Hi there,
I'm sure this will prove to be something very simple. It's possible that you have not selected the correct input on the DVD/VDR for recording, however, I don't really have enough information to be able to give you a definitive answer.
The most important factor is whether you are using a Satellite receiver box, or whether you have a Satellite 'tuner' (FreeSat?) built into your TV. This is not clear so I'm going to work on the assumption that you are using a satellite receiver (until you tell me otherwise) as this is still the most common setup.
The first thing I notice from your description is that you seem to have a slight mis-understanding of how the connections between your devices work. The cable/connection used between your TV and DVD/VCR for playback of DVD and videos can only be used for playback. You cannot assume that your setup is correct for recording simply because you can watch DVD and video on your TV. You would need to have a minumum of 2 connections between the TV and DVD/VCR to be able to record from the TV and, with many TVs, this cannot be done anyway.
To record from the satellite receiver, the satellite receiver should ideally be connected directly to the DVD/VCR. I have drawn a couple of simple diagrams below to illustrate this.
However, you did state that you were able to record last week, but you did not explicity say that you had recorded from a satellite channel, so it's possible that you were recording from the TV or from the tuner in the DVD/VCR. It is not possible for me to say unless I know how all of your devices (TV, DVD/VCR and satellite receiver) are inter-connected.
Please take a look at the following diagrams and then answer the questions below. I should then be able to give you a definitive answer and a comprehensive solution to your problem.
Setup 1
This is the ideal and normal setup for recording from a satellite receiver box. The DVD/VCR records directly from the satellite receiver. The connection between the DVD/VCR and TV is for playback only.
Setup 2
This setup is highly unlikely to enable you to record from the satellite receiver. This is possible on some TVs but very few. There are 2 connections between the DVD/VCR and the TV. One for recording and one for playback. This will normally only allow you to record from the TV if the TV also has an aerial/antenna connection and will only record the aerial/antenna channels. If your TV has a built in Satellite/FreeSat tuner, it may be possible to record from Satellite as long as you have both connections from TV to DVD/VCR. This depends on the TV you have and whether it supports this feature.
Setup 3
This setup will not record anything. The single connections between the satellite receiver and TV and between the DVD/VCR and TV are strictlyDVR-RT500 recorder which I cannot - belectric_105.jpg />
Please review the diagrams above and then reply to me from within this page with the answers to following questions:
1. Does your TV have a built-in satellite/FreeSat tuner?
2. Which of the above diagrams is most closely related to your setup?
3. How are your TV, DVD/VCR and satellite reciever inter-connected? - Which types of cable are you using and which sockets are the connected to?
Thanks,
BElectric
Thanks for your reply. There is evidently no problem with your connections, so I believe the cause of your problem will be one of the following.
A. The recording input has not been set correctly on the DVD/VCR.
B. The DVD/VCR has lost the signal from the satellite receiver.
It's fairly easy to figure out which one is the problem. Please do the following to ensure your DVD/VCR player is set to the correct recording input.
1. Switch on the TV, satellite receiver and DVD/VCR.
2. Set the TV to the correct input for the DVD/VCR. Check this by playing a video casette or DVD disc and make sure you have the picture on screen.
3. Stop the cassette/disc.
4. You should now be watching the satellite channels but via the DVD/VCR player.
If you are unable to view the satellite channels having done all of the above, press the INPUT SELECT button on your Pioneer remote control and make sure the display on the front of the player shows "LINE 1" or "L1". If it says L2, press the INPUT SELECT button again until L1 is shown.
Please try this first and make sure you can view the satellite channels through the DVD player, then get back to me. It may be necessary to "re-boot" the DVD/VCR, the satellite receiver - or both.
Thanks,
BElectric
OK. I'm still convinced this is something very simple, but I'm going to have to push you for an answer on how the satellite receiver is connected to the DVD/VCR.
While there are several other possibilities, without this information, It's difficult to make any further suggestions. I could potentially make suggestions which would cause further complications rather than solving the problem. It is not essential to know the correct technical term for the type of cable, a description will suffice. As far as I'm aware, there are only 3 possible connection types:
A. S-Video (REAR). This Cable has one round plug on each end
B. S-Video (FRONT) As above but connected to the socket under the Pioneer logo on the front
C. Composite (REAR). This cable has 3 RCA type AV connections colored red, white and yellow.
D. Composite (FRONT). As above but connected to the sockets under the Pioneer logo on the front.
E. Coaxial. The same type of cable/connection as your cable and/or antenna line.
Please can you confirm this and also answer the following questions for me.
1. Does the tape counter run while you are recording 'nothing'?
2. Is the VCR indicator light illuminated while you are recording?
(This is above the VCR/DVD button on the front of the player)
3. What other letters or symbols are illuminated on the display next to the counter while recording?
I'm sure this is something very simple. The answers to the above will tell me where to look next.
Thanks.
Thanks once again for the information. I apologise for all the questions but experience has taught me this is generally the best way to solve problems as opposed to pressing lots of random buttons - and making the problem more complicated in the process!
Nothing you have told me so far suggests anything about the setup is incorrect of that anything you are doing is incorrect. I have a couple more questions for you and things to check, then I may have to start looking for possible faults with the equipment. Hopefully not.
