AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › DVD Recorders (Standard Def) › Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575
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Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575 - Page 488

post #14611 of 23784
6/28/11 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post
The 515 will not work for any of your scrambled cable channels without tuning the cable box to the correct channel.

Some cable boxes will allow you to set a recording or a program reminder from the guide that will change the channel on the cable box for you.
Thanks Ken. I will check the cable box options. I did see a few screen shots others posted on what to look for.
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post #14612 of 23784
6/28/11 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank_P View Post
Our Comcast has scrambled every channel. And when I first cabled this guy every way I could think of, I could not get the DVR unit to lock in on any channels. I could record to the DVR if the cable box was on that channel only.

With Comcast scrambling all channels, even cbs, nbc, etc on the lower channels, not just HD, will the 515 work correctly/as designed without me having to have the cable box tuned to the channel I want to record while away from the house?

The cable box has Coax in (no out), composite out, component and HDMI out.

If hopeless.. I will move on with upgrading my reciever, another casualty of the strike.
Oh, the Mag. unit will not power on at all, so I will try the Soft start and see if it recovers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post
The 515 will not work for any of your scrambled cable channels without tuning the cable box to the correct channel.

Some cable boxes will allow you to set a recording or a program reminder from the guide that will change the channel on the cable box for you.
Here's a help file section with TIPS on timer recording from various sat/cable boxes.
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post #14613 of 23784
6/28/11 at 1:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank_P View Post
Thanks Ken. I will check the cable box options. I did see a few screen shots others posted on what to look for.
Since your cable feed won't work with the recorder's tuner you could put an antenna on it. You could set timer recordings by channel number for shows on the local channels and set timer recordings on L1/L2 for programs on the cable box.

Check out TV Fool to see what channels you might get with an antenna.

The Official AVS Antenna Topic is a very good resource as well.
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post #14614 of 23784
6/28/11 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank_P View Post

I have read the last 10 pages and learned a few things but haven't found an answer and before purchases a new Mag DVR/HDD, I want to find out if I can record shows from Comcast. I took a lightening strike to the house and lost a few component including the Mag. (purchased last year)

Our Comcast has scrambled every channel. And when I first cabled this guy every way I could think of, I could not get the DVR unit to lock in on any channels. I could record to the DVR if the cable box was on that channel only.

With Comcast scrambling all channels, even cbs, nbc, etc on the lower channels, not just HD, will the 515 work correctly/as designed without me having to have the cable box tuned to the channel I want to record while away from the house?

The cable box has Coax in (no out), composite out, component and HDMI out.

If hopeless.. I will move on with upgrading my reciever, another casualty of the strike.
Oh, the Mag. unit will not power on at all, so I will try the Soft start and see if it recovers.

Since you haven't stated it, have you taken the coax cable off the Comcast box and connected it to the 515H directly? Done a scan then for everything? Try it. You have nothing to lose. A channel count of zero is bad. Are you in a location, like an apartment complex, that pays Comcast then you pay the block fee (usually cheaper)? If you feel the 515H is fried, then do the same with your TV if it is digital. Should it detect nothing but scrambled channels then I guess you are back where you started: slaved to a cable box.

Sorry about the equipment.
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post #14615 of 23784
6/28/11 at 5:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post

Since your cable feed won't work with the recorder's tuner you could put an antenna on it. You could set timer recordings by channel number for shows on the local channels and set timer recordings on L1/L2 for programs on the cable box...

Here's a staged photo showing that connectivity method. For simplicity the photo does not show connections from the Magnavox to a TV. TV connectivity would be from the Magnavox HDMI, component (blue, green red video), S-Video or composite (yellow) video plus white and red audio. The HDMI output--that requires activation through the remote's HDMI button--carries video and audio

A Zenith DTT901 CECB is seen here as a stand-in for a cable converter box. We don't have any spare cable boxes in our household.
LL
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post #14616 of 23784
6/28/11 at 5:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

.....We don't have any spare cable boxes in our household.

