Can you record through VCR/DVD player? Can this unit be hooked into VCR/DVD player and programmed to record programs while you're away?
508695
Yes, it can. You will need a 2nd RF cable (not included in box), and "just" follow instructions in manual for hooking up VCR to the box. Be warned: I had to pull all cables and start over twice due to confusion!! When you set your VCR to record, set it to record channel 3 (or channel 4 if you're using that for your converter box access). You will have to pre-set your TV to the channel you want to record. You will only be able to record that one channel, and it wont be able to switch to another channel to record a 2nd show. If you're doing a lot of recording, a Zinwell converter box DOES switch stations, so you could record more than one station. Good luck! gail
1231564
You can not use the RF-in and RF-Out to record/watch timed TV shows directly off the air. However, as long as you have an external tuner that can feed A/V signals in to this unit, then you can set it to record off that input at the appropriate times. That means you can only record the channel the external tuner is tuned to. If the tuner has the capability to automatically switch channels at the appropriate times, then this unit will work fine. I personally bought it to be able to play and edit shows recorded on DVD-RAM discs from my older US-model Panasonic DVRs. They are starting to wear out and I'll need this unit when those finally quit working You can not use the RF-in and RF-Out to record/watch timed TV shows directly off the air. However, as long as you have an external tuner that can feed A/V signals in to this unit, then you can set it to record off that input at the appropriate times. That means you can only record the channel the external tuner is tuned to. If the tuner has the capability to automatically switch channels at the appropriate times, then this unit will work fine. I personally bought it to be able to play and edit shows recorded on DVD-RAM discs from my older US-model Panasonic DVRs. They are starting to wear... » Read More You can not use the RF-in and RF-Out to record/watch timed TV shows directly off the air. However, as long as you have an external tuner that can feed A/V signals in to this unit, then you can set it to record off that input at the appropriate times. That means you can only record the channel the external tuner is tuned to. If the tuner has the capability to automatically switch channels at the appropriate times, then this unit will work fine. I personally bought it to be able to play and edit shows recorded on DVD-RAM discs from my older US-model Panasonic DVRs. They are starting to wear out and I'll need this unit when those finally quit working « Show Less
270474
No, I don't think you can. You have to have cable and a DVR BOX. I do like this DVD/ VCR-RECORDER. I HAVE 4 OF THEM.
387195
Sadly, this unit just plays DVD's. You'll need a combination VHS tape & DVD recorder to do what you asked about.
113683
John:I bought this unit for my husband for Christmas and I just checked with him. He said that you can record directly from the TV into this unit. If you want to save the program after you have watched it, you need to save it to a disc while recording or once you watch it, it automatically deletes
2199028
Hello-If you want to record a tv show off the air you need a dvd rec/with tuner.This evening I went out to eat and before I left home I programmed my recorder to rec the Natl news....which as you know is at 6:30PM.Mike
236732
No, the unit can not record to a DVD player directly. You may be able to transfer the file to another device (like a computer) and then convert it to a DVD, but this would not be a simple task.
353794
You can only set the programmer to record the channel your external tuner is set to. You need a digital converter or cable/satellite box to pump a channel into this unit.Also, dont plan on using this to burn DVDs. This only records to VHS tapes.
622089
The DR430 does not have an internal tv tuner to record programs off the air. If you have a converter box that receives digital tv signals, you can connect it to this dvd recorder to record programs over the air.
2236068
We used this only to play VCR tapes or DVD's. I don't believe it could record DVD. I think it can record the VCR from the cable box but we never used it. We just record the programs on the DVR for a long time now.
832022
Yes, you can. This unit only records when there is a DVD in the drive bay-I originally thought there was a hard drive to buffer the recording; there is not. Great unit, have using ours for a couple of years.
593145
You can't record with a DVD player. Try one of the excellent DirecTV DVR's for excellent quality recordings.
1261014
Does anyone know how to record programs from a DVR cable box (like TIVO)? Im not sure if I need a DV cable or if it can't be done.
20376
Not unless you have a separate VCR. This is just a DVD recorder. I recorded all my old VCR tapes with it, from a VCR, and it works great.
244581
Yes it does. I have it connected to a vcr and it will record and play back. You can set the vcr to record just like a regular tv program. It is connected like a tv/vcr/cable or dish set up. I have it set to input / line and when i record i set the vcr to input / line. The only thing is it is hard to get vhs tapes. I like the 10 hour ones but have more luck with finding 8 hour tapes. I tried setting it up with a dvr but have not figured out how to get it to play back yet.
1759056
if you hook the VCR to the DVD recorder with the yellow/red/white connectors, yes theoretically you could record a VHS tape to DVD this way. sometimes though the VCR has encryption protection, so unless you have a pretty old VCR, it may or may not work.
2097752
yes, you can record to a DVD with either the set time program feature or by just clicking 'record'. There are two buttons, one for HDD which records to an internal hard disk and one for DVD which records to a DVD disk. You can also dub a show you recorded in the HDD mode on to a DVD. It's a pretty cool set up and I like it better than my cable company's DVR box because it will record something like 100+ hours on the HDD mode so you are not having to always delete a show for space. You need to set up the DVD function to finalize the show you recorded so it can be played on any DVD player. I set mine up to do this automatically which is very simple. The instruction book is easy to understand. Don't forget to take the plastic protective skin off of the remote, it isn't very apparent and it is hard to read the writing on it if you don't remove it.