Perennial qu. re TV/VCR/DVDR cable connections, sorry!

[fraser33]

Hi folks,

I've had a good search on the forums for an answer to my question, but am still lost. I'm sure it's something that's been asked loads of time, so apologies for posting it yet again.

I have some Panny kit, namely HDD, a VCR and regular CRT TV.

I'd like to transfer some programmes I have on the HD onto VHS tape. (I usually don't have the VCR connected.)

I'm struggling to figure out how to connect each unit so that I can record from DVD HD to VHS as required. All the components have 2 scart sockets. Since I don't really understand the route of the signal, from it coming in to whichever piece of equipment is being used, is there a 'numpty site' where such cabling diagrams can be found or could someone please suggest how to go about doing this? And before it's suggested, yes I've RTFMs.

Cheers

F

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by fraser33

Hi folks,

I've had a good search on the forums for an answer to my question, but am still lost. I'm sure it's something that's been asked loads of time, so apologies for posting it yet again.

I have some Panny kit, namely HDD, a VCR and regular CRT TV.

I'd like to transfer some programmes I have on the HD onto VHS tape. (I usually don't have the VCR connected.)

I'm struggling to figure out how to connect each unit so that I can record from DVD HD to VHS as required. All the components have 2 scart sockets. Since I don't really understand the route of the signal, from it coming in to whichever piece of equipment is being used, is there a 'numpty site' where such cabling diagrams can be found or could someone please suggest how to go about doing this? And before it's suggested, yes I've RTFMs.

Cheers

F

Hi Fraser

Firstly let me just say we try to discourage the use of the term HD when referring hard disc drive, preferring HDD, as it saves a lot of possible confusion with HD, meaning High Definition.

Also 'HDD' could mean either a DVDR or a PVR but as it is Panasonic it is probably a DVDR... so safest to refer to it as that.


Before dealing with the issue of connections , please note that if the material you wish to copy is sourced from original commercial DVD's then these will be copy-protected and the VCR will not allow you to make copies.

If it is your own material sourced from TV there should be no problem.

There are many options of connections but probably the simplest is to remove the scart plug in the back of your TV that comes from the DVDR and plug into AV2 of the VCR [ usually the bottom socket on Panasonic VCR's ]

Connect another scart socket from AV1 of the VCR [ Top Socket ] to the socket in the TV from where you removed the DVDR socket.


This would do as a temporary arrangement for copying.
There may be a better arrangement if you want a permanent setup... but for that we would need you model numbers.

[fraser33]

Gav,

Thanks for the advice, and point noted about the HD/HDD clarification. This very same point caused some confusion last night during another discussion in fact!

The material is sourced from tv, just a few regular programmes - nothing copy-protected, so no worries on that front. Hopefully this will now get me sorted and I can successfully transfer to VHS.

Cheers


F

[fraser33]

Hi Gav,

I tried connecting it as suggested below, but with no success I'm afraid. (I should add I've got a freeview box linked into the set-up at present, maybe this alters things?)

I've attached a couple of photos of the back of each bit of kit, showing the ports available.

The components are as follows:

- TV: Panasonic TX-28PM11
- DVDR (hard disk recorder): Panasonic DMR-EH50
- VCR: Panasonic NV-HV61EB

Any further thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?

Cheers


Fraser

[ROYOLD]

See if you can finde a suitable connection diagram on the Sony Website.

Most of the connection diagrams are suitable for other manufacturers equipment.

Sony Europe Customer Support Portal

Taking this diagram :

http://support.sony-europe.com/hav/t...,STB1,VCR,DVDR

You would need a scart connection from AV1 of the DVD recorder to the decoder input of the VCR (currently shown with no connection). You could also probably connect using scart to phono connections. i.e. Output from AV4 on the EH50 into the VCR using Y,W,R phono plugs or the S-Video connection (as substitute for Yellow if the VCR is S-VHS type).

[Gavtech]

Originally Posted by fraser33

Hi Gav,

I tried connecting it as suggested below, but with no success I'm afraid. (I should add I've got a freeview box linked into the set-up at present, maybe this alters things?)

Hi Fraser.

The problem was probably just one of selecting the right inputs on the various bits of equipment.

It would help to know whether you are looking for a permanent connection solution here or a temporary one whilst you do some copying ... because some compromise will possibly be involved.

The problem is your TV only has one RGB capable scart [ AV1] ... to which priority should be given for connection of your DVDR.

So - You want a fully wired scart from AV1 of the DVDR to AV1 of the TV.

Next connect a scart from VCR AV1 to AV2 of the DVDR.


Turn on all equipment and if necessary select AV1 as the viewing source on your TV. .. so that you are seeing the output of the DVDR.

On the DVDR select AV2 as the input [ Usually shown as A2 on the display] Use the DVDR channel up/ down buttons and go back through the channels 4,3,2,1 and keep going until you get A2 on the display.

The DVDR is now 'seeing' the input from the VCR ... and it should be showing on the TV ... and if so you are in a position to record from it.



If you wish to keep this arrangement permanently it starts to get tricky because the only sockets left for your STB are a non RGB scart in the TV - so you would have to configure the output of the STB to output S video...

An alternative is to connect to the remaining socket of the VCR and use RGB passthrough of the whole chain... but given you have had difficulty all ready I don't recommend it, because to get the correct switching behaviour you need to know exactly what you are doing.

[ROYOLD]

Just to complicate matters, Gav, I was hoping you would mention the scart switchbox for setting up a permanent connection!

Buy Philex Scart Video Unit. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for .

[fraser33]

Thanks guys, I'll give that a shot again tonight. I was wondering if it was a simple matter of selecting the wrong input, as I could view both VCR and DVDR info when I wanted, it's just that when I tried to record onto the VCR from the DVDR's HDD, I ended up recording what was being broadcast on tv. Aargh!

I'd wondered about getting one of those SCART switcher units too, for my other tv which only has one SCART socket, os cheers for the Argos link.

F

[ROYOLD]

It could well be that you were recording the wrong input.

To record onto VHS tape from the DVDR hard drive you need to have the DVDR output (AV1) connected to the input socket of the VCR which is probably marked AV2 or decoder. You must ALSO select this input on the VCR as the recording source. And to make sure you are watching what is being recorded on the VCR you need the VCR AV1 output connected directly to the TV (lets say to the TV AV2 input) and this is the TV input you should monitor as to what is being recorded onto the VCR.

You could also use RCA Phono connections if your VCR is so equipped (instead of scart). Using the OUTPUT connections of AV4 on the DVDR to connect to the INPUT connections of the VCR (these may be on the front of the VCR and perhaps maked AV3 input)..

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catal...-Cables-Phono/

[fraser33]

Well, finally got round to re-cabling the system. First tried Gavtech's suggestion, but despite things looking promising, it didn't seem to record anything when played back on what I'd hoped was the VCR's recording.

Second attempt was using Royold's alternate cabling set up. This too seemed not to work, but after fiddling with the TV/AV button on the tv front panel, I tried one last time and the recording seems to have worked. It seems to be that all 3 components had to be set for 'A2' on their respective displays.

Thanks again to those who offered advice - I can finally start dumping stuff from my HDD!

Cheers

F