I've got a VCR and a tv but......

[Darth_Kitten]

why can't I record anything? What have I not got hooked into where?

right now, the cable goes into the VCR, and a cable runs from the VCR to the t.v.
I don't get it....

[SoCalDem]

1. oh my.. I always let the menfolk hook tem up

but I am the programming master..:)

[JVS]

5. As one of the menfolk

I can hitch up the VCR and Cable and I can set the clock, but taping cable is just plain old difficult. Especially if you want to tape one thing and watch another, which I am able to do on non-cable TV's. It's almost as if the cable companies don't want you taping all those nice movies and documentaries they show.

[Ohio Dem]

2. If you have the cable going into the VCR and the VCR going into the TV,

try this:

Is the VCR tuned to the right channel? If you are trying to record channel three, is the VCR tuned to channel three?

[lazarus]

3. Is the VCR cable ready?

Is the TV cable ready? Do you have to use a cable box?

Which device changes the channel?

[Darth_Kitten]

4. I used to just hit record on my VCR.......

and whatever was on tv got recorded. hmmmmm.......

[JVS]

6. Maybe you need to hit the tv/vcr button

I've had to do that before to get it right.

[TrogL]

7. Take a pre-recorded tape

put it in the VCR and make sure you can see the tape. This automatically sets the VCR into VCR mode. Now LOOK at the VCR and see if there's a little light that says something like "VCR". That lets you know when you're looking at tape (or what you're going to record) and when you're in passthrough mode (ie. TV).

Now put a blank tape in and try recording for a few minutes. Stop the tape and rewind. You should see what you just recorded.

[tjdee]

8. This has been the BANE of my existence for years, LOL!

*oops, I wanted this to be a reply to JVS' post, reply #5*

I thought I was the only one, like I was too dim to get it...

WHY can't I tape what's on HBO and watch The Daily Show at the same time? WHY, LOL?

Damn cable box. If I really need to tape something, I just go old school, take the cords out, and hook the vcr straight to the tv.

I can't help you, I hope someone can, because it sure is irritating.

[harper]

9. All my cable box friends report this same problem

I downgraded my cable service to the point where I don't need the box. No problem now.

[Khephra]

10. If you're using cable

1 -- make sure that your tv is set to 3
2 -- then see if pictures are coming through the tv. If not, click the tv/vcr button on your remote/vcr.
3 -- if you're using a cable box, you'll have to leave the vcr on channel 3 too, changing the channels on the box.