A conventional video recorder (20) comprises electromechanical components, electronic circuits and a control unit with which there are associated both front panel controls and a user remote control unit with a sensor to which signals can be sent from a hand-held remote control unit (24). In addition to these conventional features an off-air remote controller (30) is provided. This is capable of decoding control signals associated with the television signal and includes an encoder which generates outputs which match those from the conventional user remote control unit (24).