Hi, I'm new here and am low on the geeky tv viewing scale. I just want a dvd recorder, preferably with a hard drive, to record my OTA shows (too cheap to pay for cable). My biggest problem is that I want to watch another a tv show on one channel while the DVDR is recording a different channel. I've done some research, but mostly I've found this can't be done. I was looking at the Phillips DVDR3576H but reviews say that this can't be done. Any suggestions, or any ways to creatively hook this up to my tv so that I can be happy? Remember, my geek level is low, but I am able to follow good step-by-step instructions. Thanks for listening.

If your TV has a digital tuner then you'll be able to watch one show while recording another on a different channel. If your TV doesn't have a digital tuner then you could somehow make it work with a CECB (converter box) which can be had for anywhere from free to $20 after the $40 govt. coupon.
If you don't care about burning to DVD then the DTVPal DVR has dual tuners and should be available next month for ~$250. You could always add a tunerless DVDR to the Pal for offloading anything you wanted to DVD.

Hi, I'm new here and am low on the geeky tv viewing scale. I just want a dvd recorder, preferably with a hard drive, to record my OTA shows (too cheap to pay for cable). My biggest problem is that I want to watch another a tv show on one channel while the DVDR is recording a different channel. I've done some research, but mostly I've found this can't be done. I was looking at the Phillips DVDR3576H but reviews say that this can't be done. Any suggestions, or any ways to creatively hook this up to my tv so that I can be happy? Remember, my geek level is low, but I am able to follow good step-by-step instructions. Thanks for listening.
Where was that review that said it can't be done with the 3576? I'd like to add IT to my Erroneous Reviews help file (here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12332968&postcount=29)).

Check out sketch #1 here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12298409&postcount=10) for the way to set up a Philips 3576 or Mag 2160 for recording one show while viewing another on your TV... works like a charm!

Click on #1 in my signature or the link at the bottom of those linked files above for a list of many other organized help files on both DVDRs.

Both units are very easy to operate, and all the instructions you need are in that list of help files! :D

Hi, I'm new here and am low on the geeky tv viewing scale. I just want a dvd recorder, preferably with a hard drive, to record my OTA shows (too cheap to pay for cable). My biggest problem is that I want to watch another a tv show on one channel while the DVDR is recording a different channel. I've done some research, but mostly I've found this can't be done. I was looking at the Phillips DVDR3576H but reviews say that this can't be done. Any suggestions, or any ways to creatively hook this up to my tv so that I can be happy? Remember, my geek level is low, but I am able to follow good step-by-step instructions. Thanks for listening.

This may be more a question of semantics than wiring topology.

A single tuner device has only one tuner so it can only tune one channel for either watching or recording.

That said, a unit with RF pass-through, like the Magnavox 2160 or Philips 3576, can be wired in a configuration so that it's tuner is recording one channel and another device's tuner can be used for viewing a different channel on your TV. Devices without RF pass-through can be wired with a coax splitter to achieve the same result.

Wajo has provided a comprehensive guide to assist in different wiring configurations to achieve your desire "to watch another TV show on one channel while the DVDR is recording a different channel".

Thank you so much, all of you, for taking the time to answer my question (especially on a holiday). It has been a great help.
Hope you all have a great holiday season!

OK, so cannot use the tuner to watch two broadcast channels at the same time. But is it possible to watch DTV using this box's tuner without affecting recording from another source (in my case from the VCR connected to E1)? If so, how can I safely do this?

Thanks!

OK, so cannot use the tuner to watch two broadcast channels at the same time. But is it possible to watch DTV using this box's tuner without affecting recording from another source (in my case from the VCR connected to E1)? If so, how can I safely do this?
No, once you or the DVDR selects E1 external input, no channels can also be tuned at the saem time... the ext. inputs are an integral part of the tuner insofar as you can surf thru channels and, at each end of channel memory, the CH+/- moves into the ext. inputs (E1, E2, E3, USB) then out to the lowest or highest channel, whichever direction you're surfing.

You can also select the ext. inputs thru the Source button on the remote, which also locks out any channels for viewing.

You can only play a HDD title or DVD while rec. from an ext. device (or rec. a channel).

You can only play a HDD title or DVD while rec. from an ext. device (or rec. a channel).

Shoot, not the answer I was hoping for. ;) Thanks for the quick and clear response!!!