topic Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now in Electronics

Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Frosted Cake — Sat, 28 May 2016 18:00:22 GMT

My cable company switched all analog connections to digital by installing a box. I have on HD TV that was already hooked up and had to add one to my older (large back) TV to get a connection. The connection was from the wall to the TV with the analog cable. Never used a box before to get cable. The new digital box is to upgrade that connection.

My older TV is hooked up to my DVD Recorder/Player. I still get the channels I had before when I go into the DVD player to record, but not the new ones. I'm afraid to do " Set Channels Automatically" because I get this notice on screen:

I pick the source from Antenna or Cable - I pick Cable

Then it says: Set channels automatically will start after the source is changed.

When I continue it says:

Set channels automatically: Once started current channels cannot be restored (this is the line that bothers me!)

Connect antenna or cable TV to RFIN. If you use a cable box (which I assume is the new cable box they came out to hook up) then tune it to your local PBS channel when done.

Well it's not the PBS station that the box is programmed for it's channel 3 here.

Anyway, Cox came out and hooked it up, but when they left I ran into this issue. He said it was all hooked up fine. Of course they want to send someone out to check it for $50 again.

My thought is I need to run channels automatically to get the new ones that now show up with the digital connection, but that one warning that my current channels cannot be restored worries me.

I tried to manually add channels (and I did) but it didn't allow me to record on those channels and says "No signal" when I go to that channel.

Ugh! Why do they have to make things so complicated!

Can anyone advise me through this jibberish! Thanks!!!

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

hckynut — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:36:57 GMT

@Frosted Cake wrote:

My cable company switched all analog connections to digital by installing a box. I have on HD TV that was already hooked up and had to add one to my older (large back) TV to get a connection. The connection was from the wall to the TV with the analog cable. Never used a box before to get cable. The new digital box is to upgrade that connection.

My older TV is hooked up to my DVD Recorder/Player. I still get the channels I had before when I go into the DVD player to record, but not the new ones. I'm afraid to do " Set Channels Automatically" because I get this notice on screen:

I pick the source from Antenna or Cable - I pick Cable

Then it says: Set channels automatically will start after the source is changed.

When I continue it says:

Set channels automatically: Once started current channels cannot be restored (this is the line that bothers me!)

Connect antenna or cable TV to RFIN. If you use a cable box (which I assume is the new cable box they came out to hook up) then tune it to your local PBS channel when done.

Well it's not the PBS station that the box is programmed for it's channel 3 here.

Anyway, Cox came out and hooked it up, but when they left I ran into this issue. He said it was all hooked up fine. Of course they want to send someone out to check it for $50 again.

My thought is I need to run channels automatically to get the new ones that now show up with the digital connection, but that one warning that my current channels cannot be restored worries me.

I tried to manually add channels (and I did) but it didn't allow me to record on those channels and says "No signal" when I go to that channel.

Ugh! Why do they have to make things so complicated!

Can anyone advise me through this jibberish! Thanks!!!

@Frosted Cake

Gonna try to help. These things were not easy to explain typing.

hnj

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

JanetsGirl — Sat, 28 May 2016 18:44:12 GMT

Thorny problem. Set channels automatically seems correct. Suggestion: call Cox again and explain the dillemma and be persistent until you get help -- they might be able to resolve it over the phone. Tell them that the installer did not finish the job because of this dillemma and that he needs to come out as a follow up -- there should not be another charge. Another suggestion is to contact customer service of the manufacturer of your old TV or DVD player (not sure which device is cauing the problem), and explain the situation. They may be able to resolve the problem over the phone. Good luck.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

chickenbutt — Sat, 28 May 2016 18:58:14 GMT

I also agree that letting it set the channels SHOULD BE right. But maybe a call to them will give you more of a comforting answer.

I don't think there is a matter of 'losing' any channels in the process. It does need to go through its set up and it will pick up all the channels you pay to receive.

Ours, Charter here, went to all digital a few years ago. My only complaint was because I have a couple of little 19" TVs - one in my kitchen and one in my office on my desk - that I just had plugged right into the cable in the wall.

