Need tech assist: VCR not woking with Xfinity set top box

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jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
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So here's my VCR issue and I know this issue occurs with a DVD running through a VCR to the TV...the dreaded macrovision... BUT I'm having this problem with just using my VCR. No DVD

I've got the xfinity Cobra box PR/150BNM. I've got a Panasonic PV-7660 VCR (4 head Omnivision VHS). Magnavox TV (analog / one coax input only). Old school, I know. Now, this VCR worked well with my previous service (different xfiity box at that time...but it worked). Same connect now as then... cable into the "Cobra" box RF-out to the VCR RF- then out of the VCR and into to the TV RF. Pretty simple. Cable TV is ok. Just watching a prerecorded tape is ok. But if I want to record- Fading picture...clear and bright at first for about 10 seconds- then fading very dark and picture quality breakdown- then brightening up again to decent quality and the cycle repeats itself. What the heck is this oscillation symptom? ...RF modulation? Image stabilization? Cobra component incompatibility?
Anyone have a clue as to how to rectify this issue?
Frustrated tech would really appreciate it.
 
Fardringle

Fardringle

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
9,200
765
126
Sounds to me like a variation of the old macrovision copy protection. The cable box sends a signal that the TV can reproduce properly, but it becomes scrambled when recorded on the VCR.
 
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J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
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Yeah,,,that's what I'm thinking too at this point. Do you think an RF modulator might correct?
 
J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
11
Yes the VCR is analog...and the newer style Comcast box is digital......incompatibility that there's nothing I can do about?
 
J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
11
Thanks Teejay...that explains it.
If I look at your Walmart link, I see the
iVIEW 3100STB Digital Converter Box with Recording, Media Playback and Universal Remote for example. But this will only work with an antenna, and only capture content that's on the "free air waves" correct?
So there goes CNN, BBC, and RT...?
I think Comcast will "rent" you a DVD-R (for a loan-shark fee)...and that equipment will let you record and play?
or is there a DVD-R that I can buy that will also work?
Any suggestions?

Thanks
Jordachex
 
Kartajan

Kartajan

Golden Member
Feb 26, 2001
1,264
38
91
The current single box alternative to your cable providers overpriced DVR is Tivo, CATV is intentionally difficult to record. One other alternative does exist if you have a Windows 7 PC and a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime (with a paired Cable Card from your provider), but that is getting more troublesome as it ages....

There are some alternative solutions if your cable provider does not mark your content as "CCI-Copy Never" or "CCI-Copy Once", but they require a good amount of technical acumen as well as specific hardware.

SiliconDust is working on a new alternative means, but there is no telling when that could become available.
 
sdifox

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
98,833
17,308
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Kartajan said:
The current single box alternative to your cable providers overpriced DVR is Tivo, CATV is intentionally difficult to record. One other alternative does exist if you have a Windows 7 PC and a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime (with a paired Cable Card from your provider), but that is getting more troublesome as it ages....

There are some alternative solutions if your cable provider does not mark your content as "CCI-Copy Never" or "CCI-Copy Once", but they require a good amount of technical acumen as well as specific hardware.

SiliconDust is working on a new alternative means, but there is no telling when that could become available.
Click to expand...

My satellite tuner allows me to attach an external hdd to it and do pvr. It of course encrypts the whole drive, but it works.

Nothing like that for xfinity?
 
J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
11
Kartajan said:
The current single box alternative to your cable providers overpriced DVR is Tivo, CATV is intentionally difficult to record. One other alternative does exist if you have a Windows 7 PC and a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime (with a paired Cable Card from your provider), but that is getting more troublesome as it ages....

There are some alternative solutions if your cable provider does not mark your content as "CCI-Copy Never" or "CCI-Copy Once", but they require a good amount of technical acumen as well as specific hardware.

SiliconDust is working on a new alternative means, but there is no telling when that could become available.
Click to expand...
 
