[opus312]

Just trying out the Panasonic DMR-E55. There's a note in the manual that says "The picture and sound signal does not go thru the coax cable to the TV." If that's the case, what's the purpose of RF in/out? I have the RF connected to a small monitor so I can set up recording without having to turn on the TV and receiver each time. This worked fine with another DVDr I was looking at, but apparently won't work with this Panasonic?

 

[DaveC E100]

On my E100, whatever is coming in on the RF IN, goes out on the RF OUT (I think they are jumpered together inside the machine?). No internally generated signal goes out on the RF Output like I was used to on VCR's.


Dave

 

[POWERFUL]

U need to get a RF modulator if you want to output to an older TV. If you could with another DVDR it must have been a VCR-DVDR combo unit b/c I do not believe there is a standalone DVDR that has a RF output to CH 3 or 4.

 

[opus312]

The other DVDR was an RCA DRC8040N with no VCR. It did have a channel 3-4 switch on the back.


What's the purpose of the RF out, if it won't output to the TV?

 

[RonDawg]

The purpose of that is so you don't have to use a splitter. Feed the cable to the DVDR then to the TV or to a DVR such as a TiVo.


The reason most DVDR's, and almost no DVD players, output to RF is because the picture quality is much worse than even Composite.

 

[brand1]

Its called a "pass through" and its so you can get the antenna/cable signal to the tv so you don't necessarily have to watch what is being recorded if you have basic cable or OTA broadcast.

 

[MarkhamPete]

For most standalone recorders. the only purpose for the RF out is so you can watch tv (using the tv's tuner) without the need to power on the dvd recorder, thus extending it's life.

 

[opus312]

I agree with everyone here. This Panasonic has RF in/out, but it will not output RF to the TV. I understand that the picture quality would be lousy, but this isn't an issue, since I'd be using it only to set up and test recordings thru a 5" monitor that's attached by RF. The key must be what Dave said about no internal signal being output thru RF. Guess there's no way around that. Hate having to turn on the TV and receiver every time I wanna do a quick check on a DVD recording...

 

[napple]

if it's important to you, get a RF modulator

 

[RichardT]

No RF output for dvd, "Guess there's no way around that." POWERFUL suggested an RF Modulator to convert composite to RF. That's what I did.

 

[opus312]

Oops, sorry, somehow missed the RF modulator suggestion. I'll check that out, thanks.

 

[newsposter]

Quote:

Originally posted by brand1 Its called a "pass through" and its so you can get the antenna/cable signal to the tv so you don't necessarily have to watch what is being recorded if you have basic cable or OTA broadcast.

i never understood this feature on my e80. so can you tell my why you would even hook up your RF to the DVD when it's exactly the same as if you connected the RF right to the TV? I cannot understand this. please explain as if i was in nursery school.

 

[opus312]

As mentioned above, the reason I want the DVD connection is to set up and test DVD recordings without having to turn on the whole home theater system. If not for that, I wouldn't bother with any RF DVD hookup.

 

[AnthonyNYC]

Quote:

Originally posted by newsposter i never understood this feature on my e80. so can you tell my why you would even hook up your RF to the DVD when it's exactly the same as if you connected the RF right to the TV? I cannot understand this. please explain as if i was in nursery school.

Hi Newsposter,

OK, As simple as possible, the reason the RF passthru is offerred on DVD recorders is basically just to allow an off air broadcast tv signal to reach the internal tv tuner in the dvd recorder (it can be a roof antenna or cable connection) then it can be routed to the tv or cable box from the output without needing a splitter.

It's just to allow recording of channels that the internal tuner can receive.


In your case, using satellite, there is nothing to connect to it, since it can't record satellite signals.


I hope this helped you understand what the RF in & out is for,


AnthonyNYC

 

[AnthonyNYC]

also when a dvd recorder is recording a channel using the internal tuner, since the RF signal cable is being passed thru to the output cable, this allows you to watch a second channel at the same time on the tv set.


So you can record one and watch another, like the vcr did but without the need for a tv/vcr switch.





AnthonyNYC

 

[brand1]

Quote:

Originally posted by newsposter i never understood this feature on my e80. so can you tell my why you would even hook up your RF to the DVD when it's exactly the same as if you connected the RF right to the TV? I cannot understand this. please explain as if i was in nursery school.

If you connected the RF directly to the tv then your dvd recorder wouldn't be able to record anything to its tuner. Its just a way to feed the cable/ota broadcast to both tuners so they can act independently..... and like was said by another, you can keep the recorder off when not needing it and use the tv tuner.


The problem is that if you have a cable box or satelite box you have to use the L1, L2, L3 inputs. I have satelite but do use ota antenna also, so I get some use from the recorder's tuner.