DVD Setup Question

I have Dish Network with the Dish satellite box (connected to TV) in Room 1...and a TV (no satellite box) in Room 2 that also receives the satellite signal. It's a 2 room setup. I do not have a HD package.

In Room 2, I have a Toshiba DVR670 (VCR/DVD), using the "Component 3" setup for local channels. The satellite cable from the wall (in Room 2) is in the "Antenna In" on the TV. The external inside local antenna is in the "Antenna In" on the DVR670. I can record local channels to DVD or VCR and dub, etc., but am unable to figure out how to record from satellite.
The TV in Room 2 must be on channel 60 to receive satellite channels.

I want to be able to record from satellite, but not sure of the setup procedure. The Sony TV (3 years old) has all the standard inputs/outputs (no HDMI) and the DVR670 has all input/output options.  I simply want to record from either, particularly from satellite.

Is there a way to accomplish this?  Simple terms, please.


Thanks.

Normally you'd want to have the DVD-R in the same room as the satellite box, and just hook up s-video + audio or composite video + audio.  Those connections, or running long AV cables from one room to the other, would give best quality.  You'd just cycle to that input on the DVD-R then record.

If for some reason you have to keep the DVD in room 2, and are limited to that coax RF feed, it gets more complicated.  Is there an on-air physical channel 60/59/61 broadcasting in your area?  If not, you can probably just use a diplexer, combine that feed with your antenna feed, then record on channel 60 for the satellite.  If there is interference, instead use an A/B RF switch, one end to antenna, the other to the satellite modulated on ch 60, and switch between satellite/antenna.

But the best option by far would be to get a DVR from dish, record to hard drive.  Recording to DVD/VCR is 20th century, antiquated IMO.  DVRs are a vastly better solution for viewing TV, allowing you to simply record everything, giving you a near video-on-demand experience and allowing you to avoid commercials.  It's mild torture for me watching TV without one.

Thanks for replying.

(Is there an on-air physical channel 60/59/61 broadcasting in your area?)
There is no channel 60/59/61 in our broadcast area.

(If not, you can probably just use a diplexer, combine that feed with your antenna feed, then record on channel 60 for the satellite.)
I had purchased a Radio Shack diplexer, but it was a 75-Ohm VHF/UHF diplexer.  Could that be part of the problem?

(Is there an on-air physical channel 60/59/61 broadcasting in your area?)
There is no channel 60/59/61 in our broadcast area.

(If there is interference, instead use an A/B RF switch, one end to antenna, the other to the satellite modulated on ch 60, and switch between satellite/antenna.)
I'll give the A/B RF switch a try if there is interference.

(But the best option by far would be to get a DVR from dish, record to hard drive.)
I have a Dish Network DVR625.  It's physically in Room 1 and I do use DVR quite a bit via Room 2. The problem is when I record to DVR, there's no way to get it from DVR to DVD.  If I could do that, my problem would be solved.  That's the reason I would like to copy/record from Satellite to DVD on my Toshiba DVR670.

Maybe I should have been a little clearer in my OP.

I appreciate your input and await further input.

For best dubbing results you'd want to move the DVD over & dub with A/V cables, but if you are willing to go lower quality that diplexer ought to work.  Hook it up, do an analog channel scan, see if you pick up channel 60, making sure you are keeping it on "air" not "cable".

I appreciate everyone's help in trying to solve my setup problem, but I give up.  Nothing works.  I've spent too much time on this scenario and I've got to move on.  I suppose the current equipment that I have will not accommodate the goals that I wanted.

Thanks again for your efforts.

?? Surely you can get things to work.  Exactly how did you connect the equipment?  What error messages/symptoms of failure happened when you tried to view something?

It's really not that complicated, I don't see why you give up so easily.  To start with, just try the simplest possible configuration, if you don't want to move the DVD player to the other room:
- you have an RF cable that goes from the satellite box and screws in to the back of the TV, right?  Just unscrew that, plug it into the DVD-R instead.  Unscrew your indoor antenna, plug the satellite into that spot
- you have the DVD connected to the TV using component video? HDMI?  Set the TV input to view that input, as you would for a regular DVD.
- tune the DVD-R to channel 60.  Do you see the satellite signal?  If so you can just hit record.

Once we get that sorted out, it will be simple to get the antenna back in the picture for OTA with either the diplexer or the switch.

Edited by Stephen Tu - 8/27/09 at 2:11pm

Thanks again for replying.  Evidently, I don't have the patience that you have .

I have a Dish Network 2-room setup.  The Dish receiver is in Room 1.  There is no Dish receiver (satellite box) in Room 2, but there is an incoming coax cable for satellite.  The Dish receiver is a Dish625 with DVR and it's in Room 1.