I've got nothing but spares in my household
Many CMs, several Zeniths and even a disliked DS. I basically record everything OTA straight to my Tivos dual tuner and offload to my DVDRs via S-video. All of our TVs have been upgraded to ones with a digital tuner. I'm not in any hurry to get rid of them though, they don't take up too much shelf space
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post #14617 of 23784
6/28/11 at 6:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DigaDo View Post

Here's a staged photo showing that connectivity method. For simplicity the photo does not show connections from the Magnavox to a TV. TV connectivity would be from the Magnavox HDMI, component (blue, green red video), S-Video or composite (yellow) video plus white and red audio. The HDMI output--that requires activation through the remote's HDMI button--carries video and audio

A Zenith DTT901 CECB is seen here as a stand-in for a cable converter box. We don't have any spare cable boxes in our household.

Have my Philips hooked up just this way, and it works OK. Timed recordings are a pain as I have to make sure the cable box is properly tuned before recording.

Question though; I can only record in 1920 x 1080 aspect ratio. This makes the picture kind of "squished" with black bars on top and bottom during playback. Also true when viewing live TV thorugh the recorder, but not from cable box straight to TV. I have tried changing the aspect ratio to 16:9 on the cable box, TV, and DVDR, but no joy on getting a full screen.

Anyone else with this problem? Perhaps it's using the "video/left/right" input to the DVDR rather than a cable??
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post #14618 of 23784
6/28/11 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 234 View Post

I am surprised that they missed to mention such important feature on website!
I will tell it to web master to add the feature on the web page.

MBP5120F web site was updated.
Thank you for information.
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post #14619 of 23784
6/28/11 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dswensen View Post

Have my Philips hooked up just this way, and it works OK. Timed recordings are a pain as I have to make sure the cable box is properly tuned before recording.

Question though; I can only record in 1920 x 1080 aspect ratio. This makes the picture kind of "squished" with black bars on top and bottom during playback. Also true when viewing live TV thorugh the recorder, but not from cable box straight to TV. I have tried changing the aspect ratio to 16:9 on the cable box, TV, and DVDR, but no joy on getting a full screen.

Anyone else with this problem? Perhaps it's using the "video/left/right" input to the DVDR rather than a cable??

Most cable boxes send out, through the non-HDMI ports, a signal that is less than the full resolution or size/aspect ratio you would like. This might be done to keep you from making a "perfect" copy of the cable signal. I have the same problem when recording from my STB via RWY rear input. But letterbox is better than no station for me.

Your TV may have options that can adjust the content to fill the screen, but you may find you lose the proper aspect ratio that makes a circle perfectly round. Further data can be found on page 1 of this thread.
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post #14620 of 23784
6/29/11 at 4:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post

Since your cable feed won't work with the recorder's tuner you could put an antenna on it. You could set timer recordings by channel number for shows on the local channels and set timer recordings on L1/L2 for programs on the cable box.

Check out TV Fool to see what channels you might get with an antenna.

The Official AVS Antenna Topic is a very good resource as well.

I do have an OTA Receiver and antenna to it, that I could hook the antenna into the DVR. The OTA Receiver is mainly used as a backup if my cable goes out or something.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeKustra View Post

Since you haven't stated it, have you taken the coax cable off the Comcast box and connected it to the 515H directly? Done a scan then for everything? Try it. You have nothing to lose. A channel count of zero is bad. Are you in a location, like an apartment complex, that pays Comcast then you pay the block fee (usually cheaper)? If you feel the 515H is fried, then do the same with your TV if it is digital. Should it detect nothing but scrambled channels then I guess you are back where you started: slaved to a cable box.

Sorry about the equipment.

I hooked that slave cable box several different ways to the DVR and couldn't get a signal. I am in my house, nothing blocked..and a slave to Comcast/Xfinnity crap.

thanks for all the info guys, I knew you would have great ideas or answers for me.
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post #14621 of 23784
6/29/11 at 4:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmyrick1 View Post

Can you record to the magnavox 515 from a tivo box?

Recording from a Tivo works great, if it's a HD Tivo you will even retain the wide screen aspect. Use S-video and audio for best quality.
I don't have cable but it's possible PPV or some pay channels may have CP in which case you'd need a filter to record.
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post #14622 of 23784
6/29/11 at 5:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank_P View Post

I do have an OTA Receiver and antenna to it, that I could hook the antenna into the DVR. The OTA Receiver is mainly used as a backup if my cable goes out or something.



