VCRs are dead and tivo is a hundred bucks (in my situation).
I have direct TV, and lets say I want to tape a show with my FX1. Is this possible? I tried, and couldn't get it to work at all. I would really like to record HD programs onto an HDV tape, but I can't even figure out how to do SD.

It seems like this should work, can't VCRs record tv, why can't my camera's VTR?

Page 74-76 of your manual. FW (camera to camera) or composite/s-video only from a TV or VCR or, presumably, cable/sat box.

I think the HD connection (component) on the FX1 is output-only. But make sure you have IN/OUT REC set correctly (p.60). Then you could try the component out of the DTV box to the component in of the FX1.

You can't record analog HD on the FX1 or Z1, only standard definition. The only way to record HDV (other than filming live) is via firewire.

Also keep in mind that downconverted to SD signals from HD feeds might have Macrovision, rendering recording useless on those signals unless you can take the raw MPEG-2.