Setting the clock on your VCR

Q. Should I buy a VCR ?

A. Well if you find a stand alone VCR I would not buy it. The combination DVD/VCR is a great item. Most units will not have a built in tuner and if they do they most likely will not record the digital channels onto the VCR (only to the DVD). Units without a tuner must be connected to your cable or satellite receiver box.

Now you say I already have a DVR (digital video recorder) built into my cable box, why would I need the VCR? Most likely you would not, except more and more pay-per-view movies will only show for one day when you view them on your DVR. If you record it to the VCR you can watch them anytime. Of course if you have a cable box without a built in DVR, it is much cheaper to record all your shows on the VCR, but they will not be in HD or digital quality (VHS is analog).

Q. I know all units with a tuner must receive the over the air digital channels, but what about cable channels, is a cable-ready tuner still available?

All models with a tuner must be digital and receive the over the air digital channels (ATSC). Cable is another story and varies from area to area. Most cable companies are still sending out unscrambled analog channels for older units to receive. The channels they send out analog may only be the local over the air stations. In addition most send out channels in digital as well. To receive them your unit must have what is called a QAM (digital cable) tuner. If you connect a digital TV directly to you cable feed (no box) and run the channel setup (analog + digital) it should take about 15 minutes. After that you can check and find what channels you have and which are in HD. A non HD digital TV will also get the same channels; only not in HD. Cable companies usually send their lowest priced tier of programs out this way. The QAM receiver will only get the non-scrambled channels. As I stated above your DVD/VCR record unit still may not record a digital channel onto the analog VCR, check the unit first.

Be sure to check with your cable company to see if they even are sending analog signals, in most of the country Verizon FiOS has no analog signals and satellite systems are all digital.

There are a few TV’s that will accept a cable card (from your local cable company) which will allow you to see all the programming packages you would with your cable box but these are not interactive. The TV – VCR can not talk to you cable system so your on-demand functions will not work.

Q. I just bought a DVD player and since my TV doesn't have video/audio inputs I tried hooking it up through my VCR, like I do for my kids video games. The sound works great, but when the movie starts the picture gets very dark and bright. What am I doing wrong? (Question thanks to Debbie in Toronto)

A. Debbie, you are doing nothing wrong. The DVD you are playing has an anti-copy program which fools your VCR into the wrong brightness setting so you can't copy it. Unfortunately this works even if you are not trying to copy it. You must get a RF modulator unit (apx. $50) from Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. This may only give you mono sound however. Other then getting a new TV with the video inputs there is not much more you can do.

Q. My VCR says it has "auto clock set" but it is still just blinking 12:00?

A. Some VCR's will auto set the channels and time when you first plug it in. After you connect the unit to cable or your antenna unplug it for about 5 minutes. When you plug it in again it will reset the channels and time. Other VCR's have to be told to auto-set the time. After hooking up the VCR to the TV press the "SETUP" key. Next to clock be sure Auto is selected (not Manual). Most PBS stations broadcast the information needed to set your VCR's clock. The VCR will search the dial for a station with this information. If your VCR is not an Auto-Time VCR you will have to look in the directions for information on setting the clock. If your VCR does not have the "Auto" feature, my advice is to just take it step by step from the instructions, must new VCR's must have the time set from the remote control unit. Just take it on step at a time, slow and easy.

Q. My VCR does not have auto tuning and the clock is flashing 12:00?

The auto clock setting will only work if your VCR or DVD/VCR combo has a tuner. If your unit doesn’t, you will have to set it manually. Unfortunately, MOST units require the remote control to program and set the time. If you misplace the remote you are out of luck, you can not set the time from the unit itself. Click on the menu (or program) button and follow the on screen instructions. If you do lose the remote you can try a universal remote but be warned, most will not get you into the VCR’s menu and only a very expensive one will operate all the DVD functions.

Q. What brand of VCR should I buy?

A. Buy a name brand you have heard of (Sony, Panasonic, RCA, Phillips, etc.) Stay away from Sound-A-Like-Names or names that you never heard of. If you are not sure, look it up in a consumer magazine or online. Checking customer reviews of the product, on store websites and competitors is usually very helpful. Also check the product reviews on amazon.com they carry just about every brand and you get reviews from across the country.

Q. How do I know I am not overpaying?

A. Check the newspaper or flier ads. Bring it with you and buy that model. Don't be talked into a "better" or different model. Salespeople are often paid larger commissions for selling non-sale models or store overstocks. If the store is out of stock, get a rain-check or go elsewhere. I can not tell you how many times I have heard the sale model I want “this is not a good model". The store is not going to place a poor model unit in their ads. They want you to come in and buy it! The exception is a real low priced TV or DVD/VCR, definitely make sure it is a name brand machine. Remember you get what you pay for.

Q. Why does the battery on my camcorder die so quickly when it is suppose to last 100's of recharges? (Thanks to Heather in Albany)

A. Rechargeable batteries are meant to be used over and over again. If however you just use your camcorder once in a while, you must be sure to recharge the battery BEFORE you store the unit. If you leave a ½ charged battery in the closet for a few months the chemicals in the battery start to crystallize and, to make a long story short, fool the battery recharger into thinking the battery is fully charged, when it isn’t. This is why when you start recording the battery indicator in the camcorder also reads full battery, but drops very quickly to empty. Always recharge the battery before you store the unit. An additional note, if your camcorder has a built in light, the light can cut the operating time of even a new fully charged battery by 80%. Use your external power supply (wall outlets) if possible or have a few extra batteries on hand if you are going to use the light on the camcorder. I have seen some battery cases were you can use ordinary AA or AAA batteries. Please be aware that they will only run your camcorder for 15 minutes to 25 at the most (5-10 with the light on).

At just about every wedding I videotape there is someone with a dead battery in their camcorder, even before the ceremony starts. If you are not sure of how good your battery is, a few days before your vacation or event put any old tape in the camera and let it record. See how long it runs. Then recharge the battery. (If a battery dies before you feel it should, repeat the process, run the camcorder, recharge the battery, run the camcorder. If there is any hope for the battery, it will run longer and longer each time.

Q. Is it OK to buy a VCR or TV through the internet?

A. I feel that depends on where you live. If you live near a large shopping center with discount stores, then buy one on sale there. If you live in a place where there are only a few, expensive, stores then I would save the money and buy in through the internet. Just make sure that if you get it and it does not work you can send it back at the same time they are sending you a replacement, at no cost to you. I have not heard any complaints of broken VCR's but more than a few TV's have been damaged. Some places include set-up with the TV. This makes sense. If the unit is damaged you can refuse delivery and they will take it back with them.

Many stores like Wal-Mart and Best Buy let you buy the item online and pick it up at the store at no extra charge. This lets you get the internet price and you can still decline the item if you see the box is damaged. I have also found that more then likely the internet price is lower then the store price but if you do get to the store and find the store price is lower you can cancel the internet purchase and buy it at the store price. Always check the individual store policy first.

If you are still having questions, e-mail me and I will do my best to get your on the right track!