Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575 - Page 449

Thanks, you are right as usual. LP on my vcr and my Toshiba are both 4 hour. Still trying to learn this 515.

I second this -- and it's free !!!

To all who responded to my most recent post, please know I have not been purposely rude and ignored your replies. I did complete a full post to you all on Monday, only to have my computer crash as I was finishing the last sentences. I have been intermittently trying to resolve the problem. Norton has assured me it is now fixed...while adding time will tell!



Hi artwire!

I have scanned and found my UNSCRAMBLED stations through the maggie. If you click on my link below, you will find an outline on how my cables are connected through my various components. It may be easier to use for reference?

I do have 2 recorders...well, I will when I learn how to use the 515. And, Yes, the many different channel numbers are still confusing the heck out of me. I guess that will come as I keep trying to use the 515. Thanks for the heads up regarding the recording on L1. I need all the "watch out for.....warnings" as I can get! You can be sure if you did it...I will too! Hopefully, I can learn from your mistakes!





gastrof,

Now I finally get it! That dang L1 line has been confusing me as to where it fits into all of this! It now sunk in! Thank you! With the cost of cable service, I would be pretty angry if my cable service only gave me a cropped 4x3 picture!!!






Hi Joe!

I think baby steps would apply here! If you use my link below, you will see how I have utilized my HDMI outputs on my TV and how I have my outside cable split. Hopefully, you can follow my diagram. I am not sure if I am using RG-6 coax cables as most are from the cable company. Is there a way to tell? Will it make a difference if they are RG-6 vs. a different coax cable? I thought I understood what you meant by "daisy chain all the boxes". But, to be sure, I went to Google and put in "slang daisy chain definition"...Well, Joe, you got me blushing!! I do have a surge protector plugged into my wall outlet. My outside cable is running into it and another coax cable is coming out of it, connecting to a 2-Way Splitter. Of course, I purchased this years ago from Radio Shack. Do you have a particular one in mind that you use or recommend?

As you are the teacher and I am the student, I would refer to yours and others expertise, as to what I need to learn before I try to conquer the 515. If you have the patience to teach me, I have even more patience to learn! I appreciate any time you are willing to give me.


Thanks all!


Rose

I just had to try that search for myself to see what you were talking about.

Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy_chain_(electrical_engineering)

Hi Rose. A broken computer can be nasty. Guess that's why I have two. Your word document is a little hard for me to understand, but one or two questions do arise. The cable box: is it really pass through? The manual indicates that the RF output can feed a TV with only RF input. That would mean its output is slaved to the channel you are watching. But you must have an option to change that. My Pace box does not allow pass through.

RG-6 is a better cable than RG-59. For short distances (meter or less) there isn't much difference. For a 100' run, there is a big difference. I use RG-59 for short runs since it is more flexible. The cable type is usually written on the cable. The cable that comes with most AV equipment is RG-59 without even a screw on type F connector.

You have learned that "daisy chain" isn't something you wear. I was doing that (and still do sometimes), but for better control, I'd go for the Radio Shack 1 to 4 splitter. Check their web site: model is 15-2506 and it's $50. I use three of them and 90 degree type F connectors (Monoprice.com)help in some circumstances. I mean, it should look nice as well as work nice. The device has amplification that can be turned off since it's not usually needed. It does have a power need, so one more block to plug in.

Your 6416 holds a max of 20 hours HD but seems to have expandability. Have you checked that out to see if you can add more storage? It's HD and the 515H is SD. On your big screen you might prefer the 1080. Or you might not be able to tell the difference. One hundred hours on the 515H at HQ is a lot of really good recording. But you still use your TV's speakers. I haven't done that since the 80's.

The EZ-48 has XP mode and DVD-RAM. If you are archiving SD content those option are great. And how many analog/digital channels did the 515H find?

Glad you're back. I once helped an old friend in Doylestown hook up a DVD recorder via email. It took about a year before I drove down to do it. It gave me a chance to stop at Clemens on 309 to buy some Habbersett's Scrapple. You can only get that within 50 miles of Philly or in California. Go figure.

Funny thing. The web site hasn't had an update of my 515H purchase for 5 days. My card has been charged though. I would normally be worried, but I'm sure there is a reason. Must be the weather.

Thanks to all for pointing out my options re: a copy filter and software. RE: buffer - while viewable "in" the buffer, any attempt to press record failed. Also that was a very interesting observation on the properties of some analog converters. Thanks again.

