PIP function on TV

[MarkA]

Hi, (sorry if this is considered off topic, but it does have to do with the connection of my DBS receiver) I have a DISHPlayer and a Samsung VCR and a DVD Player. I'd like to do PIP with the VCR or the TV's built in tuner and either the DVD player or the DP (being able to do it with both is important). I tried this a few times before, over a year ago, and it worked PERFECTLY. Now, no matter how I connect it or try it the picture in the PIP window is either non-existant or scrambled depending on the source type (SVideo, composite, or RF direct in). Is there anything that could be wrong with any of my settings or connections I could check, or is my 8 year old TV finally starting to die? Thanks for any help any of you have to offer!

[Neil Derryberry]

If you are connecting it all up the same way, and it used to work that way before, I would say your second tuner in the tv is fried. If anything at all is different about your setup, then it may be something else.

[MarkA]

I don't THINK anything is different, and everything appears to be connected right. Generally, I know what I'm doing with A/V connections. See, I thought something like that - but the TV doesn't have a second tuner (you can only have one channel tuned by the TV, plus an external input). So that doesn't make sense. Is there anything else in the TV used for PIP that could be damaged? If so, is it easily fixable? Thanks for your help Neil!

[James_F]

I'd just try and get simple with this. Find two VCRs and connect them up via Coax... If that still doesn't work, I'd bet its your tv...

[MarkA]

That would NEVER work, as my TV only has a single tuner. The other PIP source has to be composite or SVideo. I'm totally convinced by now it's my TV. Next question - what could be wrong with my TV, and is it a simple fix?

[James_F]

Yea, buy a new tv :D

[MarkA]

Okay. I didn't mean simple:) I meant inexpensive? :)

[James_F]

Cheaper might still be buying a new tv... :shrug: If its the tuner then I wouldn't even bother since that will cost about a much as a new tv...

[MarkA]

Well I know it's not the tuner, since it works fine. The inputs are fine, and the display is fine. So it's whatever the little part that generates the PIP window is:) Does anybody know anything about this? The TV is an 8 year old 27" Mitsubishi if that helps.

[Mark Lamutt]

Almost certainly it will cost you at least $100 for a tech to open your tv up and look at it, and also almost certainly if the problem can be fixed, you'll be charged at least another $150. You'd be better off buying a new set. I've been down this road before with older televisions, and it just isn't worth fixing them.

[MarkA]

Thanks Mark, that's what I was afraid of! I guess I'll live without PIP! Have a great day