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Phone_Disconnec
New Contributor III
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Magnavox DVR MDR513H/F7 will not work with Cox mini digital box

I installed the Cox mini digital box a couple of weeks ago as part of the all digital conversion. I have been trying off an on every since to connect my Magnavox DVR without any success. I am pretty sure I have it connected correctly as I am able to connect a Sony DVD/VHS combo and it works fine (other than the poor recording and audio issues the mini box are causing). When I connect the DVR, with the DVR and TV channel set to 3 as instructed, I am getting no playback picture nor can I play a movie. I can see the countdown change on the DVR display but there is nothing shown on the TV. I cannot access any of the DVR functions using the DVR remote - it is as if it is non-existent even though it appears the cable input is working since I am able to use TV remote and change channels using mini box remote. Just cannot get anything from the DVR. I cannot afford to pay Cox the $20+ more a month they want for their DVR and service so I would greatly appreciate any guidance that could be provided. I am currently using the Sony DVD/VHS combo but in addition to the VHS recording issues mentioned above, I cannot play any movies since adding the mini box. They freeze over and over and drop audio. I am at my wits end and have too much money invested in this DVR to throw more money to Cox. If I am forced to use Cox DVR service then I may as well go DIrectTV. If I could I would love to cut the cable but internal antenna will not work (per antenna.org it is a line of site issue where I live) and landlord refuses to let me have an outdoor antenna installed on duplex. Thanks in advance for the help!
Magnavox MDR513HF7 DVR
  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    AllenP said:

    Phone Disconnect said:
    The TV works fine with the DVR connected or without it connected, I just do not get playback or have any DVR functions working from remote. Will report back once I try the alternate connection. Thanks all for helping me!

    If you are saying the minibox plays thru the TV regardless if the DVR is connected or not, that's consistent with the manual.  The DVR will pass through the minibox signal to the coax output but not play anything from the hard drive or DVD drive.  Thing is, the 557 manual says the same thing.  If you were using the antenna output to play recorded items in the past, all I can say is maybe the manual is wrong.  Worth a try using composite (Y/R/W) output.

    OK I am stuck again. The chart from the 513H manual shows the DVR Audio In connections going to Audio/Video Out connections on a digital box. I do not have those connections on the mini box. TV does not have HDMI connection. Could you please explain in simple language how to do the yellow-white-red connections? I cannot find anything on Cox site that shows how to and the chart I was sent in a earlier posting was simple in/out cable connections with no mention of yellow-white-red. The chart was for connecting a VCR/DVD recorder and I did not realize it was different for a DVR. Is there a chart that shows proper connections for DVR? Again, thank you so much for the help.

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  • ChrisL's avatar
    ChrisL
    Former Moderator
    @Phone Disconnect

    Can you describe for us how you have the DVR connected to the TV?

  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    New Contributor III
    Absolutely. From the wall to the "cable from wall" connection on mini. Cable from mini "to TV' connection to the DVR input antenna connection. Cable from DVR output antenna connection to the TV input antenna connection on the TV. I am not using any of the RCA yellow/white/red connections as I have never had to use them in the past on either of my TVs. I also tried this same connection on both TV's with same results - no picture on TV and no DVR remote functions working. Thanks for any help you can provide.
  • Tecknowhelp's avatar
    Tecknowhelp
    Valued Contributor II

    Do you have the TV and DVD-R set on Channel 3-4? Also, FYI, the DVR recording schedule won't work with a mini box. You will have to manually change the channel on the mini box to the channel you want to record. 

  • AllenP's avatar
    AllenP
    Valued Contributor

    Your DVR worked in the past connected from DVR antenna out to TV antenna in????  The manual says "ANTENNA OUT jack is for tuner pass through only. HDD / DVD playback through the RF is not possible."  Unless the manual is wrong, I don't see how this could have worked.  I think you have to use the yellow-red-white connections.

    Just checking, the little switch on the back of the minibox is set to channel 3 also?  As a test, I would eliminate the DVR, connect the cable to the minibox, minibox out directly to your TV.  Set the minibox switch for channel 3 & your TV input to channel 3.  Do you get a picture & sound?   This will tell us if it's a DVR problem or minibox/cable problem.  Thanks.

