Recording from DirecTV/DishNetwork Does anyone know the preferred way to record from a Satellite Box? It seems that the channel prescan feature is good for analog/digital and only goes up to 135 or so. What happens when my channels are in the 600 range? Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that I have to manually select the channel on my directv then go over to the Phillips and schedule a timer recording. Since I cannot tune/change my satellite channels from my phillips I leave it in E1 which represents the rear input where my S-video is connected to and record based on the time that I input in the timer recording menu. It seems this is a very manual way of recording shows from my satellite box but I don't know of any other way. Recording from DirecTV/DishNetwork Does anyone know the preferred way to record from a Satellite Box? It seems that the channel prescan feature is good for analog/digital and only goes up to 135... » Read More Recording from DirecTV/DishNetwork Does anyone know the preferred way to record from a Satellite Box? It seems that the channel prescan feature is good for analog/digital and only goes up to 135 or so. What happens when my channels are in the 600 range? Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that I have to manually select the channel on my directv then go over to the Phillips and schedule a timer recording. Since I cannot tune/change my satellite channels from my phillips I leave it in E1 which represents the rear input where my S-video is connected to and record based on the time that I input in the timer recording menu. It seems this is a very manual way of recording shows from my satellite box but I don't know of any other way. « Show Less
1299212
I can preselect programs with Dish's TV Guide and time them just as I would with the DVR. Both are then matched to make sure the correct recording happens (although I always spare a couple minutes before and after for a program, showtimes on certain channels are always unpredictable). Both Dish and Philips allow for weekly/daily/weeklong/weekend programming, so manually it becomes a breeze after a while (until a channel decides to switch times on shows for no good reason, then it becomes a eyesore of a chore).I also use RCA cables for my DVR and programmed it to the only channel that accepts a signal (ch 4), that way I only have to worry about Dish, channel wise. EXT1 source is used for any VCR-DVR dubbing. I can preselect programs with Dish's TV Guide and time them just as I would with the DVR. Both are then matched to make sure the correct recording happens (although I always spare a couple minutes before and after for a program, showtimes on certain channels are always unpredictable). Both Dish and Philips allow for weekly/daily/weeklong/weekend programming, so manually it becomes a breeze after a while (until a channel decides to switch times on shows for no good reason, then it becomes a eyesore of a chore).I also use RCA cables for my DVR and programmed it to the only channel... » Read More I can preselect programs with Dish's TV Guide and time them just as I would with the DVR. Both are then matched to make sure the correct recording happens (although I always spare a couple minutes before and after for a program, showtimes on certain channels are always unpredictable). Both Dish and Philips allow for weekly/daily/weeklong/weekend programming, so manually it becomes a breeze after a while (until a channel decides to switch times on shows for no good reason, then it becomes a eyesore of a chore).I also use RCA cables for my DVR and programmed it to the only channel that accepts a signal (ch 4), that way I only have to worry about Dish, channel wise. EXT1 source is used for any VCR-DVR dubbing. « Show Less
1299213
Reel2, it looks like you have got this satellite dvdr thing down pat. My problem with using Dish TV Guide for recording purposes it that I get a screen asking for a 3 digit code for the dvr. The screen says this number is in the users manual but I can't find it. Any ideas where I might find this number or get around this screen? I also cannot pause live tv - is this a function that is lost with satellite?
2066808
I've got the same question as Jonathan -- does this DVRRecorder pick up cable channels? will it get the 500s-700s? If so, I'm ready to buy! :-DI don't get decent reception antenna only so I have to use cable, much as I hate shelling out to Comcast every month I'm stuck with them. ;-p I've been resisting TIVO b/c I don't want to pay an additional monthly subscription fee. Why would anyone pay monthly for Tivo if you can do the same thing for free with a DVDRecorder like this one?
36741
I have an older Direct TV DVR (model HR-20-100S). Will this HD work for me? Also, can I make it the default HD, to avoid using the lousy internal HD in the Direct TV DVR? (I have had about 10 crash and burn on me over a 10 year period, and lost hundreds of recorded programs.I would pay extra if they had a reliable solid state HD as an option).
1602415
Tivo's in general don't work well with satellite TV, they're meant for cable TV or over-the-air TV. DirecTV has it's own DVR (or PVR) similar to Tivo that they offer (for a smaller monthly fee).
279833
I have the same and it works great and hooks up to the antenna .it finds all your channels and will record them.love it .you can record to a RW DVD, plan DVD disk or to the hard drive it has .I even have a old analog TV and it replaces the digital converter box I have or you can use both,or either
184577
You don't wanna do that. Even if you could get it to work, it wouldn't select channels by itself, you'd have to manually change the channel on the digital converter box to whatever you want to record next. Plus, it'd all be low-def. To record from a rooftop antenna to a DVR, you need a DVR with an ATSC tuner -- or, preferably, several ATSC tuners so you can record multiple channels at once. Since everybody using a rooftop antenna can't live without such a DVR, there are zillions to choose from -- NOT! I dunno what's wrong with this market, but finding such a DVR is ridiculously difficult. I have two. The first and best is the Channel Master CM-7000PAL, which has two tuners and therefore can record two programs at once in full HD. The other is a Magnavox MDR515H which only has one tuner and only records in low-def, although it's still widescreen and a very good fidelity low-def so it's quite watchable. It also can record on a rewritable DVD which would be nice when the HD fills up, but being low-def it has 250 hours of space on the HD so it'll never fill up. Last I heard, one or both of these models are NLA -- but that *might* be because they've introduced new and better models. Channel Master, for example, was supposed to introduce a 3-tuner model. I'm sorry the options aren't better. I'd very much like to find out why the market for ATSC DVR's is suppressed and throttle somebody.
