Can I use a VCR as an external tuner for my DVR?

Question

I bought a DVR that needs an external tuner to get TV channels. I was wondering if I could somehow hook it up to my VCR (and of course have both attached to my TV) and that way the VCR would act as an external tuner to enable the DVR to receive the stations.

If this would not work, what other options do I have? How much might an external tuner cost?

I have Best Buy gift cards and prefer to buy from there if possible because I'd have to spend cash I don't really have if I buy from somewhere else.

Answer 1

I don't think you bought a DVR, I think you bought a DVDR.

In either case, if you have cable you can use your VCR as a tuner, but you're going to have to set both boxes up if you want to do time shifted recording.

If you have an antenna, then you can still do it until 2/17/09. After that, you'll need to get one of the converter boxes.

So, you might as well forget the VCR, and just get the converter box now, with the $40 off.

But, no matter what you do, you won't be able to do time shifted recording, except for a single channel, cause you won't be able to automatically tune the converter box.

You should consider bringing the DVR back.

Answer 2

You can use your VCR as an analog TV tuner.

In most cases you would want to use the RCA composite connectors to connect the VCR's outputs to the DVR's input but depending on what inputs and outputs the DVR & TV have. You might do it in other ways.

The main limitation is that your DVR probably doesn't have any way to control the tuner on the VCR. If you don't need to program channel changes that won't be a problem.

You can try programming channel changes on the VCR and times on on the DVR (make sure that their clocks match!). You will have to check and make sure the VCR automaticly outputs video when doing a timer recording and you may need to have a tape in the VCR to have it do programmed channel changes.

If you want to use RCA composite (yellow- red- white) cables for both the DVR & TV inputs, you can buy short cables that split the RCA cables.

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If you use an antenna:

After 2/17/09 you will need a digital tuner (aka "converter box") to receive over the air TV broadcasts. All of the converters that you can use the government coupon with have composite & RF outputs so you can hook it up just like a VCR.

The models that are out so far all have to have their channels set manually, but around July 08 a model (Echostar TR-40) is supposed to come out that has a "VCR timer". Just what this "VCR timer" does hasn't been explained yet.