Recording from ntl to a DVD recorder

Theodoric · 12-11-2005, 22:25

At the end of the recent What Interconnects etc thread Altis said:

Correct. Routing the RF via the STB will achieve nothing useful. As you say, what you need is:
aerial --> recorder (RF in)
recorder (RF out) --> TV
Indeed, this will allow you to simultaneously watch terrestial and record NTL. And probably vice versa too.

How exactly do you record from ntl to a DVD recorder and what are the restrictions? I've read the manual and am not much the wiser. Also, are the rf interconnections suggested by Altis essential. I have aerial to STB to DVD to TV.

Angua · 12-11-2005, 23:27

I have assembled mine according to this diagram done by Altis (replacing the Video with a DVD R) and touch wood it works well. Do make sure you have a good scart connector though the cheapy ones cause problems.
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floppus · 13-11-2005, 11:30

Interesting diagram.... BUT...
I wired mine exactly as this one but the picture displayed on the TV is from the DVD when in record mode. Sometimes I want to record on the dvd from the in built tuner on analogue whilst watching the STB on digital but the STB allows pass through of the signal from the recorder via the scart and this overides the digital STB signal. I have 2 scarts on the DVD recorder TV and AUX 1 plus a set of phonos (3) 2 audio and 1 video AUX 2 plus the RF pass through system and 2 audio out phonos.

Basically I can record digital from the STB and watch analogue on the TV via the RF but not the other way round.

Help anyone......

Angua · 13-11-2005, 12:16

Have you tuned the DVD R into the individual terrestrial channels? This diagram is exactly as we have our system set up and I can record from either the STB or terrestrial channels. IIRC we did have problems making the channels "stick" to the normal numbers (had a bad ITV on 3 but good on 7 so had to manually input the good ITV signal on 3 as the auto tune picked the poor reception one for 3) but eventually sorted it out.

floppus · 13-11-2005, 13:56

Yes...
You select the recording 'source' on the dvr either video (scart) 1 or 2, 'S', Aux (phonos), or 'Tuner'. THe result is displayed in a preview screen. You can then set the timer and switch off the dvr. When the DVR switches on to fulfill the record instruction the signal cuts over the STB and is displayed on the TV.

Angua · 13-11-2005, 14:21

needs somone a lot smarter than me then

altis · 13-11-2005, 17:31

It sounds to me like the DVD recorder is behaving badly and outputting a signal on the scart when it shouldn't. If there is a signal there, and pin 8 is asserted, then the STB is duty bound to forward it to the TV. You might want to try taking this up with the manufacturer of the recorder.

altis · 13-11-2005, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theodoric

How exactly do you record from ntl to a DVD recorder and what are the restrictions? I've read the manual and am not much the wiser. Also, are the rf interconnections suggested by Altis essential. I have aerial to STB to DVD to TV.

If your recorder has 2 scart sockets and will record RGB (most don't but some Panasonics will) then I'd recommend putting the recorder between the STB and the TV. This is because the STBs only output RGB on the TV socket and not the VCR one. Otherwise, wire it up like it's a VCR in the diagram above.

It is important to add the RF connections as this provides a second signal path and allows you to do two things at once. There's a more detailed description here.

Theodoric · 15-11-2005, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

If your recorder has 2 scart sockets and will record RGB (most don't but some Panasonics will) then I'd recommend putting the recorder between the STB and the TV. This is because the STBs only output RGB on the TV socket and not the VCR one. Otherwise, wire it up like it's a VCR in the diagram above.

It is important to add the RF connections as this provides a second signal path and allows you to do two things at once. There's a more detailed description here.

Thanks for the link which I shall squirrel away. I seem to be building up quite a collection of how to connect this bit of equipment to that bit of equipment.

One of these days, when I get the chance, I intend to print them all out, sit down in front of my TV and systematically work my way through them until I have a really clear idea of what is what.