I previously had Comcast, I had the cable line hooked up to a splitter that went to the HDTV and the other to the VCR/DVD. I now have Directv - the tech that installed Directv said I could not use the splitter anymore. He did hook up the VCD/DVD so that I can record programs but I cannot watch another program at the same time as I have to have the Directv box on the channel I want to record, and also need to keep the Directv box on all the time.
Is it true I cannot use the splitter and if not is there another way around this problem.
Thanks

It sounds like you had normal cable before? Was it a standard cable coming from the wall that was split? With the new system you are using a set top box, and it's a little different. First off, if it is not a dual tuner system, you won't be able to watch something else while recording one show. And you will always need to have the box on to watch something else. You can split the audio and video signal so you can run into the TV and into the recorder, but that would really have little point since what you are after won't work. Unless of course you have a dual tuner box, or that I'm misunderstanding you all together?

All I want to do is be able to record programs and be able to watch another at the same time.
Equipment right now is directv receiver - Samsung HDTV - Panasonic VCR/DVD combo.
I do not want to get to complicated with the setup. Can a splitter be used. Thanks

No a splitter won't help you. You have to have a dual tuner box. What that means, is a set top box with 2 tuners in it, which means that it can receive and display two separate channels for you to watch. If you do not have this type of box, you cannot watch two shows at once. Its not like the old days of analog cable that basically sent you the entire channel list so you could split off and watch multiple shows. With satellite, it beams only what you are watching at that given time.

My advice right now would be to contact direct and find out if you have a dual tuner box. If not, you can get one from them, and we can discuss further what you want to do to watch one show while recording another. (Actually with the best boxes, you can PVR two shows while watching another!)

But as it stands right now, you will not be able to do what you are asking. I'll check for you if you have a dual tuner, just get me the model of your box.

Paul,

Kings X is absolutely correct. In order to get two lines into your home, the servicer needs to put a DNB on the dish itself. Then the two lines are run into the house and connected to a dual tuner controller box. The output of that box is then routed to your DVD and then on to your TV. In this environment you can only record and watch one program.

A much better way is to purchase one of DirectTV's High Def DVRs. These controllers will allow you to record programs on each incoming line and at the same time, playback a recording for you to record on a permanent DVD or watch and erase.

You can also watch one while recording another. Directv's DVR are split into two models. One will allow the recording in the standard TV format, the other will allow a High Def program to be recorded in High Def, however, if you decide to save a copy of a high def program, be ware that the DVD recorder may not give you 1080I or 1080P images on the DVD.

You can get either 480P or 780P High Def Formats. This is a copy protection prohibition.