What about VCRs

This is where things get complicated if you want to record DTV signals using your analog VCR or/and DVD recorder. For convenience we will assume that the VCR and DVD recorder are the same and refer to just VCR, except as noted. In order to record a DTV signal on a VCR, you need DTV converter box as input to it. The most simple solution is to use one converter box with the RF Output (TV) connected to ANT input on the VCR and the output of the VCR connected to the TV antenna input. See Figure 2. (click image for larger size)
Remember that the Input Setting to the VCR must be set to channel 3 because that is the channel set for the converter box output, at least for us in the Bay Area. You can also use the component outputs on converter box (red, white, and yellow connectors) as input to the VCR. In this case you set the VCR input to L1. This setup is the most simple, but has limitations. You must be there to set up the VCR and set the channel on the converter box. Also if you want to watch TV, you must watch the same program as you are recording. So for most of us, this is not a solution we want.

Watch and record different TV channels

Most people want the ability to record one program and watch another channel. See Figure 3.

The cable from the antenna is connected to a TV splitter. A splitter has one input and 2 outputs and you can purchase it from Fry’s or Radio Shack for a couple dollars. One output on the splitter is connected to the ANT input on the converter box for the TV and the other output is connected to the ANT input on the converter box connected to the VCR. Use the component cables (red, white, and yellow cables) to connect the converter box for the TV and connect them to the Video 1 input on the TV. The output of the VCR converter box can be either the TV RF to VCR ANT connector or use the red, white, and yellow component cables. If you use the RF cable then set the input on the VCR to channel 3. If you use the component cables, then set the VCR input to Line 1. With this setup you watch one TV program and record another, however you need to be in the vicinity in order to set up the channels on the VCR converter box and turn on the VCR.

Record TV programs unattended
This is the way to use your VCR to record programs unattended. In this case you have a specific TV converter box. It is a Zinwell ZAT-950A converter box. You can purchase it from Amazon.com and you use your coupon too. Use the same diagram as in Figure 3. The ZAT-950A converter box has programmable Timer Events that you can set up so that the converter box will turn on a set time and a set channel. You can set the event for one time, daily, weekly, or monthly. There are up to 8 events that can be set up. But you also need to set your VCR to record on either channel 3 or L1 at the desired times too. Don’t forget this, the VCR and converter boxes are separate machines and they don’t ‘talk’ to each other.

VCR with ATSC tuner
There is another solution if a converter box for VCR and Timer Events, etc is too complicated for you. Get a DVD/VHS Combo unit with an ATSC tuner. There are 4 units available for us in the United States. They are JVC DR-MV100B , Sony RDR-VXD655 , Toshiba D-VR660 , and the Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK . Only the JVC has feature to record both to the DVD and VHS tape. With the other 3, you can record to a DVD, but only play-back on the tape side. See Figure 4.

For a really old TV
TVs older than 20 years or so don’t have component cables and only have a single ANT input. If this is your TV, there is still a solution. See Figure 5.
This gets more complicated because you need an A-B switch. Again these are available from Fry’s and Radio Shack for a few dollars. You need to manually select whether you want to watch TV live or watch something that was recorded. That is the only difference.