DVD thru VCR no sound

[Dan Starnes]

I have attached a DVD player to my 1954 Admiral. I use an old vcr for a tuner cause the tv only has 12 channels. I figured instead of buying a rf modulator I could use the vcr. For some reason when the dvd is installed the vcr will produce no sound when using it for a tuner. The tv however still produces sound on channels I tune it into. I do get sound from the dvd player. I hide all the modern equipment under the tv and all is wonderful, cept I have to disconnect the dvd player when I want to watch regular tv. If this makes sense, I would appreciate any tips.
Thanks
Dan
ps the vcr readout produces a L, but since the vcr is itself an antique I have no paperwork to tell me what that means.

[jpdylon]

If the vcr isn't outputting any sound, it is the unit at fault. If you need a better tuner, i would jsut look around thrift shops for an old cablebox or another vcr.

I've got a magnavox vcr with remote. It won't play tapes anymore, but it has a great tuner and two inputs. If you want it for shipping, its yours. Otherwise I'm just gonna toss it.

[Geoff Bourquin]

I have an thought.....Most dvds tell the DVD player to output macrovision. Most VCRs see macrovision and can't cope with it. The video AGC can't lock in on the distorted sync, and sometimes this makes the vcr mute the audio and/or the video.
RF modulators cost about $10.00 new and they will sense video from the DVD player and use that to decide whether to turn on and override the incoming cable, or turn off and all the cable to pass through to the TV. They are a lot smaller than a VCR too.
You could take the modulator out of the VCR, and install it in the DVD player. You probably need +5 volts to make it work, but if you check the connections in the VCR before you start ripping it apart, you'll know which pins need what voltage or signal. This method won't care about macrovision.
If jpdylon is right and the VCR is pooched, that last option may prove to be a waste of time.

[Chad Hauris]

"L" is line input...the really old VCR's would have a manual switch for tuner/line...if yours has this the contacts may be dirty.

[Duane]

If your VCR is old,it may only have a mono audio input along with the video input.The jacks will be color coded yellow for video and probably white (or no color) for the audio.Connect the left audio channel output from the DVD player to this "mono" jack.The video would go to the video.

Macrovision would cause the video level to change,but you'd still hear the audio.If the VCR has a problem with the audio input for the (L) line in,you would not hear anything.Try connecting it to another tv in the same manner
to see if it's your VCR.

[andy]

...

[Dan Starnes]

Thanks all for the great advice. Here is what I accomplished today. Went to Radio Shack and bought a dvd install kit (RF Modulator). Tried it alone with the dvd player, nothing. Tried it tied into the vcr, nothing with the dvd. This vcr was my Dad's and is old, but it does still record, play and operate very well, also plays all local channels and does everything I want.
I am taking the dvd install kit back tomorrow, I am now just going to live with disconnecting the rca's when I want to watch the one and only channel I watch thru the vcr tuner.
The dvd player does work great thru the vcr and I watched Route 66 tonite for a couple hours,,,, love it!!!!!!!!!!
I am going to work on some more of your tips and see if I can hammer this out. Thanks Jordan for the offer, you are very kind, but i will check out the salvation army here, they have loads of cheap vcr's which are probably newer than the one I have lol.
Dan

[Chad Hauris]

I woulld try a VCR which activates the auxiliary inputs by tuning below channel 2:that way you don't have to change any hookups. Most VCR's from the mid 90's on use this system.