Need help with DVR VCR question

Rennie Heuer

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I probably watch too much TV if I have this problem. :rofl:

There are several nights during the week that I want to simultaneously record more than the two programs allowed by my cable company supplied DVR. Up till lately I've used my 20 year old VCR to fill the gap. Unfortunately, the VCR may have given up the ghost. I've looked around and VCR's with tuners are hard to find and most have a DVD included. I only use this for about 40 hours of recording a year and don't really want to have all the extra capabilities.

I was hoping to find a DVR that you set up like a VCR. You know, set the channel and time and it just records. No complicated program guides, subscriptions, etc.

I admit to not being well informed in this area, so I am hoping one of you are better informed and can steer me in the right direction.:D
 
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Rennie,

What type of cable service do you have?

We have digital and as a result of the higher frequency, I don't believe either of our DVR/VCRs will record directly from the cable itself.

My complaint with this type of system is the inability of recording certain woodworking shows for long term viewing.
 
Rennie,

What type of cable service do you have?

We have digital and as a result of the higher frequency, I don't believe either of our DVR/VCRs will record directly from the cable itself.

My complaint with this type of system is the inability of recording certain woodworking shows for long term viewing.
I have the HD package, but the basic cable (lower channel numbers) are still analog so my 20 yr old machine had no problem with them.
 
Why not just use your computer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156023

If the tuner still works on your VCR, Connect the S-Video out and audio to a gizmo like this. Capture the video, then burn it to a DVD.

(Note, I don't own this device, but there are a lot of them out there like this)...
This is an old unit - no S video. The video output is what is not working. Also, we don't save these, we just watch them and then record over them the following week.
 
I 'think' you can still use them as simple recorders, but you won't have any guide information on them.

http://support.tivo.c
om/app/answers/detail/a_id/18


Back to the computer, you could always dump one of these into an old pc. Kind of a pain. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116028


Maybe a USB 2.0 Version?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100048

Coax hooks right up and you could record it straight to your computer or laptop.

http://dvr.about.com/od/tvcapturemethods/ht/ht1.htm

Did ya ever think about going to ebay and just buying another VCR?
 
I do have a couple of older Tivos I could do some testing on, but it will have to wait for a week or so...

One has a liftetime subscription on, and the other got cancelled since we don't use it anymore.
 
Brent if you ever want to part with that lifetime subscribed tivo... I'll start saving now... lol
I have 3 direcTV DVR's, and their record interface is similar to, but not the same as the Tivo, unlike the R10 I used to have which was a Tivo interface. *sigh* someday I'll get another Tivo...
 
Ok Rennie everyone has been nice and kind to you. I am not going to be that soft.:D

Ever heard of upgrade. You got the justification hanging on the wall and you now have the nice cab for the storage of it.

Why throw good money after old tech. Time to add a home theatre pc .

Cable is gonna be a thing of the past. Move to the internet even if its via your cable supplier. Then you able to view all your own media. (self made video, digital photos and get all the shows you want off the internet as well as watch you tube on your big screen etc. Even flip to the forum if you like while watching a show and waiting for adds to go by.

You can do this today with a pc setp but i aint got round to this myself yet.

Check out this video these guys are going to build one in a suitable case too.
http://www.youtube.com/newegg#p/search/0/mM4kcwMw7WU

Way more vesatility. There are many components that can be used on this build and it aint difficult to do. Its mostly plug and play.:)
 
ahem... and 'overpriced' for a reason? ... c'mon Rennie, there's an App for that even... ;) (just kidding my friend...) sounds like a used VCR might do the trick for you.
It's only one program that I need to record each season - it just happens to fall on an evening that I already record two others. :dunno:
 
Does any of the other shows repeat at a later hour? Half my shows have to record on the second airing at 1 - 3 am as my wife has shows being recorded/watched.
I do a lot of that too for the shows on cable chanels like TLC and Discovery. Unfortunately, on this particular evening all three shows are on network TV. No repeats later.
 
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