  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    New Contributor III
    Tecknowhelp said:

    Do you have the TV and DVD-R set on Channel 3-4? Also, FYI, the DVR recording schedule won't work with a mini box. You will have to manually change the channel on the mini box to the channel you want to record. 

    Yes and yes understand my DVR will no longer be able to change channels and I will have to select on mini box. Really hate it but what can we do eh.
  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    New Contributor III
    AllenP said:

    Your DVR worked in the past connected from DVR antenna out to TV antenna in????  The manual says "ANTENNA OUT jack is for tuner pass through only. HDD / DVD playback through the RF is not possible."  Unless the manual is wrong, I don't see how this could have worked.  I think you have to use the yellow-red-white connections.

    Just checking, the little switch on the back of the minibox is set to channel 3 also?  As a test, I would eliminate the DVR, connect the cable to the minibox, minibox out directly to your TV.  Set the minibox switch for channel 3 & your TV input to channel 3.  Do you get a picture & sound?   This will tell us if it's a DVR problem or minibox/cable problem.  Thanks.

    At one point I was using the yellow-red-white connections but have not for several years with my Magnavox MDR557H/F7. Unfortunately during the attempt to connect the 557 with the extremely stiff cables Cox sent (and what is up with the greasy oil or whatever on the cables??) my arthritic hands over compensated and I broke the input Antenna connection. I am looking for someone to fix that one so meanwhile I pulled out my older 513H that I kept as a backup so perhaps it requires the yellow-red-white connections. I will give it a try this weekend. The TV works fine with the DVR connected or without it connected, I just do not get playback or have any DVR functions working from remote. Will report back once I try the alternate connection. Thanks all for helping me!
  • AllenP's avatar
    AllenP
    Valued Contributor

    Phone Disconnect said:
    The TV works fine with the DVR connected or without it connected, I just do not get playback or have any DVR functions working from remote. Will report back once I try the alternate connection. Thanks all for helping me!

    If you are saying the minibox plays thru the TV regardless if the DVR is connected or not, that's consistent with the manual.  The DVR will pass through the minibox signal to the coax output but not play anything from the hard drive or DVD drive.  Thing is, the 557 manual says the same thing.  If you were using the antenna output to play recorded items in the past, all I can say is maybe the manual is wrong.  Worth a try using composite (Y/R/W) output.

  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    New Contributor III
    AllenP said:

    Phone Disconnect said:
    The TV works fine with the DVR connected or without it connected, I just do not get playback or have any DVR functions working from remote. Will report back once I try the alternate connection. Thanks all for helping me!

    If you are saying the minibox plays thru the TV regardless if the DVR is connected or not, that's consistent with the manual.  The DVR will pass through the minibox signal to the coax output but not play anything from the hard drive or DVD drive.  Thing is, the 557 manual says the same thing.  If you were using the antenna output to play recorded items in the past, all I can say is maybe the manual is wrong.  Worth a try using composite (Y/R/W) output.

    OK I am stuck again. The chart from the 513H manual shows the DVR Audio In connections going to Audio/Video Out connections on a digital box. I do not have those connections on the mini box. TV does not have HDMI connection. Could you please explain in simple language how to do the yellow-white-red connections? I cannot find anything on Cox site that shows how to and the chart I was sent in a earlier posting was simple in/out cable connections with no mention of yellow-white-red. The chart was for connecting a VCR/DVD recorder and I did not realize it was different for a DVR. Is there a chart that shows proper connections for DVR? Again, thank you so much for the help.
  • Phone_Disconnec's avatar
    Phone_Disconnec
    New Contributor III
    I am also confused and concerned by the following thread as it reads like personal DVR's will no longer work on Cox network??? What am I missing - can we or can we not use a personal DVR with the mini box? http://forums.cox.com/forum_home/tv_forum/f/4/t/14065.aspx?pi256=1
  • Tecknowhelp's avatar
    Tecknowhelp
    Valued Contributor II

    Phone Disconnect said:
    What am I missing

    A firmware upgrade that disabled analog encryption that used to break PVR recording. The OP in the thread you reference is upset because he can't buy their own cable box online. Also they are a rude jerk too, but I guess that isn't relevant.