tuner included?

There are three inputs available on the replay unit:


RF (for cable or antenna; to an internal tuner)

Line 1 (Composite Video/Audio; as from a vcr or cable box)

Line 2 (Composite or S-Video, and Composite Audio; as from

a satellite receiver or digital cable box)


One word of warning -- there is NO RF line out.


Your TV will need a composite video or s-video and composite audio input

to use the unit.



Ciao


Joe

Quote:
And don't forget about that RF Modulator that's probably already in your system, it's called a VCR!



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Later,

Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com/



Just make sure you check which output is best for you...


Everybody has a different eye, and different signals are sometimes better in different formats, but generally s-video is superior to composite video, and composite video is better than RF. Plus composite right/left audio is stereo (and if you have a dolby prologic a/v receiver, 4-channel surround sound) while RF audio is mono.


So, try out whatever outputs your TV can accept as inputs, and use the "highest" one that works. Even if you input RF to the Replay box, try sending the video to the TV by the composite or s-video outputs.

Ditto with using the R/L composite audio output.


good luck


Joe

>>Um, if RF is only mono, how did the stereo signal get to your TV in the first place?



RF can be anything you want, if you've got the money http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif .

The broadcaster or cable TV headend uses a stereo RF modulator that costs as much as $10,000. (one for each channel in the case of cable). When a VCR or other common video appliance receives the RF signal, it de-modulates it back down to baseband, which it then stores or sends out thru composite or S-video jacks. If the device has to send the signal back out of the box as RF, it typically uses a mono RF modulator that costs about 75 cents. (mono is cheap & easy, stereo is not)


------------------

Patrick Callahan

Check out www.themothership.net for links to the latest PTV technologies!

Quote:
Well... I always wondered about this too... Thanks for the explanation...



Joe

My first Hi-Fi VCR, from the mid 80s, was an RCA that remodulated the signal. The increased cost of remodulating a stereo signal is probably not horrendously expensive, but realistically, how many people who truly care about stereo sound want it sent in via the RF cable?


------------------

Lloyd Lawrence

[email protected]


"The letter 'k' is in this script exactly 1,456 times! That's perfectly divisible by three!" - Kit Ramsey, Bowfinger


Also find me in:

alt.disney.disneyland

rec.arts.disney.parks

alt.video.ptv.replaytv

I think I've figured out how I'll have it set up.


I'll split the RF cable into three -- one going directly to my TV, one going to my VCR, and one going to a ReplayTV. Then the Replay and VCR's composite outs will go to my receiver, which will do the switching, and its monitor out goes back to the composite input on my TV.


The downside is that I'll have to rewire to archive anything off the Replay, which is not a big deal for me. The upside is that I'll be able to watch/tape 3 (count 'em, 3!) things at once , which is probably a little overkill, but can be useful every once in a while.


Thanks for the answers everyone (and the stereo RF thing, that's interesting). Now all I have to decide is which model to buy!


[This message has been edited by Chris Carollo (edited 09-29-2000).]

Two comments:


Firstly, make sure that you aren't splitting the signal too many times... Quick check: With the replay unit and VCR recording from the RF, Watch the TV with the RF input.


Then try it again with the VCR and Replay disconnected from the cable. If there is no difference you are safe.


I originally tried splitting it 4 ways and had signal degradation.


Secondly, Most VCR's have several inputs.


There will be an RF in, A composite audio/video line in on the back of the unit, and perhaps a composite audio/video in on the front of the unit.


The Replay unit has two outputs -- send one to the A/V receiver, and one to the VCR.


Then you can record with the vcr off the RF line in, or switch it to the Line input and record from the Replay unit. I have to say you won't be doing much vcr recording after you get used to the Replay though.



Ciao


Joe

Quote:
Good choice on splitting the cable into all of your units if you've got a strong enough signal to split it that many times. I've got mine split about 6 ways from Sunday. Cable into the living room. Split with a seperate line for 2 Replays, VCR, and TV, with another line going back out of the living room and through the basement to my Bedroom where it's split 3 more times for my 2 VCR's in there and the Tv. Why so many recording devices you ask? Well because I HATE commercials and also have a wierd work schedule so I record everything I want to watch. That's why the FF buttons on my VCR's and the QS button on my Replay remotes are so worn! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


On the archiving/rewiring problem.... Are you already using both outputs on the Replay? If not and your VCR has a free input, why not just run from the other output on the Replay to the VCR's input. I'm using the front input on my VCR for just that. I just ran a set of RCA's from the second output on the Replay over to the front inputs on the VCR. Then all I have to do is set the VCR to use the alternate inputs and viola!




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Wayne Dunham

[email protected]