Audio Systems: Toshiba SD-1810DVD/RCA XL100, signal unavailable, head vcr, home theatre system

Question
I have a KLH RS100 Home Theatre System I am routing an Emerson 4 head VCR player, Toshiba SD-1810 DVD player and an RCA XL100 through.  The directions for hooking this sytem up are a little sketchy from KLH, But I believe I managed, as the system has been working for over a year and a half.  Recently when playing a DVD in the Toshiba unit, I will get a "signal unavailable" blank screen, as the audio continues to play.  In some cases, the picture will correct itself for a time and then the same problem will occur.  I have checked my connections and find nothing.  The only changes I have made recntly are to switch out floor speakers both front and rear.  Is the DVD player defective or what are your feelings. Thank you in advance.

P.S.  I have the tv running through the non-playing VCR, as the tv signal on cable by itself is not as clear in the upper channels. It has been that way from the start.

Regards,

Cliff Shell

Answer
Dear Cliff,

It would help to know just how you connected the DVD player's audio to the KLH unit and how you connected the video to the TV. Did you connect through the receiver? Or straight from the DVD's "video out" to the TV's "video in"? Is is a one-cord connection (generally an RCA interconnect) or an S-video connection?

Sometimes you can have solid connections but a weird connection path, one that can burp on you--as yours obviously has. The "no signal" message has me suspicious, like it could be the DVD player, or it could be how you've connected it, especially through the receiver. Let me know, okay?

Kindest regards,

Kevin