Ok, I did searching on the incredibly long thread about this machine, but did not find an answer to a question I have.

I have basic analog cable service, and a rooftop antenna.

Has anyone tried using a splitter in reverse to combine signals (from cable and antenna) into the coax input on this unit?

If so, what were your results?

I don't really want to use an A/B switch sort of set-up, and am just looking for an easy way to combine all my viewing possibilites into this.

Edit: I have not bought one of the Philips units yet, so I guess you would call this a pre-purchase question.

NO you defiantly don't want to run a splitter backwards. For one thing you'll be broadcasting your cable signal back up through the antenna. Another thing you will get severe interference because their are many duplicate channels OTA and cable.
You're only choice would be to have a switcher. You could get a relatively cheap one that even has a remote control at Monoprice.com, and probably other places.
I don't believe there are any DVDR's with 2 separate RF inputs.
I noticed the Polaroid DVDR w/hdd does have separate analog and digital antenna inputs but unless you have a high tolerance for headaches I wouldn't suggest it.:D

I tried rabbit ears and analog cable thru a reversed splitter and got zilch. They do make "combiners" that say they can do what you want, but not sure anyone's actually tried one and reported on it.

Someone awhile ago reported on how he did it but said it was quite "tricky" cuz of frequency differences and some other things... sorry, don't remember the details. Maybe search for "combine" in this forum?

I could be wrong but I think the combiners you are talking about might be something to combine UHF and VHF, or maybe FM(different frequency's). The problem with combining Cable and OTA is there are many duplicate frequency's, that have different channels. There could also be a phase or timing difference between channels, say if CH2 OTA is the same as CH2 cable. The cable signal might have a slight delay due to all the hardware it needs to go through, vs. OTA which just has to make it down your antenna to the TV. There could be such a device, but I'd sure like to know how it worked.:confused:

Hey, why not get one of those "free" DTV converter boxes and connect the antenna to that, with line input to the TV? Use the RF input for cable?

Might get at least the digital channels OTA, and a few converters will have NTSC passthru... not sure how that would work?

I searched and found many forums discussing signal combining and the A/B switch, or TV with 2 RF inputs, or satellite with diplexers come up as the *only* viable solutions other than a separate tuner for one of the signals... "frequency overlap" wipes out signal.

The pass-thru will allow you to use your set's NTSC tuner to watch the analogs.

Problem is, none of the new boxes (with or without pass-thru) have a way to let you program them to change channels if you want to set a recorder to record from them. If you have an older recorder with an IR blaster (or a newer LG, which are the only ones that still have them), you could try the Zenith/Insignia tuner which supposedly can be controlled with a Zenith code - but you will only be able to change to the main channels - no subchannels (or the Digital Stream tuner, which might be able to be controlled by a Pioneer cable box code, like their last model could. Unfortunately though, neither of those two boxes have pass-thru. The $10.00 (after coupon) Magnavox from Walmart does, if you can find a code that will work it).

The Echostar TR-40 is the only one that's supposed to have a built-in timer, but who knows when or if that thing will ever actually show up.

I scoured this thread and many others for a box that would have a channel changing timer, now I find out the Echostar TR-40 will have this function and a program guide - after I just bought 2 Zenith boxes (with my vouchers). I also signed-up immediately after the vouchers became available. They have the 90 expiration date printed right on them. This in one time the early bird didn't get the best worm. :(

The release dates for the TR-40 keep being pushed back so a lot of us who filed early for the coupons may be in the same boat. I was really ticked that the website did not tell me about the 90 day expiration until after I had completed the request form. I filed later in January so maybe it will take a lot longer for me to get them.