I just replaced my RCA DirecTV receiver with a Philips DSR6000 and have a small problem that maybe someone else has found a way around. I have always distributed the satellite content to the kitchen and bedroom via the RF output on the receiver. I connect the rooftop TV antenna to the receiver and then from there to a splitter that feeds the signal to the bedroom and kitchen. When I need to watch a local channel in the kitchen I used to just turn off the satellite receiver or hit the button on the remote to pass the RF through the receiver to let the signal from the antenna pass to the bedroom and kitchen.

Now with the DSR6000 the only way to pass the RF from the antenna is to put it into Standby mode. If the unit starts recording a program it comes back to life and the signal from the antenna is blocked. Does anyone have a workaround for this problem?

Daryl, I have an idea, although there is the risk of signal loss. The antenna doesn't have to go into the receiver because the tuner only passes-through. Use a splitter that can be used backwards as a combiner to combine the output of the receiver with the antenna signal, then feed the output of this combiner into the existing splitter.

If this causes signal degradation or ghosting, try this more-flexible option: use a pair of simple coaxial A/B switches, one for the coax to the kitchen, and one to the bedroom. The receiver output can feed, through a splitter, into both A inputs, and the antenna can feed, through another splitter, into both B inputs. Now you can select each TV's feed independently. If this isn't important to you, use only one A/B switch, A from the receiver, and B from the antenna, followed by a single splitter as you are doing now. Again, the antenna doesn't have to pass through the receiver.

Larry

I was going to try that a while back for something else and the guy at Radio Shack said it wouldn’t work because the channel 4 output from the VCR, or whatever, was not clean enough. It would interfere with the signal from the antenna. You can buy modulators that allow you to insert the source into an unused channel but they are expensive. I think I’ll try your idea anyway. Thanks

I tried the combiner and the guy at Radio Shack was right. Channel 4 from the receiver interfered with channel 3 from the antenna. There were wavy lines on both 3 and 4. Channel 10 was good though. I didn’t want to have to manually operate a switch. I may have to splurge for a modulator.

A modulator is the best and easiest way to go. Just remember you get what you pay for. You'll be getting much easier operation.