Dvd Recorder Using Inbuilt Tv's Tuner?

[jas0nt]

I have the following setup:

Plasma: http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3542

DVD Recorder: http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3219

I can't help but notice the FTA reception on the DVD recorder looks like utter garbage. Some channels are extremely grainy, which in turns makes the DVD recording look like crap, which to me, defeats the entire purpose of having a recorder if all I'm going to record is garbage.

After doing further investigation (we bought this around Christmas and today I finally had a good play around with it), I realised the DVD recorder doesn't have any tuner capabilities* which may justify the crappy reception. Conversely, the plasma does have a tuner; Panasonic calls it a "(Integrated Digital TV) Built-in DVB-T HD/SD Digital TV Tuner" and as expected, looks wonderful.

* I might be wrong when I say this, but compare my model to an identical model which has an extra feature - an integrated digital tuner

This may be a simple question, but I'm wondering if it's possible to hook up my recorder to use my TV's tuner. I've noticed I actually use a channel called "AV2" whilst flicking through my channels using my recorder, so in this instance, I assume the TV's tuner is not being used. I didn't set up the TV so I'm not sure if a plug has been plugged into something else incorrectly.

[diesel]

Your DVD recorder has an analogue tuner and these do not look the best especially on a 50" screen like you have. You can record using the TV's digital tuner to the DVD recorder through the audio/video outs next to AV1 on the back of the screen. Plug these to the audio/video in on the back of the DVD and away you go.

Two things to note;

1. The outputs and inputs are analogue so you will lose some PQ through conversion ie digital->analogue->digital

2. Whilst recording from the TV's digital tuner, you then cannot watch another digital FTA channel unless you watch through the TVs analogue tuner, possibly defeating the whole purpose...?

Hope this helps

[digitalj]

I have the following setup:

Plasma: http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3542

DVD Recorder: http://panasonic.com.au/products/details.cfm?objectID=3219

I can't help but notice the FTA reception on the DVD recorder looks like utter garbage. Some channels are extremely grainy, which in turns makes the DVD recording look like crap, which to me, defeats the entire purpose of having a recorder if all I'm going to record is garbage.

After doing further investigation (we bought this around Christmas and today I finally had a good play around with it), I realised the DVD recorder doesn't have any tuner capabilities* which may justify the crappy reception. Conversely, the plasma does have a tuner; Panasonic calls it a "(Integrated Digital TV) Built-in DVB-T HD/SD Digital TV Tuner" and as expected, looks wonderful.

* I might be wrong when I say this, but compare my model to an identical model which has an extra feature - an integrated digital tuner

This may be a simple question, but I'm wondering if it's possible to hook up my recorder to use my TV's tuner. I've noticed I actually use a channel called "AV2" whilst flicking through my channels using my recorder, so in this instance, I assume the TV's tuner is not being used. I didn't set up the TV so I'm not sure if a plug has been plugged into something else incorrectly.

Yep, you should have an AV output on the back of your plasma, may be called monitor output or similar, just use a standard AV cable from that output to the AV input of your recorder, and tune your recoder to that input, and presto you're ready to record from the built-in tuner.

[Anton-P.]

Your DVD recorder has an analogue tuner

Does it really?

I didn't know, I thought it had to be connected to another source like a TV or another player.

What about DVD recorders without a harddisk, do they usually have an analogue tuner too?

[digitalj]

Does it really?

I didn't know, I thought it had to be connected to another source like a TV or another player.

What about DVD recorders without a harddisk, do they usually have an analogue tuner too?

I have a DVD Recorder without a HDD and it has an analogue tuner.

[jas0nt]

Thanks for the advice.

I plugged an AV cable from my output on my plasma to the input of my recorder and managed to record a few minutes of programming to my satisfaction.

However, before I did this, my "MONITOR OUT" had its sound outputs occupied by two cables which connects onto my receiver. What are some alternatives to connect my TV to my receiver without using monitor out?

Before image:

http://www.users.on.net/~billt/DSC00903.jpg

[digitalj]

If your receiver has an optical input, you should connect the optical output of your plasma to the optical input of your receiver.

[Anton-P.]

You can also use two "double adapters" on the monitor-out jacks, about $3 each from Dick Smith.

[nis200979]

You can also use two "double adapters" on the monitor-out jacks, about $3 each from Dick Smith.

Or just buy a $50 STB for recording, at least you can watch and record different channels, a much better solution.

[diesel]

my "MONITOR OUT" had its sound outputs occupied by two cables which connects onto my receiver. What are some alternatives to connect my TV to my receiver without using monitor out?

You you have an optical (toslink) output on the underside of the panel, next to the rs232 connection. Buy yourself an optical cable and run this to your reciever.

Your only issue is if your reciever's optical input is already occupied by something else eg DVD recorder???

If so, you may have a coaxial output on your DVD and coaxial Input on your reciever.

Good luck

[jas0nt]

Hmm I like the idea of a cheapy STB for recording.

Could I get a few suggestions for one under $100? Around the $50 would be ideal.

Thanks sincerely for the help so far!

[diesel]

Another piece of equipment, remote, power point etc....what about exchanging you DVD recorder for one with a built in tuner?

[jas0nt]

Another piece of equipment, remote, power point etc....what about exchanging you DVD recorder for one with a built in tuner?

Yeah I thought about it but I doubt I can get Myer to exchange it. We bought it on the 1st of January and the salesman told us the tuner would be unnecessary... could I use this excuse to get an exchange (of course with me paying the difference)?

I wasn't there myself but I think we were somewhat mislead

anyway I do realise Myer is in no way obliged to exchange it after 26 days, and I highly doubt they would, which would mean the next avenue would be to get a digital STB.

[madmax]

Yeah I thought about it but I doubt I can get Myer to exchange it. We bought it on the 1st of January and the salesman told us the tuner would be unnecessary... could I use this excuse to get an exchange (of course with me paying the difference)?

I wasn't there myself but I think we were somewhat mislead

anyway I do realise Myer is in no way obliged to exchange it after 26 days, and I highly doubt they would, which would mean the next avenue would be to get a digital STB.

I would kick up a stink with Myer and get it swapped for the EX75 and pay the difference. To get a separate STB would be a pain in the @ss. The EX75 is the answer to your problems.

[jas0nt]

Has anyone ever dealt with Myer before and how are they in terms of customer satisfaction?

[pgdownload]

Has anyone ever dealt with Myer before and how are they in terms of customer satisfaction?

Myer used to have a legendary 'the customer is always right' - some urban legend of someone returning shoes after a few years and getting a replacement because the others had worn out. Anyway, you should find they'll be receptive to a polite exchange request. Just mention that the salesman hadn't covered all bases with his recommendations - there's a lot of confusion in the digital world these days and stores are generally happy to provide a little extra leeway in getting the customer sorted (esp if you're upgrading to a more expensive item)

Good Luck

Peter Gillespie

PS If making DVD copies is not a high priority then a better recording solution is to get a PVR (a STB with a harrdrive). Either a Twin Tuner Model that you'll use all the time. Or get a cheaper single tuner model and use that the record/watch and the inbuilt tuner to watch if the PVR is tied up recording another channel.

PVRs

[jas0nt]

Just had a friendly speak to them and they accepted to upgrade my model for EX75 if I agreed to pay the difference.

[diesel]

Good news...sometimes it is better to buy from the bigger brand shops

[jas0nt]

Hell yeah mate. I am quite surprised and if they told me to rack off there wouldn't be much I could do except not shop there anymore.

Will be recommending Myer to people from now on

[madmax]

That's good news Jas0nt, you've made the right decision there. The EX75 is a great unit.