lokizmom ([personal profile] lokizmom) wrote2008-08-27 07:00 pm

OK...another question...

this one has to do with my cable box, dvd player, and vcr connecting to the TV.

so...here's the thing...

i have connected the cable out from the wall in to the box, out from the box in to the vcr, and out from the vcr in to the TV. this leaves the DVD player. i have connected the sound out from the dvd in to the stereo ( R & L), and the video (yellow cable) out from the dvd in to the vcr. this isn't working. i have tried every combination of moving the wires around and just can't get it to work. any suggestions?

[identity profile] johno.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
RF from the cable box to VCR,
Composite from DVD to VCR.

Have you switched to Video input to see the DVD video?

Some VCRs want to see audio and video input, so you may need to route the DVD audio to the vcr as well. Then take the audio output from the vcr to the stereo.

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
Composite? Is that the yellow chord for video?

I tried switching the tv to video, but that didn't work either.

[identity profile] johno.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
Yes that's what it's called.

Switch the VCR to video mode, or skip the VCR in the hook up and put the yellow cable from the DVD directly to the TV.

one bit of information i forgot to give...

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 05:21 pm (UTC)(link)
put the yellow cable from the DVD directly to the TV.

i dont have this option. my TV is about 10 years old and doesn't have the yellow video input. there's only one in connection and it's the cable input. **sigh**

[identity profile] john-whorfin.livejournal.com 2008-08-28 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Try putting the TV on channel 3
With the RCA (red, white, yellow) plugs from the DVD plugged in, try to tune the VCR to "video" or "line in"

Let us know how this works!

If all else fails: http://www.karaokewh.com/item_details.cfm/ProdID/3645-karaoke.html

(Not that I am in any way suggesting you do this!)

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
the TV is always on 3 because of the cable box. i just wish there was a connector that i could attach to the cable "in" on the TV to make it a cable in and video in 'cos that would solve everything.

ugh! i hate to have to get a new TV 'cos this one still works well enough!

[identity profile] john-whorfin.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 07:24 am (UTC)(link)
Did you try the procedure I mentioned? I'm unsure whether you tried exactly that.
Give me a call if you'd like me to try something else.

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
oh and it frightens me that you have a link to a karaoke website :P

[identity profile] john-whorfin.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, it's a link to a site that has equipment that might help your problem... everyone knows I don't do karaoke! It's for your own safety!

[identity profile] ag-unicorn.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
If this is the configuration you are using:

Cable Box Out (F Connector) -> VCR Ant In (F Connector, VCR @ output channel for Cable box (usually 3 or 4)) -> VCR TV Out (F Connector) -> TV In (F Connector, TV @ output channel for VCR (usually 3 or 4; do NOT use the same channel as the Cable box, as it could cause interference))

DVD Out (RCA connectors) -> VCR Video In (RCA connectors)

then your VCR should have some way of switching to the "Video" inputs.

First, your VCR's internal tuner must be active (this is the "TV/VCR" mode setting that allows you to jump between VCR channel tuner usage and TV/Cable channel tuner usage without having to turn off the VCR; this may be on your VCR's front panel, and is almost certainly on the remote of the VCR).

Next, if you have two sets of inputs on the VCR, then there is a way to change between Antenna input (coming from your cable box @ the cable box's output channel) and your Video input (coming from your DVD player); you have to figure out how to switch the VCR to "Video" or "Aux" input mode.

Common methodologies are:
- Channel "00" on the VCR
- Channel "Aux" on the VCR (may also be "RCA", "Video", or "Game" (yes, I have seen "Game" as a channel setting))
- The "Input Switch" or "Input" toggle feature (may be on the front panel, almost certainly on the remote)

With the cable set up you described, you should be able to:

- Turn your Cable box on, leave the VCR off, turn the TV on to the correct Cable box output channel and watch whatever is on your cable box;
- Turn your Cable box on, set the VCR to "VCR Tuner" and "Antenna/Cable Input/Internal Tuner" mode, set the VCR channel to the correct Cable box output channel, turn the TV on to the correct VCR output channel and watch or record whatever is on your cable box;
- Turn your DVD player on, set the VCR to "VCR Tuner" and "Video/Aux Input" mode, turn the TV on to the correct VCR output channel, and watch whatever is in your DVD player; or
- Turn the entire bloody thing off, throw on some tunes and read a book. ;)

[identity profile] ag-unicorn.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Failed to note the following:
You will need to have your Stereo on and set to "Aux In" (or whatever the jacks where you plugged in the DVD audio L&R outputs to are labelled) in order to hear the DVD.

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
OK so i'm actually going to print this out and check it tonight. if you happen to see a reply tonight you will know if it worked or didn't. ~_O

[identity profile] ag-unicorn.livejournal.com 2008-08-29 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
If no, then forward me the info on the VCR (mfr/model); I'll do some research and see what I come up with.

[identity profile] lokiz-mom.livejournal.com 2008-08-31 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
No books for me! I got the DVD to work!!!

YAY!!!