Can this be done?

[RichManitoba]

(I'm a DISH customer, so I'm just looking for help from Direct pros!)

My Dad has Direct TV with 2 HD receivers. One is an H21-100 which I connected to his TV via HDMI cable. He wants to "mirror image" that receiver to an old TV in his summer porch (when it warms up!) Will it work if we hook up an RF modulator since there is no RF out?

Quite a few years ago, my daughter at college bought a DVD player which had RCA out, but the TV only had RF in so we had to buy an RF modulator. Same principle??

Thanks!!

 

[rad]

(I'm a DISH customer, so I'm just looking for help from Direct pros!)

My Dad has Direct TV with 2 HD receivers. One is an H21-100 which I connected to his TV via HDMI cable. He wants to "mirror image" that receiver to an old TV in his summer porch (when it warms up!) Will it work if we hook up an RF modulator since there is no RF out?

Quite a few years ago, my daughter at college bought a DVD player which had RCA out, but the TV only had RF in so we had to buy an RF modulator. Same principle??

Thanks!!

Yep, that will work since all video/audio output are live. He could also order RF remotes for it so he can control it from out on the porch, the H21 can do RF remotes (but not RF and IR at the same time so both remotes would need to be RF).

 

[RichManitoba]

Yep, that will work since all video/audio output are live. He could also order RF remotes for it so he can control it from out on the porch, the H21 can do RF remotes (but not RF and IR at the same time so both remotes would need to be RF).

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll be sure to let "Pop" know about the RF remotes.

Thank you!!:up

 

[rad]

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll be sure to let "Pop" know about the RF remotes.

Thank you!!:up

NP, BTW you can order the remotes from the DirecTV web site if needed.

 

[scoop8]

Ok, I have a question about this one as well since it's not working for me, or I have to change the setup on my box to get this to work.

I have an HR22 HD box in my main room. I recently installed an RF Modulator from the output of the S-Video on the HR22 box, along with the 2 audio (RCA type) cables. When I try to watch my HR22 output channel on my kitchen CRT (std) TV, the picture is always "shrunk". I'm not looking at a SD 1.33:1 picture on my sd CRT TV.

I have assumed that all of the (non-HDMI) outlets leaving the HR22 box are already "SD" format outputs but is this really true? Do I have to change settings on my HR22 box to be able to watch a SD picture on my kitchen SD CRT TV?

My HR22 settings are for 16:9 TV 1080i output, Native Off, with "Pillar Box" selected. I have it set that way for faster channel switching when I watch on my main HDMI TV.

What I'm wanting to do is to watch the same (SD) output on my sd kitchen CRT TV without having to change HR22 settings.

One thought I've had but not tried yet: Does it make any diference to try using the composite video output vs the S-Video output? I'm guessing "no", since it's been my understanding that, besides HDMI, the only other HD-capable outputs from boxes are the component outputs.

 

[raoul5788]

Ok, I have a question about this one as well since it's not working for me, or I have to change the setup on my box to get this to work.

I have an HR22 HD box in my main room. I recently installed an RF Modulator from the output of the S-Video on the HR22 box, along with the 2 audio (RCA type) cables. When I try to watch my HR22 output channel on my kitchen CRT (std) TV, the picture is always "shrunk". I'm not looking at a SD 1.33:1 picture on my sd CRT TV.

I have assumed that all of the (non-HDMI) outlets leaving the HR22 box are already "SD" format outputs but is this really true? Do I have to change settings on my HR22 box to be able to watch a SD picture on my kitchen SD CRT TV?

My HR22 settings are for 16:9 TV 1080i output, Native Off, with "Pillar Box" selected. I have it set that way for faster channel switching when I watch on my main HDMI TV.

What I'm wanting to do is to watch the same (SD) output on my sd kitchen CRT TV without having to change HR22 settings.

One thought I've had but not tried yet: Does it make any diference to try using the composite video output vs the S-Video output? I'm guessing "no", since it's been my understanding that, besides HDMI, the only other HD-capable outputs from boxes are the component outputs.

IIRC, all the outputs have the same aspect ratio. Whatever one is set at, they all are.

 

[scoop8]

IIRC, all the outputs have the same aspect ratio. Whatever one is set at, they all are.

So it sounds like I won't be able to do what I'm trying to do, that is to watch the same outputted channel on my remote CRT TV without changing the HR22 setup to do so. right?

 

[raoul5788]

So it sounds like I won't be able to do what I'm trying to do, that is to watch the same outputted channel on my remote CRT TV without changing the HR22 setup to do so. right?

Yup. I'm pretty sure. Maybe someone with that setup will confirm. I am going by my memory of what I have read here about it.

 

[HDinCincy]

No, you will be able to watch it. We are doing it right now. I have found, however that by purchasing a 50' RCA to RCA cable, the image was better... MUCH better. The image is compressed in on the sides as described above. No way around it (that I've found.) the 50' cable is available via ebay or elsewhere and was about the same price (maybe less) than a modulator.

 

[harshness]

A single RCA cable doesn't address audio. For that you need at least one more.

A quality modulator should provide a good image and stereo audio models can be had for $25 or less through retail outlets.

 

[Jimbo]

NP, BTW you can order the remotes from the DirecTV web site if needed.

You can also find them at local stores as well.... Best Buy type places. Make sure you get the RF capable ones though.

