I have a doozy of a VCR question
 

And I bet NO ONE knows the answer to this.

In my bedroom I have two set-ups. Two VCRs attached to two cable boxes attached to two tvs.

On the right, I only record. On the left, I do both.

So during the evening, (as it's doing right now), I'm recording channel 4 from 9 to 11 and then my cable box will switch to another channel and I'll record from 11 p.m. to midnight.

On the left I will watch something that I have recorded.

Oh, and this is important. Both vcrs are Panasonic and share one remote. I have the other one, but who needs it. I can use the remote on both of the vcrs.

So you might be asking "How on earth can she be recording on the right one and watching another program on the left tv. Wouldn't the remote be interrupting the VCR on the right set-up.

For example, if I'm recording on the right, and aim the remote at the left one to press play, and then stop, wouldn't the remote affect the right VCR?

Well, I solved (or at least I thought I did for 5 years or so), that problem.

On my right tv, I have a big cardboard box fitted over EVERYTHING. There is no line of site. So when I program the VCR on the right set-up, I place the box over it and I go about what I want to do and the remote HAS NEVER triggered a stop, a play or anything on the right VCR.

I even put a towel over the box just to make sure

Well, today, I was watching a tape on the left, I pressed stop and I heard the right vcr stop. I checked and yes it stopped.

So how come (if there no line of site from the remote to anything), how come if the tv, vcr etc, is completely covered, would the remote affect it anyway.

Does it function by frequency, so it wouldn't matter if I covered up the tv and vcr on the right?

I just put a brand new VCR that a friend had up in her closet and never took out of the box. I bought it from her and it works perfectly. It's exactly like the one it replaced.

I don't understand why the remote would affect a vcr that is completely covered by a cardboard box and then a towel.

And if I'm mistaken, and a remote works by frequency so a cardboard box and towel won't make a difference, then how come nothing like that happened in 5 years. I always had the same kind of VCRS recording and playing and used one remote and it never interferred with the running of the vcr on the right?

What kind of thing can I place over the VCR and tv so the remote can't possibly interfere?

If any of you are engineers out there, here is your chance to shine.

And I'm not getting any dvr thing so don't tell me to upgrade etc.

I'm perfectly happy with my vcrs, they all work just fine but I would like to still have them side by side. It makes for easy operation.

Thanks much

Melody

Sometimes our remotes will work even if aimed away from the TV ...but I can't say if it would or wouldn't if the infrared portal area was covered.

ooooooh, infrared portal.

going to go and check on that right now.

Love you

Melody

Jo, I just did the most interesting experiment. I sat down in front of the two vcrs. Turned both on.


I put a piece of metal in front of the remote (so there would be no line of site) I pressed POWER, and the two VCR's went off.

So even behind a metal thing, the remote will control both vcrs.

I then took a BIG pillow (No cardboard cover on the right one at this point), and I propped the pillow so it just stood against the right set-up.

the remote had no effect on the right vcr.

Now I don't know what this means, but I don't need the cardboard box anymore. I'll just prop a big pillow on the nightstand so it covers the entire right set-up, and I'll be good to go.

I did not find the sensor thing on the vcr. Don't even know what it looks like. I would like to know where it is.

Going to do a search on google to find out where the sensor is on a vcr.

Thanks for your help

Melody

Well I solved it.

I had two things to solve. The changing of the cable box channels because I use the same cable remote to change cable channels.And finding the solution to my vcr remote problem.

I had this big giant cardboard box (with cutout) to fit over the whole right set-up. That worked fine, but ever since I replaced the vcr on the right, my remote would always affect the right vcr no matter WHAT cover I put in front of it, on top of it, over it, under it, etc. NO MATTER WHAT I DID.

So I just sat there devising ways to cover the panel of the vcr. I know I would have to still use the cardboard box because I don't want to change the cable channel.

so what did Melody do about the VCR?

I remembered that when I PROGRAM the vcr and select timer, it locks up the whole system so it will turn on, record and shut itself off.

And I know that the only way I can INTERRUPT this process is to press PLAY AND STOP and the same time.

So all I have to do when I want to record ANYTHING, is I have to rememember that I can't just press record. If I just press the record button, the VCR on the right will record and anytime I try and use the remote on the LEFT set-up, even though I have things in place to interrupt the remote signal, the remote will still be able to control the VCR because it has nothing to do with line of site.

But....when I PROGRAM the VCR and it starts to record, the remote will have absolutely no effect, UNLESS I STOP THE PROCEEDINGS BY PRESSING POWER AND STOP.

So from now on, I shall program my vcr to record anything I wish, put the cover on top of the whole thing (so the cable box won't switch channels), and I shall be able to lie on my bed at night, use my remote (both cable and vcr,) change channels, watch a recording, stop the recording and it won't affect the right VCR.

PROBLEM SOLVED.

I'm Macguyver!!!lol

You should have seen me with aluminum sheeting, plastic cutouts, cardboard, FOAM, I tried everything. The signal went through.

I am now back to being able to enjoy my shows.

Life is good.
lol lol lol


Melody

I WAS WRONG.

Problem NOT solved.

Today, I was watching a recording on my left tv, and my right vcr turned on, started taping All My Children, and in 5 minutes, as soon as I hit the stop button (while I aimed it at the left set-up) I knew immediately that the right vcr stopped recording. I checked and I was right.

So not even programming it will stop the remote from working on the right set-up.

So if anyone knows what I can buy to fit around the vcr so the remote can't reach it, I would really appreciate it.

I feel like going out and buy lead sheeting or something.

lol

Melody

If you can find where the infrared sensor is .. what about layers of tape over that -electrical tape or duct tape - masking tape might get dried out and messy - maybe the signal is getting around & between any gaps in the boxes/towels etc??

The manual should show exactly where it is if you can't find it.
or google online for the brand/ model and find the manual that way.

they are usually right on the front, a small smooth section.

That's about the only thing I can think of.

Okay!!!!!!, I have the manual. I found the remote sensor. It's right on the front of the panel (right next to the time indicator). Earlier I tried putting aluminum foil, and other stuff right on top of the whole vcr. But now that I know exactly where the remote sensor is, I'll put some tape directly over it. Maybe some black electrical tape.

Got to try SOMETHING.

lol
thanks much
Melody

... otherwise wouldn't a universal remote work? Just guessing.

First of all, I AM using a universal remote. Says so on the remote.

Second, and think about it. Let's say I go to my local store and buy another universal remote and program it to use on the left vcr.

The left VCR is the same as the right vcr.

So any remote that works on the left one would work on the right one.

What I need is some kind of material, some kind of sheeting, some kind of SOMETHING that I can place in front of the panel 9on the right VCR),that would interrupt the frequency (because obviously it's not line of site).

So if any of you (and I bet none of you have ever faced this dilemma), well, if any of you know any engineers, or frequency experts LOL LOL LOL

Well, I am not going to stop until I find the answer and be assured, I'll post it here.

lol

Thanks much

Melody