VCR, DVD & DVR

I have 2 working VCRs - one built into one of the TVs and another stand alone.  I recorded with the first one I got in the 80s, then just used them to play VHS tapes bought or borrowed.  I never tried to record with any subsequent VCR models - whenever I thought I might want to record something, I didn't have a blank tape or couldn't locate a manual.  I also have 2 DVD players, though the one built into the one TV broke rather quickly. I have a few movies & series DVDs, and have thought about getting Netflix or similar service through Blockbuster, more for series DVDs rather than movies.   I briefly had DVR service through the cable company, but I didn't use it often enough to make it worth the extra cost.  I decided to re-learn how to use the VCR to record.  Several things led to this decision.  Most of the shows I like are on at 10:00 and I'd really like to go to bed before 11.   I don't like Jay Leno well enough to watch him every night at 10:00 - I would only watch his 11:30 show when I couldn't sleep.  The 10:00 NBC shows either changed networks or moved to earlier time slot.  I'm often not home for shows I like that come on at 8:00 or 9:00.  I bought some blank tapes yesterday - they're realy cheap now - and found some directions online to set my VCR and record a movie while I was out.  It worked great.  I found the remote for the stand-alone VCR and will try recording some shows that come on at times I'm not usually home, or that come on opposite something else I like.  I know this seems like something old & outdated, but it works for me.