 

[Jimbo]

Ok, I have a question about this one as well since it's not working for me, or I have to change the setup on my box to get this to work.

I have an HR22 HD box in my main room. I recently installed an RF Modulator from the output of the S-Video on the HR22 box, along with the 2 audio (RCA type) cables. When I try to watch my HR22 output channel on my kitchen CRT (std) TV, the picture is always "shrunk". I'm not looking at a SD 1.33:1 picture on my sd CRT TV.

I have assumed that all of the (non-HDMI) outlets leaving the HR22 box are already "SD" format outputs but is this really true? Do I have to change settings on my HR22 box to be able to watch a SD picture on my kitchen SD CRT TV?

My HR22 settings are for 16:9 TV 1080i output, Native Off, with "Pillar Box" selected. I have it set that way for faster channel switching when I watch on my main HDMI TV.

What I'm wanting to do is to watch the same (SD) output on my sd kitchen CRT TV without having to change HR22 settings.

One thought I've had but not tried yet: Does it make any diference to try using the composite video output vs the S-Video output? I'm guessing "no", since it's been my understanding that, besides HDMI, the only other HD-capable outputs from boxes are the component outputs.

If your watching the kitchen TV only, try going to the SD channel instead of the HD channel and see if that helps. (remember, most of us block the SD channel when a HD channel is available, but the SD channel IS still there.

 

[HDinCincy]

A single RCA cable doesn't address audio. For that you need at least one more.

A quality modulator should provide a good image and stereo audio models can be had for $25 or less through retail outlets.

Good call Harsh... that's why mine has all three. I just figured anybody would know that because you'd have to come into the RF modulator with all three.

 

[raoul5788]

A single RCA cable doesn't address audio. For that you need at least one more.

A quality modulator should provide a good image and stereo audio models can be had for $25 or less through retail outlets.

Most of us have an old vcr that will do the job for free.

 

[scoop8]

I have my HR22 set to "hide SD channels" so maybe that will work. I can't remember if I tried that before (tuning to a known SD channel) so I'll try that & see what happens.

RF Modulator: I bought a "cheapie" (Belkin model) from eBay but that's not the problem with "compressing" the picture horizontally, (right?) That's due to my being tuned to an HD channel on the HR22, I assume.

I don't know if "all RF Modulators are created equal" but from what I saw with some Google'ing and at eBay, prices were all reasonable, $15-40 range.

I did notice that the RF Modulator output video picture (disregarding the compressed picture) wasn't as good as the RF output picture from my SD D11 box. Flesh tones were "off" and there was noise in the picture.

I do have the RF Coax line going thru a head-end line amp. It's worked great during the years before I upgraded to DTV HD. I ran RG6 to all of my rooms, garage, patio, when I bought the house years ago, and the RF inline amp compensated for line-loss with great results.

Why am I not using my SD D11 box to route my TV sig to my remote rooms? Well, that's because the D11 box (and I assume all current SD boxes) don't have the RF remote option available in them. I do use an IR extender but it's intermittent....pushing remote buttons multiple times to get a response, "double-sig" causing skipping around on the guide, etc. I've tried several brands of IR extenders but I settled with the Radio Shack model. It's workable but I'm wanting to make use of my HR22 RF Remote capability to view SD RF-out TV to my remote rooms.

Right now, I use my D11 box for occasional SonicTap music but it can't receive all of the sta's since it's running off the old SD dish and some of the music sta's aren't on the 101/103.

 

[raoul5788]

Why spend any money on an rf modulator when you can use an old vcr? Don't tell me you don't have one!

 

[scoop8]

Why spend any money on an rf modulator when you can use an old vcr? Don't tell me you don't have one!

Yep, I have one It's in use but if I'm getting you guy's drift, I can use it for what I'm needing.

Test me:

I connect my HR22 composite (or S-Video) output to a video input into my VCR (provided it has an input available on the rear of the VCR...it's a recent model and I haven't looked at the back pnl in a while).

Then, I select "Line x" on the VCR tuner (I have 2 "Line out" choices). My VCR will also output to the RF output as a "hot" output, right? So all I have to do is run my RG6 remote line to the VCR RF output.

But, this doesn't address my original issue, with the HR22 outputting all of the non-HDMI outlets as a "compressed" picture (from the point of view of my SD CRT TV in my remote location).

Right?

 

[raoul5788]

Yep, I have one It's in use but if I'm getting you guy's drift, I can use it for what I'm needing.

Test me:

I connect my HR22 composite (or S-Video) output to a video input into my VCR (provided it has an input available on the rear of the VCR...it's a recent model and I haven't looked at the back pnl in a while).

Then, I select "Line x" on the VCR tuner (I have 2 "Line out" choices). My VCR will also output to the RF output as a "hot" output, right? So all I have to do is run my RG6 remote line to the VCR RF output.

But, this doesn't address my original issue, with the HR22 outputting all of the non-HDMI outlets as a "compressed" picture (from the point of view of my SD CRT TV in my remote location).

Right?

You have the connections correct. You are right about the picture, you will have to use an sd channel to get a full screen on the second set.

 

[scoop8]

You have the connections correct. You are right about the picture, you will have to use an sd channel to get a full screen on the second set.

Thanks, guys, for the info! I'll try the VCR setup and see what happens when I insure that I'm tuned to an SD channel. I thought I'd tried that before and the picture was still compressed but I need to verify that.