I used the Panasonic as a DVR (with re-writable DVD's) ... We use the TiVo to record shows that we are interested in for odd hours ... But to answer your question, yes I would like to use the DVDr/VCR for playback but if it's a hassle then it's not a showstopper if we can't have playback.
Well, actually, playback is easy. What would have made a difference is if you were willing to
just use it for playback, rather than for
both recording
and playback. I'll go forward assuming you do want it to do both; however, please note that this will make the connections a lot more complicated.
I am relatively familiar with the Motorola DCT-700. The one thing that I'm not completely sure of is whether all of its outputs are active at the same time. If so, that will greatly simply things. I'm going to go forward assuming that that is the case.
Above you'll see the rear panel of the DCT-700.
The first step is to connect a coaxial cable from the wall directly into the RF IN of the DCT-700, the port labeled '3'.
Above you'll see the rear panel of the Humax DVR (in the center).
The second step is to connect the composite video output (yellow), and L & R audio outputs (red and white) of the DCT-700 to the composite video input (yellow) and L & R audio inputs (red and white) of your Humax DVR.
Above you'll see the rear panel of your television.
The third step is to connect the Humax DVR to your television, but we're going to use better connections than the diagram indicates. You should use an S-video cable to connect the S-video port under "
AUDIO/VIDEO OUTPUT" on the back of the Humax DVR to the S-video port in the "
INPUT 2" portion of back of your television. You should then connect the L & R audio outputs (red and white) of the Humax DVR to the L & R audio inputs (red and white) of the television, but again be sure to use the ports in the "
INPUT 2" portion of back of your television.
If you don't have an S-video cable, you should get one from monoprice.com. It is a superior video connection as compared to the composite video (yellow) connection. However, for now, if you don't have an S-video cable, then connect the composite video output (yellow) of the Humax DVR to the composite video (yellow) input of the television, but again be sure to use the ports in the "
INPUT 2" portion of back of your television.
Above you'll see the rear of your DVDr/VCR.
The fourth step is to connect a coaxial cable from the RF OUT port of the DCT-700 (see first picture, port labeled '4') to the RF IN port of your DVDr/VCR.
The fifth step is to connect your DVDr/VCR to your television. This is the trickiest step, because your television might not be able to handle the complexity of your DVDr/VCR. At a minimum, you must connect the composite video output (yellow), and L & R audio outputs (red and white) of the DVDr/VCR, from under the label "
DVD/VHS COMMON output" to the composite video input (yellow - labeled "
Y/VIDEO") and L & R audio inputs (red and white) of your television, being sure to use the ports in the "
INPUT 1" portion of back of your television. This is the only way that you'll be able to view playback of the VCR portion of your DVDr/VCR.
You would be better off, though, when viewing playback of DVDs, using component video connections (red, green, blue). This would involve connecting the ports labeled "
COMPONENT VIDEO OUT" (Y, Pb, Pr) on your DVDr/VCR to the "
COMPONENT VIDEO INPUT" (Pr, Pb,
Y/VIDEO) on the back of your television. However, your television uses that
Y/VIDEO for both composite and component video, so you cannot use it for both. You'll essentially have to choose between being able to use your VCR, or better quality playback from your DVD.
Now, there is an alternative to that. It would require a completely different wiring of the Humax DVR to the television, so I'll put that alternative in the next message.