How to Connect a VCR to Cable TV & Record
By Rob Kemmett
Connecting a VCR to record cable television requires a cable box and some connector cables. Connect the cables so the feed from the cable box, which is the piece of equipment which allows you to watch cable television, runs into both the VCR and television. This allows you watch cable television on your TV and record your favorite programs with the VCR. Depending on the make and model of VCR, television and cable box you use, the type of connector cables you need may vary.
Set Up
Step 1
Connect the main cable line for the house to the "In" port on the cable box.
Step 2
Connect one end of the appropriate cable to the "Out" port on the cable box. Connect the other end of the cable to the "In" port on the VCR.
Step 3
Connect one end of the appropriate cable to the "Out" port on the VCR. Connect the other end of the cable to the "In" port on the television.
Step 4
Change the channel on the TV to "2," "3" or "4." Depending on the cable box, the channel may vary. Consult the cable box manual for information as to which channel the TV should be turned.
Live Recording
Step 1
Insert a blank VHS tape into the VCR.
Step 2
Press the "VCR" button the remote control. Change the channel on the VCR to the channel that you want to record.
Step 3
Press "Rec" and "Play" simultaneously to begin recording. Press "Stop" when finished recording.
Schedule a Recording
Step 1
Insert a blank VHS tape into the VCR.
Step 2
Press the "VCR" button the remote control.
Step 3
Press "Menu" or "Select" on the remote control. Depending on the make and model of VCR, the label of the button may vary.
Step 4
Press the "+" and "-" buttons to set the starting date for the program which you wish to record. Depending on the make and model of VCR, you might need to use the volume or channel buttons to change the starting date. Press "Select" or "Enter" to set the starting date. Enter the starting time, stopping time, channel number and tape speed in the same manner.
Step 5
Press "Menu" to save the recording settings.
Step 6
Press "Menu" once more to start the autotimer. The autotimer will automatically begin recording and stop recording at the schedule times. After the autotimer is set, you can freely change the television channels without disrupting the recording settings.
Writer Bio
Rob Kemmett began writing professionally in 2010 and specializes in writing about food and hospitality. Kemmett has worked in various fine-dining restaurants throughout his career and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago.