TV Problem

[Waleska]

Here's what I have:

1. A TV with a single AV, that means, I can have no more than one DVD/VCR/Whatever connected by regular means.

2. A DVD player.

3. A VCR.

4. Cable TV (most likely irrelevant)

Is there a device or something that would allow me to connect both DVD player and VCR?.

Thanks in advance :thanks:

[setarip_old]

Hi!

You should be able to connect your DVD player THROUGH your VCR to your TV.

if you have the ability to turn off "Macrovision" checking on your DVD player (via hack or otherwise), you're home free. Otherwise, you may have to purchase a "black box"...

[Waleska]

I did that sometime ago but couldn't figure out a way to switch between them.

[setarip_old]

If I remember correctly, to use the DVD player, set the VCR to "A/V" (and have it set to athe "non-broadcast" channel [2 or 3], as well)...

[mr soft]

You can also just purchase a 3 in 1 type of scart connector.
Much like like a 4 plug electrical extension. :)

[Video Dude]

Buy a Audio Video switch like this:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Electric-AV93294-Audio-Switch/dp/B000069J8F

You can find it at any Target or Best Buy between $15 and $30.

Its a small plastic box that you can plug 4 sets of inputs into. Then one output to the TV. Press the buttons on the box to change inputs. It works well.


The problem with going through a VCR would be the Macrovision protection.

[Waleska]

@setarip_old; it turns out the VCR doesn't have this option. Why they put these in/out jacks back there still remains a mistery to me. Piece of junk.

Fortunately this is not my VCR, it's my old man's and he's so cheap he won't get a new one because "it does still work" (partially at least).

Anyhow, thanks everyone, I think I'll give that switch a go :)

[setarip_old]

@setarip_old; it turns out the VCR doesn't have this option. Why they put these in/out jacks back there still remains a mistery to me.The option to set the VCR to "A/V" is typically only selectable via the (original) remote control...

[Waleska]

The option to set the VCR to "A/V" is typically only selectable via the (original) remote control...

Isn't the original remote part of the VCR? :rolleyes:

[setarip_old]

No - It's a separate handheld unit...

[Waleska]

It came with the VCR, it's part of the VCR. It might not be physically attached to it, but it's still a part.

[setarip_old]

If that's the way you interpret it, that's fine with me.

Regardless, sorry to hear (and rather surprised) it apparently doesn't have the required functions...

[Dr.Khron]

Be careful when buying A/V switches, make sure you can return them if it doesn't do exactly what you need...

I bought a 4-way stereo AV switch from Radio Shack that had both S-Video and composite video... But when I used the S-video inputs, my Living Room PC could not properly detect the TV!!! The switch only worked properly with the composite inputs, so back to the store it went.

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Waleska, what they say is correct about watching via your VCR. Some VCR can accept upto max 2 composite connections(RCA) then one composite output. In our vcr, it's crap because I don't have any button that will allow me to change between AV and TV. When I select AV1, that means, I want to watch from the devices that I have connected like DVD or Comcast set top box. Fortunately, I still have the remote since the button selector is there.

However, if your TV only accepts RF IN, I have one more solution for you and it does work. You will see video output via channel 3 or 4. I still have an old 14" TV with only RF IN. Then I found this Pelican video selector at WalMart which has 5 RCA composite inputs, 1 RCA composite output, Antenna IN and RF Out. I got it last year for $14. You will hook up all the devices to the RCA in ports and you can either output it via the RF OUT or RCA composite out. I really like it because it works and that it's only $14. I tried searching google for images but couldn't find them anymore. If you want, I can take a picture later so it will be easier for you to find it.

[Waleska]

@setarip_old: it's indeed the way I interpret it but also the correct one. It's pretty much like "you're part of this team", you may not be conjoined to everyone but you belong to a whole ;)

@Dr.Khron: thanks for the hint :cool:

@v1rtu0s1ty; yes please, a picture would be most helpful :cool:

[v1rtu0s1ty]

As promised, here it is. Our Nintendo WI is connected to AV Input 5. PS2 is connected to AV 4 and Xbox is connected to AV1. If you look closely at the right, the RG6 coaxial cable from the port labeled TV is output. That other end of the RG6 coaxial cable is connected to my TV's RF in. You will also see a knob to choose what channel you want it to output too. We use channel 3. Your choices are 3 and 4 only.

It's just now that I noticed that it also have an SVIDEO input. For $14, this is a steal. Beside AV in 1, there is a AV output as well. :D

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/849/pelicanswitchzi9.th.jpg (http://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pelicanswitchzi9.jpg)

The labels are the default labels which can be changed. So if my son wants to play Xbox, he just press the first button. If he wants to play WI, he press the fifth button.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9753/pelicanswitch2dl8.th.jpg (http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pelicanswitch2dl8.jpg)

Last year, my configuration was like this. DVD player is connected to AV1. Comcast setup box is connected to AV2 then AV output of Pelican is connected to AV input on our VHS. With this, I can record easily between dvd and comcast analog channels (1-99). VHS is connected to TV via RCA composite(Yellow, White and Red cable with rca connector).

[setarip_old]

@setarip_old: it's indeed the way I interpret it but also the correct one.You're making far too much of an already clarified statement.

BTW - What is the brand and model number of your relative's VCR?

(I won't presume to know which you mean by "my old man" - your father or your husband or, if you're old enough to be a legitimate hippie, the male you're living with ;>} )

[Waleska]

BTW - What is the brand and model number of your relative's VCR?

I don't remember anymore, it's a russian VCR from who knows when that looks dangerously smiliar to a Philips VR6560.

(I won't presume to know which you mean by "my old man" - your father or your husband or, if you're old enough to be a legitimate hippie, the male you're living with ;>} )

I'm talking about my father, my hubbie is barely 2 years older than me. I'm certainly not old enough to be a certified hippie but if you yell sussudio I'll shake ;)

[setarip_old]

if you yell sussudio I'll shakePhil Collins late 1970s-80s "music"? - Dosvedanya...

[Waleska]

Yep, down with the commies. And you're not questioning the asskickery of the 80's music are you? :D

[setarip_old]

And you're not questioning the asskickery of the 80's music are you?You bet I am! Having grown up with Bill Haley and the Comets, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Danny and the Juniors, Gene Vincent, The Platters, The Five Satins, The Penguins, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins et al, as well as attending Woodstock, in my opinion, the only thing good about the "music" of the 1980s is that it supplanted disco "music" ;>}

[Waleska]

50's Rock 'n' Roll is something I always stayed away from, I'd rather listen to country. My music culture is essentially 70's-80's, but I do enjoy a vast majority of those great blues-rock artists from the 60's like Johnny and Edgar Winter (gotta listen to "Tobacco Road" from the White Trash's live album), Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Jethro Tull and Three Dog Night.

I however, prefer the more complex and varied sound of the 70's rock bands and the 80's instrumental prodigy (special mention to guitars) with extremely rhythmic tear-down-the-godamn-wall-with-a-bulldozer-esque drums carrying the glamish beat :cool:

[Dr.Khron]

If I recall correctly, Phil Collins wrote that song in his "Stu-stu-studio".

And then he turned into a Cabbage Patch kid.
(he already had the dimples for it)


EDIT: "asskickery" may be the greatest word of all time. :)