Magnadyne Video Switcher

[hamguy]

I am trying to replace my VCR in my RV with a DVR. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to connect it so I can record from satellite and play into both front and rear TV sets. The Magnadyne schemaatic for the VCS-7 shows a "From VCR" connection and it has external? electronics associated with it. The diagram shows a UHF/VHF separator going to TV2 (VCR?) and from (to?) "VHF In" on a unnamed block. Another connector on the block goes to the "From VCR" on the VCS-7.

If you are as confused as I am, go to www.k7no.com/VCS-7.JPG to see the diagram. Thanks

[John Hilley]

They evidently use a splitter as a combiner to combine the VHF and CH 3/4 VCR RF out, but the schematic is definitely flawed. They also don't show an RF in to the VCR.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Hilley They evidently use a splitter as a combiner to combine the VHF and CH 3/4 VCR RF out, but the schematic is definitely flawed. They also don't show an RF in to the VCR.

IIRC, in the original diagram, TV2 was actually the VCR. Another problem is , I don't have a clue as to where the splitter connectors are.

I am crippled and need to know where I am looking before I start searching. I don't want to chance falling. I just had a knee replacement fixed and have 9 fused discs in my back so I don't want a hip replacement/surgery just now.

[Wayne M]

Hamguy,

As you know, every situation and application is a little different. I have the DIsh VIP-722 receiver that is a DVR. It has a Sat 1 and a Sat 2 antenna input, an OTA antenna input, and a "Distribution Output." I do not use Sat 2 input when I'm on the road, yet.

I took the input off of the Sat input on the back of the switcher (same as yours), and connect it directly to the Sat 1 input. From the Distribution out, I plugged into the Sat input on the switcher. When I want to watch Sat in the BR I just push the Sat switch on the front of the switcher. I feed the Sat signal to the front TV via HDMI cable.

Sometimes for overnight stays I do not even use the Sat (portable antenna) so OTA is the only option, but I still want OTA via the satellite box when it is switched on.

For the antenna lead from the batwing, at the switcher, i put in a VHF splitter. Fed one to the switcher, and one to the antenna input on the satellite box. When I'm watching satellite and want to watch a tv program I can use the guide, navigate to the "Yellow" guide listing which are the OTA channels, select on and watch local OTA. When not using the Satellite I just use the switch on the switcher for OTA.

The MH is not here at the stick house, but that is how I remember I did it about 3 years ago. If it is not exactly right I can trip out to the storage unit, pull the switcher out and get the exact feeds that I did.

Just remember that unless you have an antenna with dual horns, or triple horns you will be watching the same channel on both tv's at the same time unless they are on the same satellite.

If you do not have a receiver with an output, feed the satellite down cable through a satellite splitter (frequencies are different then a VHF splitter). One lead from the splitter into the primary receiver, and the other into the switcher. A problem encountered there is that there may not be enough "juice" (5v) to run signals to both televisions at the same time.

Dang! I hope I'm right. I've been wrong once b.......errr I was just mistaken once.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M Hamguy, As you know, every situation and application is a little different. I have the DIsh VIP-722 receiver that is a DVR. It has a Sat 1 and a Sat 2 antenna input, an OTA antenna input, and a "Distribution Output." I do not use Sat 2 input when I'm on the road, yet. I took the input off of the Sat input on the back of the switcher (same as yours), and connect it directly to the Sat 1 input. From the Distribution out, I plugged into the Sat input on the switcher. When I want to watch Sat in the BR I just push the Sat switch on the front of the switcher. I feed the Sat signal to the front TV via HDMI cable. Sometimes for overnight stays I do not even use the Sat (portable antenna) so OTA is the only option, but I still want OTA via the satellite box when it is switched on. For the antenna lead from the batwing, at the switcher, i put in a VHF splitter. Fed one to the switcher, and one to the antenna input on the satellite box. When I'm watching satellite and want to watch a tv program I can use the guide, navigate to the "Yellow" guide listing which are the OTA channels, select on and watch local OTA. When not using the Satellite I just use the switch on the switcher for OTA. The MH is not here at the stick house, but that is how I remember I did it about 3 years ago. If it is not exactly right I can trip out to the storage unit, pull the switcher out and get the exact feeds that I did. Just remember that unless you have an antenna with dual horns, or triple horns you will be watching the same channel on both tv's at the same time unless they are on the same satellite. If you do not have a receiver with an output, feed the satellite down cable through a satellite splitter (frequencies are different then a VHF splitter). One lead from the splitter into the primary receiver, and the other into the switcher. A problem encountered there is that there may not be enough "juice" (5v) to run signals to both televisions at the same time. Dang! I hope I'm right. I've been wrong once b.......errr I was just mistaken once.

