Recording freeview channels

[roslyn251254]

I have just bought an integrated freeview TV and cannot work out how to record a freeview channel on my VCR. TV has 2 scarts - we have connected one to the dvd playerand one to the VCR. Aerial is connected to VCR. VCR is also connected to the TV through the usual co-axial cable. The VCR can "see" and record analogue channels but not digital channels. What am I doing wrong? (Previously we had a freeview box with the old tv and were able to record analogue in the usual way and digital by setting the VCR programmer to record Channel LV2)

[AlBags]

That is because a freeview box converts the digital tv to analogue. Output is then recordable.
As for the rest of us, most have to buy a separate recorder (PVR)
I would have thought that in your old setup, LV2 was carrying an analogue signal, which is why you could record it.
If the TV is capable of supplying an ANALOGUE output through SCART, then you may get it to work. Check TV manual for OUTPUTs.
I think you are stuck tho .. sorry : )

[Buenchico]

Your VCR was designed to record signals from the output of its built-in (analogue) tuner. You need to bypass that tuner by getting the VCR to record from the Scart input. You seem to have worked out how to do that, by setting it to record from 'LV2'. (Although that's a new label to me. The relevant button is usually labelled 'AV', 'AV1'. 'AV2', Line', Line In', 'Ext', 'Aux', etc).

If you're sure that the Scart lead from the TV is still plugged into the same socket (on the VCR) as the Freeview box was connected to, and you're also sure that you're still trying to record from the same 'channel' on the VCR, it's obvious that the correct signal can't be coming through the Scart lead.

Firstly, of course, remember that the TV will need to be switched on in order to record from Freeview. (If you turn it off you'll be turning off the only digital tuner in your set-up). Then check the manual for the TV to see what the two Scart sockets are meant to do. It might be that they're only able to accept incoming signals (e.g. the ouptuts from DVD players or from PlayStations). If so, you won't be able to record from the tuner which is built into the TV. Alternatively it might be that only one of the Scart sockets can provide an outut signal from the TV's tuner. (In which case, ensure that the lead is connected to the correct socket).

Remember that, as with your Freeview box, you've still only got one digital tuner in your set-up (unless you re-introduce the Freeview box, which can make things rather complicated), so you still won't be able to watch one Freeview channel while recording from another. (You'll need a recording device, such as a DVD recorder or PVR, with its own built-in tuner in order to be able to do that.

Chris

[AlBags]

How complicated sounding have you just made it?

The TV is unlikely to output analogue through scart from it's digital receiver. So it will not be recordable.

If the original Freeview box has RF loopthrough (again, check the manual) you can route the incoming antenna through that to the TV.
Then use the freeview box output to record to VCR.

[wildwood]

As I read the question, there is no existing separate freeview box now. The signal that the VCR recorder can 'see' is probably the analogue signal from the aerial.

We have a TV with integrated freeview with all the bells and whistles but there is no video output of any type, only audio output.

[hc4361]

You need a recorder with a digital tuner. Buy either a cheap dvd recorder (£40 upwards) that uses disks, or a PVR that records to hard drive.
I have both, so any recordings that I want to keep 'for ever' I can either record directly to dvd or download from the PVR.

A VCR with an analogue tuner cannot record a digital signal, unless it is capturing what the tv screen is displaying.

[roslyn251254]

Many thanks for all your replies. In the meantime spoke to TV aerial man who agrees with you - it can't be done BUT if we re -introduce the old freeview box , connect everything as before (effectively giving twin-tuner) we can record analog or digital channels AND at the same time watch another analogue or digital channel on the TV. Lots of wires inside my cabinet but at least it all works for now!! Thanks again all of you for your help.

[AlBags]

What I said in my second post : )
Thanks for coming back anyway!
Best Wishes.