FYI wasn't dreaming - back in a 2005 post it was reported that "on the 3575/3576/2160, CGMS is factory-set to...PERMIT and APS...is set to...Off [so] protected programs should be freely recordable on the HDD" - but the FAQ of this thread under SKIP 456 clearly states that for items flagged CopyNever "No generations/copies may be made. External items CAN'T be [directly] copied or recorded to the HDD or DVD..." Too bad would've been cool.

Hi Joe!

Sorry my diagram isn't working out as I hoped it would. Maybe I should explain.... I listed all my components at the top. Line by line I list my connections by unit...where one cable begins and the other ends.

e.g. On the third line (grouping).... Under the Motorola Cable Box heading I have HDMI listed. Under the Samsung TV heading, I have HDMI 4. This means I am running a HDMI cable from the Motorola cable box to the TV's HDMI 4 Input.

On line 5 (grouping).... Under the Motorola Cable Box I list S-Video OUTPUT. Under the Maggy DVDR, I list S-Video INPUT. This means I am running a S-Video from the Cable Box OUTPUT to the Maggy's INPUT. Does this help? I will later answer your question regarding the pass through.

I did go to the Radio Shack web site and linked to the model you are recommending, which sounds like a great idea. Of course, I have lots of questions... but, before I get into too many... I should also make you aware of another area...as I don't know how this fits into the whole equation.

The Service Electric Co. OUTSIDE cable runs into my basement. On that basement cable I have a 2-Way Splitter. One cable runs into my living room and the second cable upstairs to my bedroom. Both of those cables again have a 2-Way Splitter. On my diagram you will see at the top of the right hand corner, where I list a Splitter going into my Maggie's Input and the second cable is to my EZ48 Input.

Now, since getting my DVR Cable Box... I do have a problem in receiving a few of the High Def Channels. e.g. I can get ABC, Fox, CBS in Philadelphia; but, I rarely can get the NBC in Philadelphia in High Def. Some of the digital channels I also have a problem with. Many or most of those I can get on my TV upstairs where I am using just a digital cable box and not the DVR cable box. (Motorola DCT 2524) I could only find a manual for 2500

http://www.manualsonline.com/mdownlo...6a8f3b2355.pdf

Would this particular Radio Shack 1 to 4 splitter resolve most of that problem? Would it improve my signals enough? You know, it was so much easier many years ago when all I had to do was pay the cable company for a box. Now there are so many wires and connections to be learned as the equipment keeps getting more sophisticated. I know I could get the cable company or hire someone to come in and do all of this for me.... but, then I wouldn't learn how to do it. I do not like being dependent on other people... half of the time, they also screw-up and I still have to deal with their screw up!

Good heavens!!!! One year to hook up a DVD recorder!!!!!!!! And, you still drove down to set it up???? What type of connections and components are we talking about???? At least mine took a week to actually set up where I can use it. (It took me 3 days to figure out that I needed to set the Maggie on L1 and use the Cable Box remote) It's the fine tuning improvements that we are at now. Doylestown is a lot further from my house. But, I certainly have enough Clemens nearby. I do not eat scrapple... but, I will check out if Clemens still sells the Habbersett's Scrapple. Then, I'll see if I can find a way to safely (maybe via dry ice) ship some to you.


Rose

'Bad disk/can't be written to' error on blank DVDs
shown on timer recording/attempting to dub.
Shows correct amount of time available on DVD.
DVDs previously written to/finalized - all load ok.
Yesterday could hi-speed dub to blank DVD, not today.
Any alternative to opening up(cleaning spindle)
or replacing DVD drive? Unit/DVDs have been
handled carefully.
thanks

Hi Rose. Could you lose the colors and bold? Makes it harder to reply. Thanks.

The 2524 does not support pass through. See:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post19854093

I don't think SE would be much help. When I moved here 7 years ago, there was one line. I wanted cable upstairs so I had a line run there. They ran a digital promo two years ago and that caused them to run a third line to an old cable box (motorola). When the promo was over I cancelled the service but they left the wire. This year I got cable internet and that meant one more line. Bottom line, no passive splitters and my version of SE does not charge by the TV. So, since you only have one cable line feeding your place, you keep reducing the signal with each splitter. That shouldn't cause a "problem" with WCAU. Remove the 515H from that leg and see if NBC looks ok. Your signal might be too high.