2228631
I have my DVR set up with two inputs . One with the cable wire coming from the cable box into the antenna connection, the other using the red/white/yellow audio/video out from the converter box to the audio/video in on the DVR. I can record a channel coming through the digital source while watching a separate channel on the TV through the other input. If you want to record a scrambled channel where the converter box is required, you'll have to watch that channel. Change the source button on the remote from DTV ( the digital source ) to L1, the converter box signal for non over the air signals. I haven't tried watching the digital signal while recording from the converter box. I'll try and get back to you. I have my DVR set up with two inputs . One with the cable wire coming from the cable box into the antenna connection, the other using the red/white/yellow audio/video out from the converter box to the audio/video in on the DVR. I can record a channel coming through the digital source while watching a separate channel on the TV through the other input. If you want to record a scrambled channel where the converter box is required, you'll have to watch that channel. Change the source button on the remote from DTV ( the digital source ) to L1, the converter box signal for non over the air... » Read More I have my DVR set up with two inputs . One with the cable wire coming from the cable box into the antenna connection, the other using the red/white/yellow audio/video out from the converter box to the audio/video in on the DVR. I can record a channel coming through the digital source while watching a separate channel on the TV through the other input. If you want to record a scrambled channel where the converter box is required, you'll have to watch that channel. Change the source button on the remote from DTV ( the digital source ) to L1, the converter box signal for non over the air signals. I haven't tried watching the digital signal while recording from the converter box. I'll try and get back to you. « Show Less
146819
Yes, you can record programs from your Dish Network so long as you connect this recorder to the box provided to you by Dish.
653417
While watching from (or via) the Magnavox (output to my TV), I am only able to watch a program pre-recorded on the HDD/DVR at the same time that another program is being recorded. Cannot tune to more than one station at a time (to record one, while attempting to watch another). . .Not sure I quite understand J. Kavanaugh's answer, but sounds like something cool to learn to do!
1187381
I am not quite clear what the External Box is. So long as your external box has the a/v input and output cables, I am sure you can connect. I don't think the connection has anything to do with antenna. I have 4 receivers for Dish Network, but I have never taken the DVR because the DVR does the recording for the moment only, whereas I need dvd recording for future use and storage/collection. I have directly connected the recorder to the TV, and it works well, although after a year or two it doesn't function that well. Since I have never used an external box I cannot give a clear answer. There aren't too many dvd recorders in the market. I have a Panasonic that I bought 20 yrs ago and still works well. A new Toshiba, and the other 2 are Magnavox which I have replaced several times. Sorry but this is my honest answer.
1155565
Hi Robert! I haven't had any problems recording from my cable box. I've recorded digital stations, premium and even On-Demand with this unit. Yep, recorded 3 shows ON-Demand! The D-r400 is awesome! I'm using composite, because my cable box does not have an S-Video Connection. Picture is great and I wasn't sure it would be, although I'm not using this on an HDTV. I have read that some people have problems, depending on their cable provider. If your provider will not allow recording of these stations due to copyright, then it may not work for you. Most have not had a problem, which is why this unit has become so popular. Just make sure you hook up your unit to the cable box. The D-r400 doesn't have coaxial, so you need to use RCA audio/video cables. Follow the instructions on the manual for cable/satellite installation and you'll be fine.
1683309
Yes, you will be able to set up recording of programs off the air ahead of time but the feature does not work the way you would expect. In my tuner, the calendar is a few days behind the actual date and I always need to correct programming for that offset. The other inconvenience is that the tuner does not automatically takes the channel number and the time from the program guide. I need to set up recording manually. To make HD TV recording it is important to use a fast USB 3.0 hard or flash drive. I am using PNY flash drive with 130MB/s writing speed and it provides high quality HD recording.
853324
I previously owned a Toshiba DVR that would record,to the hard drive,all cables channels.That was in the analog days.The previously mentioned DVD/VCR recorder will not record anything to DVD or video tape that is on certain cable channels (Discovery,for example).It contains a QAM digital tuner. Are you saying that the Magnovox MDR515H will not record the copyguarded channels,even to it's hard drive ? I do not intend to attempt to make DVD copies,just time shift programming.I know,of course,the DVRs provided by the cable company will do this with all channels provided.
146585
I use Dish for my television reception with regular and HD channels. I have had no problem recordings using the dvr 620 by Toshiba (once I mastered the manual).
61207
you can only record one show at a time. don't if it will work with dish. if it does you have to hook it up between tv & dish equipment. when programed channel numbers will be different.
2000158
dish network is like cable sure you can , just make sure channel 03 is on vcr ,hit rec start recording .
1725626
HD/DVR works great in my 5th wheel. I had trouble finding a satellite, I stopped a Direct TV truck and paid the 20 bucks to tune it in for me. unfortunately I still need a SWM switch to record more than one show at a time. most receiver's will need to use the B band switch included with the system. Makes no sense to me to have an HD TV and not use HD service.