Expert: Greg Evangelidis - 2/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: OK HELP !!!!! This week I had a 522 DVR installed by a so called Dish Network in staller.I would like to know if he hooked it up right.Because I can't get my VCR to work at all I tried different channels,different input on the TV but noting all I get is a blue screen but the DVD does work.Now my TV is a Sylvania SRT2223X with 75 ohm connection and 2 RCA input front and back.My DVD/VCR is a Sylvania SRD3900 which has RCA outputs. On this unit the audio/video is being used by the RCA cables and is connected directly into the back of the tv.Audio/video IN is not being used the 75ohm for IN and OUT the cable on the out side is just hanging there Now the DVR is hooked up this way from the wall into the receiver he has a splitter and he has one 75ohm cable going into the TV none of the RCA outputs or inputs are being used.The reason I'm asking for help is because,He told me this unit did not have PIP which I knew it did thats why I ordered it.Got the to display.I also asked him if my dish went out could I still get over the air TV he said yes but I don't.So if you can tell me the connections and how they go.I would be grateful.Oh one more thing My TV is SD.If it makes a difference

ANSWER: Otto:

First, I just want to summarize your connections as they are, just to make sure I got this right...please correct me if I am mistaken.

From the wall to the DISH 522 DVR Satellite Input - 1 Coax (75ohm)
From the DVR RF output (Coax) split into 2, one to the VCR/DVD, One to the television.
From VCR/DVD to television - RCA (Composite Video and Analog Audio)

It is hooked up in a viable way, another way would be to use the RCA output from the DVR and connect to the DVD/VCR RCA input.  Neither is really more correct than the other, just different.  By using the RF (Coax) into the VCR, you could connect the RF output from the VCR to the television.  This would still pass through when the VCR is OFF, but would require the VCR tuner to be set to channel 3 or 4 when the VCR is on and is in the tuner mode.  That being said, the VCR should work if the DVD player is working as they should share the output, and VCRs typically output a blue screen when a tape is not playing, and no video signal is input, or the VCR is not on the input/channel where video is connected.  In this case, in order to tape/view the satellite through the VCR, the VCR tuner should be on channel 3 or 4, and the VCR should be on TV mode(could be called something else, I was unable to locate the manual for this unit online, I apologize for not being able to give specifics as to operation with this particular model).  He essentially hooked it up this way, he just bypassed the VCR output by using the splitter off of the receiver, requiring the television be set to the video input in order to watch a VHS tape or DVD.

As far as the OTA (Over-The-Air) signal is concerned, do you have an antenna connected to the DISH DVR?  There is a separate coax input specifically for an OTA antenna.  You could use a separate coax feed from the wall (you'd have to have an antenna somewhere in the house feeding this...attic, exterior, etc...) or an antenna near the equipment, if your not far out from the local source you could use a paperclip or a coax cable, with one end connected to the OTA input and the other with the jacket, shielding, and isolator stripped back a bit.  Bottom line, if there is no connection currently the the OTA RF input, you are probably receiving your local stations over the satellite feed, and will lose them when the satellite goes down.

Again if I am mistaken about the current setup please let me know.

Thanks,
Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg
         The only connection coming out of the DVD/VCR are the RCA colored cables and there going directly into the back of the TV.I hooked that up when I first bought the DVD/VCR combo 5 yrs ago LOL !!!.No other connection are coming from the DVR receiver to my combo.Also if this help there is another model exactly the same as mine its Sylvania DVC860D.Also on the DVD/VCR on the output the 75 ohm cable is just hanging there.I do have a indoor antenna for OTA.Hope this is more informative.You think you could do a drawing and send it to me?If so send it to grayhulk12@yahoo.com

Thank You
 Otto

ANSWER: Otto:

I apologize for a taking awhile to get back to you, but the Sylvania Consumer Electronics site has been down so I'd just like to go through how I would hook the system up if I were coming in to install the system, but I need a little bit more information.  Are you using the second tuner in another room or for another television?  I only ask for clarity purposes, because if this output is available this would allow you to "offload programs" from your DVR onto VHS tapes while simultaneously watching other programs on your satellite, if there are programs you wish to keep for the long term.  Is your antenna, currently connected to the ANT input on the DVR?  I also wanted to confirm that the only connection from your DVR to your television is coax and not RCA cables.  Can you further explain where the "splitter" is currently used?  I ask this because I suspect it is not just a splitter, but a diplexer used to bring in 2 satellite signals, one for each tuner, over 1 coax cable.

Again I apologize for the delay, and will work on a drawing and instructions as soon as I can gain access to the Sylvania Consumer Electronics site.

