Electronics Tech Question

[Glenn]

A tech question, but in a different realm. I don't have RCA video/audio jacks on my TV, but I have them on my VCR....

Can you run a DVD player through a VCR? What are the pros and cons of it? Would it be better to go ahead and get a new TV which has the RCA jacks?

[kato2274]

I don't know if it will work in all circumstances because of the copyprotection on DVDs. Hooking it up to your VCR may tell the DVD that you are attempting to copy and kick in the macrovision which distorts the picture badly.

Having said that, I am in the same situation as you are and have my cheapo KLH DVD running through my HI FI VCR without any throuble. The macrovision only kicks in when I ACTUALLY attempt to record.

I know that there is quality loss running RCA plugs through the VCR then COAX to the TV but it's still sharper than my VCR and the quality will never degrade no matter how many playbacks, so I'm happy enough.

[ephmynus]

Best thing to do is to go get a RF Modulator. These run about $20 at Radio Shack or Walmart. They will accept coax in and RCA out so you can hook your DVD player directly to it and your TV directly through it. Would definately recommend checking to see if you can see the picture will if you hook it up directly through your VCR first though.

[Daemon]

[quote]Originally posted by Aplustech:
<strong>Best thing to do is to go get a RF Modulator. These run about $20 at Radio Shack or Walmart. They will accept coax in and RCA out so you can hook your DVD player directly to it and your TV directly through it. Would definately recommend checking to see if you can see the picture will if you hook it up directly through your VCR first though.</strong><hr></blockquote>


BINGO THIS WORKD GREAT.


I do this on one of my old tvs.

Since you cannot hook a DVD Player inot a VCR you need the Module.

[firemonkey]

As I am a part time tech at a retail store, that sells DVD players I have quite a bit of a good understanding on them, YES it can hook up.. but depending on the VCR, it will fade in and out, making it rather hard it see, this can be worse on diff vcrs, I have seen some where it was almost unnoticeable and others where it was very annoying. But as far as going through the RF adapter you will lose allot to picture quality. So it will work but you best bet to get the quality that you paid for. is to make sure that the next TV you get will work.

any follow up ?'s feel free to email me

[Chosen One]

I have mine hooked up through my VCR. It works great. The only thing I have to to is set my VCR to "AV in" on the channel selection. On my VCR it's one channel backwards from channel 2. Picture looks great. Can't complain. But I suppose every VCR is different.

[Glenn]

OK so is the RF adapter a good idea or bad idea?

And another question...if I do end up getting a new TV, how much should the HDTV requirements (isn't everyone supposed to be broadcasting in HDTV only in 2003?) affect my purchase decisions?

I'm worried if I buy a new TV that I'll end up wasting the money and materials involved in making the set by getting it and not being able to have support for the HDTV. What is going on with that anyway?

[Shard92]

I don't have enough experience to say for sure but I would suppose it depends on the DVD player as well. I also run my DVD player through a VCR and mine fades in and out like said above. If I turn up the brightness however it isn't bad. The biggest anoyance I have, is if there is a big special effect, like and explosion or something, the screen gets kind of green. I've heard of using an RF modulator, but haven't seen one. I tried radio shack but all they have is the basic end converters and they don't work at all.

GLSmith

[firemonkey]

that can be a tought desision, cause all the Broadcast comapanys are trying to get the High Deff pushed back, cause the say they can't get it done by then, but the FCC says they are firm. So they may bend they might not. Who knows, but I would look at what you can aford and get a tv you like, cause they do sell adaptets to go from HD to analog TV. Just stop by you local best buy, circut city.. etc...(caution of commison people)they tend to sell what gets them the most money. So keep that in mind. hope this helps

[Sowulo]

[quote]Originally posted by Chosen One:
<strong>I have mine hooked up through my VCR. It works great. The only thing I have to to is set my VCR to "AV in" on the channel selection. On my VCR it's one channel backwards from channel 2. Picture looks great. Can't complain. But I suppose every VCR is different.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Same here. Sony DVD, Panasonic VHS.

[Gollo]

[quote]Originally posted by Glenn:
<strong>OK so is the RF adapter a good idea or bad idea?
</strong><hr></blockquote>

By using your VCR's rca inputs you are converting it into a great big RF converter. If you can't spring for a new tv (sony's wega flat screens are AWSOME) than I would just use your vcr.

[Platypus]

As others have said, there should be no problem running through the VCR, if it's a decent quality unit. As Gollo points out, you'll be using it as an RF converter. If the standard wherever you are operates the same as the PAL models in Australia, even if your TV is stereo, the modulator will only give you mono sound. This would be overcome if you run the sound through a hi-fi system.

The copy protection modifies the signal in a way that will interfere with the recording process, so will not normally cause any problems just passing through the VCR circuitry, unless the modulator in the VCR is poor quality.

[O.G. Lycia]

before I bought hte Sony Wega, I had a 25" Zenith. It only a coax for cable. I have a JVC vcr that I had to route my Sony DVD player through. The quality wasn't that bad. Nothing compared to now..But I never got any fading or anything...sigh, I remember when I bought The Fifth Element and being amazed at the picture..or the opening moments of Blade when the camera pans up from the blood at his feet to his vest and how clear and sharp...

[AlienDyne]

[quote]Originally posted by Glenn:
<strong>A tech question, but in a different realm. I don't have RCA video/audio jacks on my TV, but I have them on my VCR....
</strong><hr></blockquote>

You can actually use a SCART adaptor if there's a SCART connector available.