BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players

Subject: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:02 PM

Ever hate going into stores and asking the 19 year olds really stupid questions? That is why I am starting here first. Can you hook up a DVD player to your average TV which already has a VCR on it? Do you hook it into your VCR, have to unattach your old VCR to play the DVD, or what? (I am thinking of buying one). yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: NicoleC
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:20 PM

Depends on the TV. So... what kind of AV input connectors do you have on your TV?

Pictures of video and audio ports

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:25 PM

The new combined DVD-VCR units surely simplify hook-up for someone like me (let the kids do it). The latest have jpeg so that they can read the disks with digital pictures on them. Reasonable prices now, as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: NicoleC
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:28 PM

BTW Peter, there are options even when it doesn't look good. I have a very dumb TV, but a smart stereo. Between the two, I have it all worked out, but it ain't what the picture is in the manual.

So figure out what ports you have to work with and Mudcat will find you a solution. :D

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 May 03 - 12:05 PM

I plugged mine into the video/stereo inputs on the VCR that were intended for the camera and it works fine--only problem that I have is making sure the VCR is set to Channel 3(which is where the "video in" appears, the TV to Channel 4(which is where the VCR appears) and that the VCR remote has "Line"selected. If I set my stereo receiver to Aux, I even get the home entertainment system effect(I discovered this completely by accident, and have no idea how it got set up that way)--

You should know, though, that I am the only person in my family who can actually get the DVD to work--would be much simpler if we just had TV with a DVD slot--

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 May 03 - 12:11 PM

Thanks to helpers, I have no idea what kind of ports I have -- better go home and check. I already have a VCR and don't want to buy another one of those. I really want to know if I can just add a DVD. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:20 PM

You can't get the DVD player to work right all of the time with it plugged into the VCR. They've set it up so that many of the movies won't display properly. Best to either have a tv with all of the correct plugs to begin with, or to get an RF modulator. I tried a search of the forum for my last post on the subject, but can't find it. Get one that allows you to plug in several devices, then plug that into the tv coaxial connection. Radio Shack has one for about $30.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:35 PM

I think the point here is to avoid buying any more TVs--I have personally never had any trouble viewing any DVD with the player plugged into the VCR--I've had trouble watching a few of the DVD's but that was generally due to a bad script--

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 10 May 03 - 10:12 AM

Running yer DVD player thourhgt yer VCR completely negates any of the picture quality benefits you get from DVD... so why bother... Just get yer movies on VHS... (Only get 'em while ya can... it's a format that's going away fast!)

One of the most commone problems improper DVD connections will lead to is a fading in and out of the movie picture... an RF modulator, as mentioned above is worth the 30 bucks... Or get yerself a TV with a S-video connection, and have done with it... the S-video connection is gonna be around for the next 10 or 15 years easily... which is long term enough when it comes to electronics...

"-would be much simpler if we just had TV with a DVD slot"

Ya... that way when the DVD player breaks down, you lose yer TV as well...   No thanks...

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 May 03 - 10:33 PM

We just watch DVD's on the computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 May 03 - 12:08 PM

I donno about you Leeneia... but my sofa is a lot more comfortable than my computer chair...

Ya know... maybe that's not as it should be!

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 May 03 - 12:20 PM

What is an RF modulator? I seem to remember seeing one on "The Day The Earth Stood Still" when it brought Michael Rennie back to life temporarily. Serious question though -- radio frequency? yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 May 03 - 12:49 PM

RF Modulator

The photo on this Radio Shack page is of a single device RF modulator; I think they have the wrong photo. The three-device modulator is $30, for a single unit it is usually around $15-$20. If you're feeding into a television with on coaxial outlet, you might at this time have your cable or antenna plugged into your VCR, and the VCR plugged into the tv. You can leave it that way, but use a multi-device modulator in to which you plug both the VCR and the DVD, then plug this into the TV. Then you don't have to keep changing out what is plugged into the tv, you just push a button to change the device that feeds in. You can put your video games into the RF modulator also.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 May 03 - 12:51 PM

Well, you COULD search the Radio Shack web site yourself ya know...

RF Modulator

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 May 03 - 03:04 PM

Yes, but what does RF stand for? yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 11 May 03 - 03:36 PM

Really Fun

Renewed Functionality

Reducing Flicker

take yer pick...

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Bernard
Date: 11 May 03 - 09:39 PM

A half-decent DVD player (mine's a Sony) should allow the VCR to hook up to it, and the DVD then plugs directly to the TV. My cable box also plugs into the DVD, which simplifies everything.

If I put a disc into the DVD it automatically plays into the TV without any mucking about, and the DVD remote even controls the TV.

My DVD also takes over switching of the VCR and cable boxes, and even simulates surround sound (it has Dolby 5.1) for signals that aren't encoded. I can even record from cable whilst watching a DVD.

