Confused On What To Buy/How To Do It...

[soloredd]

Ok, here is my gameplan. I have digital cable through Comcast and want to be able to watch one program while using a DVD recorder to record another program. Is this even possible with one cable box or do I need a second setup? I'm thinking of getting a DVR from Comcast but I'm just wondering if there's another way to do this with DVD.

Also, if I do get a DVD recorder it will probably be non-HD. I'm looking at the Pioneer 220 at WalMart. If I record a program from TV I can then take the burned DVD over to my PC and edit the commercials out, correct? I'm mostly interested in this for the upcoming baseball season and NBA playoffs.

If anyone can provide some extra information, better tips or anything, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks.

[Brent G.]

>>Ok, here is my gameplan. I have digital cable through Comcast and want to be able to watch one program while using a DVD recorder to record another program. Is this even possible with one cable box or do I need a second setup?<<
It all depends if ComCast allows you to have 2 TV's watching 2 different programs at the same time. I know with digital TV from the phone company they allow you to subscribe for up to 4 TV's and each TV can be watching a different digital signal.

>>Also, if I do get a DVD recorder it will probably be non-HD. I'm looking at the Pioneer 220 at WalMart. If I record a program from TV I can then take the burned DVD over to my PC and edit the commercials out, correct?<<
Correct. If using a CD-R you will likely need to finalize it before the computer 's DVD burner can read it. Or you can use DVD+R/W if the Pioneer supports it. The Pioneer might be able to edit the commericals out directly which should save you a trip to the computer.

[Frobozz]

When Comcast installed my cable box they provided a splitter so that the cable can go directly to my cable box and directly to my Pioneer DVD recorder. This way I can watch a channel using the cable box while recording a different channel on the Pioneer. However, the Pioneer can only receive the analog channels from the cable. In order to record the digital channels I have line outputs from the cable box connected to line inputs on the Pioneer. This means the cable box must be tuned to the channel I want to record.

In December I upgraded to the Comcast 2-tuner DVR. It can record two channels simultaneously. I can still record with the Pioneer as well. Oftentimes I record with the Comcast DVR and later dub a recorded program to the Pioneer for archiving.

I have a Mac, not a PC. I don't have software that will mount a VR mode DVD on my Mac. Therefore, to copy DVD videos from the Pioneer to my Mac I have to format the discs in Video mode and finalize them. When using DVD-RW media the disc can still be erased and re-used after being finalized.

[soloredd]

Thanks to both of you for the replies

Fro - I've been seriously thinking about just ponying up for the Comcast DVR package. It seems to be the easiest solution. A few questions I have for you...

1) With the Comcast DVR, am I correct in assuming there are inputs/outputs that you can use to correct directly to your Pioneer Recorder, as well as your TV? In short, is there more than 1 A/V output?

2) When you dub from your DVR to your Pioneer (which I would eventually like to do) do you need to "watch" the program while you are recording? Can the DVR play a recorded program to the recorder while you are watching another program?

I'm probably asking for too much, hahaha. Thanks again!

[edDV]

...
1) With the Comcast DVR, am I correct in assuming there are inputs/outputs that you can use to correct directly to your Pioneer Recorder, as well as your TV? In short, is there more than 1 A/V output?

2) When you dub from your DVR to your Pioneer (which I would eventually like to do) do you need to "watch" the program while you are recording? Can the DVR play a recorded program to the recorder while you are watching another program? ...

Comcast here uses the Motorola DCT-6412. I don't know if it will separately feed the VCR while watching another program. Read about it here.
http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp

One that does do that is the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300. It has a separate set of NTSC outputs for the VCR or DVD Recorder.
http://www.scientificatlanta.com/consumers_new/CableBoxes/8300.htm
http://www.scientificatlanta.com/consumers_new/CableBoxes/8300hd.htm

[soloredd]

Ok guys, new idea.

I bought my new 26" Samsung WS HDTV today. I love it, still trying to get it "correctly" calibrated, but other than that, everything is great. The thing has a very generous amount of inputs on it, which led me to thinking of something...(and will keep me from having to succumb to any more of Comcast's rentals)...

Cable (wall)--->Splitter--->SplitterA--->TV(coax)
--->SplitterB---DigitalBox--->Pioneer220(A/V)--->TV (component cables for progressive scan)

I've seen this used on a few TiVo and VCR hookups, so in theory, will this work the same for a DVD recorder? I know I will lose digital channels through the TV, but that is ok as I watch mostly channels below 65 anyway.

