Winegard/Zenith DT901/RCA DirectTV receiver mess

[WCVonderburg]

Issue: We have the older, 2003 Winegard TV/VCR/powered antenna box, a Zenith DT901 digital converter box and an RCA DirectTV receiver.

As suggested by Winegard and their faxed hand-drawn directions, I removed the VCR and successfully hooked up the Winegard and the converter box. Digital TV works fine. But now, I cannot get my DirectTV receiver to work thru the converter box in the "off" pass-thru mode. In fact, the DirectTV won't work at all but did before I added the Zenith box. Also, is the Winegard supposed to send the digital TV signal to TV #2 in the bedroom? Mine doesn't.

Any suggestions? Has anyone come up with a schematic drawing that shows how to wire mix these beasts? Surely there's a techie wizard out there. Winegard tech help has been of little help. Sorry if this has already been answered somewhere in this forum, but I couldn't find it.

[winegard]

Good morning WCVonderburg,

I'll try to clear this up for you. If you have any questions feel free to email me directly at acrow@winegard.com.

Over-The-Air Antenna
Antenna -> Video Switch (Ant. In) -> Out to VCR -> Zenith (Ant. In) -> Out to TV -> Video Switch (VCR In) -> TV1/TV2.

So again, that's from the antenna, to the video switch, to the Zenith box, back to the video switch and out to the tv's.

Satellite Antenna
Satellite Antenna -> Satellite Receiver -> Zenith Box -> Video Switch -> TV1/TV2.

You cannot have anything between the satellite antenna and the satellite receiver. I am assuming right now that you have the Zenith box between them. Run the satellite antenna to the satellite receiver, out to the cable in on the Zenith box, uses the same cable to go back to the video switch as the antenna above and out to the same tv's.


Now, this setup assumes 2 things. This assumes that you are using the Video Switch as the power supply for your antenna, and that the Zenith box truly has an analog pass-through.

Thanks again, let us know if you have any questions.

[Theberrys]

Bill
I drew a picture of what winegard described. Please look it over winegard and see if I got it right.

I know for me a picture really helps.

Dick

[winegard]

Yes, that drawing is correct.

[Theberrys]

Thanks winegard

BTW I've been looking at the RM-DM61, is it selling well?
I like the idea of having everything in one package, and I don't think I'll ever want to watch TV while on the road. I'd move my house Direct TV receiver to the MH when we travel and just not use the record function.

Dick

[wa8yxm]

You have slightly confused me as to what is hooked where.

The Zenith/Insignia convertes come in both analog pass through and non-pass through (mine is a non-pass through) if you have one like mine it will not let Digital TV pass

Now.. if you wish to contact me.. Here is the way I'd hook it up, note there are two different "hookups"

If you have the standard wall plate with the 12 volt outlet, switch, led and antenna connection use method 1

If you have a box of many buttons,, method 2

1:
Wall plate---Converter---VCR--SAT receiver--Television

(-- is coax cables)

NOTE that you can leave out the VCR


Method 2, which I actually use (Box of many buttons)

Line from button box marked TO VCR----Converter---VCR-

Line from VCR to button box.. leave it alone

now.. To watch Over the air DIGITAL tv

Method one.. Turn off VCR and Sat receiver.. turn on digital converter

Method 2. Select TV-ANT on VCR buttons, and VCR on television

NOTE: you will not be able to use park cable with the converter in the loop with this method

I have a bypass method for the conveter, costs less than 10 bucks to build and install, 4 parts 2 or 3 coax cables, one splitter, one switch

[WCVonderburg]

To all of you, especially Andy at Winegard, thanks!

The pictures really helped. I'll pull it all apart and start over.

Bill

[winegard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theberrys Thanks winegard BTW I've been looking at the RM-DM61, is it selling well? I like the idea of having everything in one package, and I don't think I'll ever want to watch TV while on the road. I'd move my house Direct TV receiver to the MH when we travel and just not use the record function. Dick

Good evening Dick -

I don't want you to think I'm ignoring you but the forum admins have asked the commercial vendors not to use this forum to give a sales pitch and I must respect their wishes.