J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
11
old school solution: a digital decoder box, a frigging 30 ft. PVC pipe on the roof, and an omni~directional antenna. ...Limited viewing from Canada near me...but it's free.
 
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Ichinisan

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,235
136
I wouldn't even consider using a VCR. It's not worth my time to watch TV if it's going to look like garbage.

Get a cableCARD from Comcast instead of a box. and build a DIY DVR. Silicondust tuners connect to your home network, making them available to multiple media center computers throughout your home.

https://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/

Comcast is probably switched-digital, so you might need something like a "tuning adapter" (also provided by Comcast) that will connect to the tuner. A switched digital system needs that so it can tell Comcast which channel you're changing to, and Comcast can tell your tuner which dynamically-allocated frequency to switch to.

My cable provider is linear. All channels are broadcast to all households at all times; each channel assigned to a particular frequency. I don't need a tuning resolver, but my cable company is one of the last to work this way.
 
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J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
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Thanks for your info. And yeah...my VCR issue IS pretty old school,,,but I'll still keep the damn thing (I'm a pack~rat like most tech's. And I can still transfer some tapes to DVD, A DIY DVR build would be pretty complicated for me though... I see on your SiliconDust link, the HD Homerun Connect...I think this might be similar to my Zenith Digital TV tuner converter box, And yeah, Comcast switched to digital some time ago. At first their box "allowed" the VCR to record...but they put Macrvision into the new box...so VCR recording is done. So now I'm really thinking about just plain "cutting the cord" entirely and building a free "over the air" set up. I know I'll loose a lot of content from Comcast's service. And I'm going to miss Bill Maher and RT... But Comcast is just going to up the cost every two years anyway. So maybe I should start a new thread on this site about an over the airways build and see what others think. Here's where you start http://www.receptionmaps.com/Advanced-TV-Maps.html and there's some pretty good antennas out there now http://antennadeals.com/HD2605.html You will get some programming that you would not get with Comcast too. I don't know...what do you think?
 
Ichinisan

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,235
136
HDHomeRun works great for over-the-air broadcasts. You can also have access to Bill Maher after cutting the cord by getting HBO Now. An Apple TV 4th gen (with Siri remote) is an awesome streaming device.

I work for a cable company and get all channels free, but I never ever use my cable DVR. I almost exclusively use YouTube and HBO Go on my Apple TV. I have Netflix and Amazon Prime, but I'm never bored enough to browse those.
 
Kartajan

Kartajan

Golden Member
Feb 26, 2001
1,264
38
91
jordachex said:
So now I'm really thinking about just plain "cutting the cord" entirely and building a free "over the air" set up. I know I'll loose a lot of content from Comcast's service. And I'm going to miss Bill Maher and RT...
Click to expand...

And you can get RT America for FREE via Pluto TV.. http://pluto.tv/
If you were running a setup like mine, you could integrate the Pluto.tv feed with the OTA and never know the difference... see this demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LMaCNcORdE
 
T

TeeJay1952

Golden Member
May 28, 2004
1,532
191
106
I think if money is an issue , you would be a fool to give it away on crap you don't watch and if it is good it will be available from other sources. Only bad TV is "one and done" {here comes a million examples of why I am wrong}. Everyone is flogging their merchandise on the Web. Make a list of what you want and see how you can get it. Amazon , Netflix, Directv, Sling TV, Vue are possibilities.
 
J

jordachex

Junior Member
Jan 17, 2017
16
1
11
Ichinisan said:
HDHomeRun works great for over-the-air broadcasts. You can also have access to Bill Maher after cutting the cord by getting HBO Now. An Apple TV 4th gen (with Siri remote) is an awesome streaming device.

I work for a cable company and get all channels free, but I never ever use my cable DVR. I almost exclusively use YouTube and HBO Go on my Apple TV. I have Netflix and Amazon Prime, but I'm never bored enough to browse those.
Click to expand...
 
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