Well generally with stand-alone DVD recorders, you must do it from the remote. So first of all, prepare whatever you wish to record by running it into the input on the back of the unit. Obviously you'll want the output to run to the TV so you can see what you're doing. From there, depending on the recorder, there's either a record button on the remote, or you have to select record from the menu. Either way, you begin the recording, and once you're at the end, you just press stop on the remote. Once that's done, it may ask you if you want to Finalize. If it does, hit yes. If it doesn't, open the menu and try to find the option to finalize the DVD. It must be finalized if you want to be able to play it.