Using a digital TV converter box with a VCR

What I had

I started with over-the-air reception, using a roof antenna, connected to an ordinary (analog) VCR, connected to an ordinary (analog) TV set. So I had no monthly fees for cable, satellite, Tivo, or any other service.

What I wanted

I wanted to continue recording or watching over-the-air free TV with no monthly or other fees after the transition to digital in February, 2009. A DVR (digital video recorder) would solve my problem, but no local stores sold them except as part of a service like cable, satellite, or Tivo, which have monthly fees. I looked online, but all the DVRs cost about $500, and I didn't want to spend that much right now, especially because I do not watch a lot of TV. Would a simple converter box work with my TV and allow me to watch and record? I thought it would but I wasn't sure. I searched the web and asked my friends, but got no absolutely certain answer. The information on TV specials about the transition did not address my problem specifically.

What I did

I ordered a converter box discount coupon and bought a box. Now the connections are antenna to box to VCR to TV.

What I can and can not do

With the VCR plugged in but powered off, I can watch digital TV. I can also record programs on tape using the VCR and watch them later.

I can not record one channel and watch another at the same time, though. Also, I can not make the VCR record programs from more than one channel while I am not around.

Why/how it works the way it does

The tuners in the TV and VCR are not especially useful for digital TV because the tuners are analog. So, they can not tune into any one channel if their input is the digital signal from the antenna. All they do now is sit permanently tuned to channel 3, passing through whatever signal they receive on that channel. The only tuner I can now use to select a channel is the digital converter box. Since it has only one tuner, I can record or watch, but not two different channels at the same time.

In other words, many channels come in from the antenna to the box. The box then selects one channel and sends it to the VCR, which I can use to record it, and on to the TV, which will show it if the TV is on. I can also play anything on the VCR and watch it on the TV without turning on the box, since the VCR is the source of the signal in that case.

The VCR is able to record the output from the box and play it back, even though the original input from the antenna is now digital instead of analog.

If I want to record something when I am not around to change channels, I must turn on the box and select the channel I want. I set the VCR to record channel 3 at the time I want. So, I can record as much as will fit on a tape while I am not around, but all the programs must be on the same channel. There is no way to record one program from one channel and then another program from a different channel while I am away. I can live with that.

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