ElementZ

Cant seem to make our vcr and digital cable collaborate to record shows.

I have RCA cables in the OUT from digi box to the IN of the VCR. I have other RCA cables in the OUT of the VCR to the IN on the tv.

Not sure what I am missing. Here is the strange part. If I am watching something on TV, I can record what I am watching. However, if I want to watch the Hockey Game live and tape LOST at the same time, I cannot do that. It records but it's all snow.

Please help

Spiky

In your scenario above, are you recording Lost with the VCR set on a channel or an Input? VCRs can't usually play one thing and record another.

Brian Shannon

This would require two tuners or in your case two cable boxes.

ElementZ

So the only way I can record is if I hook up another digital box??

I don't want to have to unhook the cable box every time I want to record something.

I also can't seem to record something when I am not home by setting the auto timer. Same thing happens

Brian Shannon

The only way you can record is to do so when you are watching. You tune to a channel, record it and the signal passes through to the tv. If you are not recording with the auto timer, did you turn on the cable box? If not there is no signal for the vcr to record.

Perhaps talk to your cable company about a dvr?

mrhan

You can buy a splitter and have the signal go to both your VCR and Cable box. That way they can be independent from each other. However, you can't record premium channels without the box; so you would still have to use the composite and audio out to record those on VHS. Or as the above poster suggested get a DVR if your cable company offers one; which will make it simpler for you.