The reason I keep asking how many channels the 515H gets is that if it's only 20 that you never watch, it might not be worth the effort to have it read the cable first (or ever). The S-Video from the HD box might be better even though it means only recording what you are tuned to on the box. On the other hand, getting 70+ digital channels makes it worth the effort to feed it your cable and run an HDMI cable to the nice TV.

I feed my cable to the 2160A since all my basic cable stuff is SD anyhow. All my analog basic cable is gone now. It fits that SD niche. And I can record from the cable box via RWY when it's important. For network HD, I have the Sonys. Each has its purpose.

rockyrose,

Is this correct? I've seen some REALLY NICE pictorial diagrams on DSL Reports, but, sadly, I don't have that kind of software. Years ago, I was impressed by TheDreamer: ASCII Character Equipment Layout Diagram Revisited

Initially, I was just going to post the LINK - until I took a longer look at your .DOC file.


Me too. I had to disable WORDWRAP - then it began to make sense.

Outstanding work. That explains a lot. Since the 515H RF is not bi-directional, the cable OnDemand is dead. And the amplification might be too much for the old cable DVR. Simple fix is to change the RF to feed the Panasonic then the 515H or Panasonic then 515H, and then the TV. Either way I would hook the cable thing directly to the splitter and its HDMI to the TV. Then Rose can call SE to complain about bad HD from WCAU and they can't blame the 515H. Sounds like a plan.

According to the manual the Moto DVR is ch 3/4 output only, like my Pace. Might make PIP impossible. Another reason to have the TV get its RF -not- from the cable box. But the channel numbers might make your head explode.

I haven't been keeping up in the forum the last few weeks, but I did a quick scan before posting. There's lots of pages to catch up on.

Comcast has moved SyFy to part of the expanded basic in my area. Great, I thought I could now record SGU and a couple of other shows I watch there. Nope! Get the E25 program is not allowed to be recorded message for every program on SyFy whether timed recording or pushhing the REC button.

Last week I had a show on History stop recording halfway through with an E25, but it recorded fine this week.

I'm assuming this is a Comcast or SyFy issue of setting the flags, and there's nothing I can do about it? I've got an RNG110 STB (without Coax) and I'm using composite into the H2160 and composite out to the TV.

This is the first time I can remember anyone here having inconsistent anti-copy flags when using the 2160.

Since it's when using a cable box, the simplest solution would be to put a "filter" between the cable box and recorder.

Are you familiar with the video filter posts on these forums?

I've got the Comcast SD box, Motorola 2500, and am not encountering a recording problem with Syfy. Can you go to the On Demand section, and see if you can record SGU there?

He's got a different cable box. A "RNG110".

After checking out the forum for mentions of the error he's getting, I have to ask how the TV is connected to the Maggie.

DigaDo suggested that HDMI can sometimes cause fake anti-copy flags.

I have the same box. There is a thread on the forum for it. I have the one with RF output (ch 3/4)slaved to the channel tuned to. It's not pass through. I have composite out from the RNG to the 2160A rear input. The 2160A is HDMI to my Yamaha AVR set to pass through (no conversion of analog or digital) to my TV. My 2160A is set to 1080p output. My SyFy is HD only from the box. I can also get it in SD without the box.

On Monday (first Window of Opportunity) I can record SGU to test if it's a program issue or something else. I have watched every SG episode since the first movie. But SGU (cancelled, sorry) just wasn't to my liking. I also have both movies on DVD. The 2011-2012 season will mark the first time in 14 years without new episodes of Stargate airing.

I'd try the temp fix for E19 error (half way down the page). If that works do the firmware update.

reading the posts in Wal Mart buyer comments section I decided to purchase the Mag 515 DVR. I have owned other DVDR's and this DVR sounds like it can do the recording and making dvd's simpler. If I understand this correctly I can record programs to HDD and then edit and high speed dub to DVD disc. With this unit can you put in a recorded disc in player and put contents on HDD. I have a pbs nature program that I have recorded over the last few years and I would like to put them on the HDD for viewing in the future. Since I have 500G capacity this shouldn't be a problem. As you should know by now I''m a newbie and I think I can read manual and operate this device with AV's site help. Thanks.

Wajo,

Thanks for your advice.
I carefully followed the instructions as you mention and the camcorder (in camera mode) is up and running before entering the Timer Menu (I can watch the output on my TV) but no, the L3 source does not appear as a selectable option in the Timer menu.
The HDD button is selected and I can start a recording to HDD from the L3 source by using the REC button. It is only from the Timer Menu that I cannot select it...

Thanks.

