Just bought a new 50" Samsung.

It has the PIP option, however, the TV only has one tuner.

I have my TV hooked up as follows....

Cable into a splitter

Cable then goes into a VCR and HDTV Cable Box

Cable box is hooked up to TV through component cables

VCR is hooked up to TV through AV cables

The component works fine as I can watch the channels on the cable box, and I can easily switch sources to view the VCR channels through the AV1 input.

However, I still cannot get PIP to work. I start out watching TV through the Cable box and component 1. When I go to the PIP menu, I can select what input I want for the PIP window. The only option it will let me choose is Air, which gives me a blank screen. I thought at this point I could select the AV input and watch the VCR channels in the PIP window. But that option, and all other options are grayed out.

What am I doing wrong??

Thanks in advance.

You didn't mention what model Samsung you have but the HL-T5089S (the first 50" owner's manual I opened), indicates that its PIP function allows one external input as the main picture and the analog tuner (air or cable) only as the subpicture.

Depending on your model, the functionality may be different. Read the PIP information in your manual very closely.

BTW, there is likely no difference between your VCR tuner and the integrated tuner in your set. The above limitation shouldn't really be a problem. Actually, if your set has an integrated QAM tuner, then you will likely be able to receive some HD cable channels through both your HD cable stb and your integrated tuner.

If Air is your only choice, sounds like the OTA tuner is the only thing you can use for the second picture. Might have better luck asking about this in the proper display forum for your set by the way.

On my 50inch Samsung, I split the cable to the STB, the DVR and the TV's cable input.
Pip works on the cable signal.

sorry, still new to this. and new to the technical side of these TVs.

the model i have is the HP-S5033.

from what i understood, i could use PIP as long as both inputs were coming from different sources, which is why i hooked up the VCR. but i am not really sure.

For questions about your TV's functionality, you'd be better off asking here - http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=167

I have a Samung TV also.

You can ONLY use pip watching an AV source, and then you can have Air or Cable (Tuner) as a subpicture.

You can use a 3-way splitter, and connect another cable to your Antenna 2/Cable in the back of the TV. Or rabbit ears or some OTA on Antenna1/Air. Make sure you set up your TV correctly, most people don't bother, because they don't hookup any of the antenna inputs.

You can NOT watch two AV sources with PIP. And another fun fact, to have the side by side 4x3 screen, both sources have to be 4x3, one can NOT be 16x9.

That should do it.

Mickel

Page 30 of the Owner's Manual (http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200605/20060516124212718_BN68-00991J-00Eng_0512book.pdf) has a table that indicates exactly which combinations of sources can be used together for PIP.

The component input can only be used with the HDMI input and the ATSC tuner for PIP.

The AV1 input can only be used with HDMI input and the ATSC tuner for PIP.

I suggest you review the table in the owner's manual.

thank you. i misread that table the first time i looked at it.

seems as though, to watch the av1 as my PIP, i need the cable box hooked up through HDMI instead of component 1.

off to the store i go for an hdmi cable

Hope you don't pay more then $10-$15 for a cable, order one from monoprice if you did and return it once you get your cable delivered.