I hooked that slave cable box several different ways to the DVR and couldn't get a signal. I am in my house, nothing blocked..and a slave to Comcast/Xfinnity crap.

thanks for all the info guys, I knew you would have great ideas or answers for me.

You keep saying that you hook the cable box to the DVR. I'm asking you to hook the cable feed from the wall directly to the DVR or TV rf input and scan for channels. Maybe we're saying the same thing in different ways?
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post #14623 of 23784
6/29/11 at 6:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeKustra View Post

Most cable boxes send out, through the non-HDMI ports, a signal that is less than the full resolution or size/aspect ratio you would like. This might be done to keep you from making a "perfect" copy of the cable signal. I have the same problem when recording from my STB via RWY rear input. But letterbox is better than no station for me.

Your TV may have options that can adjust the content to fill the screen, but you may find you lose the proper aspect ratio that makes a circle perfectly round. Further data can be found on page 1 of this thread.

Thanks Joe. Nice to know that there is not something I could be doing differently to make it better. I can live with it.
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post #14624 of 23784
6/29/11 at 10:28am
"You keep saying that you hook the cable box to the DVR. I'm asking you to hook the cable feed from the wall directly to the DVR or TV rf input and scan for channels. Maybe we're saying the same thing in different ways?"

Also I did not see that he mentioned QAM vs just Analog cable. He may find there is QAM coming out of his Wall - before the COMCAST box.
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post #14625 of 23784
6/29/11 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 


J&R has restocked refurb'd 513's and 515's.

Here's a comparison of the two models.

J&R has a $15.00 off coupon code (JULY4) valid 6/30-7/5 on purchases of $150.00 or more. Details here. (Thanks to stapler1234 for this.)

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post #14626 of 23784
6/29/11 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonB2 View Post

"You keep saying that you hook the cable box to the DVR. I'm asking you to hook the cable feed from the wall directly to the DVR or TV rf input and scan for channels. Maybe we're saying the same thing in different ways?"

Also I did not see that he mentioned QAM vs just Analog cable. He may find there is QAM coming out of his Wall - before the COMCAST box.

Yes, that would be sad if the ability of the Mag to get good quality clear QAM was lost in the confusion. Well, we tried.
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post #14627 of 23784
6/29/11 at 3:47pm
Hi All.

1) Another peculiarity using UVerse.
I'm copying titles over from UVerse DVR (real time play/record) via S-Video and of a sudden a couple of titles come up with the "can't burn to dvd icon" on them (DVD icon w/ slash thru it and an arrow toward the DVD icon on the left side). When trying to burn get a msg which says not allowed (or some such).

No reason to believe they'd be copy protected.

Did not get the icon on second copy attempts for two one hour programs, but did get it a 2nd time trying to copy "Black Hawk Down" (movie).

Never saw this before.
I thought about putting the GREX Filter in line but haven't got that far.

2)
I am also noticing that when I try to mark and delete a segment (usually a commercial), the "Delete" option stays greyed for longer than usual, making me not be able to select it as fast as before. It could be I never noticed it before or it's really taking longer to go selectable.

Maybe I'm getting faster? Nah.
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post #14628 of 23784
6/29/11 at 9:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wajo View Post



J&R has restocked refurb'd 513's and 515's.

Here's a comparison of the two models.


Interested buyers should also take note, J&R have a $15.00 off coupon code (JULY4) valid June 30th. thru July 5th. on purchases of $150.00 or more.
Details here: http://www.jr.com/media/pdf/couponJu...9835601313.pdf
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post #14629 of 23784
6/29/11 at 9:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 234 View Post

MBP5120F web site was updated.
Thank you for information.

