I can set a timer on the vcr for recordning but once it is time for it to turn on it doesn't

Appears to be RCA TV.

The timer turns the TV/VCR on at a desired time. You can set it to
wake you up in the morning or remind you that a favorite program
is about to start.

1. Press MENU on the remote to display the TV/VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 2 to display the TIME menu.
3. Press 3 to display the WAKE-UP TIMER menu.
4. Use the number buttons to enter the channel number and time.
• After you enter the time, press 1 for AM or 2 for PM. Example:
For a time of 5:07PM, press 5, then 0, then 7, then 2.
• Press CLEAR to correct an entry or RESET to clear the timer.

6. To cancel the wake-up timer, first display the WAKE-UP TIMER menu by repeating steps 1-3 above. Then, press RESET to cancel the timer, and press MENU to exit. The timer is also canceled if MENU is pressed before step 4 is completed


RCA TV VCR COMBINATION User Manual Sleep Timer Wake up Timer Front Panel...

Timer Recording JVC VCR HR A591U
Timer recording can be programmed on-screen with
the remote control. The built-in timer allows automatic
unattended recording of up to 8 programs within 1
month.

EXAMPLE: Program a timer recording for the 26th day,
channel 125 (CATV), 11:00 - 11:30 PM on timer program
number 1 (Tape speed: EP).

When a TV is connected with an audio/video cable, turn the
TV and this VCR on and select the video input mode on the
TV.


• After timer recording is completed, the VCR turns off
automatically.
• You can program the timer recording while a regular
recording is in progress; the menu screens will not be
recorded.
• The timer recording will start at 20 seconds before the time
you predetermined.

Press MENU on the Remote.
Check the “TIMER REC SET”
option is selected, then press
ENTER.

Press SET –/+ to select one of
the program lines, then press
ENTER.

Press SET –/+ to select the
date, then press ENTER.

Set the start time, end time,
channel and tape speed as in
step 3.
NOTE: To record from external
source, press SET –/+
and set the channel to
"L". "L" will appear next
to CH 125 (or 69).

To enter other programs,
repeat step 2 through 4. Or,
press MENU twice to return
to the normal screen.

Press TIMER on the Remote.
The power will go off, the
TIMER REC indicator ( ) will
light and the VCR stands by
for recording.

To cancel a program:

Press the SET –/+ to select the
“TIMER REC SET” option in the
MENU. Then press SET –/+ to
select the unnecessary program,
and press CANCEL to cancel the
program.

check your manual

The VCR may need to be OFF (or in standby mode) when the timed program begins for the timer to take effect.

If no menu, unplug, and let it set a few minutes. Replug and the on-screen menu should appear. Reset the set-up (date, etc). I had the same experience as one of the other posters with JVC customer service telling me the menu button on the remote was malfunctioning, and I should purchase a new remote from them.
After you input your programming, be sure to hit the Timer button on your remote. If you want to change tapes or playback, you will need to hit the Timer button again (take it off Timer) for access to your VCR. Be sure to reset it to Timer afterwards, or you will not be able to record.

Press buttons such as "Menu" or "Timer" on your remote and you should see a place to set the times for recording. Try using the fast forward button on the remote to get to the next level of an item on the menu

receivedsurroundoptimus

Turn on power to TV, and DVD/VCR, set TV to channel 3 or 4
Insert video cassette
Select desired channel by using CH/TRK
Set the desired recoring speed (SP or EP)
Press REC once
Press STOP to stop recording.

Timer Recording,
Press Menu and the Main menu will appear.
Use up and down arrows to choose the Timer record menu
Press Select/Enter to go to the Timer Record menu.
Use arrows to choose the program no. (1-8)
Use down arrow to choose Month option
Use arrows to choose the desired month
Use down arrow to choose the Day option
Use arrows to choose the desired day
Use down arrow to choose Start Option
Use arrows to choose the desired start time
Use down arrow to choose the Stop option
Use arrows to choose the desired stop time.
Use down arrow to choose the Channel option
Use arrows to choose the desired channel (Channel, Line1 or Line2)

Cable users: If you have Cable TV and used Cable Box in Connecting Antenna/Cable TV to DVD/VCR using a cable box converter, you must set the channel in this step to match the cable box output channel (usually 3 or 4). Change channels on the cable box instead of the DVD/VCR

i have uploaded the user manual for this model, it should be visible within the next 24 hours. the quick version is this:

if you haven't done so yet, set the clock
menu/ use up/down arrows to select "clock set", press right arrow to select, set day, year, etc using up and down arrows, when each is set, the right arrow moves you to the next bit

once clock is set

timer recording
menu
use up and down arrows to scroll to timer recording, and press the right arrow to select
set the program number (1-8)
set frequency (once, daily, weekly)
set the date to record
set start time (i usually go 5 mins prior)
set end time (i usually go 5 mins after)
set channel number
set tape speed
exit by pressing clear/c reset
press t-set to activate the timer

the timer rec light should come on, the timer recording will not be active unless you press the t-set button

hope this helps
trin

Hi I'm not familiar with your model in particular, but normally there will be a timer button on the remote that you must press, or you must turn the vcr off after programming it for the timer recordings to be made. There should be a timer indicator on the front, either a symbol or a red light depending on the age of the vcr. If you program it, then press the timer button on the remote, the timer light should be on and the vcr will shut itself off, if it is the other type, then the timer indicator should stay lit when you shut off the machine. If that light is on, then your timer recordings should work. Hope this helps, good luck!