Problems copying off my cable box now that I have HDTV

[TheRybot]

My cable is now running to my TV through HDMI, however there is also a regular RCA cable running from my cable box to my DVD-Recorder for recording. The Recorder doesn't have HDMI capability. I am not looking to record stuff in HD, is there any way I can set up my current recorder to do this properly (maybe a component cable,) or am I going to have to get a new recorder?

P.S. the message appears even when I am attempting to record stuff from a standard definition channel.

Other Useful Info: The recorder is a Panasonic DMR-E50


Thanks so much in advance!

[Krispy Kritter]

Aside from describing how you have everything connected, what is the actual problem that you are having?

If your recorder has a built in tuner, you can split the cable before it enters the cable box. Then the recorder will record from its built in tuner. If you need the cable box to tune your channels, then you will want to use the highest quality output available from the cable box to the recorder, which will likely be S-video or finally composite (single yellow RCA connector). Recorders don't have HDMI inputs and I don't believe there are any with component inputs. Your recorder should work just fine using its own tuner, S-video input, or the composite input. If it isn't, you have a connection or configuration issue.

[TheRybot]

Well, I'm not sure if there's something I'm doing wrong here... but I tried using Component cables for the input, but there is no component input on the DVD-Recorder... so I tried doing S-Video, and it did the same thing... I am actually able to write with it if I push Exit on my cable box remote when the program starts, but if I ever stop recording (pause for commercials etc) or even if I turn the TV off (but leave the program playing and leave the recorder recording) the message will come back up shortly after. Another thing I've noticed is when I'm recording from a program that is on an HD channel it puts grey bars on the top and bottom of the screen, which are not normally there. Here's how I have it set up:

Cable ----> TV (HDMI)
Cable output 1 ----> DVD-Recorder input 1 (S-Video)
DVD-Recorder output ------> TV Input (for viewing what the recorder is doing) (S-Video)

What are my options here?

(Also, it still is doing it on channels that are NOT HD)

Thanks again!

[Captain Video]

As far as I know, the ansewer is no. I just use, RCA A/V connectors, and put my DVD recorder in the "Line " mode.
Plus having a HD DVD recorder has to be expensive as well. With blank discs running.50$ each. you can tape 1 movie per disc.
I get a very good picture, and can add chapeters and such, before I finalize the disc.
In the menu mode, you can set up, what kind of signal, you have coming in, from a laser disc, cable, or whatever.
captain Video

[edDV]

S-Video and white/red RCA audio is the best connection for that DVD recorder.