Using Freeview and an old VCR/DVD recorder

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dwknight

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Master Geek

#103517 8-Jun-2012 17:44

Hi guys, we've bought a new tv with Freeview built in (picking it up tomorrow), but I was a bit concerned about how to record shows when there is no external set top box to interface with. Is it possible to somehow plug in the old VCR to the new tv and record stuff? If so, is it also possible to watch one channel and record another?

Thanks for any advice.

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#637964 8-Jun-2012 17:52

No.

There are rarely video outputs from TV's.

You should move to sell the VCR and purchase a freeview recorder, called a myfreeview PVR.

If you must keep the VCR, you'll need to purchase a separate set top box decoder.

dwknight

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Master Geek

#637965 8-Jun-2012 17:53

I was afraid you were gonna say that :P
Thanks.

xarqi

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#637966 8-Jun-2012 17:53

What model TV?

It would need to have video and audio outputs acceptable to your recorder (something like 3 RCA sockets, for example). Some may have these, but I think it is unlikely. In any event, you will only be able to record what you are viewing, you'll have problems trying to set up any timed recordings, and what you get won't be HD.

I think.

mattwnz

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#637972 8-Jun-2012 18:07

Jaxson: No.

There are rarely video outputs from TV's.

You should move to sell the VCR and purchase a freeview recorder, called a myfreeview PVR.

If you must keep the VCR, you'll need to purchase a separate set top box decoder.

Or get a tivo. Seperate set top boxes are around the same price as a tivo, which is a pvr.

scuwp

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#637976 8-Jun-2012 18:19

Yep, buy a Freeview personal video recorder (PVR) like a TiVo (recommended) or similar. The TV signal then goes through that first before going to your TV.

You can plug the VCR into one of the aux inputs in the TV to watch old VHS tapes if you have some, but once you get a PVR you will quickly realise how redundant, and crappy your VCR actually is.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

JimmyH

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#637985 8-Jun-2012 18:57

scuwp: Yep, buy a Freeview personal video recorder (PVR) like a TiVo (recommended) or similar. The TV signal then goes through that first before going to your TV.

You can plug the VCR into one of the aux inputs in the TV to watch old VHS tapes if you have some, but once you get a PVR you will quickly realise how redundant, and crappy your VCR actually is.

+1

Unless you have a particular need for a VCR/DVD recorder - such as taking tapes upstairs to watch in a bedroom, or you routinely tape things for other people. Then, connect the recorder to the set top box using RCA cables, and you can still tape of it as well. I used to do this with FV until I upgraded my parents setup, as there was some material on Channel 7 etc that they wanted to see but couldn't receive. (If in doubt, connect it. It's only a sub-$10 cable after all!).

Jaxson

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#637994 8-Jun-2012 19:34

TiVo represents the best bang for your buck deal at the moment. You need a broadband connection though, but if you have this TiVo is where you should be looking.

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dwknight

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Master Geek

#638150 9-Jun-2012 10:25

Got a few TiVo salesman on here ;)
Looks quite expensive to me. And do you have to be a telecom customer or something?

freitasm

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#638151 9-Jun-2012 10:29

That is probably because it's the best DVR around.

And no, you do not need to be a Telecom customer to have a TiVo. What made you think this?

sbiddle

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#638163 9-Jun-2012 10:48

dwknight: Got a few TiVo salesman on here ;)
Looks quite expensive to me. And do you have to be a telecom customer or something?

Expensive? Where have you been looking?

Tivo is a bargain, you can regularly pick up the 320GB model for $199 on special.

scuwp

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#638166 9-Jun-2012 10:53

dwknight: Got a few TiVo salesman on here ;)
Looks quite expensive to me. And do you have to be a telecom customer or something?

Not at all, just we know when we are on to a good thing and like to pass on our recommendations.

I don't think $299 (or less) is expensive for a PVR (Noel Leemings, Bond & Bond). You will easily pay twice that for something else. Don't buy it from Telecom, I think they still have them for $499 !

You just need broadband for the program guide, and any updates, doesn't matter what provider.

Telecom just have it un-metered (doesn't count on your data usage). TiVo also has a movie download feature called Caspa, most people don't bother as its old content and not that cheap. If you don't use that then the data usage will be negligible.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

dwknight

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Master Geek

#638396 10-Jun-2012 06:47

Ah yes, I saw it at $499 from Telecom. Cool, good to know it's a lot cheaper elsewhere.
Thanks everyone.

sbiddle

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#638406 10-Jun-2012 09:41

dwknight: Ah yes, I saw it at $499 from Telecom. Cool, good to know it's a lot cheaper elsewhere.
Thanks everyone.

Even $499 is about the going price of most other PVR's on the market. The Tivo is just being sold off cheaply to clear huge amounts of excess stock, and to make way for the 1TB unit.

dwknight

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Master Geek

#638414 10-Jun-2012 09:49

It's kinda weird that neither Noel Leeming or Bond & Bond list the TiVo on their websites...

sbiddle

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#638424 10-Jun-2012 10:08

Wouldn't surprise me if they've now run out of stock of the 320GB units as the $199/$229 pricepoints they've been selling for over the past 6 months was an absolute steal.

The 1TB unit is apparently on it's way, but I'd expect them to be around the $600 mark as that really is the market price of such a product, and it sell for ~A$600 in Australia.

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