How to Record TV on a DVR/VCR Combo

DVR/VCR combo devices are not manufactured or sold in stores. With coaxial cable and splitters, however, you should be able to link your DVR to a video cassette recorder to create your own homemade combo. With this combo, you should be able to record anything on your TV to either the DVR or a video cassette. You can also dub any DVR recording to a cassette if you need an extra copy or have to delete something from the DVR memory.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital video recorder (DVR)
• Video cassette recorder (VCR)
• TV
• RF coaxial cables
• RCA video cables
• Video cassette tape

1. Make sure your digital video recorder is properly connected to the TV. If the DVR came with your cable/satellite package, it was most likely installed by the technician. It has the receiver box's output connected to the DVR's input and the DVR's output to the TV. This should be done with RF coaxial cables, which are the thick black cables that are twisted into place.

2. Unhook the cable attached to the TV's input port and connect it to the VCR's input port. Connect another cable to the VCR's output and the TV's input. The broadcast signal should now transmit through the VCR to the TV.

3. Connect the DVR to the VCR with RCA cables (the three-pronged cables with the yellow, white and red plugs). They should be connected to the DVR's RCA output ports and the VCR's RCA input ports (the yellow, white and red circular sockets). This should now send any recordings on the DVR to the VCR.

4. Turn on the TV and DVR. Use the DVR's "Record" function to record anything that is currently broadcasting on TV.

5. Insert a recordable cassette tape into the VCR if you wish to record a live TV broadcast or anything recorded on the DVR. The tape's "write protect" hole must be covered by the original tab or a piece of adhesive tape. A blank tape will work best. Tune the VCR to the Line Out (L-1) channel.

6. Tune the TV to the desired channel or play the DVR's recorded program you wish to duplicate. Press the VCR's "Record" button when you are ready to start recording. A better method is to press the "Record" and "Pause" buttons together, then press the "Pause" button again when you're ready to record.

7. Press the VCR's "Stop" button when you are finished recording. Rewind and play back the tape to make sure it recorded properly.

Tips & Warnings

• The VCR tape's recording will be of a lesser quality than the digital recording on the DVR.

Resources

• Find any video cables and connectors