Playing your DVD through your VCR shouldn't degrade the signal if you are using SCART, but I definitely wouldn't recommend inserting an RF modulator - that really is defeating the object!!

You can get simple non-electronic SCART switch boxes very cheaply that get around problems of not having enough SCART sockets to go round, or more expensive electronic ones with remote controls.

The moral? Buy a machine to do what you want instead of settling for what some manufacturers say you should want!

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 03 - 12:24 AM

Here is the owner's manual for the Radio Shack RF Modulator.

I see that even if the signal going into the RF modulator is stereo, it always comes out mono. Bummer. I have my DVD and VCR going through my receiver and RF in the living room, so I can listen to it via the receiver and it sounds great.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 May 03 - 06:22 AM

We have 2 of each and a Digital box. The Digi box caused more problems than the others put together!

Of both sets, we have a vid, a TV and a DVD all hooked up together. The only deterioration we get on picture is when we turn the DVD on the smaller TV, which runs on an internal aerial - NOT the big external one.

Most DVDs will give you a working diagram of how to wire it up. You may need extra leads - we had to purchase an extra scart lead (23 pin) and an extra aerial lead (7 pin round plug)FOR EACH EXTRA ITEM to do so. These are quite easily found.

As long as you have a circuit loop from the TV through the Vid and the DVD and back to the aerial, you should be able to work it. If you don't hook the aerial via the Vid, you will lose the signal and be unable to record from the TV. That was our problem with the Digibox - getting the right signal from the box through the Vid to give us a picture.

Good luck with it!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 12 May 03 - 11:58 AM

A lot simpler to junk the old VCR and get one of the new combined DVD-VCR units with allowance for playing cds of jpeg files of your digital pictures.
My daughter just did that. Very nice set-up! The JVC unit cost $258 Can (About $200 US) and was well worth it.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 May 03 - 12:21 PM

Those combined units have finally appeared more frequently and less expensively on the market. But as with any combined pieces (phone, fax, copier, scanner is another set one sees frequently) you have to hope that all of the parts keep working together. As the newer individual pieces also drop in price and all have the S-video cables, connecting them will be easier. It's still a jugdement call.

Liz, we're at the point in one room where the antenna runs into the VCR and we have to have the VCR on and change channels through there to watch the local channels. That's where we do our tv recording. On the second setup, the antenna is directly into the tv so there's no recording. One of these days I'm going to really confuse the issue by getting the DishTV and then figure out where everything gets plugged in.

Before I do that, though, I'm going to build myself an entertainment center on wheels. Gotta plan it so they're large enough to support the weight, based wide enough so it's stable, and with a couple of extra shelves for the devices in the future that are bound to come along. I want to be able to easily turn it away from the wall and plug in what I need to without becoming a contortionist with a flashlight in my mouth. I haven't seen Norm build one of these on his New Yankee Workshop. Maybe he would design one and save me the trouble? (I've even thought about hiding the wheels--it's gonna have an apron that comes down to within an inch or two of the floor, mostly concealing the moving parts).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Peter T.
Date: 12 May 03 - 12:23 PM

Continuing thanks to all techhies, though I am still overconfused. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 12 May 03 - 12:47 PM

Then evidently yer too confused to have a DVD player...

Go back to your vid tapes, and 8 tracks and be happy Peter!

LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 12 May 03 - 03:55 PM

Just wait till everything is cordless and you dial up the microwave instead.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players etc
From: GUEST,Carol
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:39 AM

I have a Thomson LCD tv with a single scart socket
Ferguson freeview digibox
JVC DVD player
& Panasonic VCR

what goes to what ?
please help

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:55 AM

Do NOT run the DVD player through the VCR.... It defeats the purpose of having DVD...

Get an AV switching box...

Like -This One- Only you don't need one so advanced...

Good luck eh!

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: s&r
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:40 AM

DVD will run through the VCR with little if any difference to running the DVD through the rf socket of the TV. The signal processing in the VCR only happens when you record.

However, it is better to run the DVD through a SCART or video input.

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Amos
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:53 AM

Why is it better not to run the DVD through the VCR on its second channel? (My VCR, at least, allows a second channel selection).

What does SCART stand for?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:55 AM

One benefit of running the DVD through the Video is that if you have an analogue/co-ax out of the DVD player you can still record digitaly encrypted DVD's! You can't via a scart though. Otherwise I agree with Clinton - don't run the DVD through the video. I have set up my video to be purely 'old tech' now and the DVD and cable box are connected via multiple scarts.

Effectively the video is out of the equation as far as digital reproduction is concerned - The tapes are not good enough anyway. So, we have TV ariel into the cable box, out of the cable box, into the vid, out of the vid and into the TV. We can tape digitaly encrypted PPV TV shows as well - not that we would of course;-)

On the digital side, scart out of the cable box into scart 1 on the TV. Scart 2 on the TV is connected to the DVD player/sound system with a scart/6 audio jack lead, so that everything played on the DVD is in surround sound and we can select whether we have anything else on the TV in pseudo surround as well. The Game cube is plugged into the second audio in on the surround as well so we can make the house shake when killing aliens...;-)

Clear as mud? You should see how the wireless network links in as well!

