Commemorating the death of analog TV

[NowhereMan 1966]

Originally Posted by Jeffhs

Even with a cable STB (set-top box) lacking RF output, I'm sure there is still a way to connect such to a standard NTSC television without having to use a modulator. If you have a VCR, connect the STB's video output to the VCR's video input, connect the audio out from the box to the VCR's audio input, set the VCR for line input, and your box should work just fine. (No one much uses VCRs these days; it is illegal and/or impossible, no thanks to Macrovision copy-guard schemes, to tape digital channels in their native formats, so most VCRs will be obsolete next year anyway unless they are used to view existing VHS tapes and/or to record digital channels in NTSC analog format.) Most recent-vintage VCRs have at least one set of external audio/video inputs, with some units having two, one of which is often on the front panel.

Unless there is some difference in circuitry between RF modulators used with high-definition video systems and those designed for use with standard 525-line NTSC analog televisions, VCRs, etc., I do not think it should matter (IMHO) whether the output signal from the STB sent to an RF modulator is 720/1080 digital (ATSC) or 525-line NTSC analog. I'd think the modulator wouldn't care (figuratively speaking) what type of signal it was converting, as long as it is video and audio; it will be downconverted to VHF channel 3 or 4, regardless.

That's what I do for the 1982 Zenith, II hook it up to the line inputs to the VCR and off I go. It's there in case if we lose cable or something, at least myself and Mom have an easy way to go to OTA TV in a snap. I know I sometimes tape "The Fugitive" off of RTN if I'm not around to watch it, it works fine with the VCR.