neeraj@axon.siemens.com (Neeraj Bhatnagar) (08/22/90)
THE PROBLEM WAS:
How to record two programs on my VCR without changing the channels
manually on the cable box in between (for example when you are not present at
home to change the channel) when my VCR is not cable ready.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I thank every body who responded with their suggestions. My
problem is almost solved and after spending 100 more dollars it will be
completely solved.
MAIN SUGGESTIONS (the following is my summary of the suggestions that I got):
1. Check your VCR manual first. Most new model VCRs are cable ready. If your
VCR is cable ready use that to tune all but the premium channels. For premium
channels read further. [Yes, my VCR turned out to be cable ready].
2. If your VCR is not cable ready then trade it in for a cable ready VCR. The
price differential could be worth it.
3. Buy a universal programmable remote control (for about $60 to $100). Use it
to change the channels on your cable box in your absence. [I am going to do
this because I noticed that the quality of reception was much better with the
cable box than without the cable box.] Plus it solves the problem of the
scrambled channels.
4. In addition to 1. above buy a descrambler. For that you will have to contact
your cable company and find out the some details so that you can buy a
compatible descrambler. The descramblers do not always work and are expensive.
5. Buy a block converter. I do not understand this well enough to summarize.
But I think that the comments in 4. above aapply for this also.
6. (verbatim from one of the responses)
[there were some other solutions on these lines]
Radio Shack carries a device that will shift the cable box's channel 3 output
up to a UHF frequency, so you can watch the lower cable channels on your TV or
VCR and switch to the UHF channel to see what the box is tuned to.
cable--------splitter------device------vcr-------tv
|__cable box__|
Channels 2-13 will go through to the VCR unchanged, while whatever
the cable box is tuned to will appear on some unused UHF channel.
This will only do the trick if both shows that you want to record
unattended are not above channel 13, though. The picture quality
might leave something to be desired, too...
7. Some cable companies supply programmable cable boxes. Lobby that your
company also strat supplying them.
8. Never talk to the first level representatives of the cable company. Try
talking with someone in the technical services department.
thanks,
Neeraj
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