If you don't have cable TV and your VCR is no longer working, it may seem like you can no longer record your local TV stations. A DVD recorder or digital video recorder (DVR) can record any video signal, even your local stations from over an antenna. However, most DVD recorders or DVRs have been designed to record cable or satellite TV without the need of a tuner themselves. You might be able to find a DVR or DVD recorder with a tuner that you can use, but if you can't, the tuner of a digital converter can solve your problem.
Instructions
1. Acquire a DVD recorder or DVR that has both a digital tuner and an RF coaxial input port (used for the thick, black cable with the twist-screw connectors). Connect this recorder's input directly to your antenna.
2. Get a digital converter box if your recorder has neither of the above, especially the tuner, and connect it to the antenna using coaxial cable. The digital tuner with the converter will help you tune into channels. You will need this anyway if you have an analog antenna.
3. Attach the converter box to the DVD recorder or DVR. You can use a coaxial cable if the recorder has a coaxial input port, but your most likely option is to use RCA coaxial cables (the ones with the yellow, white and red plugs).
4. Connect the recorder's output to a TV set. Here you can have multiple connection options depending on what available inputs the TV has. The most affordable way is with component video cables (red, green and blue RCA plugs) with RCA audio cables (white and red plugs only). Otherwise, you'll need to make a composite or coaxial connection.
5. Turn on the TV and use the tuner on the recorder or converter to change channels, making sure you get all your local stations and the reception is good. Follow your DVR's instructions for recording your TV broadcast, or use recordable DVDs and and your DVD recorder's directions for recording onto the discs.
Tags: your local, your local stations, coaxial cable, coaxial input, coaxial input port, digital converter
