VCRs and digital tv...

I suppose if I went to one of the many digital TV websites I'd find the answers to my questions, but perhaps someone here can help? Or point me in the right direction?

Currently, I have an "older" non-digital tv and a VCR of about the same vintage (approx. 2002 or 2003). I got a converter box for the tv, and it works pretty good, However, with the VCR in "control" I can't tune in any of the digital stations (so far). Would cabling the VCR to the converter box be possible? could I then "tape" the digital channels? If I donate my tv and get a digital one, can I hook-up the VCR to the digital tv and tape programs?

In a somewhat related area, does anyone know if Best Buy sells a DVD/CD player that can display DVDs of series that use a NON-American region of origin? There are some BBC series that are not "compatible" to be played on the run-of-the-mill DVD player.

Not sure about the VCR question, but any DVD player can be set to multi-region. Some are harder than others, and for some reason it seems the cheaper the player is, the easier it is to set the region. Here's a link: http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/hackable.asp

I found one site a few years back that had pretty much every dvd player known to man, but I can't seem to find it.

This one seems pretty good. http://www.dvdregionhacks.com/

Not sure I follow your question about the VCR and the converter box. I have that setup, and it works fine. Converter box to the VCR, VCR to the TV. Same as how I'd have run my regular antenna cable. Set everything to channel 3, and then play with the box.

Only downside is I cannot record one channel and watch another. Only way to do that is with two boxes, which I'm not going to bother with.

If this clears it up....

I don't have cable or a dish, but have "rabbit ears" type antenna. I figured that running a cable from converter box to the VCR SHOULD work, I don't /didn't have a spare cable to double check.

Thanks for the help, guys, or freeing up the region settings on a DVD player. I gave my folks a really inexpensive Phillips player and look forward to converting it.

I just looked at the back of all the boxes involved. The TV has only one plug for an antenna or cable box. The VCR and the digital converter box each have 2 plugs on the back for "in" and out" of antenna. CURRENTLY, the cable from the converter box to the tv is going to the VCR and I can NOT record digital channels (tho I may need to re-program the VCR). The cable from the tv is also going to the VCR.

Does this help?

Can a VCR record from a new, digital tv?

This site explains the hookups. You may need to get your VCR to "scan" for available channels.

E_C_M.....

I think you helped me before, thanks again. GRM posters, they always help out in a pinch.

Thanks all.

We just upgraded our VCR/DVD combo to one with a digital tuner. Problem solved.

We wanted a DVR, none available without paing a monthly subscription through our Satelite provider, which does no good because we don't get local channels through satelite. Our TV is newer with a digital tuner so the TV was not a problem. The problem lies in the VCR/DVD player. So the wife could no longer tape her Dr Phil/Oprah. Not a problem for me. . but we gotta keep the wifey happy so the Swift build gets finished.

So Sam's Club had a MAgnavox VCR/DVD recorder/player with digital tuner for $180. now thewife is happy, and the VCR actually has a better picture than I've ever seen with VHS. We haven't tried the DVD recorder side.

OK, the sequence is antenna...converter box...VCR...TV. Just like you would have done with your antenna.

Now, you need to understand that the converter box is essentially a TV. Instead of a Tube, it sends a signal out, usually channel 3. YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE THE TV AND VCR ON CHANNEL 3. If you don't, it won't work.

At that point, with the TV and VCR tuned to channel 3, you tune the converter box. That's where you change the channels from here on out.

Depending on where you live, the digital receiption of the converter box can be quite lousy with rabbit ears.

Bobzilla wrote: We just upgraded our VCR/DVD combo to one with a digital tuner. Problem solved. We wanted a DVR, none available without paing a monthly subscription through our Satelite provider, which does no good because we don't get local channels through satelite. Our TV is newer with a digital tuner so the TV was not a problem. The problem lies in the VCR/DVD player. So the wife could no longer tape her Dr Phil/Oprah. Not a problem for me. . but we gotta keep the wifey happy so the Swift build gets finished. So Sam's Club had a MAgnavox VCR/DVD recorder/player with digital tuner for $180. now thewife is happy, and the VCR actually has a better picture than I've ever seen with VHS. We haven't tried the DVD recorder side.

Bob,

Build your own DVR from an older PC (My HP small form factor machines work just fine in our bedrooms) Get thee to http://www.team-mediaportal.com or http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx or even http://www.byopvr.com/

Enjoy and Good luck! Stefan

To the folks who've posted so far:

It turns out, that when I originally "added" the converter box, I had it correctly wired to record on the digital channels (as per East-Coast-Mojo's helpful website). However, I couldn't locate the digital channels for a test/preview, so I didn't know that I could record them. THAT said, I can now record digital channels, but only in blocks, otherwise I have to be there to "program"/re-program the converter box. I also can't watch anything while I record, except what I'm recording. In the short term, this works for me. However, I was recording Leno and Craig Ferguson for watching in the afternoon, I can't record 2 different channels without being there to manually switch the converter box.

Bobzilla, a friend of mine wants a digital VCR/DVD combo...I didn't know there was such a thing. What brand is yours and does anyone else know where to get a DIGITAL VCR/DVD player combo (We aren't Sam's members)?

FWIW....the switch over looks like it is now set to go on June 12th.