Got the DVD/VCR combo unit, but now.... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jude The Obscure · 01-24-2009, 11:50 AM

having the dickens trying to understand how to connect everything. Tried first on my bedroom TV, but the TV doesn't have all the RCA connection points--just red and white, no yellow. I will attempt my living room TV, which is a newer set (Polaroid LCD TV). I'm not sure if I will able to run my cable TV through the unit, however. I guess i'm a dunce when it comes to all these things

Jude The Obscure · 01-24-2009, 12:10 PM

ok update--works through the living room TV and it's a better arrangement anyway (got My three sons playing as a test LOL). As for cable, I'm living my old VCR also connected so that I can still tape my daily soap through that. One day, I'll figure out what else I need to do to be able to tape VCR or DVD from TV, but anyone who has suggestions, feel free to post! My main thing now is learn how to start dubbing my old VHS to DVD-R discs (which I also need to go buy).

MonarC · 01-24-2009, 01:06 PM

Glad you got it figured out Jude. I have been thinking of getting one of those too cause I have a few vhs that I want to transfer over to DVD also. Just haven't gotten around to buying one yet.

HuntingtonM15 · 01-24-2009, 01:23 PM

Mine recently died so I had to buy a new one, and I also had a lot of connecting issues. I had to end up calling the company to get it figured out.

Jude The Obscure · 01-24-2009, 11:46 PM

Well I actually still have to rely on my old VCRs in order for the cable to still be connected and if I want a show taped from TV. The one in my bedroom is necessary for the DVD player to play--since the stupid TV doesn't have all the proper RCA connections. My main reason was to start transferring the old VHS tapes, which I hope to finally get started on tomorrow. I ran a lot of errands today and since it was cold and dreary, didn't get to wash the car or vacuum it--that sux! (pun unintended). I bought just a starter 3 pack of DVD-R discs, to get it a try.

the one I bought BTW, is a Magnavox, but its refurbished, so I saved money. With shipping ($1) at Overstock, I paid $70 for it.

comedyfreak · 01-25-2009, 07:54 PM

Glad to hear it's going good Jude. I'm not good with electronics stuff either, LOL. I have my Nephew do all the connecting.

Jude The Obscure · 01-25-2009, 08:32 PM

Well, I'll let you know when I successfully transferred a tape to DVD--just been one BUSY day.

Waterston_Fan · 01-25-2009, 10:30 PM

I have one too.

Haven't transferred Ford's funeral to the DVD yet. When I was born he was President and I've always seemed to like him.

AB · 01-25-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Well, I'll let you know when I successfully transferred a tape to DVD--just been one BUSY day.

Hope it goes well for you. I bought one too & it's very time consuming to use, especially if you try cutting out the commericals. I gave up on that after the second or third dvd.

I wonder if they make one that automatically deletes the commericals for you? Wouldn't that be great?

Jude The Obscure · 01-27-2009, 01:10 AM

Well, I'm not gonna bother cutting out commercials......I'm kinda fascinated by old ads. most of what I will transfer will be my high school senior play, senior prom, graduation, church plays I was in (one of them I played 3, count'em 3 parts!), and movies that may never see the likelihood of a DVD release. I have one old episode of Night Flight that will make for a rarity one day.

TVFactFan · 01-27-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Well, I'm not gonna bother cutting out commercials......I'm kinda fascinated by old ads. most of what I will transfer will be my high school senior play, senior prom, graduation, church plays I was in (one of them I played 3, count'em 3 parts!), and movies that may never see the likelihood of a DVD release. I have one old episode of Night Flight that will make for a rarity one day.

You are not able to take out commercials when you convert a VHS to DVD. I had to learn that myself when i got mine back in April

AB · 01-27-2009, 07:22 PM

^ You can on mine by stopping the dubbing at each commerical break, then fast forward your vcr tape past the commericals & start dubbing again. But each time you stop it, it creates a new chapter on the dvd. So a 30 minute show could have 3 or 4 chapters. It was a real pain in the behind too. That's why I don't do it any more. lol!

TVFactFan · 01-27-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AB

^ You can on mine by stopping the dubbing at each commerical break, then fast forward your vcr tape past the commericals & start dubbing again. But each time you stop it, it creates a new chapter on the dvd. So a 30 minute show could have 3 or 4 chapters. It was a real pain in the behind too. That's why I don't do it any more. lol!

yeah that seems like a lot-lol

TeeVeeCloset · 01-27-2009, 08:56 PM

the problem you guys are having with cutting commercials, etc...is you are using the combo.....I have been making dvd's in real time for about 6 years, no computer high speed burners for me or combos. My first recorder the famous phillips actually let me record directly off the air and later go back and hide the commercials perfectly from black to black. I know it is too late for advice now jude, but first a stand alone recorder is much more user friendly....I currently have 3 stand alone recorders, the problem with this technology is that all the recorders work differently, how does the industry expect this to catch on when they all work differently along with +R or -R formats, at least vhs all were essentially the same....just be careful when transferring tapes, audio can be a problem depending if it is in mono or stereo, original tape speeds, and even black and white shows can cause problems....it has been quite a learning time, bascially even though I make my living in the TV industry, I have three machines because my first recordings go back to 1976 when 3/4 umatic was the only way to tape besides reel to reel one inch video tape which was really cost prohibited. BTW....what is your daily soap? I proudly admit as a straight male mine has been General Hospital for 30 years!.....lol......

