i have the following setup--aerial to video recorder in--out to dvd recorder in then out dvd recorder to tv--plus scart from dvd recorder to tv--put in a tape and play--switch to dvd channel--varies depending on tv but usually something like av1 or av2--tune the dvd until playing tape shows on tv--lock/save that setting on ur dvd--u can then play tapes and record them on ur dvd
while youre at it, if its a newer vcr you might want to disable the vcr's OSD (on screen display) so that you don't get things like 'play' 'stereo' , 'counter 0:00:00' etc flashing up on your dvd copy!