I don't have directv, so I'll give some general suggestions.
The most basic connection is to fit the vcr between directv receiver and your TV.
The VCR will have a/v inputs and outputs. The directv receiver will have outputs, and the TV if not too old, should have inputs.
The directv a/v output connects to vcr a/v input, using the appropriate cable, for basic quality, the cable will have "RCA" phono plugs on both ends and should be yellow (composite video), red (Right channel audio) and white (left channel audio).
Use another cable of the same type and connect the vcr a/v output to your TV's a/v inputs. Again red to red, yellow to yellow, white to white.
Set your tv to the av input where you connected the vcr, for example AV1.
Start up directv. The directv channels should now go through the vcr, to the TV.
Inserting a tape and pressing rec on the vcr should start recording.
Linear Mode
