TV Signal issue

[madcat]

[UPDATE] The one line was not connected properly. IGNORE THAT PROBLEM (However, TV signal is still not 100% clean. I wanter what can/should be done to improve. Also think some of those cables are too long, might be introducing noise).
[/UPDATE]

I have GBPVR with Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2, connected to analog-cables (Rogers in Canada).

We also have a simple VHS acting as a tuner (this is what we used prior) - our TV came with us from many miles away and will not recieve the signal (NTSC) from the wall.

I want to eventually be able to use the VCR as a tuner while the GBPVR is recording (so I get a dual tuner setup).

At first, I connected the Hauppauge to the RF-OUT on the VCR. (RF: Wall->VCR->Hauppauge).
This works "ok", as long as you don't switch the VCR on. then you get only "noise" ("snow"). Also the signal was only 95% clean.

I figured the VCR blocks the original signal coming from the wall.

So I bought a T connector and another cable, and now signal gets to both WinTV and VCR.

BUT - even now, when switching on the VCR, the signal on the WinTV gets jammed. Differently though (colorful thick horizontal stripes, if you're interested).

Any idea? would a simple signal amp solve this? and if so, where should it be located (between wall and "T"? between "T" and WinTV?)?

Thanks for the help.

[gEd]

no idea what your vcr is doing! but one solution would be to get a signal splitter.

wall into splitter then seperate coax into pc and vhs should do it

[wtg]

Sounds like the VCR is sending a signal back down the incoming coax, thus screwing up the split signal. It could be a grounding issue perhaps.

If the splitter you're using has a spot to connect a grounding wire, and many do have this, connect a wire and ground it properly to your outlet. I assume Canadian plugs are similar to the US style of plug, and if so, there are 3 prong plugs you can by that allow you to plug in a 2 prong device, like your VCRs, and then connect an external wire to the grounding plug of your outlet.