I was bummed that you had to have a cable box for EVERY tv connected. Fortunately, the new cable boxes were much smaller so it was easy to just hide them away.

But I've always just followed the set up and let it find the channels. Anything it finds is what you will get anyway.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Nightowlz — Sat, 28 May 2016 19:34:07 GMT

I don't know since I have DISH. You already paid to have this set up from the sounds of your post. You should call them back & tell them you already paid for this & it was not done right & you are not paying for them to come fix it.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Mz iMac — Sat, 28 May 2016 19:42:50 GMT

@hckynut

WOW!!!! Your instructions are so simple (non techie) & detailed. You should be a professional "user manual" writer.

GOOD JOB!

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Toppers — Sat, 28 May 2016 20:44:25 GMT

Hi @Frosted Cake,

I agree with the others where if you are still having difficulties connecting everything, I would call them back.

When you call back, you can ask for their technical department, and talk to someone there who can try and help you finish connecting everything by phone.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Frosted Cake — Sat, 28 May 2016 21:46:16 GMT

I called the Tech Dept. the guy said he can't help me with equipment that isn't a Cox item. He said he would note on my acct that the tech who set up the new box didn't make sure all the channels were on the DVD. I am sure they would charge me because it's not their equipment for a service call.

In the meantime, I called Panasonic (the maker of my DVD-R player) but they are not there until Tues. I'll try them then. Hopefully, they can tell me about the prompts and what to do. I still had the owner's manual with the help line that still works after all these years.

Thanks for the advice all. I hope Tuesday will solve some issues. I still think I need to just automatically now set the new stations, but with my luck, I'll do it wrong.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

glb613 — Sat, 28 May 2016 22:03:52 GMT

To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Frosted Cake — Sat, 28 May 2016 22:44:11 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

TV works fine. Digital box works fine. DVD (not a DVR) doesn't accept all the new channels. TV is not HD. But Thanks!

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

chickenbutt — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:08:13 GMT

Was the DVD recorder/player able to tune to higher number channels before? I'm wondering if it is a limitation of the hardware.

I cannot remember what it was but one time, years ago, I had a piece of equipment that just plain could not accommodate channel number above a certain number.

I don't know if that's helpful, but it's what comes to mind for me. I sure hope you can get it fixed. Too bad the cable co was no help.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

glb613 — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:18:55 GMT

@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

TV works fine. Digital box works fine. DVD (not a DVR) doesn't accept all the new channels. TV is not HD. But Thanks!

DVD players don't accept new channels they play DVDs. DVD recorders can be connected to your cable connection. Once again, explaining your problem correctly is important. If you have an old analog DVD recorder that can't be connected to a convertor box and get the new channels, you need to buy new. If it was me, I'd buy new or rent a DVR.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

hckynut — Sat, 28 May 2016 23:31:17 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@hckynut

WOW!!!! Your instructions are so simple (non techie) & detailed. You should be a professional "user manual" writer.

GOOD JOB!

Hi @Mz iMac

thank you. i did write an instructional manual for Cox Cable in our city. it goes back to old TV sets that channel numbers ended at 13, and then to the letter U. it was for customers that also had a VHS/VCR connected, that had to be "manually tuned, via frequency dials/wheels.

this was to allow a customer to watch 1 channel on TV and at the same time record a different channel on their VCR, got free everything for all the years we had Cox Cable. they had their own instructions, but i think the only person that understood it was whomever wrote it. follow that sheet? it did not work and was a waste of time.

i lost trac oh how many family members/friends and co-workers homes i went to and set this up. that part took me only 10 minutes, but showing them how to use it? hours for some that were a little less techy. that is when i decided to type a sheet, yes with a typewriter (i was not into computers yet) and get copies made. then i visited Cox Cable.

my next book will be written on-----just kidding. :-)

guess a certain someone didn't like my suggestions!

hnj

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Gokat — Sun, 29 May 2016 22:47:31 GMT

In reading your adventure, @Frosted Cake, I see that the auto channel search has you "paralyzed".

