easy to use DVR

Tom_M wrote:
If you have a Windows PC you could record programs using PlayOn Desktop software. You can then connect your PC to your TV and play the recorded programs.

Here's a link to their site:
https://www.playon.tv/

OP is not asking about "play on".

They are asking about recording "Watch free" that is included on their TV from Vizio..

Two different streaming apps.

A little research tells me that "Watch Free" is actually powered by "Pluto"..

Found that HERE and HERE at Vizio's website.

In the links above, it does mention that there is a "mobile" App so might be able to get an app for your phone.. Not so sure about for a PC though as I don't see any mentions of OS but assuming "mobile" it is most likely Andriod/"iOS" type of thing..

But as I mentioned before, these streams will most likely be encrypted/protected making it easy for recording is not in the cards, will require considerable effort and time on your part, will require additional software and hardware and the final result/product will be an inferior copy of a copy of a copy of a copy with lots of generation loss.

It is streaming, it is a free gift from Vizio for you buying their product, you SHOULD be able to simply REWIND or REPLAY the stream ANYTIME without the need for "saving it" to your local device.. That IS the point of all of this streaming stuff..

And you can thank the MPAA and Actors Guild for all of these "protections" to prevent you from making a recording easily..

They learned from what happened when VHS/Beta hit the world that they must do a better job of controlling and protecting their content.. With the advent of DVD and then BlueRay with high quality copying possible something had to be done..

While one could use screen recording software on a PC, the result is a vastly inferior quality recording that is limited to the screen resolution of the PC which will be less than HD quality.