Good news.
Now all we need is for WalMart to replenish their stock.
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post #14630 of 23784
6/30/11 at 8:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by stapler1234 View Post

Interested buyers should also take note, J&R have a $15.00 off coupon code (JULY4) valid June 30th. thru July 5th. on purchases of $150.00 or more.
Details here: http://www.jr.com/media/pdf/couponJu...9835601313.pdf

Thanks for info... I'll add that to my original post in case someone misses it here.
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post #14631 of 23784
6/30/11 at 11:26am
Speaking of Walmart; this Canadian just got back yesterday from a 650 mile (1040 km) round trip from Calgary Alberta to the Walmart in Great Falls Montana. When I saw the price drop to $220 a few weeks ago, I decided to go for it. Sure wish they'd stock in Canada -- I live in this city of 1.1 million, with six Walmarts, yet have to go to the nearest US store in a city of 60,000.

I used Walmart's Site-to-Store on-line ordering, using PayPal; real smooth transaction -- took about 11 days. Montana has no sales tax and the province of Alberta has none either, so at the border crossing, customs Canada just charged me the federal GST, 5%. Canada goes OTA digital on Sept 1st.

Looking forward to hook-up (OTA indoor Stealth Hawk feeding a Samsung UN32C5000. The MDR515H will replace an Emerson VCR (also made by Funai, I believe).
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post #14632 of 23784
6/30/11 at 11:35am
TankerHDD,

Who knows maybe you will get RedGreen on a subchannel with the Switchover

PS- It won't be Canada without Snow once they do the switch over

Oh well sorry for all the Bad humor
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post #14633 of 23784
6/30/11 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonB2 View Post

TankerHDD,

Who knows maybe you will get RedGreen on a subchannel with the Switchover

PS- It won't be Canada without Snow once they do the switch over

Oh well sorry for all the Bad humor

... Keep your stick on the ice!
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post #14634 of 23784
6/30/11 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tankerHDD View Post

.............just got back yesterday from a 650 mile (1040 km) round trip from Calgary Alberta to the Walmart in Great Falls Montana...........

That sure beats the old "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" saying.


(P.S. Hope you own an oil well or drive a Hybrid. )
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post #14635 of 23784
6/30/11 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wajo View Post



J&R has restocked refurb'd 513's and 515's.

Here's a comparison of the two models.

J&R has a $15.00 off coupon code (JULY4) valid 6/30-7/5 on purchases of $150.00 or more. Details here. (Thanks to stapler1234 for this.)


Wajo,

Sure is hard to justify J&R's price for the 515 (even with the coupon) vs Wal-Mart's (which is new.) Do you think that the 513 is a better deal?
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post #14636 of 23784
6/30/11 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimLely View Post

Wajo,

Sure is hard to justify J&R's price for the 515 (even with the coupon) vs Wal-Mart's (which is new.) Do you think that the 513 is a better deal?

After seeing the beautiful titles on my timer recordings and using the 515 remote on all my other machines, I just couldn't go back to a date/time environment. In fact, I've got CFO approval for TWO more 515's, just waiting till the final Rollback! Believe it or not, my CFO keeps asking when I'm going to order!!!
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post #14637 of 23784
6/30/11 at 1:53pm
You're right about the price for new being close to the refurbed 515 (Walmart has rolled it back to $219! The same as J & R without the coupon...) I'd personally rather buy from J & R, but the longer warranty is probably worth the differential. (You have to add tax and factor in the (slow) shipping from W, but still... Of the two, I think most folks would rather have the 515 because of the larger drive and the recording naming options.
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post #14638 of 23784
6/30/11 at 1:54pm
Is a final rollback better than a rollback? Or do you think 219 IS the final rollback?
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post #14639 of 23784
6/30/11 at 1:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by artwire View Post

Is a final rollback better than a rollback? Or do you think 219 IS the final rollback?

I don't think they're ready for a final rolicking rollback yet.
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post #14640 of 23784
6/30/11 at 2:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stapler1234 View Post


(P.S. Hope you own an oil well or drive a Hybrid. )

As a matter of fact, did the trip in my wife's 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. Got 4.6 litres per 100 kilometers (or 50.7 miles per US gal). I realize I should add the cost of gasoline to the Magnavox, but the roads and weather were fine, so I write the trip off in the mini-vacation account.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › DVD Recorders (Standard Def) › Magnavox 537, 535, 533, 515, 513, 2160A, 2160, 2080 & Philips 3576, 3575