digital tv & vcr recording/playing

michaelbhai

Can video cassette tape be played back through a vcr on a digital tv (and recording carrie out)? I have an analogue tv at present and I'm thinking of getting a digital tv, but I want to be able to play back my pre-recorded movies and, if possible, continue to record programmes.

macman

A VCR has an analogue tuner, so you can't record current programming on it, because they are only transmitted in digital form.
You can play back existing VCR tapes on any TV.
If you want recording facilities, then a Humax PVR is the way to go.

vfish

If you get a separate box for the freeview, connect it to your vcr with scart and record the scart feed (often called AV), it is possible (we use this set up when we stay in relatives' holiday flat) but never known it possible with just a digital tv and no box.

They have a freeview box wihich allows you to set timers to make it change channels so if you want to record something while out then you set timer on box and timer on video. It can be a bit complicated!

almillar

Hopefully your VCR has SCART. Find a TV with a SCART input (most still have ONE at least) and use the VCR there. You can PLAY your existing videos. DON'T record onto it anymore.
BUY an HD PVR (Personal Video Recorder). Instead of putting in and taking out video cassettes, this contains a hard disk drive, like a computer, and can store hundreds of hours of programmes. Have a look at Humax YouView boxes which are the best Freeview PVRs.

[Deleted User]

michaelbhai wrote: »

I'm thinking of getting a digital tv, but I want to be able to play back my pre-recorded movies and, if possible, continue to record programmes.

Although it'll be perfectly possible to play your old videocassettes via the TV's SCART socket, the picture quality will be awful compared to modern recording methods and, of course, the tape will continue to deteriorate the more it is played and the older it gets.