The one thing that does strike me is that SLP is illuminated on the display while you are recording. SLP is "Super Long Play" mode which is 3x the normal frame-for-frame recording speed. Essentially, this setting will allow you to record 6 hours worth of programmes on a 2 hour cassette. The downside to this is, recording quality is diminished, tape life reduced and, most importantly, not all cassettes are compatible with this recoding mode. Compatibility with SLP is usually indicated on the cassette sleeve. You should also note that Pioneer recommend using tapes with a maximum length of 160 minutes (2 hours 40) on this machine. That doesn't mean you can't use longer tapes, but it does indicate there may be problems if they are used.
Accordingly, I would like you to try the following:
1. Change the recording mode from SLP to SP (short play). Make sure the VCR light is illuminated on the front of the DVD/VCR player then press the REC MODE/SPEED button on the Pioneer remote repeatedly until SP is illuminated on the DVD/VCR display.
2. Insert a video cassette (ideally as short as possible) and try recording again. Make sure SP remains illuminated on the display.
3. Record several minutes from the satellite and then try playing back again.
4. Finally, I would like to know what is shown on the TV screen when you are playing back from a tape that has seemingly not recorded anything. Is the screen blank - or still showing a TV channel?
I think we are very close to resolving this now. It's just a process of elimination. Please try the above and then get back to me again.
Thanks,
BElectric.
Please note: If you are notified of further messages from me and you are unable to locate them, please scroll to the bottom of my last visible message and then click on "View More Comments" in the light-blue bar below
Hi there,
There really is no need to apologise - this is not causing me any difficulty whatsoever. If I didn't enjoy this, I wouldn't do it. We are getting closer to reaching a solution with every message exchanged but we are far from being at the end of the line in respect of things that can still be done to solve the problem. Your most recent answers have ticked a few more boxes with me but, at the same time, they have also put crosses in one or two ;)
It may be necessary to run the setup on your DVD/VCR again. The next test/questions are very simple and will determine whether the setup needs to be done again and, if so, how it should be configured.
A. Switch the TV, VCR and satellite receiver to "standby"
B. Making careful note of how/where it connects, temporarily disconnect the cable that runs between the satellite receiver and the TV from the sockets at the rear of the satellite receiver. You can leave the other end of the cable attached to the TV.
C. Switch on the TV, DVD/VCR and satellite receiver and set the TV to the input for the DVD/VCR.
D. Make sure the DVD/VCR is on the "LINE 1" / "L1" input with the INPUT SELECT button
Questions:
1. Are you still able to watch and change satellite channels with the TV disconnected from the satellite receiver?
2. How do you change the satellite channels with this setup - with the DVD/VCR remote or with the satellite receiver remote?
3. Is there an antenna connected to the DVD/VCR?
Your patience, willingness to keep trying and co-operation in running each suggested test and answering all of the questions is most impressive! It makes this significantly easier for me and ensures my willingness to keep going. We'll get there, I promise!
I'll await your reply . . .
Thanks,
BElectric
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No to the 1st question; the #1 diagrahm is the way my setup has been made; the cable connections I am not familiar with the type but were installed by the technician who made the connections from Dish Network when I first changed to satellite TV. They have since on another house call checked these connections and assured me they were made correctly. I mentioned in my initial correspondence, I was able to record several hours lsat weeks, but for some reason it changed when I used the same procedure later.
Thank You,
[email protected]
Followed your latest recommendations; rebooted my Pioneer VCR/DVD recorder as well as the satellite receiver; it reprogrammed the receiver, then played a recorded VCR tape which came through very clear as it has done in the past; I then took a blank tape, recorded a couple of minutes of the satellite channel, then changed satellite channels, and played the tape; no recording had occurred.
Tried this several times to no avail. Even tried a local TV station out of Ft. Smith, AR. and a CBS transmission, but still comes in by the satellite. No response.
I thoroughly reviewed your suggestions, to assure I did not miss anything and everything was done as you requested. More suggestions on this would be deeply appreciated.
all70
belectric
3rd response memo: Connection relates to "C". from your last reply - 3 colored cable as described.
Answers to questions:
1. Tape Counter runs while recording nothing.
2. VCR light illuminated above VCR.
3. Othere symbols are the "slp" for speed of tape, the line #1 .
Additional comment: Laqst eveing tried accessing the online Dish service. As I reviewed the connection iinstructions to run test they offer, it asked for the manufacturer manufactoring code. I have looked and looked in my manual for the DVR-RT500 with no success and have not been able to locate it on the Internet.
Hope this helps.
all70
I have changed the speed of the tape to "SP"; Two of the VCR tapes I had recorded prior to this problem were in the "SP" mode and thought perhaps surely this would work. No positive results.
I have tried to record again and then play back; the channel setting on the satellite TV is for #3. and when I press PLAY on the VCR the screen changes to a snowy view with no images. Tried this several times as well as on another VCR (Sony) recorder I have to the same results. Powered the VCR off and on while this was playing. I played previously recorded tapes I have made in the past and they play on the TV screen perfectly with no glitches.
I talked to my satellite technical people and explained what what we had done and the results, and he had no suggestions from their viewpoint after talking to him for about 30 minutes other than try and sell me their built in DVR digital system.
I have gone through all the connections again, powered down the VCR as well as the receiver unit and recorded again, but the same results are attained.
I apologize for all the difficulty and time this is causing you but the suggestions made and hopefully additionall ones made are much appreciated. Hope this is helpful to you.
all70
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