VCR recording I have had this problem with all brands of VCR and all brands of tape.In order to record a reasonable amount of programming, I use SLP. After a few months speed seems to vary while recording so that playback rolls. This happens even when playing back on a different VCR. SP recording is not affected. Any input would be greatly appreciated as I am spending a fortune replacing VCRs.

You can try this: Connect your DirecTv to VCR with Red/White/Yellow cables. Then the VCR to your TV with the same type of cables. Make sure the VCR is set to the video input, not the tuner. Turn your TV to the correct video input. Get the program ready on the DVR as if you were going to watch it. Press record on the VCR and then play on the DVR. At the end of the program, press stop on both. You may have a problem with the video recording properly. Some stations broadcast with copyright protection.

The recording set-up must have been program to record only in 5 minutes. You could play around with the remote and try to enter the record set-up. The problem with the VCR must be a worn-out belt or a dirty loading mechanism. You could try to replace the belt or clean the surface area where all the mechanism slide together or make contacts and put an small amount of recommended grease or petroleum jelly.

lets say you are hooked up correctly (cable to VCR in (from cable/sat box) & cable to TV from VCR out) and the VCR is set to Ch 3,, (PLEASE NOTE THE TV MUST BE ON CH 3)

program a recording
the VCR clock / date must be set and not flashing 12:00
then you go to menu, program a recording by imputing the start time / end time of the show and the date it will be recorded and Ch 3...(you might have to set your cable box for the same date/time as the VCR or manually turn to that ch you wish to record that morning or before you go to bed) put a new tape in the machine....

manual recording
a show,game or special comes on and you sitting and want to watch and record and even edit (no commercials) put tape in... press record button get the remote so you can pause (on commercials) and press pause again to resume recording

HAVE FUN

the best thing that you should do is to buy a brand new latest component. When you go for shopping inside the mall plenty of systems being sold by appliance center which fits your needs.

The 8300DVR has a feature built in for outputting redcordings to a VCR. To output to a PC you will need a TVTuner card with RCA inputs. Pinnacle offers several products including a Hard Drive backup. You will follow these instructions below, the VCR will be your computer.

Copy a Recording to a VCR Tape
1. Connect the VCR to the OUT 2 connection on the back of the Explorer DVR.
See page 12 for more information.
2. Make sure that a tape is in your VCR and that the VCR is set to record.
3. Press List . The Recorded List
screen appears.
4. Press Move Up or Move Down
to highlight the recording you want
to copy to the VCR. Make sure to select
a program that is not currently being
recorded.
5. Press Select . The Recorded
Program Options screen appears.
6. Press Move Up to highlight “Copy
to VCR.”
7. Press Select . The Copy to VCR
screen appears.
8. Make sure your VCR is properly connected
to your DVR outputs, and press
Record on your VCR.
9. Press Start copy A . The recording
begins copying to VCR tape. The
Recorded List displays the VCR symbol
for the recording that is copying to
VCR.
Note: You can watch the copying in
progress through the PIP.

make sure the tv is on channel 3, and the vcr also on channel 3 -if trying to record from cable or satalite. then make sure tape is rewound all the way. do a test by hitting record on vcr. let it record for a few minutes. rewind it, then just hit play. Dont change any channels until you are ready to record the program of choice. After this test. And recording is successful. Rewind the tape again. And change the channel to your choice. Hit record at time of or go into menu of your vcr and set up a time to record shows.

this is because you are recording a direct connection (what is on the screen is recorded) that is an option with some equipment.. unfortunately this means if there is nothing on the screen well you get nothing..

You need to record from the machines own built in tuner dont use direct record.. a vcr/pvr/dvdr after all remember is like a tv without a screen that can record it has its own channels to do this

Connect with RCA cable to RCA jacks\plugs::
output [player] audio to INPUT [recorder]
OUTPUT [player] Video to INPUT [recorder]
*************************************************
Place blank tape in RECORDER, Tape that you want to record from into PLAYER.Press Record [recorder machine], wait one second, press PAUSE.( thats to give record tape "breathing" space.) Set up your player tape to start playing. When you know what you want to record, press PAUSE again to begining recording. Press PAUSE after the recorded section to install 2nd tape, etc. etc.
NOTE:: some VCRs use PAUSE 2nd time to release and continue recording, while some machines you must press RECORD button again to release PAUSE. you must expirement before begining your project.

the dvd recorder has to be set to monitor the program your watching! you can not copy vhs tapes to dvd this way because the tapes that are prerecorded have a copy protect feature and will nut copy right!

Hey do the tapes play at all? sometimes some tapes recorded
on other machines won't play on others. maybe you need to adjust the tracking on the VCR you are playing it on. If the tape
was recorded on a VCR that is misaligned it might not play back
on another VCR. Also the tape may have been recorded on a
super VHS VCR in et (extended definition) mode if so they won't play on just any VCR. If the picture looks scrambled like a
premium channel on analog cable then it's probably recorded in et.
and if its recorded on super VHS tape it may eject out of your VCR.
They don't make these S-VHS vcrs anymore but people still
have them around. There is also Digital VHS they're not
compatible with VHS either. A VHS recorded in et mode will
play on some more expensive vcrs it should say so on the box
or instructions.