[genegold]

I just picked up a 3545V/37 DVD/VCR combo and a Panasonic TC32LX85 TV, my first digital for each. With my several year old Panny VCR, I can hook the (Bresnan) cable to the VCR and from there to the TV - analog or HDTV -in effect putting them in parallel, and it runs fine. If I want to play a tape, I turn on the VCR and push play; stop reverts back to the TV. The limit is that recording can only be done on the same channel as the TV is set to, which isn't a big deal for me.


The problem I'm having with the Phillips is how to - or whether - it works with with this method of connection (Panny VCR disconnected). So far the tape doesn't play on the TV this way or by adding red/white/yellow RCAs. The only way I've been able to get a VHS tape to play is to hook up the RCAs and switch the TV's input to Video 1 (haven't tried recording yet). That doesn't seem very efficient. Is that really the only way or am I missing something?


A second question is what I should expect in terms of noise output from the Phillips in idle (on, not playing). It's not buzzing, but with the TV off there's a definite low motor-like sound; i.e., it's not silent like the Panny VCR. Also it looks to me that when the cable is hooked thru the Phillips, the SD channels are degraded a bit vs. a straight-to-TV cable connection. Is that normal? If it's happening with the Panny VCR, it's too subtle for me to tell for sure. I won't be getting an HDTV cable box until later in the week. Thanks.

 

[jjeff]

It sounds like either your combo doesn't have a RF modulator or it isn't enabled. In this case you won't get your VCR or DVD signal out of your RF cable but only the line outputs.

Check the manual and look for something about RF modulators or setting up for channel 3 or 4.

As far as your "series" connection, you said parallel but it's really more serial, some devices attenuate the signal more than others. It's normal, then some devices like the Philips 3576 will actually "boost" or amplify the passthru signal. This isn't the norm though and also the 3576 doesn't have a RF modulator, no DVDRs only do but most if not all combos do. I haven't seen one that doesn't but never say never.

In your case you're going to get a better picture by using the yellow/red/white composite cables anyway. Watching on RF channel 3 or 4 is the poorest picture quality connection although some people are satisfied.

If your combo doesn't have a RF modulator it is possible to buy them as a separate unit for ~$20 but then they wouldn't have the RF passthru that you need, so you're really better off with the composite cables or figure out if your DVDR has a built in RF modulator.

 

[genegold]

JJeff, thanks but I'm puzzled by your reply. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. This is digital broadband cable, thus why an RF modulator? The Philiips is a 3545/37 (not 3576) and its manual says it has no RF modulator, but that it's needed when the TV has an antenna connection only. Obviously, that's not the case with an HDTV.


My question is, why can't I hook up the Phillips combo unit like my straight VCR was with the analog TV and still can be with the Panasonic HDTV, so that the Phillips' VCR section plays on screen when the VCR is turned on and its Play button is pushed, without first having to change the HDTV's input choice?


It's true that with the straight VCR my cable connection was serial, but with digital cable the TV can't operate through the VCR (e.g., changing channels), unlike pre-digital cable connections of a few years ago. That's why I referred to it as parallel. Thanks.

 

[jjeff]

If your Philips combo doesn't have a RF modulator then you will not be able to get the VCR or DVD to output over RF. The RF in/out connections are only to: A. supply a signal to your combos tuner for recording and B. to provide passthru RF to a device down line such as a TV, you must then tune your TV to the channel you want.

It sounds like the way you used to use your VCR was with the the VCR off the RF would passthru just like your combo so you could use your TV to tune channels, but when you played a tape the VCR would turn off the passthru and modulate the VCR signal to channel 3 or 4 for your TV to tune into to watch your VCR output.

Again, since your combo doesn't have a RF modulator you will not get the VCR or DVD signal outputted through the RF cable, only the line outputs, and you're right that would be parallel.

I just mentioned the 3576 because it had the amplified RF passthru, most other devices do attenuate the signal a degree, some more than others.

I think Wajo may have various diagrams in his sticky showing how to hook up a 3576 which since yours doesn't have a RF modulator should be similar to the 3576. Good luck.

 

[genegold]

Ok, now I understand what you're saying. The manual for the Panasonic VCR recorder (4623S) does give the connection scheme I've used, but does not mention an RF modulator, so it must be built in. That connection scheme still works with the Panasonic HDTV. As you can tell, I hadn't anticipated the difference. A good argument for sticking with the old VCR and adding a DVD player instead, since the cost is less and my recorded DVDs typically come off a computer. Thanks for clarifying it.

 

[jjeff]

If you want to spend the money I'd suggest a Sony 700 DVD player($69 on sale, retail $79). If you hook it up with a

 

[genegold]

Thanks for the suggestion. In addition to the Sony 700, the Pioneer DV-48AV has been highly lauded by users and is going at substantial discount around here. I don't know if it operates quite the same way as the 700. After your post I was also looking at the Philips 3576 DVD recorder with HDD (and similar Magnavox), along with wajo's helpful explanations, but reviews elsewhere are very mixed re functionality given the price, even among people who like it. That was the case with the DVD/VCR combos as well, the Philips being the best of a much criticized crop.

 

[jjeff]

I wouldn't talk the Pioneer down, it's just I like the feature set on the Sonys. Some of the features I like on the Sony and aren't widely available:


Disc resume-it remembers the last 6 discs you've played and automatically goes to the point you left off.

Speed play-lets you watch with understandable audio, discs in anywhere from .6 up to X1.4 speed. Using speed play I can watch a 1hr talk show, scanning through commercials in about 1/2 hour.

A display that includes chapter and title elapsed and remaining times.

A NAV button that gives me a thumbnail for each chapter on a title.

Goto function where one can go instantly to anytime on the disc using the 10 key pad.

Plays a wide variety of discs, even scratched and damaged ones.

Great picture for the price.

Overall good built quality, I use mine frequently and haven't had one die yet.


Other players may do certain things better but dollar for dollar I haven't found a player that matches Sony. But whatever you don't but a Sony Recorder

As good as I think their players might be the recorders are on the opposite end of the spectrum

I think their too married to software to produce a decent device which could be used to record it.