I have a DVR670 (DVD/VCR) with tuner in and an over-the-air antenna.  I can receive both local and satellite great.  The DVR670 is connected via Component 3.  The TV *must* be on channel 60 in order to receive satellite signals.  No problems there.

There is *no* channel 60 for my local viewing area.  I do not have HDMI.

I am able to view/record the satellite programming onto DVR.  No problems there.  I can view and record local channels on either DVD or VCR.  No problems there. 

But..... what I want to do is record satellite programs directly onto the DVR670, just as I am able to do with local channels.  The problem is that I can't find an affordable way to record from DVR to DVD/VCR.  That's why I would like to record satellite directly to the DV670's DVD.

Today, I purchased a Radio Shack Satellite/TV Antenna Diplexer #16-2567 (40-2150MHz) and hooked it up.....local antenna into ANT on the diplexer...and Satellite cable into SAT on the diplexer.  I hooked up the other end of the Diplexer (ANT/SAT) to the DVR670 Antenna In.  Then I connected a cable from the DVR670 ANT Out to the TV's ANT In.  Didn't work.

I had the DVR670 to scan local channels and tried that.  Didn't work. Then I had the DVR670 to scan Cable channels (the DVR670 does not say "Satellite"...it just says "Cable").  Didn't work.

I put the TV on channel 60.  Then I got a snowy satellite picture.  You could see the programming, but barely.  I tried the input button on the remote.  Didn't work.

After hours and days of frustration, I've had it. 

Evidently, it can't be done.  At least, no solution works as of now.  If anyone can get this to work the way I would like it to, I would love to hear the solution.

Thanks.

I think that's your problem right there.  You probably shouldn't use this connection, use HDMI or component video instead, switch the TV to that input.

If you use the RF connection, then you have to set the TV to channel 3 or 4, NOT channel 60.  And sometimes have to fiddle with a TV/VCR or TV/DVD button on the DVD remote.

Try it with JUST
- satellite cable into DVR670
- HDMI or component to TV
- TV set to that input

set DVD to channel 60, but set to "air" or antenna not "cable".

Definitely not true.  You're probably just trying too many things at one time, and don't have a clear idea in your head of how the signal passes from one component to the next.

Also, I don't think you want a satellite diplexer, just a normal CATV on both sides splitter/combiner.  Satellite diplexer might filter out the signal.  After the satellite box puts it on that cable, channel 60, it's just a normal UHF signal, it's not a "satellite" signal, it's been converted.


Edited by Stephen Tu - 8/27/09 at 4:24pm

Stephen:

You said:

"Try it with JUST
- satellite cable into DVR670
- HDMI or component to TV
- TV set to that input

set DVD to channel 60, but set to "air" or antenna not "cable"."


OK.  I did that and it worked!  I'm able to record from satellite...no local antenna at all at this point.

What do I do now to get the local channels set up so I can record from both satellite and local?

Thanks!!

 

You are already using the antenna input of the DVD recorder.  You can use a switcher but you will have to change it manaually and maybe rescan every time.  Your other option would be a jointenna.  It's a reverse splitter with filters that allows two antennas to work together without interfering with each other.  You are in a similar situation but need an antenna and the RF output of a satellite system to work together.  You will need a jointenna that has one input specifically for channel 60 which will connect to your sat system.  The other input of the jointenna will connect to an antenna that will allow reception of all channels except channel 60.  The output of the jointenna will have all channels and it will feed the input of your DVD recorder.  http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/Jointennas.htm

What does this have to do with Receivers and Amps?

I think jointenna is probably overkill.  Try just a simple splitter/combiner like:
http://www.amazon.com/CHANNEL-VISION-HS-2-Splitter-Combiner/dp/B00009W5IU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251533980&sr=8-4

The modulator on the satellite shouldn't be generating signal on the cable other than on channel 60 with some effect on adjacent channels, I don't think a jointenna is needed as it would in the case where you have two actual antennas and want to filter out multi-path interference.

If still issues, an A/B switch will definitely work, shouldn't have to rescan, just scan with the antenna and manually add channel 60 or punch in ch 60 should override the scan.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?y=6&x=10&retainProdsInSession=1&productId=3595556&tab=custRatings

Remember for best quality recordings, I still recommend actually moving the DVD to the other room if you want to dump stuff off the DVR, using s-video / RCA audio.  Use the RF modulated feed for recordings where you don't care so much about the quality.

I agree 100% with the recommendation of moving the DVD recorder so the recordings can use a better connection method.

As for the jointenna, have you seen the quality of Dish equipment?  I was a customer for a year and a week (I had a 1 year contract) and it was terrible compared to my current DirecTV equipment.  There will be some signal bleedover to the adjacent channels.  If the OP would post a location or maybe his antennaweb.org results then we could definitely determine if a combiner or a jointenna is the optimal choice.

-Robert

If you read earlier in the thread, he already said no channel 59/61.  I'm 99% sure combiner will work just fine, and it's the cheaper solution.

