How do I set up my set top box?

How can I connect a VCR & Set Top Box?

• My Uncle has asked me how to record to VCR from his freeview TV. I told him he would need to connect a set top box to his VCR. Firstly, is that the right answer, or as he has a freeview TV can he record direct from TV to VCR? I know it should be possible to connect a set top box to the VCR but will it work in principle? Could he connect his VCR to a set top box using a SCART cable and also (if there are enough SCART sockets on the VCR) use a SCART cable to connect the VCR and TV and also use SCART to connect the set top box to the TV and then tune the set top box into the AV channel of the TV and record from it that way or is it not that simple, or is there another way? I've a feeling I'm almost there with this idea but that there's a bit I've forgotten and I just can't see what it is! That's the only way I can see to do it, and I can't imagine the set top box instruction book will explain. Any advice would be gratefully received. Ian.

• Answer:

  I'm assuming that your uncle is using the old type of TV that's tuned to channel 3. As I recall, the old VCRs gave you a choice of the channel that they would OUTPUT on. Choose the one that is NOT channel 3. Then set the VCR to record channel 3. Tune your uncle's TV to the channel that the VCR outputs on. Connect the set top box coaxial output to the VCR's input. Connect the VCR's coaxial output to the TV's coaxial input. Your uncle will be able to record the program on the channel his set top box is tuned to. Your uncle will only be able to watch the same channel he's recording.