Recording Digital TV / Connecting a VCR or DVD recorder to your satellite TV equipment
Once TV goes digital, you can still use your traditional VCR, but you will only be able to record the channel you are watching. This is because traditional video recorders contain a receiver to record a separate channel to the one that you are watching, but this receiver can only receive analogue signals, and may not work with digital TV.
The solution comes with the Personal Video Recorder (PVR). A PVR allows you to record, pause and rewind digital TV. If you want to watch one channel and record another, or record something when you are out and about, then a PVR is the best bit of kit for you.
Much like a computer, a PVR has a hard disk which stores the programmes you record, so you can watch them at your own leisure. The PVR also gets rid of the need to buy and store any video cassettes, saving you money and freeing up space.
The hard drives on PVRs will determine how many programmes you can store on the PVR memory. Different PVRs have different functions and features. For instance, some PVRs have a function called a “twin tuner” which will allow you to record two channels at the same time, whilst you watch a third one. And there are some PVRs which allow you to pause and rewind live TV, so you do not miss a moment of the action. Many PVRs also allow you to record a whole series at the touch of a button.
Connecting a VCR To A Satellite Receiver
Normally this is done via the SCART / Euroconnectors cables. Once cable connects the AV / EXT 1 Scart socket on the VCR to the VCR socket on the satellite receiver. Then another cable connects the TV Scart socket on the satellite receiver to an AV / EXT socket on the TV.
Therefore to record a programme from the satellite receiver, you need to ensure that the VCR is tuned to the correct AV / EXT 1 setting.
Connecting a PVR To A Satellite Receiver
Normally this is done via the SCART / Euroconnectors cables. Once cable connects the TV Scart socket on the satellite receiver to the AV / EXT 2
socket on the PVR. Then another cable connects the AV / EXT 1 Scart socket on the PVR to an AV / EXT socket on the TV.
This configuration means that anything playing on the satellite receiver is passed via the PVR and therefore allows the use of LIVE PAUSE and TIMESHIFT options.
Therefore to record a programme from the satellite receiver, you need to ensure that the PVR is tuned to the correct AV / EXT 2 setting.
Some PVRs are required to be always turned on so that you can view the satellite receiver programmes.
The above is a general guide and may not work for all models of satellite receiver or PVRs.