Installing a modulator

[marksk]

I've just got myself a modulator and am trying to run my VCR and DVD player through it to the TV. The item from Maplin isn't very easy to understand for a newbie. So firstly, is it possible to do this. And secondly, it tells me to set up the 8 pin switch to any one of 49 frequencies. Is this the frequency of the DVD player and will it conflict with running the VCR through it too?

Thanks

[greengate69]

It is certainly possible to do what you are trying. I presume your VCR already has a RF (modulated) output, in which case this output woud connect to the RDF pass-through of the modulator. You then set the modulator to output on a different RF channel to the VCR (and different to all the terrestrial channels, sky or anything else you have connected).

For example, if your VCR outputs on channel 62, then you set the modulator to output on channel 68 (assuming you dont have anything else like sky using that channel). as long as you choose a "free" channel there should be no interference.

You could also connect the DVD "before" the VCR (if you can/want to tape from your DVD). In this case, the aerial connector would connect to the RF pass-through of the modulator, and the output of the modulator would connect to the RF-in of the VCR. Again as long as you choose a "free" channel for the modulator output you should be OK

[marksk]

Thanks for the info! Had limited success. This is how it's set up:

Antenna goes into VCR > out of VCR > into modulator > out of modulator > into TV (all co-ax) set to channel 0. Picture's fine.

DVD goes into modulator (as scart) > out of modulator (as co-ax) > into TV set to channel 29. Picture's very snowy. 8 pin set correctly.

The VCR is fine all the time. However, to get the DVD to play without the snow I have to remove the input from the VCR. Have I set this up OK or will I have to get a splitter so the VCR goes straight to the TV and the DVD via the modulator?

[greengate69]

Channel 29 is a bad one to pick - th eUK channels are all between 23 and 39 (I think - so your modulator is right on top of another channel). There is definitely a terrestial channel on ch 30 so you are very close.

I recommend selecting a channel right at the other end (high 60s). There will be a bit of trial and error (it would be useful to know what channel your VCR outputs on to avoid clashing). I think once you select a better channel you will be OK.

[marksk]

What if your TV only has channels 0 - 29? At the mo 0 is my VCR and 1 - 9 are TV

[greengate69]

I think thats 1-29 channel presets on your TV as opposed to RF channels feeding into it. Each of those 29 channels should be able to be tuned to (I think up to RF channel 68). The RF channels are defined by frequency.

In my region che RF channels are assigned as follows:

ch23: ITV2 (preset 3 on my TV)
ch26: BBC1 (preset 1 on my TV
ch30: CH4 (preset 4 on my TV)
ch33: BBC2 (preset 2 on my TV)
ch39: CH5 (preset 5 on my TV)

I have a combined DVD/VCD which outputs on CH65 and is tuned as preset 9 on my TV.

I would suggest (i) set the modulator output for (say) channel 65. (ii) select a free channel on your TV (e.g. 11). Tune channel 11 on your TV till it finds the modulator channel (may help to have a DVD playing at the time). Channel 65 would be towards the end of the available tuning range.

Just to reiterate the channel presets on your TV are a different entity to the channel outputs on your modulator.

I hope that all makes sense - post back if not.

[marksk]

Hey, it worked! What I didn't realise is that although the 8pin and the TV were set to 29 you still have to get the TV to search for the frequency.

Thanks a lot for your help, wouldn't of had a clue otherwise.

Rgds
Mark

[greengate69]

You're welcome - glad you got it working.