[Jerrymac]

Hello


First, I know almost nothing about DVD recorders and hopefully some kind soul can help me out.


I have read many posts and checked for some FAQ’s on DVD’s but did not find anything that would help with my particular question.


All I want to do is to be able to record a program while watching another program LIVE. Is this possible?


I have Cablevision’s IO Digital Service with a cable box but I do not have high definition.


The cable box is Scientific Atlanta’s Explorer 4200 and has the following inputs/outputs: (Audio Out - Left – Right – Video) - (Cable In / Cable Out) – (Digital Audio Out) – (S-Video) - (USB Port).


Are there any special inputs/outputs on my Sony 32†TV model #KV-32FV27 that would be needed?


I know DirecTv with Tivo’s two tuners would allow me to do this but am unable get DTV for various reasons.


I found an advertisement for Sony's RDRGX300 that says "Built-in TV tuner lets you record to DVD while watching another show". Would this recorder allow me to record a show and watch another live show?


If anyone can shed any light as to how I would go about recording one LIVE program while watching another LIVE program I would forever be in his or her debt.


Thank you,

---Jerry---

 

[ClarkeBar]

Just split your cable signal sending it to both the box and the TV. You then have two separate tuners.

 

[Jerrymac]

Thank you for the reply.


Due to my obvious lack of knowledge can you be a little more specific?


Thanks,

---Jerry---

 

[Westly-C]

^^All you need to do is buy a signal splitter, which will allow you to split the cable signal into 2 lines, one to feed to the cable box, and the other to your tv. When you have your dvd recorder recording a channel from the cable box, you can still watch basic, unscrambled channels on the tv's tuner.


Here's what a signal splitter looks like.


Cable from the wall goes in the single end, run two wires to your recorder and tv from the other 2 ends..

 

[ClarkeBar]

Thanks Westly-C...good pickup.


Jerry...Sorry for being obtuse.


And if you wish to see ALL possible channels from the Digital service on the telly while recording any dig. channel to the DVR you will need another dig. cable box...therefore after splitting you would have one line and box to the DVR and a second line and box to the set.

 

[rayjacobs]

Can you also split the feed from Direct TV to feed an HD receiver and a HDD/DVD recorder??


Ray

 

[Jerrymac]

ClarkeBar and Westly-C.


Thanks to you both for your time and the information that has been very helpful to me and I’m sure to others.


Not having a HD TV and using digital cable are there any DVD Recorders that you might recommend?


Here is another dumb question are all DVD Recorders also DVD Players?


I have a Yamaha C 920 DVD player, which is 2 years old that I like a lot. Would that now be obsolete?


Finally does it make any sense to get a DVD Recorder remembering that I do not have a HD TV and also I do not believe my TV is digital either?


Thanks again for the help, much appreciated.

---Jerry---

 

[Westly-C]

I have a dvd recorder, and do not have HD television, or digital cable. Works just fine and makes perfect sense to me.


A dvd recorder will also play rented or purchased dvd movies, though there are some here who feel a separate player plays movies better than a recorder. But don't let that scare you, I've seen no difference in playback picture quality between my Pan E85 and my dvd player.

 

[bfdtv]

Quote:

Can you also split the feed from Direct TV to feed an HD receiver and a HDD/DVD recorder??

No.


If you have DirecTV, you would need to order the DirecTivo ($49-$99) from DirecTV in order to watch one channel while recording another. The DirecTivo will also let you record two different channels while watching a previous recording. The $49-$99 price includes the installation if you order it from DirecTV.

 

[rayjacobs]

Thanks BFDTV....


If I get the Tivo how would I hook up the various components??


ie: DirectTV to Tivo to receiver to HHD/DVD??


Ray

 

[Westly-C]

^^ DirecTivo is the digital satellite receiver with a TIVO built in the same box. So just like a digital cable box, you go from that to the dvd recorder inputs...

 

[ClarkeBar]

Jerrymac,


Be aware that TIVO based recordings do not allow for commercial editing. But a manual recording on a DVD recorder would allow for editing if the machine had its own Hard Drive or burned to RAM. Depending on the manufacturer there may also be some DVD +/-RW flexibility out there as well.


I know it may seem complicated but you really only need to focus on what your usage is likely to be. If you wish to record, edit and burn...you will want a standalone recorder, preferably with a HDD of decent size. If you simply wish to capture content as is, Direct TIVO is hard to beat for ease of use and features.

 

[Jerrymac]

ClarkeBar,


Really all I want to do for example is to record a show on NBC and be able to watch the Devils Hockey Game LIVE (If the lockout ever ends) on Fox (FSNY) channel 72.


Don't have any desire to record, edit and burn at this time, this may be short sighted tho.


I just want the ability to avoid missing some of our favorite shows and still be able to watch sports LIVE. Also to record shows that are on at the same time.


Thanks again,

---Jerry---

 

[rayjacobs]

Thanks to all of you for the feed back.


I have a Sony HD300 feeding DirectTV to a Sony XBR950 and a Pioneer 420 DVD recorder.Short of buying another HD receiver (the TivoHD receiver) is there another way with other equipment I can watch one program while recording another??


Ray

 

[ClarkeBar]

Without dual-tuner capability I don't know of one. I assume your receiver controls the channel output.

 

[rayjacobs]

Yes..the receiver controls channel output.So I guess I will wait for something with dual tuners.


Thanks.


Ray

 

[bfdtv]

ray,


You could get the DirecTivo (non-HD) for $49-$99 for SD channels, and then use your Sony HD300 for watching/recording HD. There is no way you can record while channel while watching another without buying a DirecTivo or another DirecTV receiver.


DirecTV has no plans for a HDTV box (other than the HDTV DirecTivo) with two tuners. I don't expect to ever see a DVD recorder with a DirecTV tuner.

Quote:

Be aware that TIVO based recordings do not allow for commercial editing. But a manual recording on a DVD recorder would allow for editing if the machine had its own Hard Drive or burned to RAM. Depending on the manufacturer there may also be some DVD +/-RW flexibility out there as well.

He would record from the DirecTivo just like he does from his current DirecTV receiver; the $49 DirecTivo would replace (or supplement) his DirecTV receiver. Then he would be able to edit out the commercials using the DVD writer, just like he does now. The DirecTivo allows you to watch one DirecTV channel while recording another; it also lets you record two different DirecTV programs at once, while playing back a previous recording. DirecTivo records the digital bitstream off satellite, so all recordings are 100% identical to the original -- you even get the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.


Whenever you select a recording on the DirecTivo, you have several options including view, delete, and save to vcr/dvd. The Tivo then prompts you to insert a disk; it puts a nice screen at the start of every recording with the program title and description.

 

[ClarkeBar]

Bfdtv,


Very nice option. Glad there is a workaround to the editing problem.

 

[rayjacobs]

BFDTV..Thanks for the information.


Would you please explain how I would hook up the SD Tivo with the rest of my equipment.


Ray

 

[Jay Davis]

One of the reasons why I love this forum is the members ability to go off topic, etc. I also liked reading the various posts in this thread and have picked up a few things.


That said Jerrymac asks how he can watch one program while recording another. Not interested in editing or burning. Keep it simple......If you have a VCR and not that interested in better picture quality.....use it.