tv tuner - alternative to video?

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › tv tuner - alternative to video?

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#57869 27-Feb-2010 11:52

Hi

Before reading this please know that i am aware of my ignorance and lack of knolwedge, hence my asking anyone out that actually has brains for some help. any info/help would be greatly appreciated.

We have recently brought a HD tv with built in Freeview - but now we cannot record programes onto our video recorder (yes, i know - old school)

We don't need to be able to record two programes at ones, or pause tv etc (although would be a nice bonus), we jsut want to be able to record a few programes now and then for watching later. Someone suggested looking into a tv tuner card and recording stuff that way (the tv has a usb port so playback through that would be great if poss)

This is all great in theory but i have no idea where to start - how they work, what one is required etc - all above my head.

Hopefully that explains the situatuation - basically i am asking is it possible, how do i go about it and what sort of tuner is required?

Once again any help would be greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance to anyone how takes the time to answer

thanks

butlerboy

456 posts

Ultimate Geek

#302682 27-Feb-2010 12:28

why can't you use your vcr for recording? plug the aerial cable into your vcr and loop out to your tv, problem solved. you'll only be able to record the analogue signal on your vcr but it's better than nothing.

Pluralsight

Learn cloud, mobile, security, data and web technologies with Pluralsight (affiliate link).

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302720 27-Feb-2010 15:30

yea tried that, but analogue signal only one channel and not great and once videod it becomes even worse

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#302725 27-Feb-2010 15:49

What sort of TV is it? The USB port can play back video on some TV's but this is certainly the exception rather than the norm.

To record TV and play it back you ideally want to connect the PC to the TV and need to be aware of the minimum specs of a PC to playback Freeview|HD recordings. If you have a PC purchased within the last 2 years you probably are OK, but many laptops won't work.

Since you've admitted not knowing a lot IMHO your best bet is probably to go and buy a Freeview PVR, you can get one for $499 which will save you a lot of pain. You can record any show you want, have dual tuners and a full 8 day EPG.

Spyware

3261 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#302730 27-Feb-2010 16:59

paine13: yea tried that, but analogue signal only one channel and not great and once videod it becomes even worse

So what has changed about the VCR and its connection to an antenna, if it had all channels before then it should now. Nothing should have changed in that respect.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302737 27-Feb-2010 17:44

thanks for the help
didn't pick up channels very well before (on old tv)either - but can't tune the new one as well so not working as good as before (old one had more accuracy under manual controls or so it seems anyways) - so lucky we have the freeview part.
I do know some stuff about comps jsut not what i need to lol - the comp is made of parts that we have put together ourselves, some older then two years some a lot more recent so not sure if it would be good enough - i know the graphics card could do with an update and i do plan on getting on in the near future - but other then that it is all in good working order - unfortuantely running vista though, which is another thing i plan to change in near future

The tv is a LG47LH50YD if that helps any

Spyware

3261 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#302760 27-Feb-2010 19:23

Wouldn't it be logical to have the antenna side of things sorted and then use the VCR to record analog. Way cheaper. If analog reception is poor then the likelihood is that DVB-T signal won't cope with being split to another device anyway.

P.S. Tuning of VCR has absolutely nothing to do with tuning of the TV as VCR has its own analog tuner.

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302783 27-Feb-2010 20:47

hmm ok, think i got what you mean - i will give it another go tomorrow, thanks to all for your knowledge and time and effort etc, much appreciated :)

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#302978 28-Feb-2010 14:10

hi

can't seem to get it to work still. Fairly sure i have tried all combinations of connections - have linked through video, connected it using the red/white/yellow cables(how it worked on old tv), have tried on analogue with the uhf connected and then with only the basic roof aerial connected still no luck...
You talked about the vcr being tuned - not sure how to do this, or if it ever has been done

thinking there is probably something obvious i am missing...

Spyware

3261 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#302979 28-Feb-2010 14:23

VCR is just like a TV. Every single channel has to be tuned in, as channels transmit on different frequencies depending on the site, e.g., in Christchurch, TV1, transmits from Sugarloaf on Band 1 VHF channel 3, 61 to 68 MHz. In Auckland TV1 transmits from Waiatarua on VHF channel 2, 54 to 61 MHz.

Maybe you could try and find a VCR manual using Google. Or provide the model number and we can tell you how to tune it.

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#303019 28-Feb-2010 17:12

thatks for the info
i will give it a go myself, fingers crossed i don't have to waste any more of your time lol, will let you know how it goes

thanks

paine13

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#303252 1-Mar-2010 12:46

hi, thanks to all those who helped me

finally think i have it working - amazing what you can do when you read the manual lol
well actually in the end the manuals system still wouldn't work as described but long story short it is recording - and as an added bonus it tapes one channel while we watch another - haven't been able to do that with it before so thats good.

thanks again to all thos who gave their time - this is a great website