TiVo Community Forums Archives - Connect DVD to TiVo

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Connect DVD to TiVo
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Posted by: chipmaster

Is it possible to connect a DVD player directly to a TiVo in order to record DVD's?

Posted by: T-Veaux

Yes but you'll won't be able to name the recording correctly and there will be a 2 second delay in what is playing and what is being shown... thus it makes remote functions awkward but doable. We used to record Netflix DVDs if we were busy and watch them while they were being shipped back. Just run the audio/video out on the DVD player to the in on TiVo. You then just have to do a manual record.

Posted by: gof

What was the impact of Macrovision on the recording quality? I thought the TiVo was made to recognise the macrovision tag?

Posted by: classicsat

AFAIK, it doesn't react to it, but will pass it through.

Posted by: chipmaster

Thanks, T-Veaux. I saw the input jacks on the TiVo and thought, wouldn't it be nice to be able to record DVD's onto the TiVo HD.
I'll it a try.
...chipmaster

Posted by: gof

quote:
Originally posted by classicsat
AFAIK, it doesn't react to it, but will pass it through.

This means it can effectively strip it and then re-generate it on display? I would assume being able to record a macrovision encoded signal would be a problem. Does anyone know if they are handling it like a DVD (i.e., a bit set to indicate macrovision then generate the "protection" at playtime)?

Posted by: chipmaster

My DVD has progressive scan component output which connects to the TV via three coax cables into the Component input of the TV. I also have a video out and 2CH audio out which I connected to my TiVo IN. My TiVo goes to Input 1 on the TV.
Just exactly what is the operating procedure to record a DVD on TiVo? I tried all sorts of things and couldn't get the TiVo to recognize the DVD, including disconnecting my TV cable from the TiVo input.

Posted by: classicsat

Since your DVD has Prograsssive out, I suspect there is either a switch on the back, or a menu option in the DVD player, to switch between Progressive component, Interlaced component, and S-video/composite.

Posted by: chipmaster

Still unable to record a DVD on my TiVo.
TiVo has two inputs, RF cable or RCA connectors for Video and audio. Default is the RF cable. How do you select the RCA connection?
I would assume when the RCA connection is selected it will be possible to view the DVD on "Watch Live TV".
Thanks for any response.

Posted by: blonde1271

I am trying to get mine configured to record DVD's too and am having the same exact problem. Any hints anyone??

Posted by: PortlandPaw

Assuming that there aren't any copy-protection problems, I would use the same method many people use to record from a VCR. This also assumes that all of your stations are coming in on either RF or RCA a/v, but not both. The directions below will have to be modified to fit your exact situation, but you should get the general idea.

In this example, assume the user gets all channels via cable coming in via a/v. The DVD output is hooked to the TiVo's RF input.

Specifically, run Guided Setup and indicate that you have both cable and satellite. Assign cable to a/v and satellite to RF. Choose a channel number that you don't use that corresponds to a satellite channel name that doesn't embarrass you. For example, it might be better to choose "Showtime" than "Pleasure" -- it will show up on Now Playing, along with the program names which, of course, will be wrong and will have to be changed in TivoWeb.

Deselect all of the satellite channels except for the one you selected. You'll get one unwanted and inaccurate channel in your program guide, but you can live with that.

Now, when you tune to that channel, TiVo will switch to RF and bring in the output of your DVD player. It will have the two second delay as mentioned before, but it will become program material like anything else.

To record the DVD input, just set a manual recording for the "phantom channel" at a particular time and start the DVD when the channel changes and the recording starts.

Kind of kludgy, but it works well for me and my VCR. Should work as well for a DVD.