![]() ![]() If you do LOTS of recording on multiple channels, and have a TV larger than 28", you no longer have any choice: you need to do what mjdave suggested. While this is passable for the casual user with one Magnavox who rarely records anything they care about, it is hopelessly unworkable for the person with multiple recorders who is a record-a-holic. Note the free/cheap DTA boxes do NOT have any timer abilities at all. You also need to set the Magnavox timer: two units and two timers for each recording. But the boxes are limited to just 6 or 7 days ahead, they can't set weekly timers, all timers expire and need to be reset, and Spectrum boxes are notorious for dog-slow remote response (it can take up to five minutes to coax the box into one timer setting). Depending on the gear available in your cable neighborhood, you might be able to get a full-size box that lets you program up to 8 shows/channels in advance. ![]() Each Magnavox can only record whatever channel is set on the DTA or cable box: there is no auto channel change controlled by the Magnavox timer. You will need either a DTA (miniature, garbage-quality cable box for cheapskates) or full-size, normal cable box for EACH Magnavox you want to record on, AND one for each TV you have connected to a Magnavox that you'd like to maintain "watch a different channel than the one I'm recording" ability. You will no longer be able to record the true 16:9 widescreen cable signal direct off the wire: all recordings get letterboxed (shrunk to the middle of the screen with black borders top and bottom, or on all four sides). You will no longer be able to use the multi-event timer to easily automatically record different cable channels at different times on different days. What this means is your Mags are rendered practically useless for cable recording. But most of the country got hit with this ages ago, the last stragglers are getting folded into the digital lock-out system more rapidly now. Rollout of this cable "digital domination" plan has been fitful, sporadic and unpredictable the past few years, which has lulled many isolated luckier Mag owners into a false sense of security. This is the doomsday scenario all us "Debbie Downers" have been warning Magnavox owners about for several years already. Spectrum is telling you the party is unfortunately over in your town as of next week. Do I need a separate converter for each machine? Or is there a splitter I can use? (All my devices are connected to one digital TV, on separate inputs.)įYI, I am not worried about the Olympics.Ĭlick to expand.Yes, and yes. Also, what is this “digital transport adapter (DTA)” that they mention? I assume that is not in these machines? ![]() What are my options for remedying this? Is the offered Spectrum device my only option? First, the tuner in these machines is QAM, right? So am I definitely screwed without additional equipment? Just checking before I act. They are offering to send up to two Spectrum receivers (free for 24 months), but I must first request the self-install kit, to be delivered in 3-5 business days!ĭo you see the problem? Today is Friday before a holiday weekend, and they will shut it off Tuesday after the holiday weekend! There are literally NO business days between now and then! I got a letter from Spectrum saying they are going all digital on 2/20/18, and I only received the letter yesterday on 2/15/18! At first I thought “no problem, my machines are digital”, but I read the letter more closely, and realized that may not be enough. They are the Mag 2160, 515, and 537, but but the model numbers are probably irrelevant. I have several different models of the Magnavox (and one Phillips with a dead remote, problem for another day). ![]()
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