I have a simple setup using Direct TV (not HD). My dish input coaxial cable goes to the box then from the box to the VCR then to the TV. After I dropped the VCR, the coaxial cable input port going into the VCR got pulled out entirely, only the output coaxial port is left, but it does have A/V connectors (red, white, and yellow) on the VCR and the satellite box. Can I connect the VCR to the dish box using A/V cables and then output through the coaxial on the VCR to the TV? I need to be able to record programs on the VCR like I used to be able to before the coaxial input on the VCR was broken. I’ve tried using the A/V cables and I can watch Direct TV when the VCR is on, but not off. I tried to record but it didn’t record the Direct TV channel I had it on. I’m able to play tapes in the VCR and watch them on the TV. I must have something set up incorrectly but I can’t figure it out!! :confused:
The VCR is a Panasonic PV-V4520, the TV is an old analog with only a coaxial input port. The Direct TV box is a model D11. Both the TV and the VCR are on channel 3. Any help would be great!

Hi Whippet1.

My personal suggestion is that you ask your local TV repair guy to make a direct soldered connection to the broken VCR Input, using a metre of co-axial cable, with a co-axial connector on it that will plug into your Sat. Dish box's RF output. This shouldn't cost too much (but get a quote first!! ) This should restore you to the original state you had.

Unfortunately, if you use the A/V output from your Sat. Dish box, then the only signal that comes down that cable (or set of cables) is the actual station that the Sat. Dish box is tuned to. And THAT is the only station that the VCR can record - because that is all it sees coming in. You will only be able to record this if you set the VCR to A/V input. The built-in tuner on the VCR will NOT be able to pick up anything, as the input to it is broken.

Similarly, your TV will now ONLY be able to show you what the VCR is getting from the Sat. Dish box - or what the VCR is playing back.

If you really cannot get the 'RF' connection to the VCR repaired, then a half-measure might be this. Get a two-way aerial splitter - this is often referred to as a 'Y' adaptor. Plug the 'base' of the 'Y' into the aerial input on your TV. Next, connect the Sat. Dish box aerial (or 'RF') output to one of the 'Y' adaptor inputs, and then connect the VCR aerial (or 'RF') output to the other of the 'Y' adaptor inputs. This should allow you to still tune your TV into any channel, as well as to the VCR. BUT - this will still NOT allow your VCR to record programs via its' own tuner, and will only record whatever the Sat. Dish box is tuned to.

I would suggest that you save up some cash and get "option 1" - as that should restore you to your original set-up. It shouldn't cost you too much.