It's going to bleed over 3 or 4 channels each direction.  Even Channel Plus modulators have to have 1 channel of separation to keep interference to a minimum.  A single channel modulator wasn't designed with other channels in mind.

But you are correct, a combiner should be a first step since it is the cheapest solution.  But a check of antennaweb.org is free.

-Robert

I am the OP and live in the Columbus, GA area.

If, in fact, the jointenna is the solution, which one would I need?  Or which A/B/Combiner switch would I need?  The more details, the better because I'm a novice in this area.

What is anntennaweb.org and how do I use it?

As I mentioned earlier, there are no local channels 59, 60, or 61.

Watching you guys talking about this makes me eager to learn.  You seem to have a lot of expertise/experience in this area.  I'm definitely not giving up now!  Thanks for your time spent in solving this problem.  If you need any more information as to my setup. etc., please ask I will respond asap.

Antennaweb.org is just a web site where you plug in your address, it then shows you what broadcast stations are in your area, what channels they are on, their location & direction from you, and how strong/directional an antenna you need for best reception.

Your highest physical broadcast channel is Fox on ch 49 so I really, really don't think a jointenna is necessary.  (Jointenna you would use one for "ch 60").

Just use a normal CATV RF splitter/combiner, 5-1000 Mhz.  If after putting this in you find that you lose reception, use an A/B switch instead.

Finally got it to work by following your input!   I can now record/view both local and satellite channels.  I had to fiddle around with it for a while to get the hang of it and ultimately wrote it down step-by-step.  I bought a Radio Shack Bidirectional, 75-Ohm, 2-way splitter (#15-2587) and it did the job.

 

Now my next project is as follows……

 

Summary:

I have Dish Network (2 TV setup)…..one in Room 1 and one in Room 2.

 

Room 1 has the physical Dish625 box.  Room 2 does not have the box.

 

In Room 2,  I have the Toshiba DVR670 VCR/DVD combo.  I control the Satellite channels in Room 2 via the

Dish remote #2 (remote #1 is in room 1).

 

A while back, I purchased a Universal Remote URC-R50 to control the devices in room 2.  However, I don’t understand how to get the Dish remote #2 to work through the R50.  I tried ALL the codes and none work.  I even tried the “Learning” mode.

 

How can I set up the Dish remote to work with the R50?  I want to be able to just use the R50 and toss the other remotes.  The other components work great with the R50.

 

Any input here would be appreciated.  If you need more details, I will be happy to give them to you.

 

Thanks.

You can't.  The Dish remote is using RF, not IR like most standard components.  That's what allows it to control a receiver in another room; RF penetrates walls while IR requires line-of-sight.  Universal remotes only work with IR controlled components.

Well, that answers that question.  Do you have a suggestion for a IR/RF remote that will accomplish that setup?  Reasonably priced, of course (under $200).

OK, looks like I was half wrong.  You can use the R50, except you learn from the TV1 IR remote (set to a different address, follow Dish manual & manual for adapter below), not the TV2 RF remote.

Furthermore, you need the following adapter:
http://www.dishdepot.com/remotes.jsp
TV2 IR converter kit

Which allows IR control of the TV2 on the receiver.

Thanks.  I'll check it out.  By the way, what is Slingbox?

Slingbox:  www.slingbox.com  Basically it's a box you connect to a video source, usually a DVR.  It has inputs for the audio/video & an IR blaster to control other equipment, and a network connection.  It then compresses the video, and transmits it over the internet.  This basically allows you to watch your DVR recorded programs remotely on a laptop when you are on a trip somewhere with a high speed internet connection.

Terk Leapfrog:  This device is doing a different thing from the adapter I pointed to.  The Terk is converting IR to RF (Terk protocol), then transmitting to a base station. The base station then transmits using IR to control components.  It is basically a way to control standard IR components in another room with a standard IR remote.  Instead of having an RF remote with an RF->IR base station, you have ordinary IR remote, and two stations, one of which receives the IR & transmits to the base station.

RF is always using proprietary protocols.  In order to control a Dish receiver *directly*, without that special Dish-made IR->UHF converter, you have to get a remote that's specifically designed for Dish.  Random RF products don't work, they only will transmit RF to their base station, which is still using IR to control the components. You need the Dish converter to actually convert the IR to Dish UHF protocol for control, since the receiver only accepts RF for TV2 control.  Without it, IR can only be used to control the TV1 output.

Looks like I'll need the TV2 IR converter kit from dishdepot.  I'll order one this weekend and keep you posted.  Maybe someone else can also learn from this.

Success!

The TV2 IR kit works great!  Now I can control the satellite channels in room 2 with my URC-R50 universal remote (using IR).  I can also record from Dish DVR to DVD.  It was well worth the $47.99.

Thanks.