To record TV shows on your smart TV, you need a USB storage device and a live digital broadcast signal, not a streaming app. Most modern smart TVs include a built-in Personal Video Recorder (PVR) feature that lets you record TV shows directly to an external USB drive, but this only works for over-the-air or cable channels received via the TV's internal tuner.
What you can (and can't) record on a smart TV
Recording is limited to live digital broadcast channels you receive through an antenna or satellite connection. You cannot record content from streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Samsung TV Plus because Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection blocks this functionality. If you try to record from an app, the option simply won't appear. This limitation applies to all major smart TV brands, but the exact setup steps differ by manufacturer, so you may want to record programs on Samsung smart TV for brand-specific instructions. Understanding this upfront saves you time and prevents frustration when the record button doesn't work on your favorite streaming service.
What you need: USB drive requirements
You need a compatible USB storage device connected to your smart TV's USB port. A USB flash drive can be up to 32GB, though 64GB is recommended for adequate recording space. For larger storage, use an externally powered USB hard drive (HDD) up to 2TB. The TV must format the drive before recording, and this process erases all existing data on the drive. After formatting, the drive is dedicated to TV recordings and cannot be used for other files unless reformatted. This requirement ensures the TV can write and read recordings reliably.
How to record on a Samsung smart TV
Format the USB drive
- Plug the USB drive into your Samsung TV's USB port.
- Press the Home button on your remote and navigate to Settings.
- Go to the Broadcast menu (or Broadcasting Settings).
- Select the PVR or Recording option and choose to format the USB drive.
- Confirm the formatting, this erases all data on the drive.
Record a show instantly
- Tune to a live digital broadcast channel using your TV's tuner.
- Press the Record button on your Samsung remote. On newer remotes, press the 123 button to access a virtual numeric pad, then select Record.
- The recording starts immediately and saves to your USB drive.
Schedule a recording
- Press the Guide button on your remote to open the TV program guide.
- Select the program you want to record.
- Choose Record from the options menu.
- Select whether to record a single episode or the entire series.
- The TV will automatically start recording at the scheduled time.
How to record on an LG smart TV
Set up the USB drive
- Insert a compatible USB storage device into your LG TV's USB port.
- Press the Home button to open the home dashboard.
- Navigate to Live TV from the dashboard.
- Click the options icon (usually three dots or a gear) and select Record your TV programmes.
- The TV will prompt you to format the USB drive, confirm this action.
Start an instant recording
- While watching a live digital channel, access the options icon again.
- Select Record from the menu. The recording begins immediately.
- You can stop the recording at any time using the same menu.
How to record on a Sony smart TV
Schedule a recording
- Press the Quick Settings button on your remote.
- Use the navigation keys to scroll down and select Record.
- Choose Schedule list from the Record menu.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select an upcoming program from the TV Guide.
- Confirm the schedule, the TV will record the show automatically.
For instant recording on a Sony TV, the process varies by model. Check your TV's on-screen guide for a direct Record option while watching live TV. Most Sony models require you to schedule recordings through the Quick Settings menu rather than offering a one-button record function.
Alternative: use a standalone DVR
If your smart TV lacks built-in PVR functionality or you need more advanced features like recording multiple shows simultaneously, a standalone digital video recorder (DVR) is a reliable alternative. Connect the DVR to your TV via HDMI, then connect an antenna or cable source to the DVR's input. The DVR handles all recording, storage, and playback independently. This method also allows you to record from HDMI output and move recordings to other devices if the DVR supports file export. Standalone DVRs often include commercial skipping and extended storage options that built-in TV recording lacks.
For the wider topic, see recording TV shows and moving recordings.
