Can you record satellite tv with a vcr or tivo?

[CyberCowboy]

This might be a dumb question, but....

Is it possible to record satellite or (non-basic) cable tv with vcr or pvr?

if so, how to you get the devices to interact with the receiver. (how does the vcr or pvr know how to change channels on the receiver).

I want to switch from my basic cable to satellite tv.

 

[toekramp]

you just buy a satellite receiver with tivo built in

 

[CyberCowboy]

I want to try out this Free-To-Air type of satellite tv and I don't think they have receivers with builtin tivo's.

 

[BannedTroll]

Free-To-Air??

but yes you can use tivo/vcr with sat. It won't change the channel though so the sat receiver itself will have to be set to change.

 

[toekramp]

Originally posted by: CyberCowboy
I want to try out this Free-To-Air type of satellite tv and I don't think they have receivers with builtin tivo's.

i'm confused

 

[trmiv]

Is this in the US? I thought free-to-air was mostly popular in the UK, Australia, India, etc? This is with one of those big-ass dishes, right?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: trmiv
Is this in the US? I thought free-to-air was mostly popular in the UK, Austratlia, India, etc? This is with one of those big-ass dishes, right?

Yeah I don't think he means DirecTV or Dish.

 

[CyberCowboy]

I have a friend who just bought one of these receivers.
He receives channels here in the US. Apparently you can point the satellite somewhere and receive channels from other countries too.

I'm curious and thinking of getting one to play around with.

 

[eelw]

Legal FTA satellites are located mostly in Europe and Asia. There are a few here in North America, but the channel lineup is not too great. PBS and other new channels. As for watching encrypted channels from DishNet or Bell ExpressVu with FTA IRDs, this is a matter that can't be discussed on this forum.

As for PVR based FTA IRDs, only options are a DreamBox or a DVB-S PCI card.

 

[Blayze]

As far as VCR recording with a satellite I do it all the time on my TV in the bedroom.

The reciever automatically starts and stops the recording. Just have to make sure I leave the VCR on and have a tape in it. (Dish Network Satellite)

 

[CyberCowboy]

So I would have to set a timer in the satellite receiver and also set the vcr timer?

 

[Blayze]

No

I just set a timer for the program that I want on the satellite receiver. It has options of Reminder, Auto Tune, or VCR. If I set VCR it will start the recording and stop it. It doesn't turn on my VCR though so I have to leave that on.

You have to put in a code for your VCR. the satellite manual comes with codes and how to search for a code if none of the ones for your brand work.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: Blayze
No

I just set a timer for the program that I want on the satellite receiver. It has options of Reminder, Auto Tune, or VCR. If I set VCR it will start the recording and stop it. It doesn't turn on my VCR though so I have to leave that on.

You have to put in a code for your VCR. the satellite manual comes with codes and how to search for a code if none of the ones for your brand work.

Not all satellite receivers have that IR link to control the recording device. Only one of my 3 DTV receivers had that option. And none of the FTA receivers have it. So CyberCowboy, yes you will need to setup the program on both the FTA IRD and the VCR for timer recordings.

 

[KarenMarie]

I have one of those HDTV with dual tuners... I have a computer hooked up to the teevee and can split the screen... watch teevee on one half while surfing on the other...

I would really like to be able to record onto my hard drive, but dont know how.