I hooked up a Sony RDR-GX330 DVD Recorder to Video 1 on my receiver (a Sony STR-DE898) and it will not receive any audio/video signals. It plays DVDs fine, but I cannot see or hear TV reception. So the DVD is outputting a signal OK, but not receiving one and passing it through.

I tested the receiver OUTS and they work fine through my VCR (I can see and hear the TV). I also tried using Video 2 and monitor out and even checked the cords but the DVD acts like it gets no signal. I also checked for any weird settings on the STR-DE898 and it seems to be set-up correctly.

Now get this... If I disconnect my cable box and have it go directly into the DVD, it works fine. I'm plugging in S-Video and RCA audio cords directly from the cable box to DVD. Signal from cable box to DVD OK, ---YET--- signal from cable box to receiver and then receiver to DVD = nothing.

Sony tech help chat was no help.

For cords, I am using an RCA pair for the audio and have tried both S-Video and a composite RCA for the video.

I'm baffled, anyone have any ideas? Do you think the DVD recorder is faulty?

It sounds like you are using your receiver to do all of the switching, correct?
Are you sure that the input selected on the DVD recorder has not been changed?
If you haven't double check it.
If that is okay, first I would try the VCR using the same ports and cables that the DVD is in now, (this process will help to eliminate or identify the guilty party).

Let us know the results of doing this.

I think the problem is that you have to select the input you want your recorder to record from on the sony receiver [sat,cab,video 1 ]. you cannot monitor the recording unless you have your dvd recorder send a direct signal to your tv thru an unused input not going thru your sony receiver.

Yeah, I wanted to have the receiver do all the switching so I could record from the cable box or VCR.

It is the correct input selected and it does work directly from the cable box.

I tested Video 1 OUTS and Video 2 OUTS on the receiver through my VCR and they work fine. Neither works through the DVD recorder. I even tried a monitor out on the receiver but that didn't work either...

Try selecting the input your cable is assigned to on the sony receiver, then try connecting either the yellow composite or s-video wire to your tv directly from your dvd recorder. The sony receiver will not send a signal to the dvd recorder once you change the input to dvd, as in ,the input that is selected on the receiver is what is sent to the moniter and video outs. You have to select Sat/Cable to record it. To see if the unit is recording you must connect the recorder as indicated above.

Did this ever work?

No, the TV responds as if it is getting a signal but it is just a grey screen and no audio. (that's how it responds to every hook-up I've tried!)

i am leaving now to exchange it and see if it is a faulty unit because I am trying to hook it up exactly as instructed in the manual. i will report back tonight after I get the new unit.

Since it never worked, I would make sure that the input selected on the Sony DVD matches the one that you are actually using.
On the DVD's main menu there is an option for the input TYPE for each input ex;(video1,video 2 etc) you can choose composite or S.
I have the Sony HX-715 it also has an option for component input.

On the remote you have to choose which input 1,2, or 3 that is active, by default the others are inactive.

Having a blank or gray screen sounds like one of the parameters mentioned above is not set correctly.

No, it is the same. I can come out of the cable box with S-Video and R/L audio directly into the DVD recorder and it works. I'll just leave it like that and swap the cords if I want to copy a VHS tape...

I can come out of the cable box with S-Video and R/L audio directly into the DVD recorder and it works. I'll just leave it like that and swap the cords if I want to copy a VHS tape...

You should be able to use your recorder for this purpose!!

Are you absolutely sure about all of the ins and outs and the selected switching?
(many times we overlook simple things, I have done this myself).

If you still want to try one more thing take the output from your receiver (the one that was feeding the DVD) and feed the VCR if you have a picture and sound there that will eliminate the receiver and the cables as the problem, if you don't see anything I would look at the receiver as the problem.

Good luck!!