You will need to auto channel search to synch with Comcast's digital channel lineup.

One thing I think I see is that your Digital Recorder/Player hasn't been auto updated to match the TV channels after auto channel searching your TV. The channels do need to match between the two, and then you should be set. HTH's

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Frosted Cake — Sun, 29 May 2016 00:47:20 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

TV works fine. Digital box works fine. DVD (not a DVR) doesn't accept all the new channels. TV is not HD. But Thanks!
DVD players don't accept new channels they play DVDs. DVD recorders can be connected to your cable connection. Once again, explaining your problem correctly is important. If you have an old analog DVD recorder that can't be connected to a convertor box and get the new channels, you need to buy new. If it was me, I'd buy new or rent a DVR.

DVD player is a digital DVD player. It's accepting the same channels it did in digital now, but not the new ones that the new box is offering.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Frosted Cake — Sun, 29 May 2016 00:49:37 GMT

@Gokat wrote:
In reading your adventure, @Frosted Cake, I see that the auto channel search has you "paralyzed".

You will need to auto channel search to synch with Comcast's digital channel lineup.

One thing I think I see is that your Digital Player hasn't been auto updated to match the TV channels after auto channel searching your TV. The channels do need to match between the two, and then you should be set. HTH's

Thanks Gokat.

My only worry was that message that displayed when I was going to do it that I could not restore the current channels. It will probably work, but I'm afraid to have something bad happen as my luck lately is not good and I don't need any additional stress in my life right now. TV is my only form of entertainment these days.

Thanks. Hopefully, Panasonic will answer the question on Tues. Fingers crossed!

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Gokat — Sun, 29 May 2016 01:16:25 GMT

Good luck with Panasonic, and I hope you'll stop in and let us know how you make out.

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend!

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

Nuttmeg — Sun, 29 May 2016 04:27:57 GMT

This might help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pARHjY8xoo

If you know the name and model # of this device, you can find help on the web. The video above has a little info about programming the player on the end.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

glb613 — Sun, 29 May 2016 09:16:26 GMT

@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

TV works fine. Digital box works fine. DVD (not a DVR) doesn't accept all the new channels. TV is not HD. But Thanks!
DVD players don't accept new channels they play DVDs. DVD recorders can be connected to your cable connection. Once again, explaining your problem correctly is important. If you have an old analog DVD recorder that can't be connected to a convertor box and get the new channels, you need to buy new. If it was me, I'd buy new or rent a DVR.
DVD player is a digital DVD player. It's accepting the same channels it did in digital now, but not the new ones that the new box is offering.

It cannot be just a DVD player. You must have a DVD recorder. Do yourself a favor and buy new.

Re: Cable Switched from Analog to Digital - Need Help Programming My DVD- Recorder Now

hckynut — Sun, 29 May 2016 18:33:29 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
@Frosted Cake wrote:
@glb613 wrote:
To watch digital cable or satellite, you need either a digtal TV or a convertor box. To find the channels, you need to scan for channels. If something goes wrong, scan again. In order to use the convertor box, the TVs input needs to be set on cable not antenna. If you use a HD cable box or DVR with a digital TV, chose the HDMI connection where it is attached. They are labled HDMI 1,2,3,4, etc. All of this choosing/scanning happens using your TV remote.

TV works fine. Digital box works fine. DVD (not a DVR) doesn't accept all the new channels. TV is not HD. But Thanks!
DVD players don't accept new channels they play DVDs. DVD recorders can be connected to your cable connection. Once again, explaining your problem correctly is important. If you have an old analog DVD recorder that can't be connected to a convertor box and get the new channels, you need to buy new. If it was me, I'd buy new or rent a DVR.
DVD player is a digital DVD player. It's accepting the same channels it did in digital now, but not the new ones that the new box is offering.
It cannot be just a DVD player. You must have a DVD recorder. Do yourself a favor and buy new.

@glb613

exactly. i have yet to see any player that has a channel selector and/or tuner. also have yet to see an analog DVD player. oh well, i ain't wasting any more of my time on those that don't acknowledge.

hnj