Hook-up Diagram for Connecting VCR

[nicshow]

I'm having a little trouble recording from my 501 to my VCR. Where can I see a hook-up diagram or detailed instructions to assist me?

[scooper]

You don't need a manual for this !!

You go from the 501 (outputs) to the Line INPUTS of your VCR. Simply color match the cables / jacks. Yellow to yellow, Red to Red, and White to White. If you want to use the Line Outs on the VCR to your TV or A/V receiver, Same thing.

To record - Set your VCR to the Line Inputs. On my JVC VCR, that is done by selecting channel 00. Check your VCR's manual to get the correct sequence. Then start playing the program on the 501. And hit record (maybe play and record) on the VCR.

The other option is to use the RF connector - again, 501 output to RF input on your VCR, tune your VCR to channel 3 or 4 (depending on what the setting on the 501 is). However, this does not pass Stereo audio, and the picture is not usually as good as using the A/V jacks. It may not be possible to see that difference on your equipment.

[nicshow]

I originally had cords running out from my A/V receiver into the inputs on my vcr...but I'm guessing the signal can't go from the 501 to the A/V receiver and then back into the VCR? I did put a cord directly out from the 501 into the VCR and I was able to record...but I just thought everything should be run through the A/V receiver as a kind of switching unit. What am I not understanding about that concept?

[Bardman]

If you have your VCR connected to your AV receiver via the VCR inputs and outputs, you have to remember that it's basially a "tape monitor" loop... your VCR will "see" whatever component your AV receiver has selected.

Soooo, if you're recording your satellite signal onto your VCR, you should have your AV receiver set to view your satellite.

Hope this helps!!

[scooper]

Bardman is right, you should have said you were using an A/V receiver in the first place.

In that case, you could leave the VCR hooked into the A/V receiver as you had it before. Then hook one set of the 501's outputs into another video input (say VCR2). Now, to record from the 501 onto the VCR, set the VCR to video input, and the source selector on the A/V receiver to VCR2. Start recording on the VCR and start playing on the 501 - should work like a champ. One possible wrinkle here - on my A/V receiver, if I'm using the digital audio connectors, there won't be any sound to the analog outputs unless I have the analog outputs hooked up as well on the source.

Bardman - my A/V receiver will let me record from a different source than I'm viewing, that's why I mentioned the extra.

[Mark Lamutt]

I have composite and analog audio connected to my input 2 of my vcr (LINE2 on my Sony), and svideo and toslink audio connected directly to my receiver. That way, I can watch just the satellite via svideo and digital audio, I can watch satellite via composite and analog through my vcr, and I can record directly to the vcr, bypassing the receiver. Then, I have a line from my receiver to the LINE1 input on my vcr so I can record anything from the rest of the system through my receiver switching.