Tech help

[Scott & Lai 12]

Does anyone know how to record one channel while watching another with a vcr and cable box? The brilliant studio execs at Fox and NBC placed 24 and Heroes opposite each other

[Ban Hammer 14,293]

Does anyone know how to record one channel while watching another with a vcr and cable box? The brilliant studio execs at Fox and NBC placed 24 and Heroes opposite each other

a long time ago i used to tune my vcr recorder to certain stations and program it to come on and record. only way to find out if yours can do that is hook it up to the cable box (maybe split the signal?)

[payxibka 10,048]

Does anyone know how to record one channel while watching another with a vcr and cable box? The brilliant studio execs at Fox and NBC placed 24 and Heroes opposite each other

The only way to do it is if your VCR or your TV has a cable ready tuner, if you are reliant on the cable box to interpret the cable signal then that will determine what the VCR or the TV sees. Do you have analog or digital cable?

Edited January 22, 2007 by fwaguy

[Mags 112]

I know this is probably no help at all...but in the UK you needed two boxes to be able to do this. One box=one channel at a time only.

[hotairguy 0]

It really depends on the cable box and type of vhs recorder. What we used to do is make sure your cable box receives the signal from the outside world, then from the cable box, the connection passes through the vhr recorder into the television. Now let your vhs recorder discover the available signals coming from the cable box (auto program) and set into the tuner. Once done, if you tuned your tv to channel 3 or 4, whatever it is using, you should be able to change the tv stations with the vhs player. Now turn the vhs off and then let your tv auto program (only if you turn your vhs off and don't receive any stations. Once that is done, you should be able to set up a record time with the desired channel with your vhs and also be able to watch what you would like. Good Luck, Marilyn and Peter.

[Robor007 0]

Does your cable provider offer a DVR? If so, most of the new DVR's will allow you to record 2 shows at once and even watch a recorded TV show while they are recording. My DVR from my provider (BrightHouse) rents the HD-DVR for only $7/month. That's like 1/2 the price of a Tivo subscription.

If you can't get a DVR from your provider maybe look into on of the new DVR's. I'm not up on them now but I'm pretty sure they can do 2 shows at once.

If neither of them are options you could split the signal. When I'm connecting up A/V equipment I just think of the 'signal' and how video/audio comes in and goes out. I think that makes it much more simple.

[JanaknJanet 1]

One of the first thing that is needed to know is how old is your system.

Is your cable direct via the wall or do you use a converter?

How new is the TV..

reasons why... newer TV's do not have the coaxal connections.. and use the RCA type of connections.

If you get your cable via the wall cable and not with a converter box... Say if you have simple basic or extended basic service... not digital or HDTV.. then this is what I do..

Connect. Cable from wall to the IN of the VCR..

Take another Cable and attach from OUT of VCR

Connect OUT cable to the IN of the TV.

ON back of VCR it should be set to channel 3or 4

by turning on the tv to the channel set.. (3/4) or some TV's use AUX setting.. you should be able to see what is on the VCR.

Cable Connection assistance

After running the programs find channel setup on VCR you should be set.

Next what you will do. is.. program..

You can either program the VCR.. .. for the time and channel that you are wanting to watch or..

set the channel on the VCR to the station/channel of show.. say FOX 12 sunday at 8... if you are watching it . and it is 755pm sunday.. you change channels on the VCR to make sure the channel is right.. go to the channel you want to record.. you can hit RECORD on the VCR... then.. simply change the channel on the TV to teh station you want to watch.

I like programming the VCR to the date and time i want.. like Thursdays for Survivor.. I set the VCR to kick in 5 minutes before the shows starts.. once that is programed. I make sure it is set to auto.. and i shut off the VCR.. there shoudl be a little red light or a small clock sign blinking. (varies on VCRs) that tells me something is programed.

When the VCR is tapping the REC is blinking..

simply I watch my TV on the show I want to watch..and I set the VCR program to tape the Program I want to tape..

HOWEVER... IF IT IS SATTELITE.. it does not work that way only this way for CABLE..

GOOD LUCK

[Scott & Lai 12]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone Seems SciFi has tonight's Heroes on Friday, so I'll have more time to experiment with the hookup. Hopefully, one of these ideas will work

[ninamyers 0]

I was so annoyed at what they did that I went to the pub instead. I'm going to get them off iTunes tomorrow, even though I have to pay... I think next week I won't be so childish and I will watch 24 on monday and heroes on friday

[GaryC 7]

Tivo is cool. I can record one thing and watch something else. If your cable provider offers it then I would go for it. It costs me $7/month. Well worth it.