X10 Community Forum

📸Cameras & Camera Software => Camera General Discussion => Topic started by: birdzeye on September 08, 2007, 01:58:42 PM

Title: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: birdzeye on September 08, 2007, 01:58:42 PM
Hi, I'm new to this.
Thinking of getting 3cam wireless system on tv/vcr but don't know if connections would work.
My current setup is like this: TVCable to BellExpressVu Receiver,
                                       BellXpressVu Receiver connects to VCR
                                       DVD player connects to VCR
                                       VCR only has output connections remaining, and TV is older and has no input jacks.
Should I just disconnect the DVD from the VCR and connect the Commander receiver to the VCR that way? Any suggestions appreciated:)
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: HA Dave on September 08, 2007, 09:06:28 PM
I would plug ALL the devices; VCR, DVD, and the camera video receiver into a Phillips four device auto switching modulator (I got at mine Walmart) (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2181628).

The cable connection would go into the modulators antenna/cable F connector IN, then OUT the OUT and into the TV. Whichever device (VCR, DVD, Camera) turns ON.... it over-rides the TV program and appears on the TV.

If you like to record to the VCR, run the antenna OUT to the VCR 1st (then to the TV). This will work to record your X10 camera views as well as TV programming.

P.S. It works on ALL TV's, old or new.
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: birdzeye on September 10, 2007, 09:51:16 AM
Dave_X10_L,

Thanks! Wish I could find that Phillips modulator up here in Canada. Our Walmarts don't have it. Know anything about using an RF Modulator?
Thanks.
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: Tuicemen on September 10, 2007, 10:01:31 AM
birdzeye  
Many surround sound systems have multiple inputs even the cheep ones!
It might be worth looking into adding that into the mix they do add to movie enjoyment! ;) :D
In the mean time you could get some RCA Y adaptors and plug your DVD and Cam receiver into one end and the other to the VCR or just unplug the DVD player  ;)
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: birdzeye on September 10, 2007, 01:58:50 PM
Tuicemen

the Y adapter sounds good, but I was told that it would produce too much interference if both DVD and Camera receiver were connected to the VCR (this could be wrong, I dunno).

Does anyone know how to make the connections using an RF Modulator?
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: Dan Lawrence on September 10, 2007, 06:11:07 PM
Dave_X10_L,

Thanks! Wish I could find that Phillips modulator up here in Canada. Our Walmarts don't have it. Know anything about using an RF Modulator?
Thanks.

Try www.walmart.com.  You can order on-line and they will ship it.
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: HA Dave on September 10, 2007, 07:33:37 PM
A modulator (or AKA RF modulator) simply converts the RCA [plugs] audio/video inputs.... to a RF or antenna/cable type signal.

It's a pretty simple setup (and all we had before the enlighten age of the 80's). Antenna/cable signal goes in one place..... the out connector goes to the TV. The RCA audio/video from a camera, DVD, VCR plugs into the RCA plugs. Somewhere on the device there is useally a 3-4 switch, used to select channel 3 or 4. Turning on the RCA fed device and turning to channel 3 (or 4) on the TV will allow you to see the device output.

The link I (and Dan) provided (and the same unit is sold many places) allows 4 different devices to share 1 modulated RF signal (so you don't need to buy 3 or 4 modulators). And.... it switches to the device that is on... automatically.

Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: birdzeye on September 10, 2007, 08:58:14 PM
Dave_xL_L,

I went to a store called The Source and the salesguy said there's either a video selector or an RF modulator that I could use, and that the RF Modulator would work better. The RF Modulator that he showed me does not have room for 4 devices to plug into it, only 1-----but the video selector DOES have, but I don't think the VCR could record anything from the camera receiver with this option because they are each on separate connections. I don't have any knowledge about this stuff so thanks for your input and patience.
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: HA Dave on September 10, 2007, 10:00:59 PM
You can use a video selector!

Your VCR should have audio/video inputs (in the back) most do. The cameras can input into the VCR there.

There any many ways to configure these setups depending on your desired use, and equipment.
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: Tuicemen on September 10, 2007, 10:42:14 PM
Dan Lawrence : walmart.com will not ship to Canada! ::) ???  :(
I've tried that! :(
birdzeye : the only time you'll have problems with the Y adaptor is if both the DVD and Video receiver are on (conflicting signals)
no signal is sent through the wires if they are off! ;)
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: Dan Lawrence on September 11, 2007, 06:38:07 PM
Dan Lawrence : walmart.com will not ship to Canada! ::) ???  :(
I've tried that! :(
birdzeye : the only time you'll have problems with the Y adaptor is if both the DVD and Video receiver are on (conflicting signals)
no signal is sent through the wires if they are off! ;)

Sorry, did not know that.  House of Sam strikes again.  >:(
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: Tuicemen on September 12, 2007, 08:30:39 AM
Sorry, did not know that.  House of Sam strikes again.  >:(
No Problem Dan!
Actually a lot of companies won't ship to Canada any more I think it is a 9 11 thingy!  ::)
Or they have a Canadian base and assume the product can be purchased threw their Canadian stores which isn't always the Case! ::)
Title: Re: help with connections to older tv system
Post by: HA Dave on September 12, 2007, 04:51:27 PM
I found a nice link on how to hook up a VCR (http://www.ehow.com/how_6849_hook-vcr.html). I am sure there are many more such Sites on the Internet.