Hooking up DVR to Paleozoic era TV

**twoBshorty** · 04-23-2011 02:31 PM

I'm finally caving and getting a DVR. The catch: I have an ancient TV, older than I am. It's a 1985 RCA with no remote control. It has 0-9 buttons for the channel and a volume knob and it looks like it's made of faux wood. We are talking disgustingly old. It has an input for a coaxial cable and that's it. I have it because it was free.

There has to be a way to make this work: I have FiOS, a DVD/VCR, and a Wii all successfully hooked up to this TV, somehow. As far as I can tell, the Verizon tech ran one cable from the wall to RF IN on the STB, another cable from the TV/VCR outlet to the DVD player, and a third cable from the DVD player to the coax input on the TV. And yes, he thought it was highly amusing to work with this prehistoric specimen.

How would I hypothetically hook up a DVR in this setup? The obvious answer is to buy a new TV. I might very well do that. But if I didn't, could I make it work?

**The Wedge** · 04-23-2011 04:09 PM

In theory it should be as easy as putting the coax that goes to your TV to the DVR, then the DVR *should* have a coax out, you'd run a cable from that to the TV.

Though it just occurred to me that a modern DVR may only have HDMI out as anti pirating measure. If that's the case...might be time to buckle and get a new TV as well.

**twoBshorty** · 04-23-2011 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by The Wedge

In theory it should be as easy as putting the coax that goes to your TV to the DVR, then the DVR *should* have a coax out, you'd run a cable from that to the TV.

Though it just occurred to me that a modern DVR may only have HDMI out as anti pirating measure. If that's the case...might be time to buckle and get a new TV as well.

That is indeed the case. I just found a reasonably priced 32" Panasonic HDTV on Amazon, so I'm going to go ahead and upgrade. It will mean I can actually use the HD part of the HD/DVR, the Wii will look better, and I won't have to walk across the room to change the volume or turn the TV on/off (Verizon remote only works to change the channel on the STB). Makes sense.

I got a 6' HDMI cable from Amazon for $5. A similar cable from Best Buy is $120. Am I missing something?

**twoBshorty** · 04-23-2011 05:01 PM

One more dumb question: once I get the HD/DVR, I can send the STB back to Verizon, right? Duh?

**sangar** · 04-23-2011 07:28 PM

I got a dumb question too. Why not buy a TV along with your new DVR? It sounds like you got your money's worth out of the old one.

**twoBshorty** · 04-23-2011 08:38 PM

I did decide to just buy a new TV. It's arriving Wednesday. It's got, like, a remote control and stuff. Very excited for that.

**SammyBirdland** · 04-24-2011 01:35 AM

Awesome, now if you take your old TV onto Antiques Roadshow, you'll be able to DVR the episode

**The Wedge** · 04-24-2011 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by twoBshorty

I got a 6' HDMI cable from Amazon for $5. A similar cable from Best Buy is $120. Am I missing something?

Yes, many places jack up the prices on cables with fancy terms and pretty packaging, ripping off the gullible. You can find the "gold connector, high grade wire" HDMIs for pennies on the dollar at the website monoprice.com. I don't think I'd ever cables from BB for just that reason.

**TJ Wrangler** · 04-24-2011 06:26 PM

For this model, you'll need this adapter:

This guy should be able to install it for you at a very fair price.

**twoBshorty** · 04-24-2011 08:18 PM

I have a lot of wire coat hangers and scotch tape, I'm sure I can rig something up.

New amusing twist: the TV shipped early and is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Verizon says the HD/DVR will come tomorrow as well. HDMI cable? Still scheduled for Wednesday. All for the want of a horseshoe nail. . .I'll probably stop somewhere on the way home and try to pick one up cheap. Could probably use an extra anyway.

Edit: Oh. It's included in the box. Never mind. Isn't reading directions great?

**ledzepp8** · 04-27-2011 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by twoBshorty

I have a lot of wire coat hangers and scotch tape, I'm sure I can rig something up.

New amusing twist: the TV shipped early and is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Verizon says the HD/DVR will come tomorrow as well. HDMI cable? Still scheduled for Wednesday. All for the want of a horseshoe nail. . .I'll probably stop somewhere on the way home and try to pick one up cheap. Could probably use an extra anyway.

Edit: Oh. It's included in the box. Never mind. Isn't reading directions great?

Is Verizon coming out to install your HD/DVR box or are they just sending it in the mail? If they're coming out, then let him use his own HDMI cable and then you'll have an extra for free. If they're mailing it, then they may just send you one with the box as well.

Either way, Wedge has it right. Never purchase any kinds of cables from Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. For most things that normal people are going to do, you don't need a Monster Cable. Monoprice for the win.

Edit: Never mind, didn't see your edit...haha.

**crowmst3k!** · 09-09-2011 04:01 PM

Are you looking to toss the antique TV? If you are, can I have it? Do you have a picture of it? I like the style of TVs from that time period, yet can never find them.

**scOtt** · 09-11-2011 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by twoBshorty

I'm finally caving and getting a DVR. The catch: I have an ancient TV, older than I am. It's a 1985 RCA with no remote control. It has 0-9 buttons for the channel and a volume knob and it looks like it's made of faux wood. We are talking disgustingly old. It has an input for a coaxial cable and that's it. I have it because it was free.

There has to be a way to make this work: I have FiOS, a DVD/VCR, and a Wii all successfully hooked up to this TV, somehow. As far as I can tell, the Verizon tech ran one cable from the wall to RF IN on the STB, another cable from the TV/VCR outlet to the DVD player, and a third cable from the DVD player to the coax input on the TV. And yes, he thought it was highly amusing to work with this prehistoric specimen.

How would I hypothetically hook up a DVR in this setup? The obvious answer is to buy a new TV. I might very well do that. But if I didn't, could I make it work?

No remote????

What did you do if you had to change the channel?

**SammyBirdland** · 09-11-2011 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by scOtt

No remote????

What did you do if you had to change the channel?

Get up and turn the knob (top knob for 2-13, bottom knob for 14-83).

**twoBshorty** · 09-11-2011 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by scOtt

No remote????

What did you do if you had to change the channel?

I could change the channel. The remote for the cable box worked for that as long as the TV was left on channel 3. But I had to get up and walk across the room to adjust the volume or turn the TV on and off.

And sorry, crow, but I already got rid of it. I didn't know there was any demand for such things.

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