I have my XB V442 linked up to a digital comcast converter box that runs into a Sony TV. I can see and hear VHS tapes and DVDs but nothing will control the volume. Not the Combo or the cable or the TV. If I load the tape first and then turn on the cable I can control it, but that's confusing for my mom who is 92 and likes to use the VCR side of the combo. Any ideas?

Is the VHS tape you are trying to record a commercial VHS tape (movie)? If so, it may have copy protection on it. The recorder is probably programmed to prevent you from making and using DVDs of commercial copy-protected VHS tapes.

You only need coaxial cable to pick up TV stations broadcast via an aerial. If your TV has sockets to connect via HDMI or SCART, then any players can be connected via them. So if the adapter box picks up TV signals, you connect the main aerial cable to that and it should have a coaxial out socket, that should be connected to the aerial in of your TV. If you are recording to an analogue video from the adapter box, then that will need to be connected via a scart socket or other connection.

You can record a digital TV signal on a VHS VCR but only in analog format. The digital signal must be input to the VCR by some component which has a yellow composite video output and a white audio output such as a digital cable TV box or satellite receiver. For over-the-air digital TV, either the TV must output analog video or you need a DTV converter box connected to the VCR. Bottom line, the digital signal must be converted to analog for the VCR since VHS VCRs generally are analog recorders.

The Sony SLV-D300P is a DVD PLAYER and VCR. It does not record DVDs. You would have to buy a combo unit with a DVD recorder, not just a DVD player.

I SHUT THE CONVERTER BOX OFF BEFORE TRYING TO START RECORDING

A DTV converter box will take digital broadcast signals from the antenna and convert them to a format compatible with the VCR. You will be able to record programs received through the DTV box on your VCR if you could record analog over-the-air programs before the digital changeover. You can use either the RF output or the component output from the DTV box to input to the VCR.

I have a vhs and dvd player all in one
I have a converter box hooked up to my tv and vcr , dvd player combined
I can play my movies on the tv. ok.
you have to have your tv and vcr set on channel 3. if that is what your main tv is set up with. Or 4 if you have your tv set up with that.
Mine plays ok. My settings are for channel 3
My suggestion would be to check your hook ups. maybe they are not hooked up correctly
I had to go to www.google.com and did searches to help with hook up.
I can also record station I am watching with vcr on vsh tapes. I do not have a dvd recorder.
I found out that you have to have 2 converter boxes hooked to one tv., in order to record on on station while watching another. I have not tried that, as I don't have 2 converter boxes for one tv. I found that by doing google search also. Good Luck

I have a Panasonic TV with built-in VCR, I had Comcast put in a converter box and was given instructions on how to set up the system to record my wife's programs, I had to select the program (in advance of scheduled time) to be recorded through the TV & converter box to the VCR. Next styep- select "Show" and I received a menu the first of which was "R" I clicked the "R" and a menu for selecting Repeat record start/stop times appeared Click OK and was then directed to to set up the VCR according to Panasonic VCR instructions. Worked for a day then the "R" menu on the converter box disappeared. Both the VCR and TV had to be set to Ch 3 to get it to work, But that's history. When it quit working ("R" menu), I had Comcast come get their box . PS The tech who showed up to pick up the converter box knew nothing about any "R" (record) menus except on the most ecpensive converter box. That cinched my decision, Oh Wel!. Sign me Tom with less trash to watch.

Yes. DVDs are easy as you probably already know, you just need a DVD capable drive and appropreate software to play. VHS tapes are another matter altogether. You'll have to purchase something that will convert the analog signal from the VHS player to a digital signal your PC can use. I have a device I use to convert VHS tapes to DVD (ADS technologies) I could use to watch tapes but the software leaves a lot to be desred.