Connecting two video recorders to the same video feed?

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.dvd.tech (More info?)

On Fri, 28 May 2004 00:09:37 +1200, Brian <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote:

>Are there any disadvantages such as sync problem or poor picture
>quality when connecting the same video source (eg a sky decoder) to
>the video input of two video recorders at the same time?
>
>I have used a switching selector to switch the video signal to the
>recording video recorder in the past. The problem is that unless I
>remember to switxh the selector to the recording video then the video
>does not get recorded. To overcome this problem I'm thinking of having
>the video signal connected to both recorders at all times.
>
>Regards Brian

You could make a direct observation to see what the difference is. I
find when I do that, the brightness goes down a bit. You could also
buy an A/V distribution amplifier, like Radio ShackCatalog # 15-1172.

http://www.radioshack.com/product. [...] =15%2D1172

Rich M.

Rich M.

Archived from groups: rec.video.desktop,rec.video.dvd.tech (More info?)

"Richard Crowley" <rcrowley7@xprt.net> wrote in message
news:10bd1n19p8rq9a1@corp.supernews.com...
> "Richard M." wrote ...
> > You could make a direct observation to see what the difference is. I
> > find when I do that, the brightness goes down a bit.
>
> You can't "Y-connect" video signals with most consumer equipment.
> It causes a double-termination which is why the "brightness goes down
> a bit" What you don't see is that the chroma and sync also "go down a
> bit". None of this is a good thing.

Of course, it depends on the intended final use of the tapes (I didn't see
the OP, so I don't konw the intentions). It may be that the lower quality is
acceptable for the intended use. However, if it isn't:

> > You could also
> > buy an A/V distribution amplifier, like Radio ShackCatalog # 15-1172.
>
> That would be the proper way of feeding a single video signal to
> multiple devices.

It's a cost/benefit thing. If I'm recording a TV show for me and a friend to
watch later, separately, it's not worth the money to get the distribution
amp. If I'm dubbing a client's tapes, then it would be.