How to a Use a DVR Without Paying a Monthly Fee With DirecTV

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Record satellite television programming at any time you wish with a DVR.

A DVR (digital video recorder) can record programming from any television source, including a cable or satellite provider, such as DirecTV. Although DirecTV offers a built-in DVR function, it charges a monthly rental rate. This may add up over time, so if you are looking to save a little money, you can purchase your own DVR and hook it up to a DirecTV receiver. It may take several months, but eventually you will have paid off the cost of the DVR with the savings from not renting the service from DirecTV.

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Step 1

Connect one set of RCA audio/video cables into the "Video Out" ports on the DirecTV receiver. Insert the other ends of the cables into the "Video In" ports on the DVR you purchased.

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Step 2

Insert the second set of RCA audio/video cables into the "Video Out" ports on the DVR. Connect the other ends of the cables into the "Video In" ports on the television.

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Step 3

Power on the DirecTV receiver, DVR and television system. Press the "Video" option, then choose "Video." The satellite programming loads onto the screen.

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Step 4

Press the "Guide" button on the DVR's remote control to load the DirecTV's channel listing. Select the station you want to view, then press "Record" to record the programming. When the recording has finished, push the "Recorded TV" button on the DVR's remote, select the show you have recorded, then press "Play" to view the television content.

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