Q We have a 720p HDTV and a DVD player that we had before the digital switchover. We get a good picture and almost all the TV we want to watch without cable by using an antenna. We would like to record some TV programs to view later and possibly save for future viewing years from now. What would you suggest as an update to a VCR? We are looking for a simple solution.
A As you probably realize, analog broadcasts compatible with your VCR are no longer being transmitted. With few exceptions, all stations are digital now. There are options such as home-theater PCs and separate DVRs with external hard drives, but I suspect a simpler method will suffice.
The easiest and least expensive way to record is to get a digital-to-analog converter box and use it with your existing VCR. Converter boxes are available for less than $50 and are used with an antenna to receive digital broadcasts. The converter boxes have analog outputs that can be connected to older TVs and VCRs.
Set up the converter box and connect it to your VCR with either the red/white/yellow audio/video outputs or the coaxial cable. If you use the coaxial cable, be sure that if you set the converter output to Channel 3, the VCR is set to tune Channel 3, as well. If you use the audio/video connections, the VCR input is usually called Line 1 or Video 1.
Tune the channel on the converter box and then press "record" on the VCR to record the program. Programs won't be recorded in high definition, but you will at least be able to watch them later and save them as long as you want.
If you want to record in high definition and hang onto your recordings indefinitely, your choices are limited and much more expensive.
If you search for used equipment, you might be able to find a high-definition tuner with FireWire outputs. It can be used with a D-VHS VCR (also available on the used market) to record digital broadcasts with no loss in quality. (D-VHS VCRs simply save the digital bitstream from the tuner directly to the videotape.)
Because the recordings are on tape rather than a hard drive, they are portable and you can keep them forever and simply repair or replace the D-VHS VCR if it ever breaks. A broken DVR usually means all your recordings are lost.