Thanks,
Greg


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg;
         You were right the connection I thought was a splitter is a diplexer.Heres how its connected from the coax connected outside to the SAT it connects to the diplexer splits into 2 coax cables into the back of the DVR where it's marked SAT1 and SAT2.Then the OUTPUT Connection on the TV 1 Area of the DVR is a coax connection that connects directly into the coax INPUT connection on the back of the Tv.On the other matter of the second tuner it not being used.And no my indoor antenna is not connected to the DVR.The serviceman said I didn't need it and would get OTA anyway.I thought this was a little funny ??? The only thing that is connected with RCA cables is my DVD/VCR from the back OUTPUT where its Marked DVD/VCR Audio OUT Video OUT and connected to the RCA INPUT connection in back of the Tv.Hope thats help you better.

As for my Combo Manual your waisting you time with Sylvania and Funai I looked Funai has the PDF but can't download it for some reason.Now I found out that because my combo is SRD3900 it considered a STupid Sears product and so I went to there support site hoping to download from there but!!!! there are as useless as tits on a bull.They don't save Manuals in there data base figures its Sears !!!!So I went to a site its called TvManualsOnline.com it has my combo manual but I get a broken link so what I did was looked at there other manuals.The one I told you about is the same DVD/VCR Sylvania DVC860D.I think its the SRD that is the problem download that and you'll be able to understand my combo better.

Greg you don't have to apologize.I fully understand with all the questions and differant connections from differant manufacturers it must get to be a nightmare.I'm grateful for all your help in this matter and if you lived In the Chicago area I would buy you a drink for all the time and effort you put into this.

One more thing while I have your full undidvided attention can you sugesst or maybe know of a universal remote that would control all the product we have been talking about.The Dish remote work fine on the DVR but as for the Tv some button function work but not all and for the combo LOL !!!! forget it !!!! not even close I went out Sunday and bought the logitech 860 which I was assured by a Radio Shack so called expert it "Work every divice I have" went online got all the downloads I needed for all my devices and WHat a piece of crap it won't even work the DVR.I tried the learning mode lol What a laugh I took it back.Then he wanted to sell me a more exspensive one I told him I'll go to a place that knows.So Greg do you have any suggestion ?

Thanks
Otto

P.S.If I made any spelling errors I'm sorry but your Spell check isn't working right on my system for some reason and this is the 5th time typing this and I don't want to lose it all again.

Answer
Otto:

The connections I suggest are as follows:

Connect your indoor antenna to the OTA Antenna In on the DVR.
Connect DVR TV1 RF (coax) output to Cable/Antenna Input on television.
Connect DVR TV2 RCA composite video and audio output to DVD/VCR VCR Audio Video Input.
Connect DVD/VCR RCA Video Audio output to RCA Video Audio Input on Television.

These are pretty much the connections as they are according to your description with the exception of the antenna being connected to the DVR (don't know why it wasn't to begin with) and using the DVR's second tuner as an input into your DVD/VCR.  The VCR should output via the RCA cables currently connected.  Ensure your DVD/VCR is on VCR output mode and is in VCR Video mode and not TV mode.  I think the reason you are only seeing a blue screen is because the VCR is in TV mode.  You can toggle between TV mode and VCR mode by pressing the TV/VCR button on the remote.  You should also be able to record/view the second tuner by selecting the L1 input on your VCR.  This can be accessed by pressing 0-0-1 or using the channel up or down key until you reach L1 or Line 1 input.  The second tuner is controlled by the remote with a number 2 on the bottom.

As for remotes, I actually have to agree that the Logitech/Harmony series of remotes are about the best out there in that price range.  If my clients either don't want to splurge on Control4 or if such a system is overkill (Control4 is more of a Control system than multifunction remote), then Harmony made by Logitech is usually my suggestion.  I agree that it, at times, can be a pain to program and have had some issues with DVD/VCR combos, but the overall ease of use, especially for clients who aren't very comfortable with remotes, far outweighs it's shortcomings.  The programming can get pretty hairy, especially when trying to "learn commands", but once it's set up correctly, it works great.  An alternative is made by Universal Remote, these fall in the same price range and sometimes are easier to program, but programming macros are more difficult and are a little bit more complicated to use.  

Chicago is on a short list of cities I would like to live in, and the only one with a true winter season.  I've spent a lot of time in the Arlington Heights area for training and love the visiting the city, but alas am still a Hoosier.

I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion, and don't worry about spelling, I wouldn't have made it through college without spell check!

Thanks,
Greg