topic Re: Over the air question in Electronics

Over the air question

deedledeedeedle — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 06:39:48 GMT

Can I purchase what is described as a "tuner" to record from OTA TV onto my new VHS to DVD recorder? I assumed that I would be able to do this function like back in the day without having to subscribe to TiVo.

Re: Over the air question

hckynutjohn — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:24:58 GMT

If you are receiving over the air signals and have the proper connections I don't see why you couldn't record on a VHS Record or or a DVD recorder. I have no idea what this tuner is that you're talking about. I can Tell you that if you have the proper connectors like composite, Which are generally the red white and yellow cables On both this tuner and the VHS DVD recorder you You should be able to record on a VHS tape or on a DVD.

Not this tuner is new and I have to have an optical or a digital Audio output you shouldn't have any problem getting sound from This tuner to the DVD VHS recorder. Just remember you have to have the audio and video cables Running from the tuner to the VHS DVD recorder.

hckynut(john)

Re: Over the air question

gardenman — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:49:56 GMT

The digital conversion made older VCR's largely useless because they had the old analog tuners. You can add a digital converter but then you have to manually change the channel to the one you want to record. It is doable however. You can buy DVR's for over the air recording with a digital tuner built in, but many/most of them cost quite a bit and some want monthly/yearly payments to use their program guide. Microsoft's Media Center (Vista, Windows7, Windows 8) when combined with a TV tuner card let you use your computer as a DVR and it worked great until July when Microsoft opted to change guide providers which created chaos they still haven't resolved. A simple, cheap, easy to use over the air DVR using the over the air guide would likely sell well.

Re: Over the air question

glb613 — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 10:08:52 GMT

@d_to_the_third wrote:
Can I purchase what is described as a "tuner" to record from OTA TV onto my new VHS to DVD recorder? I assumed that I would be able to do this function like back in the day without having to subscribe to TiVo.

I would assume a new VHS to DVD recorder would have a digital tuner. Are you going to use the VHS side for recording the TV shows?

Re: Over the air question

deedledeedeedle — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:46:38 GMT

I fell for an advertised VHS to DVD unit that also "records from a Smart TV". Well, yes, that is doable but not without a tuner. I use an antenna. What exactly do I purchase to record via timer from television to DVD?

Re: Over the air question

deedledeedeedle — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 09:48:04 GMT

This unit does NOT have a tuner built in.

Re: Over the air question

glb613 — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 10:17:09 GMT

You can connect it to the TV and it will record the channel the TV is set to watch. You won't be able to watch one program and record another because it's dependent on the TV's tuner for the signal. There should instructions how to connect it to the TV when using an antenna.

I'm sure the number of people using an antenna for their TV signal is so small, the hosts don't include them when presenting a product. If you have cable or satellite, you can buy a splitter and the signal would go to each device. That setup allows you to record one program while watching another. To watch the recorded program, you change the input (each connection is an input) using your TV's remote and play it back.

You can send it back and try to find one with a built in tuner. Otherwise, your recording options are limited

Re: Over the air question

gardenman — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:24:50 GMT

@d_to_the_third wrote:
I fell for an advertised VHS to DVD unit that also "records from a Smart TV". Well, yes, that is doable but not without a tuner. I use an antenna. What exactly do I purchase to record via timer from television to DVD?

Google the Mediasonic HW180STB and see if that won't do what you need. I may get one and a hard drive to replace an old VCR I'm still using.

Re: Over the air question

deedledeedeedle — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 19:17:20 GMT

Many thanks to GLB, Gardenman and HockeynutJohn for the advice.

I am returning the unit and will go with TIVO Roamio even though it requires a monthly fee.

Take care,

Dee

Re: Over the air question

chickenbutt — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 21:44:55 GMT

Good plan to get a Tivo! One time I ordered my Tivos over the phone with a Tivo rep and got a deal on Lifetime.

The first time I didn't get Lifetime on either of my Tivos. They lasted over 8 years before technology just got too far ahead of them to be practical. I don't even want to figure out how much I paid in monthly fees over that period, but it was DEFINITELY way more than had I purchased Lifetime with them!

This time I got Lifetime on both of mine. Tivo is the best for a DVR. The generic DVRs just don't do as much.