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Home audio & video: Why wouldn't a DVR work with a roof antenna?
Why wouldn't a DVR work with a roof antenna?
by cappykelly - 9/16/09 1:41 PMI have a roof antenna, a new digital tv, and get a picture just fine. But I need to be able to time shift record.
I purchased a panasonic combo vcr/dvd recorder-player. I THOUGHT I'd be able to record on vhs as before, but, no, will not record anything digital (and of course now eerything is digital). So that leaves the dvd, which I'm trying to figure out if I can record there okay.
But I am wondering about DVR's (or is there a DVR DVD combo?) I have asked 5 people (including Geek Squad) and they say I would not be able to use a DVR as it would be looking for a signal from my cable or satellite company-- and I have no such company.
Why can't a DVR record from my antenna?
One person said because it's not a digital antenna?
I just don't grasp this. Just wondering.
Thanks.
Yes you can
by givemeaname - 9/16/09 3:33 PM In reply to: Why wouldn't a DVR work with a roof antenna? by cappykellyyes a few companies make HHD/DVD-R players (Later this year you will start to see one's with Bluray also) that can record from an antenna. Even cable or Sat companies DVR's can do this too, I have done it with my own DVR from dishnetwork.
so this would just be for OTA only right? Yes just get one that has a built-in digital tuner.
Do not trust 'Geek Squad'!!!
For the DVD-R player you have now, need a model number or link to it.
Thanks
by cappykelly - 9/19/09 4:01 AM In reply to: Yes you can by givemeanameThanks for your reply.
So a dvr can be used with antenna! OK. It is so confusing the information out there, and people "in the know" often are not in the know...
The Panasonic combo vcr/dvd is dmr-ez485v
I have been able to record on the dvd but it's a pain in that you can only watch one channel at a time and fast forwarding sure is shaky compared to the old vhs tapes.
Now the picture is great, yes.
But some odd things, like when you've played something and turn it off, it leaves the TV on. Whereas when you play it, it turns the TV on (but not off).
I dunno, just seems like a pain in general.
And very slow to do anything.
If I wait might there be some better solutions?
I have my little old analog Tv and Sony vcr which I can watch with "broadcast cable." Not the "quality of the other setup" but sure is ease of use.
(BTW I have one of those dial vcr's and you don't have to turn on the tv at all to program it. You just go to the unit, push and turn the dial, and there you go-- in seconds you've programmed several programs on different stations with no problem.)
Which brings up another question... if I keep the broadcast cable line, I gather it has an analog signal. So it would not work with the digital tv, would it?
I may return all things digital til I'm more ready to cope with them, is why I ask.
Thanks!
That's how I feel about cell phone, hehe.
by ahtoi - 9/19/09 9:44 AM In reply to: Thanks by cappykellyYes..the cell; I don't own one and I don't touch them if I can help it. They are too small and complicated to program.
Technology is constantly moving forward and it's not going back. So if we need to use it then we just have to learn it. It's our choice.
Yes if the DVR has
by givemeaname - 9/19/09 12:23 PM In reply to: Thanks by cappykellyA built-in digital tuner you can record from an anntena, not all do but most do.
Reading on your DVD-r player yes lots of people say it is buggy and has it problems but it can record OTA and it has a good built-in digital tuner.
DVRs that record to hard drive?
by cappykelly - 9/20/09 4:12 AM In reply to: Yes if the DVR has by givemeanameBut I should be able to get one of these that will work with my setup, yes? I hear these are easier to use than recording on a dvd disc.
Truth or fiction? 
Don't buy panasonic
by lahinch44 - 10/6/09 12:15 PM In reply to: DVRs that record to hard drive? by cappykellyPanasonic ez28 ---did all the things that I read on the forums, i.e.: froze at 0.00 and had to reset; when scheduling timer, the 2nd show scheduled wipes out the first show scheduled; freezes at other times and need to unplug or reset to start from zero; only taped about half the time and other times, even though the "taping" icon appears on unit, when you want to reply it shows "nothing taped". It goes back to Best Buy today. Still looking for reliable DVR with no VCR combo that will tape from antenna/OTA. frustrated.
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