Jude The Obscure · 01-28-2009, 08:29 PM

Hi TeeVee.....with you in a moment....

Sol, I'm not interested in cutting out commercials......I can always use the FF button if I don't want to see them.

Back to Tee Vee.....LOL......thanks for the advice, but I was needing another VHS unit anyway and this seemed like a good choice. I haven't actually started using the recording part due to lack of time-have to wait for another day off to give it a whirl.

Guiding Light is my soap.......been watching that one since 1970

01-24-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Got the DVD/VCR combo unit, but now.... having the dickens trying to understand how to connect everything. Tried first on my bedroom TV, but the TV doesn't have all the RCA connection points--just red and white, no yellow. I will attempt my living room TV, which is a newer set (Polaroid LCD TV). I'm not sure if I will able to run my cable TV through the unit, however. I guess i'm a dunce when it comes to all these things

01-25-2009, 07:54 PM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	Glad to hear it's going good Jude. I'm not good with electronics stuff either, LOL. I have my Nephew do all the connecting.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

01-27-2009, 08:56 PM	#14
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	the problem you guys are having with cutting commercials, etc...is you are using the combo.....I have been making dvd's in real time for about 6 years, no computer high speed burners for me or combos. My first recorder the famous phillips actually let me record directly off the air and later go back and hide the commercials perfectly from black to black. I know it is too late for advice now jude, but first a stand alone recorder is much more user friendly....I currently have 3 stand alone recorders, the problem with this technology is that all the recorders work differently, how does the industry expect this to catch on when they all work differently along with +R or -R formats, at least vhs all were essentially the same....just be careful when transferring tapes, audio can be a problem depending if it is in mono or stereo, original tape speeds, and even black and white shows can cause problems....it has been quite a learning time, bascially even though I make my living in the TV industry, I have three machines because my first recordings go back to 1976 when 3/4 umatic was the only way to tape besides reel to reel one inch video tape which was really cost prohibited. BTW....what is your daily soap? I proudly admit as a straight male mine has been General Hospital for 30 years!.....lol......
	__________________ Living near "Ozzie Nelson Drive".....

01-24-2009, 12:10 PM	#2
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	ok update--works through the living room TV and it's a better arrangement anyway (got My three sons playing as a test LOL). As for cable, I'm living my old VCR also connected so that I can still tape my daily soap through that. One day, I'll figure out what else I need to do to be able to tape VCR or DVD from TV, but anyone who has suggestions, feel free to post! My main thing now is learn how to start dubbing my old VHS to DVD-R discs (which I also need to go buy).

01-24-2009, 01:06 PM	#3
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Glad you got it figured out Jude. I have been thinking of getting one of those too cause I have a few vhs that I want to transfer over to DVD also. Just haven't gotten around to buying one yet.

01-24-2009, 01:23 PM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	Mine recently died so I had to buy a new one, and I also had a lot of connecting issues. I had to end up calling the company to get it figured out.

01-24-2009, 11:46 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Well I actually still have to rely on my old VCRs in order for the cable to still be connected and if I want a show taped from TV. The one in my bedroom is necessary for the DVD player to play--since the stupid TV doesn't have all the proper RCA connections. My main reason was to start transferring the old VHS tapes, which I hope to finally get started on tomorrow. I ran a lot of errands today and since it was cold and dreary, didn't get to wash the car or vacuum it--that sux! (pun unintended). I bought just a starter 3 pack of DVD-R discs, to get it a try. the one I bought BTW, is a Magnavox, but its refurbished, so I saved money. With shipping ($1) at Overstock, I paid $70 for it.

01-25-2009, 08:32 PM	#7
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Well, I'll let you know when I successfully transferred a tape to DVD--just been one BUSY day.

01-25-2009, 10:30 PM	#8
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	I have one too. Haven't transferred Ford's funeral to the DVD yet. When I was born he was President and I've always seemed to like him.

01-27-2009, 01:10 AM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Well, I'm not gonna bother cutting out commercials......I'm kinda fascinated by old ads. most of what I will transfer will be my high school senior play, senior prom, graduation, church plays I was in (one of them I played 3, count'em 3 parts!), and movies that may never see the likelihood of a DVD release. I have one old episode of Night Flight that will make for a rarity one day.

01-27-2009, 07:22 PM	#12
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	^ You can on mine by stopping the dubbing at each commerical break, then fast forward your vcr tape past the commericals & start dubbing again. But each time you stop it, it creates a new chapter on the dvd. So a 30 minute show could have 3 or 4 chapters. It was a real pain in the behind too. That's why I don't do it any more. lol!

01-28-2009, 08:29 PM	#15
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Hi TeeVee.....with you in a moment.... Sol, I'm not interested in cutting out commercials......I can always use the FF button if I don't want to see them. Back to Tee Vee.....LOL......thanks for the advice, but I was needing another VHS unit anyway and this seemed like a good choice. I haven't actually started using the recording part due to lack of time-have to wait for another day off to give it a whirl. Guiding Light is my soap.......been watching that one since 1970