301 receiver w/ DVD recorder and VCR hookup question

[Scratch]

If this question has been asked before I apologize beforehand. I am getting a dvd recorder with basic Tivo service and have a question. Can I hook up a 301 receiver with a dvd recorder and a vcr and be able to watch one thing while recording another? Just curious Thanks in advance! :confused:

[gcutler]

Do you mean watching a DVDR/Tivo while recording 301 to VCR or watching VCR while recording 301 to DVDR/TiVo, if so it should work if you have things cabled right.

Since the 301 only has one set of RCA output jacks and one COAX output jack. If you connect from 301 to VCR via Coax Cable and 301 to DVDR/TiVo via the RCA/S-Video connection then you can. So you could be recording from 301 to DVDR and watch a VHS tape, the VHS will come into the TV thru the Coax, the 301 will record to DVDR/TiVo via the RCA/S-Video cables. Or visa-versa, you could be playing a DVD or TiVo recording to the TV, while recording from 301 to VHS. And you can connect the VCR to the DVDR/TiVo via Coax and/or RCA/S-Video and depending on which INPUT you select you can record from VHS or 301. The only thing you can't do is record two different shows from the 301 to the VHS and the DVDR/TiVo, that is because there would only be one channel coming out of the 301.

For cabling this is probably the best way, two sets of connections...


301---coax--->VCR-----coax---->DVDR/TiVo----coax---->TV
(this is low fidelity signal, not good for watching DVD if it is even allowed, some units won't send DVD output via Coax but will send TiVo recording thru.) Tell TiVo not to use this connection for Recording TiVo, it only exists for watching VHS tapes on TV using Coax to pass-thru the DVDR/TiVo or recording VHS tapes to DVDR/TiVo

301---RCA/SVideo--->DVDR/TiVO---RCA/SVideo--->TV
(the RCA/SVideo connection is best for viewing) Tell TiVo to record off this connection, and you should use this input for recording from 301 to DVDR even though you can probably get away with recording from 301 to DVDR via the Coax connection (depends on recorder).

What type of DVDR/TiVo unit do you have? That may make a big difference??? My statements assumes a set of back connections like this humax pic.
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6776/6776722_ba.jpg

Or Toshiba Pic here
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6738/6738337_ba.jpg

The allowing of recording from VHS to DVDR via the Coax connection may or may not be allowed depending on specific unit, but some DVDRs do allow it, so included the assumption. Apologies if that does not apply...

[Scratch]

I'm getting a Toshiba RSTX20. I was hoping to record to the DVD/TiVo and watch something else through the VCR. Thanks :)

[gcutler]

Well then you should be ok, if you can decifer my explanation :D

[Scratch]

The DVD recorder is supposed to be delivered Thursday so I'll just print out your instructions and study them until I get it. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. :)

[gcutler]

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/product.asp?model=RS-TX20

RF Input - Tuner Pass Through Only (1)

* Video Mode Only Recording.

Using my diagram for the coax connection it looks like you will still be able to watch VCR while burning 301 or TiVo Recording to DVDR, but it will probably not be able to record anything via the Coax cable, it may just act as a passthru to the TV. But it isn't the worst thing in the world. If you want to record from VCR to Toshiba DVDR You could use the RCA jacks from the VCR, while there is only one set of INPUTS on the BACK (should be used from the 301 to Toshiba DVDR) but you can connect the VCR to the FRONT RCA inputs in the front of the unit... I hate having rca cables connected to front connections, but it still works just the same...

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/6820/6820835cv1a.jpg

Man I am bored!!! ;)