Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - TV to cable box power question

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daswede
11-26-05, 04:02 PM
I hooked up a new TV to a cable box and VCR. My question is, after i plugged th AC pwr cord to the cable box AC plug nothing happened when i turned on the Cable box. I had to use the remote that came with the TV to turn on the TV,then use the cable remote for all other functions.
I guess its no big deal turning the TV on with its remote,then the cable box,
but i thought with plugging the TV into the AC outlet on the cable box the TV would come on also.
Thanks

joed
11-26-05, 06:01 PM
It works exactly as it should. If it was to work as you expect the TV would come on as soon as you plugged it in. That cable box was designed for TV that had a mechanical ON/OFF switch that could be left on. That plug is only good for a TV that does not have a remote. I don't think they have made one like that for 10 years.
daswede
11-26-05, 06:05 PM
Thanks. Now that you explained it that way it makes sence.

BobF
11-27-05, 05:57 PM
Welllllll, you're close. The outlet on the cable box is there for a couple reasons. 1) provides an extra plug and 2) is to hook up a vcr so that the cable box will always be "on". A vcr provides just enough current draw for the cable box to think someone is watching tv. Otherwise the cable box would go to "sleep" and would not be tuned to the proper channel for recording.
This was the reasoning a decade or so ago. Still needed today?