Audio Systems: hooking up two vcr machines to one tv using coaxial and rca cables, rca cables, vcr machine

Question
Hi,

I last made duplicates of my vcr tapes about 10 years ago and would like to make new copies of the same tapes from the first copies which have rarely been used.  
The way that I did this years ago I forgot but I remember making one machine only the player and the other the recorder and having both connected to the tv.  While one vcr was playing I was able to view it on the television set and then when I found the section that I wanted I pressed the record button.

Currently I have two vcr's and multiple rca cables and coaxial cables and splitters which I believe are for the antenna signal.

On the television set I have video 1, video 2, video 3 with three colors each(yellow red and white).  On the VCR machines I have the same three color jacks for each vcr out and vcr in.

When I use the coaxial cable i can play the vcr image on the television set.  

When I use the rca cable I can play the vcr image on the television set too.

So if I use the coaxial cable to play the image which video channel do I use for recording 1,2,or 3?

I don't understand how the coaxial image correlates with the video channel.  In other words once I have an image on my television set how do connect the vcr properly to record this image?

One VCR can play a tape either via the coaxial cable or the rca cables on the television set.  Once the imabe is there how do I hook up the second vcr machine to record this image?

Answer
Dear Martin,

What I would do is this.

Connect your video coaxial incoming signal (antenna/cable/satellite) to VCR1's ANTENNA IN. Connect the ANTENNA OUT on VCR1 to the ANTENNA on your TV. That's your player.

Connect the video (yellow) and stereo audio (red=right; white=left) from the VIDEO/AUDIO OUT on VCR1 to the VIDEO/AUDIO IN on VCR2. That's your recorder.

When you play a tape on VCR1, you will see it on the TV. Depending on VCR1's protocol, you set either or both VCR1 and the TV to Channel 3 or 4. You have to either consult the owner's manual or try different combinations until you see which works.

Set the channel on VCR2 to the same channel you end up with on VCR1. When you're ready to record the output from VCR1, press RECORD on VCR2.

To play back on VCR2, connect its VIDEO/AUDIO OUT to a VIDEO/AUDIO IN on the TV.

This should work. If it doesn't, write back with your results, and we'll go from there.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin