Sorry if I'm jumping into the convo here. I've been working silently in the background, listening in.
Hi electronicnewb,
Okay, here’s the deal with VCRs. To connect up multiple A/V devices, you must understand the daisy chain. It does not matter whether you use coax or composite (or even a combination of the two), but it does matter which device is taking priority, and what channel or input you are tuned to.
I am assuming that you are currently using coaxial cable and have the television tuned to channel 3. So for ease of understanding, I will continue with that model. But know that when you truly understand the chain, you can use coax or composite or a combination, and you can use channel 3 or 4 or Input 1, 2, or 3 if you have them. But first you need to understand the basics.
In a standard setup with an SD STB (model 2500) you connect the coax wall jack to the STB’s RF IN jack on the back of the STB. This connection will remain the same no matter what else you add. You then connect the STB’s TO TV/VCR output jack to the TV with a second coaxial cable. The TV is tuned to channel 3. Channel 3 is what the TV is “watching”. As long as both the STB and TV are on and functioning correctly, you will see your stations.
To connect a VCR between these two devices, you will add a third coax cable. To do this, disconnect the cable from the STB’s TO TV/VCR jack and reconnect it to the VCR’s OUT. Then add another cable between the STB and the VCR. Turn the VCR on and tune it to channel 3. Whether the VCR is on or off, you should now be able to see your stations. Now disconnect the VCR and connect your other VCR in the same manner to make sure that they are both functioning properly.
Now you need to know more information. The VCR now acts like a switch between your STB and your TV. When the VCR is off, the STB feed flows passively to the TV. When the VCR is turned on, it will block the incoming signal from the STB and show only what the VCR is “watching”. As long as the VCR is on and tuned to channel 3, it appears that it isn’t blocking anything. But the fact that you are seeing the VCR’s On-Screen Displays when it is on, and not when it is off tells you differently. To “turn the switch off” without turning off the VCR, press the TV/VCR button on your VCR remote. This should make the VCR OSD disappear.
Now to add both VCRs. Disconnect the cable going from the STB's TO TV/VCR jack and connect it to the OUT jack on the other VCR. Then use a fourth cable to connect the STB's TO TV/VCR jack to the VCR1 IN. You are now daisy-chained. To double-check, follow that the cable from the wall goes to the RF IN on your STB, the next cable goes from the STB's TO TV/VCR output to the VCR1 IN, the next cable goes from the VCR1 OUT to the VCR2 IN, and the last cable goes from the VCR2 OUT to the TV.
Remember that in order to record anything on TV, your STB must remain on. You must also leave both VCRs and the TV tuned to channel 3. You cannot record 2 shows at the same time.
Let me know if you are still running into problems.
(Four edits later and I think I've got it this time.)