Satellite TV Forum

[Jodi]

We currently have a satellite tv dish (bell express vu) and I would love to
know how to use my VCR to record a show. Could you please help?

Jodi

[Admin]

We currently have a satellite tv dish (bell express vu) and I would love to
know how to use my VCR to record a show. Could you please help?

You need to connect the Bell TV receiver's output to your VCR's input. There are usually multiple outputs on the Satellite box, so one can go to your TV, and another to your VCR. For the best recordings, use the yellow, red and white A/V cables to connect the receiver to your VCR. You can then connect the VCR to your TV, using another set of yellow, red, and white AV cables. So, it should look like this:

Receiver -> VCR -> TV

To record, be sure to set your VCR to use the AV input. This may be called "AV1", or something similar - check your manual. Turn on your TV and set it to use the AV input the VCR is connected to. You should now see the channel the satellite receiver is seeing on the TV.

Important: The VCR will only be able to record the channel that the satellite receiver is set to. The VCR's channel tuner will not work. So, when you program the VCR, you will have to change the channel on the satellite receiver to the desired channel. The VCR is not able to control the receiver.

If you plan on recording a lot of programs, you may want to upgrade your satellite receiver to one with a DVR built-in. This allows you to record programs, like a VCR, onto a hard drive. (If you want to save your programs onto a video tape, you can still connect the DVR to the VCR, and manually record the show.)