# Can I have my DVD and VCR, too? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 5, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786 "2002-12-05T22:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/1 "2002-12-05T22:14:19Z")
Just wondering if a DVD player can be connected to a TV with a VCR already connected to it? Let’s see…if I wanted both, could I have the cable TV co-ax cable come in to the VCR, and then use a cable splitter, perhaps, so that two co-ax cables come out of each device (VCR and DVD) into the splitter with one co-ax cable out of the splitter and into the TV? Also, why can’t a TV/VCR combo accept a DVD player? The manual claims the picture will be scrambled, but couldn’t it be smart enough to know I’m NOT recording? (Then again, it is cheap electronics.) What’s your angle on this? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/2 "2002-12-05T22:15:58Z")
Much simpler - connect your VCR to the coax input on the TV. Use one of the other options to connect your DVD player - S-VIDEO, component video or the yellow/red/white RCA jacks (not sure of their official name). Then you can just switch between input sources on your TV. That’s how I have mine set up. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_fl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/3 "2002-12-05T22:21:50Z")
The way I would do it - 1\> DVD Audio Video (White, Yellow, Red) connected to VCR. 2\> Cable Connected to VCR Co-Ax in. 3\> VCR Co-Ax Out connected to TV Co-Ax in. That way all the things work. For Seeing TV - turn on the TV (Channel 3) and turn on the VCR and select the channel. For Seeing Video tapes - TV (channel 3) and VCR on. Play Tape in VCR. For Watching DVDs - TV (channel 3) VCR and DVD on. VCR set to Input Mode. Of course - I have all the audio signals connected to a receiver but thats not necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/4 "2002-12-05T22:26:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by andy\_fl \* > \*\*The way I would do it - > > 1\> DVD Audio Video (White, Yellow, Red) connected to VCR. > 2\> Cable Connected to VCR Co-Ax in. > 3\> VCR Co-Ax Out connected to TV Co-Ax in. > \*\* I was once told that you cannot connect your DVD to your TV through a VCR (at least not if you want to see anything). For copy protection reasons the VCR supposedly won’t accept the DVD signal and/or pass it. Just hearsay though…in my case I have plenty of input options so it was a non-issue for me and I never tried (although my parents did with a DVD I bought them and they couldn’t make it work…then again my parent’s are severly mechanically retarded so the problem could have been a dozen other things). ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/5 "2002-12-05T22:31:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DarrenS \* > **Much simpler - connect your VCR to the coax input on the TV. Use one of the other options to connect your DVD player - S-VIDEO…** Ok, I’ve heard the term, but what is “S-Video”? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/6 "2002-12-05T22:40:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole \* > \*\*I was once told that you cannot connect your DVD to your TV through a VCR (at least not if you want to see anything). For copy protection reasons the VCR supposedly won’t accept the DVD signal and/or pass it. Just hearsay though…in my case I have plenty of input options so it was a non-issue for me and I never tried (although my parents did with a DVD I bought them and they couldn’t make it work…then again my parent’s are severly mechanically retarded so the problem could have been a dozen other things). \*\* The VCR will not block the signal, but you may notice a light-dark cycling of the DVD. This is the Macrovision (usually) kicking in. Get thee to Radio Shack and look for a switcher. You can plug in up to four devices using RCA plugs and output to your TV. They make two kinds, one is a simple four-way switch with one set of outputs while the other is an amplified four-way with two outputs. I use the latter and send a set of signals to my stereo. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/7 "2002-12-05T22:49:11Z")
There are three (generally) connections available today on modern TVs (or high end). RCA Conenctors: What you’re probably most used to. A Cable generally with a yellow jack on the end. Provides the least quality and is the least expensive cable. S-Video (also know as Y/C) Connectors: Separates the chrominance from the luminance in the video signal. Provides a somewhat crispers picture (brightness les slikely to wash out the picture). Medium cost. Composite Video Connectors: Breaks out the three primary colors onto separate cables. Truest reproduction of color. Most expensive cables. In general only high-end TV’s have composite connections. Also, for HDTV sets, the signal must travel via composite cables or you won’t be able to take advantage of higher, HDTV, resolutions. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/8 "2002-12-05T22:53:46Z")
S-Video uses a 4 pin min-DIN Jack. IIRC there are two signals, luminance (brightness) and chrominance(color). (Each uses a separate ground wire) By carrying these to values on separate wires you get a better picture. There is an even better system that uses 3 video cables (1 brightness and 2 color IIRC) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/9 "2002-12-05T22:54:34Z")
Change ‘Composite Video’ to ‘Component Video’. Here’s a link that talks about this some: [http://video.multimedian.com/school/svideo.html](http://video.multimedian.com/school/svideo.html) ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/10 "2002-12-05T22:58:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \* > \*\*The VCR will not block the signal, but you may notice a light-dark cycling of the DVD. This is the Macrovision (usually) kicking in. > > Get thee to Radio Shack and look for a switcher. You can plug in up to four devices using RCA plugs and output to your TV. > \*\* Oddly enough, I have it the other way around: the DVD player is hooked up to the TV, then the VCR is hooked up to the DVD player. There are no picture problems at all with this arrangement. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2002, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/11 "2002-12-05T23:12:53Z")
S-video is an improved way of getting the high quality signal from your DVD player to your TV. Coax has been around for a long time and was designed for lower quality analog signals. IIRC with S-video you still need to hook up the audio separately as it only conveys the video information. [Here’s](http://www.videocapturecard.com/svideovcr1.html) a page describing a product that lets you connect your DVD through your VCR. However, in the instruction book for my DVD player, it advises against this and says picture quality degradation may result. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/12 "2002-12-06T00:09:02Z")
I tried to hook up my DVD through the VCR and got the same light-dark annoying crap that was mentioned earlier. I just got an RF Modulator for like $15 and that works just fine. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/13 "2002-12-06T00:22:44Z")
I have Pelican switch box, its for video games, about $20, you could use it. Its from electronics boutique. One of my tv’s has four inputs (2 a/v, 1 svideo & 1 RF), you so can connect alot of stuff. Or the RF modulator, too. Usually dvd/vcr combos have a RF modulator built in. ---
**Author:** ![andy\_fl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@andy\_fl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andy_fl)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/14 "2002-12-06T00:32:41Z")
Never had any macrovision problems (none at all) with my VCR for just RF modulating the signal. However, trying to record it does create that problem. Not all RF modulators are effected by it. If it were the case RF modulators won’t be sold right next to the DVD shelves. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/15 "2002-12-06T00:54:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by N9IWP \* > **S-Video uses a 4 pin min-DIN Jack.** In a pinch, you can substitute ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) cable for S-Video cable. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/16 "2002-12-06T15:51:36Z")
SC\_Wolf, have your tried that Apple cable idea? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/17 "2002-12-06T16:05:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\*Oddly enough, I have it the other way around: the DVD player is hooked up to the TV, then the VCR is hooked up to the DVD player. There are no picture problems at all with this arrangement. \*\* Erm…are you sure about this? I don’t know of any DVD players that have input jacks of any kind. It doesn’t really make sense to give them input jacks since they can’t record, ya know. Unless yours is one of those new DVD-recorders, or a DVD-VCR combo, I’d be very shocked indeed if it had inputs. ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2002, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-have-my-dvd-and-vcr-too/140786/18 "2002-12-06T19:35:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*SC\_Wolf, have your tried that Apple cable idea? \*\* Yes, I have, one time. It worked ok.