I bought an RCA DRC8030N DVD recorder that doesn't want to pick up the channels from the cable system. I've called RCA twice and their answer was to return it. I've returned two to Wal-Mart and they all do exactly the same thing. I have the cable connected to the RF in on the recorder and the RF and AV outs going to the TV. When the recorder does the channel search during setup, it only finds 14 channels, and the reception is terrible. I know the cable signal is good because it still works fine on the TV after going through the recorder. It's just the recorder's tuner that's not getting it. There are two settings for the input signal- "cable/antenna" and "antenna only" and I've tried them both with the same results. Could I be missing something here or does RCA have a serious design flaw???
Sounds like you have it set for antenna rather than cable tuning. If you dont have it set for cable tunning you will only get up to about channel 15.
Yep, it appears to be junk. I tried both the cable and antenna settings with the same results. I even took it to my in-laws house and it did the same thing. I finally just gave up and got my money back. I talked to a tech at an RCA repair center who said RCA's not in good shape anyway. He can't even get parts from them! So I'll find something else. Oh, well.
guitarmn , go with an Panisonic ,LG or a Samsung the Lite-On standalone DVD recorders aren't to bad either
Like someone already said, its set to antenna, you need to switch the setting to Cable... Anytime a tv or vcr or etc goes only to 14, the device is set to antenna...DOnt feel stupid either.. its one of the most common causes of partial channels.. I have been a Sat and Core Cable tech for 6 years and I cant even tell you how many times I have went on service calls and walked in changed the device to cable and "bam" tv is working... Anyway....
Jlhfit, No, that's not it. I tried both settings and it didn't just get the first 14 channels- it got 14 random channels, but very poorly. Anyway, I finally just got my money back and will get another brand. I also noticed that Wal-Mart doesn't carry this one anymore. I wonder why.
I was just looking at this on the Walmart website.. Thing I thought was cool about it was that it can be used like a DVR and record to a Hard Drive 1st and then you can decide to backup your program to DVD or not... is this true or am I reading something wrong?
tmfloria, Yep, that's exactly right. That's what I really liked about it. Last time a was at Wal-Mart they didn't have the RCA, but they had a different brand (don't remember which one) of the same thing. But I didn't see that one on the web site. They also had one with a 160GB hard drive for about $100 more. I hope the store still has them. I still want one!
Just do the channel search and it'll start working. I had the same problem doesn't tell you anything you just get nothing.