I have an In-Motion KVH dish. It has 2 separate LNB outs. One goes to the front TV and the other hopefully to the rear TV. But, I also have a DVR which I want to go to each thru the VCS-7 switcher. I also have a A-D TV converter for the analog rear TV (front TV is digital). (More cables and connectors)

I only feed the rear with one cable since I can switch all of the hardware from the VCS-7.

I have gotten it all worked out on paper except for the DVR.
I know it can be done, I just need the TV2 stuff 'splained.

I will call Winnebago tomorrow. I suspect they can answer the questions.

I will report back as necessary.

[Bill Adams]

I may not understand what you are hoping to do, with with your current setup you will only be able to use one input from the satellite to the DVR. Your DVR will still work but you will not be able to watch one channel and watch/record a different one. You would need to get a second cable from the dish on the roof to the DVR and eliminate the cable that might run to the bedroom. The video controller you are referring to will handle the output from the DVR to both TV's but would have nothing at all to do with any input to the DVR satellite tuner.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams I may not understand what you are hoping to do, with with your current setup you will only be able to use one input from the satellite to the DVR. Your DVR will still work but you will not be able to watch one channel and watch/record a different one. You would need to get a second cable from the dish on the roof to the DVR and eliminate the cable that might run to the bedroom. The video controller you are referring to will handle the output from the DVR to both TV's but would have nothing at all to do with any input to the DVR satellite tuner.

I only want to be able to record from one LNB to the DVR. The other LNB will go to the rear TV. I just want to substitute the DVR for the old VCR. The DVR doesn't have an internal tuner.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy I only want to be able to record from one LNB to the DVR. The other LNB will go to the rear TV. I just want to substitute the DVR for the old VCR. The DVR doesn't have an internal tuner.

Your DVR has 2 internet tuners (for satellite). You will be able to utilize one and you will need to go into the receiver setup and select single tuner so it is not constantly searching for the 2nd input. You won't be doing much of anything related to the old VCR unless your video control center does not have an option for satellite input in which case you could connect the satellite output to the VCR input and watch satellite on both TV by selecting VCR.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams Your DVR has 2 internet tuners (for satellite). You will be able to utilize one and you will need to go into the receiver setup and select single tuner so it is not constantly searching for the 2nd input. You won't be doing much of anything related to the old VCR unless your video control center does not have an option for satellite input in which case you could connect the satellite output to the VCR input and watch satellite on both TV by selecting VCR.

Perhaps I am mis-using the term DVR. I mean DVD Recorder. It has no internal tuner. I have 2-Direct TV boxes, one in front and one in the back. I also have a dual feed LNB on the dish.

I am going to call Winne today and ask how the VCR should be connected. The DVD Recorder will be the same.

[Bill Adams]

Ah ha! A DVD recorder! Does it have some kind of a coax input available? If so then you use the To VCR connection from the video switch to connect to the IN connection on the recorder. Now, what kind of outputs are available from the DVD? If there is no coax output would need to get a RCA to RF converter which will take the red, yellow, white outputs, plug them into the converter and it would output a signal via coax on channel 3/4 to your TV's. It will not be HD but the picture will be good. If you want to fully utilize the HD/BluRay capabilities you need to run HD MI or composite (5 cable) cables from the output of the DVD directly to the TV. If your main TV is nearby you could do the converter to the switch box for the secondary TV and an HDMI to the main for "the good stuff".

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Adams Ah ha! A DVD recorder! Does it have some kind of a coax input available? If so then you use the To VCR connection from the video switch to connect to the IN connection on the recorder. Now, what kind of outputs are available from the DVD? If there is no coax output would need to get a RCA to RF converter which will take the red, yellow, white outputs, plug them into the converter and it would output a signal via coax on channel 3/4 to your TV's. It will not be HD but the picture will be good. If you want to fully utilize the HD/BluRay capabilities you need to run HD MI or composite (5 cable) cables from the output of the DVD directly to the TV. If your main TV is nearby you could do the converter to the switch box for the secondary TV and an HDMI to the main for "the good stuff".

I already have the RF Modulator in the circuit. I could not care less about HD. I could get by w/B&W .

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy I already have the RF Modulator in the circuit. I could not care less about HD. I could get by w/B&W .

Hmmm. Does anyone make a 'reverse' RF modulator? IOW RF in to Red-White-Yellow audio/video?

[Wayne M]

Most likely so. They make everything else.

My "new" tv does not have the RCA audio so i found a digital to audio converter and it works fine - for audio. I'm guessing someone makes one for RF.

[John Hilley]

RF Demodulator to RCA video/audio