The invention relates to the technical field of data communication in a network of distributed stations, particularly in a home network. A home network of this type allows AV data streams to be transmitted between network subscriber stations. The aim of the invention is to assist the user of a network of this type when he wishes to start a recording procedure for the audio and/or video data. In line with the invention, a data connection is automatically set up between that data source appliance which has already set up a connection to a data sink appliance or to a user interface appliance and the recording appliance. The automatic set-up of a data connection takes place directly after the user interface for the recording appliance has been called up. Alternatively, the automatic set-up of a data connection may take place only specifically after selection of the recording function on the recording appliance. The measure assists the implementation of an instant-recording function on the recording appliance in the network.