Recordable DVD Player

[Sweetie77]

Hi Guys

My flatmate recentley brought a flat screen tv with built in freeview. I have brought a recordable dvd player as well but we can only record whrn the tv is switched on. They are both Toshiba machines, I am oretty sure it is something really obvious!!

[LeMarchand]

If the Freeview decoder in your TV is your only source, then it could well be that the TV needs to be turned on for it to transmit a signal.

[Buenchico]

You probably used to use a VCR, with VHS tapes. All VCRs had a TV tuner built into them, so you didn't need to use another tuner to receive the signal. You could also watch one programme while recording another because the VCR's tuner fed a signal to the tape, while the TV's tuner fed a different signal to the screen.

However, many (possibly most?) DVD recorders don't have a TV tuner built in. They rely on using an external tuner (either from a TV or from a Freeview box). If you've got such a recorder, you can only record the signal from the TV's tuner, which means that the TV must be turned on.

To get back to a situation similar to the one you used to have with your old VCR, you need to add another tuner to the system. This either means replacing your DVD recorder with one that includes its own tuner or (far cheaper) purchasing a Freeview box to provide your existing DVD recorder with a tuner that it can take a signal from. You'd then be able to watch one programme while recording another. However, you'd have to remember to leave the Freeview box (instead of the TV) turned on when making recordings.

Chris

[Sweetie77]

Thanks we had a stand alone freeview before so I will set that back up. Will probably work out quite well as we can then record one channel and watch another!!

[sad old git]

Hi. I hope this helps but I can't be sure as I only hve a terrestrial tv connected to a set top box. however the box I bought has all the freeview channels plus twin tuners so you can watch one channel while recording another. Having said all that and re-reading your question it looks like you wil need a twin tuner machine which can bought for less than �100 at a store that cannot be disclosed. Having said that you can fill out a ticket and wait for your number to be called.

[legend761]

it would seem you need the freeview receiver turned on.
if thats integral then i assume the tv must be turned on.