To video-record a desired program when there are reserved programs in both of a VTR and a set-to box, by allowing a user to select the release of the waiting state of a recording controller or setting of the waiting state by a controlled signal light controlled by the set-top box.

The user selects a program desired to video-record, and continually depresses the timer reserving button of the VTR (to instruct 'turning on') to set the VTR in the state of waiting reserved video-recording. When a reserved time to start the program of a video-recording object comes, the set-top box issues a timer reserved video-recording instruction 1 (instruction of 'turning off') for releasing the timer reserved video recording state via a controlled signal light generating means and continually issues a video-recording instruction 2. Thus, the VTR comes into a video-recording state to record the program. When the program is finished, the set-top box stops video-recording by a stopping instruction and continually issues the timer reserved video-recording instruction (instruction of 'turning on') to wait VTR recording in the video-recording reserved state.