cable services and have a tv or recorder
with a QUAM tuner, you can usually hook up the cable directly to that
device without any intermediate box and tune the digital stations just
the way you tune the analog stations now with your analog cable signal.

There is no such thing as a "QUAM" tuner. There *are* however QAM (Quadrature
Amplitude Modulation) tuners.

UCLAN - The usefulness of your correction was exceeded only by the snide tone of
its delivery. A simple "I think you meant QAM, not QUAM" would have been
equally useful and far less rude.