Traditional television culture taught us to catch up with our favorite shows on the day they were released. Or, somehow, get lucky and not miss the re-run. But with the rise of streaming services, this culture has changed. One such live television streaming service is YouTube TV. This service offers access to over a hundred popular cable and broadcast networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and many more. But do you know how to use it and how to record on YouTube TV?
Recording your favorite shows, live events, and sports on YouTube TV is a breeze, no matter which streaming device you use. This article will walk you through the simple steps to start recording on YouTube TV using any streaming device.
How Does YouTube TV Work?
YouTube TV is a subscription-based live television streaming service that provides access to various popular cable and broadcast networks. Subscribers can stream live TV shows, movies, news broadcasts, and sports events from their favorite channels on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Amazon Fire TV Stick.
One of the key features that set YouTube TV apart from other services is its unlimited DVR storage space. This means you can record as many shows and events as you like without worrying about running out of space to save them.
In addition, the service allows you to create six user profiles per YouTube TV account. This is an excellent feature for families or roommates who want to share an account but still have personalized YouTube TV recordings and a DVR library.
Another handy feature of YouTube TV is the ability to pause, rewind and fast-forward live TV. This feature allows you to rewind to watch something you missed, pause for a bathroom break, or skip commercials.
These features make YouTube TV an ideal option for cord-cutters who want live television convenience without paying for a traditional cable or satellite TV subscription. Most importantly, it gives you the luxury to record and watch YouTube TV shows at your own pace.
How to Record on YouTube TV Shows
It’s a very simple and straightforward process to record shows on YouTube TV. Here are the steps to follow:
Download YouTube TV App or Visit YouTube TV Website
The first step is to install the YouTube TV app on your device or visit the website in your browser. If you own an Apple TV, you can install YouTube TV from the app store. If you have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, you can download it from Amazon’s app store. You can download the YouTube TV app from the channel store if you have Roku.
It is worth mentioning, however, that models before the fourth generation of Apple TV and Apple TV 4K, as well as the first-generation Amazon Fire TV Stick are not compatible with YouTube TV.
If you prefer to use YouTube TV on your PC, you can visit the website on any browser without any additional downloads.
Sign Into Your YouTube TV Account
Once you download the app or open the website, sign into your YouTube TV account by entering your email and password. If you don’t have an account yet, you can sign up for a free trial to test out the service and see if it’s suitable for you.
If you’ve already registered for the service, you can find the Sign In button at the top-right corner of the YouTube TV home screen in your browser. If you’re using the app, the button is located in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Find the Show You Want to Record on YouTube TV
Next, find the show you want to record on the YouTube TV guide or search for it using the search bar at the top of the screen. Select the search icon and type in the name of the show you want to record through the keyboard or remote control.
Save the Show on YouTube TV Library
Once you’ve found the show you want to record, click the plus (+) icon that will lead you to the Add to Library option. Select this option to save the show to your YouTube TV library, and you’ll receive a notification when new episodes are available.
The plus icon will become a checkmark, indicating that the show has been successfully added to your library. Once you save the show into the YouTube library, you can access it on any device.
As you have unlimited storage space, you don’t have to worry about how YouTube TV DVR works. You can record as many programs as you like without running out of storage space. All the recordings will remain in your YouTube TV library for nine (9) months unless you delete recordings manually.
It’s also possible to record shows or sports as you watch them. Here is how:
How to Record Live Shows on YouTube TV
In addition to recording shows yet to release their upcoming episodes, you can also record live shows on YouTube TV. To do this, pause the show you’re watching, then click on the plus sign icon near the title. On some devices, this option might appear as “Add to Library.”
You can also find a TV show from the Live Tab of YouTube TV and follow the steps above to start recording programs.
The recorded video can be accessed in your DVR library and watched anytime, even if the show is unavailable.
How to Record Live Sports on the YouTube TV
The recording process for live sports is quite similar to other live shows. However, there are additional features available that enable you to begin recording ongoing live broadcasts and upcoming events.
To start recording programs and events, navigate to the magnifying glass icon and type your team’s name or event. From the search results, select what you’re looking for and then the option to add it to your library.
Additionally, from the recording settings, you can choose to record upcoming relevant events like playoffs or championships.
FAQ
Can you use YouTube TV mobile app without an internet connection?
You can’t use the YouTube TV app without an internet connection. However, if you subscribe to the 4K Plus add-on, you can download and watch your favorite TV shows offline on mobile devices. This feature of YouTube TV works perfectly when traveling or when you don’t have a stable internet connection, and it ensures that your entertainment is not interrupted.
What are the benefits of YouTube TV’s DVR feature?
The benefits of the YouTube TV DVR feature include the ability to record unlimited programs simultaneously. In addition, users can access recorded programs from any device and can fast forward or rewind recorded videos without any limits. They can automatically record future episodes of a show without manually navigating through the saving process. YouTube DVR provides much flexibility and convenience for users who want to watch a TV show.
After deleting them from the library, can you access recorded shows on YouTube TV?
No, once you delete a recorded show from your library on YouTube TV, it’s permanently removed and can no longer be accessed. However, you can always record a show on YouTube TV again.
Does canceling a YouTube TV subscription delete any recorded video?
Canceling your YouTube TV subscription doesn’t delete any previously recorded videos. The ones in your library, however, expire after 21 days.
Where can you find recorded videos on YouTube TV?
You can access a recorded show on YouTube TV through the Library section of the app or website. Open the YouTube TV Library tab and scroll down until you find the recorded program or event you’re looking for.
Can you record YouTube TV shows from multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, it’s possible to manage YouTube TV recordings on multiple devices at the same time. This feature enables households with multiple people to record different shows simultaneously.
Can you record a single episode on YouTube TV?
Unfortunately, you can’t record a single episode. Once you save a program to your library, it’ll seamlessly record the entire show on YouTube TV. However, as YouTube TV DVR doesn’t have limited space, you can keep the entire season or series of a show saved without worrying about running out of storage.
How long can you save a record on YouTube TV?
TV shows recorded on YouTube TV can be saved for up to nine months, giving users plenty of time to rewatch their favorite shows or events. After nine months, recorded YouTube videos will automatically be deleted from your library.
Can you use a third-party screen recorder to record on YouTube TV?
Yes, you can use a third-party app for screen recording on YouTube TV and manage the recording settings (such as a full screen) and output format through the menu bar. However, if the videos have YouTube DVR protection, you cannot record audio, video, or anything else due to the limitations.
Even if you successfully record YouTube TV shows, some apps limit where you can use the screen recording, even the system sound. For example, you cannot use system audio for other content.
Can other profiles from the same account see what you record on YouTube TV?
The systems of YouTube TV follow Google’s privacy policy, which means that the recordings, watch history and YouTube DVR are private to individuals. Others cannot see it through a pop-up window, notification, or another feature.
On which devices can you access YouTube TV?
You can access YouTube TV on a variety of devices including smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets game consoles, and streaming devices such as Roku and Apple TV.