RCA DRC8030N analog only?

[TRQuednau]

I was using the rca drc8030n dvr to record tv programs from over the air antenna on old analog tv with no problems. I recently purchased digital visio lcd hd tv. When I went to reprogram the dvr it would only locate analog channels even though the tv picked up digital and hd channels from over air antenna. Does anyone know how to hook the dvr up so it will receive digital channels from over the air antenna. Would I possibly have to buy digital converter for it. I am pretty sure this dvr already has digital tuner.

[wabjxo]

Doesn't have a digital tuner.

[TRQuednau]

Would a digital tv tuner work for getting digital channels? Other wise would it be useless after feb?

[jjeff]

Yep, just get yourself a CECB and use it's line outs to feed your RCA. Note you will only be able to record from one channel without manually changing the channel on the box. Otherwise the Echostar TR-40 CECB will have a VCR type programmer to automatically changes the channel at a programmed time. It should be available this summer. Free after $40 coupon.

[wabjxo]

Would a digital tv tuner work for getting digital channels? Other wise would it be useless after feb?

It'll only be "less useful" if you continue to use an antenna to pick up your TV signals (OTA) and you don't have access to cable or satellite service... the OTA TV signals received thru an antenna are what's going all-digital in 2009. However, even with your current antenna, you'll be able to get one of the converter boxes (CECBs jjeff ref.) being rolled out now which WILL tune OTA digital signals, which will bypass your analog tuner and go into one of your DVDR's line inputs. Thus, the "less useful" comment since now your DVDR is slaved to the CECB and records thru a line input, so things aren't "normal" anymore.

If you switch to cable, you're OK till 2012 since cablecos are supposed to provide signal for everyone on their service in some form or another that doesn't require a digital tuner. Satellite subscribers already have a sat receiver to tune their proprietary (special) scrambled signals and feed their DVDRs via a line input, not a coax to the tuner.