To save weight and to reduce their size almost all portable Beta VCRs did not include the ability to receive off-the-air broadcasts or to pre-program recordings. To add this capability required a separate device called the tuner/timer. In most cases (as illustrated above) it plugged into the portable recorder using special cables. It would also provide outside power and charge the recorder's battery, if it had one. This two part system allowed the portable units to be light, small and mobile yet still be full featured home recorders.