Any thoughts? Thanks

[Frobozz]

Cable (wall)--->Splitter--->SplitterA--->TV(coax)
--->SplitterB---DigitalBox--->Pioneer220(A/V)--->TV (component cables for progressive scan)

I've seen this used on a few TiVo and VCR hookups, so in theory, will this work the same for a DVD recorder? I know I will lose digital channels through the TV, but that is ok as I watch mostly channels below 65 anyway.

Any thoughts? Thanks

You need to connect the cable box directly to the TV via component outputs in order to receive the HD signal from the cable. My Comcast box does not even have RF output via coax (which is how I'm guessing you were thinking of connecting from the box to the Pioneer). I have the component output from the cable box (a Comcast DVR) going to one component input on my Sony TV and I have the component output from my Pioneer DVR going to another component input on the TV. The cable box and the Pioneer are connected via S-Video and line jacks.

By splitting the cable ahead of the cable box I'm able to have a coax input to the Pioneer so it can record non-digital channels from its tuner.

[soloredd]

Hmmmm...ok, what if I do the opposite of what I stated then? So, I should split the cable from the wall and have one going to the STB then to my TV via component cables; the other split going directly into the DVD recorder which will then connect to the TV via another component cable?

I would say probably 98% of the time, the shows I want to record are in the NON-digital range...anything below 65. The problem is, however, doesn't the DVD recorder need the box to tune the channel in order to record? Or does the 220 have it's own tuner? (I don't have it yet, still trying to gather info ).

Thanks for all your help, Fro.

[edDV]

Ok guys, new idea.

I bought my new 26" Samsung WS HDTV today. I love it, still trying to get it "correctly" calibrated, but other than that, everything is great. The thing has a very generous amount of inputs on it, which led me to thinking of something...(and will keep me from having to succumb to any more of Comcast's rentals)...

Cable (wall)--->Splitter--->SplitterA--->TV(coax)
--->SplitterB---DigitalBox--->Pioneer220(A/V)--->TV (component cables for progressive scan)

I've seen this used on a few TiVo and VCR hookups, so in theory, will this work the same for a DVD recorder? I know I will lose digital channels through the TV, but that is ok as I watch mostly channels below 65 anyway.

Any thoughts? Thanks

So I assume from this you didn't get the Comcast HDTV service?

[soloredd]

So I assume from this you didn't get the Comcast HDTV service?

No, I have not added on the HDTV service yet. I want to see how many channels I can receive OTA before I go that route. Locally, Comcast only has a few more channels than the local channels, and only ESPNHD really interests me (and I can't justify...yet...paying for one channel). I have a feeling, though, I will eventually break down.

I did go out and buy the 220-s today from WalMart. When I got there the price was $198 but they also had a pricetag for $248. I went to ask the salesperson about it, she took the item to the counter and scanned it, and it came out as a Rollback Item for today (or the week, can't remember). Anyway, $50 off is not a bad deal.

Oh, and I answered my question about the tuner

[edDV]

This is reported to be a good DTV-HDTV tuner. One of the first 3rd gen models.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2598451&cat=115061&type=19&dept=...061#long_descr

[soloredd]

Thanks for the suggestion, ed, but my Samsung has HD built-in. I'm just going to purchase a good indoor antenna for now

[edDV]

Ok, you never defined your TV.

[Frobozz]

Hmmmm...ok, what if I do the opposite of what I stated then? So, I should split the cable from the wall and have one going to the STB then to my TV via component cables; the other split going directly into the DVD recorder which will then connect to the TV via another component cable?

I would say probably 98% of the time, the shows I want to record are in the NON-digital range...anything below 65. The problem is, however, doesn't the DVD recorder need the box to tune the channel in order to record? Or does the 220 have it's own tuner? (I don't have it yet, still trying to gather info ).

Thanks for all your help, Fro.

Yes, this way works. The 220 has a tuner that will record any of the analog channels. Using an S-video cable to connect the 220 to the STB will also allow you to record digital channels that the STB is playing. Because the Comcast 2-tuner DVR can record two channels while playing back something that is already recorded. I actually have dubbed a program to my Pioneer while the DVR was recording something else.