-> The TV displays the word "Stereo" when showing off-air channels, why
-> doesn't it do the same on the cable channel?
The VCR output on channel 3 or 4 is modulated with a mono output RF
modulator in the converter.  The only RF converters that I have seen
that have stereo outputs are those on cable boxes.  With VCR's costing
less than $200 and cable boxes costing $350 you wont likely find a VCR
with stereo outputs on the RF as you get better sound and video with the
Audio video line outs.
->
-> Also, when the VCR is OFF, the TV can show the cable channels OK, but
-> if the VCR is ON, it looks garbled. Anyone know how to fix this?
When the VCR is off the antenna signal is sent through WITHOUT being
demodulated and re=modulated by the VCR.  It simply loops through.  When
you turn on the VCR your TV is getting a signal from both the AV inputs
AND from the antenna causing interference.  Try turning the TV/VCR
switch on the VCR to OFF so that the RF output is turned off when the
VCR power is on. Some newer VCR's manufactured by Matsushita (RCA,
GE, Panasonic) have an option in the set up to permanently keep the TV
VCR switching turned off when one uses the A/V outputs.  When the VCR is
turned off, the unit switches the antenna into the loop through to TV
mode but it does not activate the RF modulator when the VCR is in the
PLAY mode or when it is first turned on, which is the normal logic with
most VCR's.
--- PCBoard (R) v15.3/M 2
---------------