recording digital with integrated tuner

[rja211077]

If I have a TV with an integrated digital tuner and a DVD/VHS recorder which doesn't have its own digital tuner, is it possible to record the digital signal from the TV's tuner?

[Postdog]

It should be (right connections and all that) but there is a major snag here - to do so, the TV must be on and tuned to the channel you want, in which case you might as well watch it.

Far better these days are the twin tuner digi's with hard drive, or get yourself a cheap box and connect that to the recorder - that way you'll have two freeview's at your disposal, and just record off the box.

[Buenchico]

Postdog's answer is perfectly correct but it doesn't actually tell you how to record using your current equipment.

Most TVs, with digital tuners, allow the signal to be fed to an external device. Assuming that yours does, you need to connect one end of a Scart lead to the 'out' socket on the TV. (If there's no designated 'out' socket, just try either of the two Scart sockets, or the sole Scart socket, as appropriate).

The other end of the Scart lead needs to go to the 'In' (or sole) socket on the recorder. To make a recording the TV must be switched on and displaying the correct channel. The recorder must be set to record from 'AV' (not from any numbered channel) at the appropriate time.

Points to note:
1. Because you've only got one digital tuner, you can't watch one channel while recording another.

2. Because your channel selection is via the TV, you won't be able to make unattended recordings of different channels. e.g. you could record a program on ITV3, while you were down the pub, but (unless you returned home to switch channels) you wouldn't be able to record a following programme on Dave.

3. I've referred to setting the recorder to 'AV'. Some manufacturers use other labels on their handsets, such as 'Line in', 'Line', 'L', 'L1', 'Ext' or 'Aux'.

Chris

[magicmerlin]

I would like to comment on point 2 of Buenchico's reply.

If your tv has the digital tv guide then you should be able to set a reminder to watch programs in advance. If you do this and set your recorder to record off the tv at the appropriate time then it should be ok. I can do this on my digital tv.

[magicmerlin]

Have you tried looking at the tv manual. That is usually the first place to look. It should show what connections you have on the back.