Really dumb question, but has to be asked.

[Bullworth]

I have never seen the actual connections on a DVD player until I was browsing through a Pioneer manual and saw that the TV has to have A/V inputs to hook it up. Mine doesn't have this and I can't afford to shell out several hundred to get one that does. Please tell me I can hook it up to my VCR and then to the TV. My VCR is pretty new so it supports S-Video and the like. Please give me some hope here

[Hollywood004738]

Through your VCR is not the way to go, however, you can buy a RF adapter from your local Radio Shack...

[KuskenLars]

Works fine to go through your VCR (As long as your DVD isn't Macrovision-ized)
...I run my DVD to my VCR and my VCR to my TV (Nintaus DVD) and it works like a charm!

[Bullworth]

How much for a good RF adapter?

[digvid]

You can get a good RF adapter from Radio Shack for about $35 USD, but I run mine through a VCR, and it works just fine.

[TIbrO]

I couldn't get my Apex to run Macrovision protected DVDs until I updated the firmware to the hacked version.

[Bullworth]

Just to get this straight the RF adaptor would send the signal to a TV channel. Would I be able to get surround sound still? Could I just hook up the audio to my receiver and only send the video signal? How good is the picture quality this way

[thxkid]

Yes you can send your audio to your reciever and the video to the RF convertor, how good is the quality, not even close to what a SVHS hook up would be, just a little better than what your cable picture looks on your TV.

[Erwin]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-17 10:38:10, digvid wrote:
You can get a good RF adapter from Radio Shack for about $35 USD, but I run mine through a VCR, and it works just fine.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

For that price, you may as well run the video through the SIMA Video copy master for $39.

[Bullworth]

Where can I get it for that price? Eveywhere I look it's about 50 to 60

[Erwin]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-09-17 18:12:32, Bullworth wrote:
Where can I get it for that price? Eveywhere I look it's about 50 to 60
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I know Bullworth, most places are that much. But Circuit City has it for only $39.99 and this is the normal price.
Here is the link at Circuit City---They have it at their site too for the same price. Hope this helps.

www.circuitcity.com

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Erwin on 2001-09-18 20:47:33 ]</font>

[clunk]

Saw this posted over on DVD Digest ...

The Sima model needed for dvd filtering on level 1 and level 2 dvd's( there are two levels of macrovision encoding) is the Sima Color Corrector Pro Series Model SCC, average price is $99.00 USD. The $49.00 model (aka Copy Master) mentioned on your site isn't very good with dvd.

[sracer]

I'll go against the tide here and suggest...

save the $30-$70 you'd spend on an RF modulator, Macro-buster, or other miscellaneous "black boxes" and put that money towards a new TV.

With an RF modulator, the results will look about as good as VHS videotape.

You didn't mention what your current TV is, but you can buy a very nice TVs with the appropriate hook-ups pretty inexpensively. S-Video connector at the very least is required...try to snag a TV with component inputs for even higher quality video.

If your VCR has an S-Video connector, that is even more of a reason to get a new TV. You'll see a marked improvement in your videotape viewing as well.

What make/model VCR is it? I'm looking to get a VCR with S-Video so that I can convert my remaining imported videotape collection to VCD. An S-Video connector would make a big difference.

[lhorwinkle]

I agree ... virtually all new TVs have composite video inputs. Even the $80 13-inch color set I bought at Sam's Club has it. And you can get 19-inch for $150.

So just junk the old TV and get a new one.

Anyway, why waste money on an RF converter? It just cuts your picture quality.

[Bullworth]

I'm not upset with anyone but I think I mentioned that I can't afford to buy a new one right now. Maybe around X-Mas. With how complex the whole thing without appropriate connectors is I might just put off a DVD player until I can get the TV. Right now I have a 32-inch Sharp a friend got me and it is pretty nice still it just doesn't have connectors, the reason he sold it to me so cheap. I have a JVC model which records awesome. I'll have to go home to check out what exact models they are . Got the VCR at Soundtrack last year for about $220. Probably could've gotten it cheaper elsewhere but they've always been really helpful.

[Bullworth]

Just saw this JVC for $349. Any good for the future or any better deals?

[Bullworth]

Older VCRs like form 1985 models and older will bypass it because the gain control was set by the user instead of being controlled by electronic circuits. You can get some pretty good recordings if the VCR is in good shape.
On another subject it's a shame that Sony got greedy (what else is new) and didn't use a wiser licensing or royalty strategy for its beta recorder technology. I stil have an old one that I used to record until I got my S-VHS and I have to say that the quality is amazing even by today's standards.

[Bullworth]

sracer, my VCR is JVC HR-S5900. I've seen it online for as low as $170. Big difference from what I paid. I love the thing. Even in EP mode tranfering recorded programs with the S-Video connector gives amazing quality!

[Greg12]

some very very old vcrs will bypass macrovision if you use the coaxial tv out.

i think mine does

[ViperXT]

using an rf adaptor does not reduce the picture to even near cable tv quality. Even on my 25' GE television I can see a huge difference between a satellite broadcast and the picture from my DVD player.