Setting the clock on your VCR

Q. Should I buy a VCR ?

A. This is the million dollar question at this time. Starting in February 2009 the FCC will force all over the air TV stations to broadcast in digital only. Analog channels 2,3,4...22,23,24....58,59,60 will be discontinued. You will need a digital tuner attached to you current VCR (or analog TV) to see them. Important.. this is for over the air signals only, with a TV antenna. If you currently have satellite TV or cable TV where you use a cable company converter box to watch your shows, nothing will change for you. If you have a "cable ready" TV or VCR you will need to get a cable company box since they will stop broadcasting these signals as well. So far no company has come up with a VCR with a digital tuner, however when we get into the second half of 2008 I'm sure you will see them.

Q. Where do I get a digital tuner and how much are they?

A. Right now only high end Plasma and High Definition TV have them. A few stand alone digital tuners are available for a few hundred dollars. However, again, come the middle of 2008 stores will be flooded with these tuners starting at about $30 depending on features. Also the US Federal Government will be giving out vouchers for people with over the air antennas of $50 for one tuner and $30 for a second tuner. More information will be made available next year.

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 will only give you mono sound however which is a real waste since the DVD has get stereo quality. Other then getting a new TV with the video inputs there is not much more you can do.

A note if you have a TV with one video/audio input and you want to input a stereo VCR and DVD you can get a passive (no power needed) switching box at Radio Shack or the like. Plug both VCR and DVD into it and the output into the TV. You can also plug in a cable or satellite receiver to keep the stereo sound. If you are buying a new TV look for one with 2 video inputs

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.

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 "this is not a good model". The store is not going to place a poor model VCR in their ads. They want you to come in and buy it! The exception is a real low priced ($50) VCR, then definitely make sure it is a name brand machine.

Q. What if it doesn't work when I get it home?

A. Before you even start looking at the VCR's find the store policy on returns or damaged goods. If you can not just return a new VCR within a few days because it is broken, DON'T BUY IT THERE! A few stores make you send it to the manufacturer, others charge you a return fee. Stay clear of these stores. Make sure you can return the unit if you take it home and it is broken.

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 advise 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. If you are still having questions about a particular brand of VCR, e-mail me and I will do my best to get your on the right track!

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. Thank you Heather for your question, from my Guestbook. If you are not sure of how good your battery is, a few days before your vacation or party 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. Do I really need a VCR with all the extra features?

A. That is really up to your preferences. If you like the VCR+ quick program feature then get it, if you plan to use the pause or slow motion feature then get the 4 or 5 head model. If your TV has video and stereo input jacks then get a stereo VCR, if it doesn't or you plan to just use the one antenna out connection then get a mono unit. One note here, the channel 3 or 4 RF antenna output from the VCR to the TV is mono on all VCR's! You must use the Video and Audio jacks to get stereo.

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

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 then are only a few, expensive, stores then I would save the money and buy in through the internet or TV shopping channel. 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 a few TV's have been damaged.