DVD/VCR Combo w/NTSC Tuner? (1 Viewer)

[pablops]

I have DishNet with a 2-receiver DVR. It has an RF coaxial output connector with which the rest of the house is fed. It actually modulates on channels you select so that you can choose either the first receiver ("TV1" they call it) or the second one ("TV2"). The ouput is analog RF. I tried the Samsung 260F but found it wouldn't work - evidently it only receives digital signals.

I have an LCD projector that has no RF input or tuner. So I'm looking for a DVD/VCR combination that has an NTSC tuner in it. I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate input on, please:

1 - It appears that new devices with "ATSC" tuners in them won't decipher analog signals. is that correct?

2 - Any suggestions as to where to find a DVD/VCR with NTSC tuner in it?

Thank,

PAUL SHARP

 

[Bluzman]

I'm currently using a Samsung DVD-VR330 VCR/DVD recorder combo. IMO it's about as simple to use as it gets. It's not a current model but it's still available.

Review of Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD recorder & HiFi VCR

Samsung DVD-VR330 DVD/VCR Combined Recorder on Sale at Taaffe Photo

 

[pablops]

That sounds very good - but I do have that burning question: will it receive analog RF video as an input? I didn't see anything in the review or the add which said for sure that it did so (or even that it had a tuner - although I'm assuming it has one). I need one that receive analog and not just digital.

 

[Robert_J]

You do know that RF standard def video blown up to projector size will look like crap?

I know I've answered or seen this exact same question.

Found it - http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...r-hook-up.html

-Robert

 

[pablops]

I read the thread in your link, Robert. Thanks. Actually I already looked at it and while it isn't stellar it isn't bad. I did it by moving an old VCR with an analog RF input terminal on it in order to check things out.

The LCD actually handles 720 or something like that - XGA I think they call it. Of course if all I'm getting out of the back of the box is SD video via the RF connect it won't make any difference. I don't know what definition it is from the DishNet receiver out of that terminal - just that it's analog.

Hence I still have the question about whether that box Bluzman mentioned has analog RF capability?

If any of you have any other suggestions, I'm certainly open and appreciate of input. There is RG6 run from the receiver to the upstairs room where I want to run this projector. Note that the receiver is actually 2-in-1 because it has 2 receivers in it (they call them "TV1" and "TV2"). The first one is HD. That also goes out the RF output connector because they actually RF modulate both TV1 and TV2 and send them out that connector. You can specify "Air" or "Cable" mode for it and also specify the two channels. For example, right now I have it in "Air" mode and am using channel 60 for TV1 and 62 for TV2 (or maybe it the reverse, but I can tune a TV or this old VCR I'm testing with to either receiver).

 

[pablops]

Well, Robert - you were absolutely right. I decided to run some tests, which I just finished.

The SD analog RF output looks absolutely awful using the LCD projector. I even hooked it up with just a 25' RG6 cable to the RF output connector of the DishNet 722 dual receiver. That close didn't make any difference. I had thought that when I was testing last night a 100' of cable more that it would be OK if I got a booster amp in the line - but that obviously isn't the case. SD is SD and it "don't get better" with a stronger signal.

So, I just finished setting up the cabling in the house a different way. Fortunately, when I had it cabled, I had them run a separate cable from the TV room to a junction room under the stairs, then another separate cable from their to the upstairs where I want to put the LCD. So I put a 2-way splitter in the line before it reaches the DishNet receiver box, and ran one side of it (the other still goes to the DishNet box as before) directly up to the upstairs cable.

So tomorrow I just have to bite the bullet and have them put another HiDef receiver up there so that I can feed the LCD with enough quality to make the picture worth looking at.

Thanks to all for their input and suggestions.

 

[pablops]

Final Upshot: I got another HiDef DVR from DishNet for $50 + $50 installation; billing increase was only $5 each month. That isn't mere peanuts, but it worked out fine. It picks up better HD than my little projector can do anyway, so with that projector I'm getting as good as it can be. I already had the ViewSonic PJ255D that was going to waste (bought it 2 years ago for computer presentations and most of the time it wasn't busy) - which is what started this whole thing anyway. And when we want to watch 1080P we can watch the 40" Sony HDTV in the main room. I decided on headphones rather than installing a theator sound sytem. I already had one set, a Sennheiser RF model, so bought one more of those and they both receive off the same RF transmitter module with no cords and such, so the sound works fine since the quality is high and generally there are only two of us there.

Now if I decide to upgrade the upstairs installation at any point, I already have the basics installed. My wife complained about the cable going up the wall behind the back of the furniture to reach the now ceiling-mounted projector, but it really isn't bad; if it needs to be removed it's just a matter of filling in a couple of small screw holes and a little paint. We already had a screen in place - part of a remotely-operated privacy screen with a white back which happened to be right where you'd project video in the room.

So it came out well, and I'd like to thank those who helped me figure this out. This is a good forum.