It might mean nothing, but on page 47 is does say you can select TV, DTV, or L1, L2 for a timed recording source. No mention of excluding L3. 2160A user manual.

I have seen filters discussed before in various forums, but never had a need for one (perhaps until now).


I went to VOD and I WAS able to successfully record to the 2160 HDD not only SGU, but Face Off, and Being Human. Doesn't solve issue from a timed recording perspective, but it gives me some options as long as it stays on VOD. Are the broadcast flags typically inserted by Comcast at the time of airing?


No HDMI ports on the TV as I've still got an older analog set. I'm using composite out from the 2160 to an AV input on the TV.


Yes, I always record to HDD and only use DVD when I want to save something.

The previous week halfway though a show on History channel recording also stopped with an E25, but I assumed it had something to do with a flag it received as part of a commercial which I though I had recalled reading some time ago. This week, that show recorded with no problems. If it wasn't every show on SyFy (nonHD version) and sporadically on others, I'd just guess Comcast was playing with the broadcast flags. But if their own gear respects the flags, that would stop them from recording it too.

BTW, does an E25 cause a deletion of the entry from your scheduled timer recordings if it's a weekly event?

I'm glad you were able to record your shows through VOD. This sounds like CC transmitting the copy protection flag on basic cable channels where they shouldn't, and some calls in to complain about it may be called for.
Perhaps if you wanted to take the time, you could take the box back to CC, and ask to swap it for another, telling them that it's defective due to blocking your recordings. (Should you do that, be sure to inspect the box that replaces the old one, make sure it has all the same inputs and outputs before you leave. I swapped a box for another, only to get home and discover the s-video output wasn't there, even though it was the same model as the old. I was so fed up, I just didn't bother going back.
Wearing us down, one day at a time, I tell ya... ).

I still say getting a video filter of some kind will help avoid the problem.

Re your diagram, Rose, I agree with Joe's suggestion -- I have mine split so the wall cable goes into the cable box and the Maggie, then I use maggie RF out to my vcr. Seems best to give the cable box a shot at the direct line, so that you can use on demand, etc.... and the maggie RF out will boost the 'antenna"/cable signal to the vcr. Cable box is connected to tv by HDMI, and to maggie by svideo out. The maggie HDMI also leads into the tv so you can watch one show and record another. The vcr is going in by HDMI, since it has an upconversion feature, but if you dont have enough HDMI inputs, a regular audio + standard video out from VCR should work, too, since it's not really high res. This all is ok here. Good luck!

I live in South NJ (near Philadelphia) and Comcast just changed their broadcasting format which has made my existing VCR/DVD R unusable.

Before spending $250 for the Magnavox MDR515, I purchased an RCA Digital TV Converter (# DTA800B1) (= converts over the air TV broadcasts for use on analog TVs) hoping that I could still use my VCR/DVD R. However, I still received the message on my TV screen that I needed a Comcast device to view the channel.

Anyone know how I can make it work?

I've got a rng 110 box with no RF out for my second tv -- happy to check SyFy for you, but I suspect it's a local issue. (It's ok on moto box - I looked yesterday - but the RNG is temperamental.)


EDIT -- it's fine here pushing the REC button... feeding the magnavox 2160A via L1... but this is hardly a scientific test . It might just be your branch of comcast that has it set wrong -- or, they may need to tweak your ACCOUNT settings once you prove you are worthy of receiving SyFy. They sometimes drop channels unexpectedly from your account when they change layouts because they had prior filters on the line - give them a call. You also may need to reboot the box. (When the repair guy gave my new one to me, he had to try it a few times to get it to activate - spent a lot of time on the phone talking to HQ telling them what they needed to do. The 110 still balks sometimes with on demand, but I rarely use it on that tv so not a huge issue. It will be when this is the only (piece of crap) box they offer.


Originally Posted by rec630 View Post
I haven't been keeping up in the forum the last few weeks, but I did a quick scan before posting. There's lots of pages to catch up on.

Comcast has moved SyFy to part of the expanded basic in my area. Great, I thought I could now record SGU and a couple of other shows I watch there. Nope! Get the E25 program is not allowed to be recorded message for every program on SyFy whether timed recording or pushhing the REC button.

Last week I had a show on History stop recording halfway through with an E25, but it recorded fine this week.

I'm assuming this is a Comcast or SyFy issue of setting the flags, and there's nothing I can do about it? I've got an RNG110 STB (without Coax) and I'm using composite into the H2160 and composite out to the TV.