Am I getting too geekey as I get older?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:07 PM

Anyway, in a nutshell Carol, seeing as you have only 1 scart socket, I would do similar - Ie don't use scart for the video. Use the old TV ariel lead instead.

Did we ever find out what Peter did last year btw?

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:12 PM

"Am I getting too geekey as I get older?"

Better that than growing into a techno-phobe like all too many people do!

Some even seem proud of their ignorance...

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Amos
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:31 PM

What does SCART mean or stand for?

RF is probably radio frequency, I suppose, in very broad terms, no?

A

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:43 PM

What does SCART stand for? Well, this will really displease any Francophones around...:

The Scart (Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs) connector is used for combined audio and video connections...

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:46 PM

What does SCART stand for? Well, this will really displease any Francophobes around...:

The Scart (Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs) connector is used for combined audio and video connections...

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: Amos
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 12:52 PM

Many thanks, Sir McGrath; a gentleman and a scholar!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: steve in ottawa
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Note: Prices quoted are Canadian dollars (muliply by 0.7 for US). Web site is radioshack.ca -- much smaller site than radioshack.com

RF stands for radio frequency. Generally RF signals are sent through coaxial cable, so the terms RF and coax are often used interchangeably. Coaxiale cable is that quarter-inch round cable, usually black, biege, or white. It is well-insulated, and of high enough power that it can run for long distances (10-100 feet) without unacceptable signal loss.

Really old TVs will only accept input from from an aerial (i.e. rabbit ears). You can use one of (these-300-ohm antenna to 75-ohm coax cable) to connect a coax cable to the screws made for attaching an aerial, but you'll get a bit of interferance from the two inches of exposed wire (which acts like tiny two-inch rabbit-ears).

Slightly more modern is direct cable input. (little threaded socket on the TV where you screw on the quarter inch thick coax-cable) To attach a DVD player to a direct cable input, use one of (these-rf modulator). (Then the VCR plugs into the RF modulator's coax socket, and the DVD plugs into the RF modulator's line input sockets. Most modulator's output is automatic: turn off the DVD to switch modulator's output to VCR.)

Slightly more modern still is line input (RCA plugs). (three little sockets with one hole each, coloured yellow, red and white: the red and white are for audio, the yellow is for video) A good way to switch between your VCR and DVD is to use one of these-3-WAY STEREO AUDIO/VIDEO SELECTOR Many more expensive TVs have built-in video selectors. They will usually be labeled video 1, video 2, etc. Selecting which TV input to view may be tricky; consult your owners manual.

Slightly more modern still is S-Video input. (circular socket with six little holes and one little vertical slot, looks it would accept the plug on your standard PC mouse or keyboard). Audio is still transmitted through two RCA lines (red and white).

Slightly more modern still is component-video input (similar to line input, except there are three lines for the video). Audio is still transmitted through two RCA lines (red and white).

Most modern of all are various digital inputs. Audio can be sent digitally over at least three different types of connectors. Video can probably be sent digitally between some system's components, but in general, I don't know anything about the digital stuff.

Although it is older, coax usually gives a clearer video signal than line input (RCA plugs), unless the connection is short with a well-insulated connector. Even component video doesn't look as sharp as coax if the connectors are really poor (i.e. the free connectors supplied with a US$30. DVD player). If you want a good picure, you need good connectors (at least US$10 per line or more). That probably applies to selector boxes as well, although I haven't experimented with cheap/expensive boxes.

When playing, VCRs usually sent out a picture on channel 3 of their coax outputs. VCRs will often have "line" outputs (yellow/red/white). Use these if you have reasonable quality connectors and the right sockets on your TV. If a VCR has "line" inputs as well, these must be selected (different for each VCR) as the input source for the VCR to rebroadcast them. Although you can connect your DVD to the "line" inputs of the VCR, since it is usually impossible to copy a DVD onto VHS tape, you're probably better off with a video selector box (switching your TVs input between VCR and DVD) than you are running your DVD in series through your VCR into your TV. Moreover, many VCRs won't accept and rebroadcast copy-protected signals, like those coming from a DVD player; some very high quality VCRs will give you nothing but a blue screen when you try to watch a DVD player's output through the VCRs line inputs.

To copy DVDs, you need a fast computer with a DVD-RW drive, about 30 GB of free hard drive space, and a program like DVD XCopy XPress It's illegal unless you own the DVD.

Subject: RE: BS: Dumb Tech Question: DVD players
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 07:18 PM

I get the impression you don't use SCART connections in the USA? They make life a lot simpler.