How to Record HD From a Satellite

Record television programming allows you to watch programs that you would otherwise miss because you are away from the home. Fortunately, if you use satellite TV service such as that offered by Dish Network and DirecTV, the process of setting up your satellite system to record high-definition programming could not be simpler.

Instructions

1. Contact your satellite provider to upgrade your current satellite receiver to a DVR-capable receiver if you do not have one already. In addition to an equipment upgrade, you will likely also need to add the DVR service onto to your service plan. Once all upgrades have been completed, you are ready to set up your satellite service for recording.

2. Tune the satellite receiver to an HD channel. The numbers assigned to HD channels vary by satellite provider, your exact service plan and your geographic area. Any questions as to which parts of your channel lineup are devoted to HD programming are best addressed by contacting the technical support department of your cable provider.

3. Press "Record" on your satellite remote. You should immediately see a popup allowing you to specify recording options like the length of the recording and how long your want to save the recording.

4. Set a program to record in the future by opening the satellite receiver's on-screen guide and selecting the program. In other words, if you wish to record a program airing four days from now, open the guide and move four days ahead until your find the program. Select the program with your satellite receiver remote and you will be able to set the recording options.

Tips & Warnings

• If using DVR service from you satellite provider is not an option for you, you may be able to use audio and video connection cables to run the feed from your satellite receiver to a VCR or DVD recorder, allowing you to record directly onto a blank VHS or DVD rather than on the receiver's built-in hard drive. However, manufacturers of satellite receivers will often install components that deliberately distort the picture when running to an external recording device. This is not an indication of a problem with your satellite receiver or any other equipment, but a deliberate feature built into satellite receivers to discourage illegal duplication of copyrighted material.

• If you do use your satellite receiver's on-board DVR hard drive, keep in mind that HD programming takes up much more hard drive space than does standard-definition programming, so you will not be able to save as many HD programs before your hard drive fills up and programs will need to be deleted.