Motorola instruction manual

Is it connected to your cable provider? In settings you can change between Clock/ Channel, with the Motorola turned off and TV on push the menu button on the device, OR Try the user manual: http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Video-Solutions/Products/TV%20Video%20Distribution/Set-tops/QAM%20Set-tops/Digital-Analog%20QAM%20Set-tops/DCT6400/_Documents/Static%20Files/DCT6400%20Series%20User%20Guide.pdf

Hi ccraigo
To answer your question;
Your motorola will connect directly(not through the dvd) to the tv set into one of the input ,(preferably using hdmi or component cables for hd) and the dvd will use a different input,
All you have to do then is switch between which one you want to watch.
Hope this help Cheers

Satellite out is likely intended for relay purposes so that if you have more than one receiver, you can connect both to the same satellite dish.

There should be Video out, such as composite, component or HDMI. You'll want to connect that to the TV.

If your TV has a built in digital receiver (such as for cable or satellite TV), what is likely happening is that your TV itself is now attempting to find a channel instead of your Motorola receiver, unless you are certain that the menus you are navigating are those used on the Motorola receiver, not on your TV.

If connecting the video-out cables from the receiver to the TV doesn't alleviate the issue, please post a follow up here with the model numbers for your TV and receiver.

input connections are disabled by Motorola for a "future use", or so they say. Sorry for the bad news, you may buy an audio/video switcher to add more A/V inputs to your TV set, hope this helps.

Manuals are available for download on Sony's website

From page 24 of the Installation Section

The clear protective film on the DCP501 display must be removed and transferred to the inside back cover of your
DCP501 Home Theater System User Guide. The Unit Address and Serial Number found on the protective film is
required for activation of your DCP501 cable TV receiver by your cable TV service provider.


On Page 28 -

Do not disconnect the cable connection between the RF In and To RF In ports. Removal of this
cable could disrupt operation of the DCP501.

IMPORTANT! The digital cable feature of your Motorola DCP501 can be activated only in
certain cable systems throughout North America. Contact your local cable TV provider to
determine whether the digital cable feature of your Motorola DCP501 can be activated. In cable
systems where the digital cable feature cannot be activated, you may connect an external cable
receiver provided by your local cable provider. For best results, connect an external cable
receiver through the audio and video inputs on the back of your DCP501.

Page 74 -

Using DCP501 Cab le TV Functions
The DCP501 has an advanced CATV set-top terminal that allows you to view cable channels.
The DCP501 must be authorized for cable TV operation by your cable TV operator before it will
tune channels. To use your DCP501 to view cable channels:
1 Press SOURCE to display C ATV on your TV. C A TV and the last channel tuned are displayed
on the DCP501 display.
2 Press MENU to display the TV program guide on your TV.
3 Press GUIDE to display the television program guide on your TV.
4 Change channels by pressing CHANNEL/PRESET���� or making your selection with the
program guide on your TV.
If you receive an electronic message from the cable operator, the message icon �� turns on.
You must use the TV program guide to retrieve an electronic message.
Additional DCP501 cable TV functions include CATV Record and CATV Channel Scan.

If you don't have the manual go to:
http://www.retrevo.com/support/Motorola-DCP501-Receivers-manual/id/393bh936/t/2/ and register to get it. It's free.

DVD's: does it display any kind of error? All DVD's?

To your second question.

The manual explains cable and TV hookup for CABLE but there is no mention of off-air TV tuning.

If you don't have the manual go to:
http://www.retrevo.com/support/Motorola-DCP501-Receivers-manual/id/393bh936/t/2/ and register to get it. It's free.

Usually, you look for the "audio out" on your TV and connect it to the "audio in" on your receiver and, then, connect your speakers to the speaker connectors on your receiver. I have the same receiver but I don't have my instruction book in front of me so I will watch to see if your problem has been solved and, if not, try again with my manual in front of me.

Go online and search for the owners manual for your TV. It has the common codes for receivers, DVD players, etc. listed in the back with the instructions on how to program the remote.

Your not going to be able to connect in series (not sure if thats your goal) since your limited by the type of connections you can use. Your receiver is going to have to be switched depeneding on what source you want to listen too. DVR, DVD, etc. HDMI is going to important for your TV connection. Radio Shack has cheap HDMI cables.
So... connect HDMI from DVR to HDTV this will give you sound and picture to TV. Connect DVR optical or coaxial ( RCA if you dont care about surround) to Receiver to give you DVR sound thru Receiver input.
Connect DVD to receiver via optical/coaxial/rca for DVD sound thru receiver (again RCA is not recommended for surround).
Connect Component video to HDTV(or HDMI if TV has second HDMI input) to give you video from DVD.
Connect Yellow video or S-video from DVR to DVD recorder input to allow recording from DVR. Also connect red/white audio to (same) DVD input.
That should cover it.