DVD Recorder does not recognize anything above Channel 36

[Marianne777]

Troubleshooting anyone? Need help – makes no sense to me!

Equipment:
Sony Bravia HDTV
Panasonic DVD Recorder DMR-ES15 (2006 edition)
Comcast Cable Box (RNG 110)

Hook-up is:
Cable from wall to DVD Recorder (RF In)
Cable from DVD Recorder (RH Out) to cable box (RF In)
HDMI Cable TV to cable box
Component cable (5 plug) to Component Video In on TV and Component Video out to DVD Recorder

Problem:
During DVD Recorder set-up, the Recorder will scan through 125 channels (with no error messages), but it will not recognize anything about Channel 36. Message comes on screen (from Cable Company) saying we “need a digital converter to view this channel.” (We have one of these on an older set, where you have to keep the TV on Channel 3 and scroll with cable remote to get all the channels.) I don’t understand this at all, as we have a Cable Box.

Any idea why this would be?

[filmboss80]

It sounds like the tuner on your DVD recorder is of the analog variety. This review: http://www.cnet.com.au/panasonic-dmr-es15-240063262.htm says it does NOT have a digital tuner. That is your problem.) Cable companies are still sending some basic channels over analog, but for the digital signal, you need their box feeding into the DVD Recorder. (Your hookup just shows the cable coming from the wall to the recorder.)

If there are additional outputs from the cable box (such as RCA or S-Video), you should feed that signal to the recorder, while keeping the HDMI feed to the TV intact.

Suggested Hookup:

RF cable from wall to the cable box.
Cable box HDMI output to TV.
Cable box S-Video and RCA audio to the DVD recorder.
Recorder video outputs to separate line input on TV.

[Marianne777]

thanks for the info, but unfortunately no S video on the cable box...

[Marianne777]

didn't realize "RCA cables" were the standard red, yellow, white. Have them, tried that, didnt' work. Guess I'll just have to live with it!

[filmboss80]

You would need to run the RCA cables from the cable box output to one of the line inputs on the DVD recorder. (Make note of whether you are plugging into the Line 1, Line 2 or Line 3 inputs of the recorder). Instead of changing channels on the DVD recorder (consider the analog tuner dead), you would change the recorder's input (on the DVD remote) until you get whichever Line input corresponds to the RCA plugs. You can only do channels selections with the cable box. Switch your TV to view the DVD recorder whenever you need to monitor the signal you want to record. Your model has a DVR on it, and there should be no problem as long as you plug things in the correct place and select the proper Line input.

If you get too frustrated, try to find a videogeek neighbor or friend to help with the hookup. Sadly, I cannot come to your house.