help with converter box to DVD player

[majel]

Hello-
I have a Polaroid DVD recorder that I can't get to find channels with a converter box. I have the outside antenna coming into the converter box (antenna in) and then the antenna out going to the DVD player. The DVD player is connected to the TV. Because the converter box now controls it all I can't see the channels on the DVD recorder except for ch 3 which the converter uses to display all the channels. Anyway to get the control back over to the Polaroid?
Also, the TV that now come equipped with the ability to get the signals without a converter box how does that work with the DVD recorder set-up?
thanks!
m

[jagabo]

Over-the-air transmission in the USA is now digital ATSC. Your TV appear to have an ATSC tuner since it can tune channels from the antenna. I suspect your DVD recorder only has an analog tuner. It will not be able to tune digital ATSC.

The converter box takes whatever ATSC channel it is currently watching and outputs it to the RF output as analog on channel 3. You can use that but it would be better to run composite, or even better s-video, from the converter box to the DVD recorder. Unless your recorder has the ability to control the converter box (via an IR blaster or some such) you will have to leave the converter box set to the channel you want to record.

If your DVD recorder has an ATSC tuner, just split the antenna lead and send one end to the DVD recorder, the other to the converter box. A passive splitter will reduce the signal to both devices so you may need an active splitter (distribution amp).