Daft Gadgets

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Basically, what you have is a failure to communicate.



^{_{(sorry... could not resist such a straight line as that)}}

I bet I can locate a manual for your TV on-line-- I've had pretty good success.

What I need, is the model # of the TV itself-- look for a label on the back of the set.

It will be near the serial number, which might also be helpful.

On the third paw?

Your DVR probably has the ability to pass-through signals sent to it.

Since the DVD player is a device which only puts signal out, it likely has no input jacks.   Likewise, the TV is an input-only device, and at most, might have audio-pass-through (although some advanced sets have video out, useful for passing on to a recording device).  The DVR has to have both input and output capability, as it records...

So, if you have the manual for the DVR, you may be able to connect the DVD directly to it, via some digital hook or other, possibly some kind of HDMI cable?   Or simply the ubiquitous 3 RCA-type.  These have a center pin roughly 1/8" in diameter, and an outer-ring about 3/8" of an inch or so, but no threads, unlike a COAX jack as Zono pictured.

Okay.

Let's backup:  the DVR is going directly to your TV set currently.  

Obviously, it cannot play DVDs.    

If your DVR is connected to the TV via COAX?  Then it is highly likely the RCA jacks are open-- and you would need one of those yellow-red-white cable sets, with 3 RCA plugs on either end.  

On the back of the DVD player, connect to the OUTPUT-- matching color.  If white is missing?  Connect white to black (some few use black instead of white, here).

Now, to see the DVD, it may be as simple as turning on your DVR into standby mode, i.e. it's stopped, but on.

Try playing a DVD and see if that doesn't work--

Astute observers will note that nothing was done to or with the TV in this setup--- you'd turn it on as per your usual method to watch the DVR.

Now, if while playing a DVD, and the DVR is on, you still fail to see signal?  You'd need to switch the DVR into "line input" instead of your cable/dish/antenna -- I'm hoping you have the manual for that one?   Hopefully?  

If the DVR is equipment provided by your cable/satellite company, they can help-- or?  A visit to their website will often yield impressive Q&A with regards to operation of their stuff.

Post more, if you still have questions-- or if you can find the model # of your TV?  I bet I can find a manual for it.   Even one in English.  

[pieces o nine]

Zono & Bob:

Thanks for speedy preliminary suggestions and pics!

I would have included the model # if I could read it (tv + base weights about 9,000 lbs, and the mirror + flashlight method won't let me read the teeny, tiny embossed black-on-black numbers on the back!), hence the pic link. But I'll make a valiant effort to move it and read the back.  -smile-

I have several good coaxial cables and a couple sets of good 3-plug quality cables for tv-dvd-etc, as well as a good quality switching box (which I needed to get both dvd player and vhs recorder/player to work with a previous tv). Cable guy said I didn't need any of that anymore, but it's obviously near to hand if necessary...

I have tried connecting output from dvd to input to dvr box (since it's driving the tv) as well as to the tv itself. (I was thinking that the easiest and most logical configuration would what I'd do to hook up a game player, for instance.) The dvd player behaves normally and the readout shows a disc is playing, but none of the configurations I've tried yet will communicate with the tv.

There is supposed to be a menu accessible from some button or button combo on the remote which pops up to let you scroll through "dvd / game 1 / game 2 / tv / cable / etc / etc / etc " in order to select the separate dvd player. Alas, either it is not showing up because I am doing something wrong with the cables , or it is not showing up and allowing the switch to a plug-in.

Thanks again for the replies. I'll take another stab at this tonight and post follow-up questions if needed. I could also bit the bullet, so to speak, and call Knology as I have an *entire morning* t be put on hold tomorrow.  -smile-

[ivor]

Take a real good picture of the TV and go a Google Images search on the brand.  That's my secret weapon for crossing parts sometimes.  Don't tell anybody though...

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

MB's suggestion is excellent.

Here's mine:  

Using a dry-erase marker or a white-board marker or even a water-color based marker, go over the tiny print liberally--wetting it throughlly with the marker's ink.

Then, quickly before it dries all the way, firmly press white paper against it--rubbing vigorously.  Then read the impression in a mirror...

... or?  If you have some silly putty, modeling clay or other molding material?  Make a negative impression on the label, then hold the results up to the mirror.

If you don't have a mirror and/or you want a more permanent record?  A picture of the impression/inking can easily be flipped via software...

... no ink, no clay--all you have is a pencil?

Okay-- put a blank white paper against the embossed label.  Tape it firmly at either side.  Use the pencil to create a rubbing of the label.  A very dull pencil is better than a sharp one-- a large diameter 'lead' is better than a small one.  

Good luck.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Edit.

You said it was a Sony, right?   Sony makes pretty good stuff---sometimes, too good.

If the TV fails to "see" something on one of the various inputs?  It may well automatically disable the "blank" input.  If all it "sees" is the DVR?  Then it may well disable the input-select menu.

[Griffin NoName]

The desktop weather gadget - where you are now - has stopped working. I should not have criticized it. I am now lost without it.

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

I have an old laptop in my bathroom.  It's only use at present, is to display the current weather-- it has a wireless connection, and displays a page of the local weather...

... and yeah, I'd hate to give it up now. 

[Griffin NoName]

I won't ask why you need to know the weather in the bathroom

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

In his part of the world it does make sense, the bathroom is frequently the safest room in a house (if you don't have a basement) in the case of a tornado.

Or perhaps to know how to choose your clothing for the day...? 

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Well... I suffer from dry skin, which also manifests in dry mouth from sleep-- so I find I need to drink water before bed.

Obviously, this means I wake up with a full bladder, so the first thing I do when the alarm goes off, is go into the bathroom....

.. where the weather is handy-to-read.

And yes, helps me decide what to wear, too.  And lets me know if I'm going to have a rain-day out.

[ivor]

Ever try any of that rehydration salt Bob?  If you haven't try something like Ceralyte.  The salt and minerals might help you retain water better.  Probably just drink some of that every once in a while.  That's what I load up on before a long hike.  I don't get thirsty for days...  Oh, well okay... hours...

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Well.... the commercial stuff (gatorade) just makes me pee all the more quickly.... but it's worth a shot, I suppose.