Cox Customer Support | Cable/Digital Cable

VCR Will Not Record

It will not go into record mode or ejects tape when "Record" button is pushed.
Check for a small (1/2 inch) square hole on the back of the videocassette (the long narrow side you see when you put the tape into the VCR).
If there is not a plastic tab or piece of adhesive tape covering the hole, put a piece of adhesive tape over it (The hole is there to tell the VCR not to record over that tape).
If the hole is covered with the plastic tab or adhesive tape and the VCR still will not go into the record mode, try a different videocassette (with the hole covered).
If another videocassette works properly, the previous cassette may be jammed or broken and should not be used.
If the VCR still does not go into the record mode, the VCR may be damaged.
Contact the customer service center.
Schedule a trouble call.

Check to see if the VCR will go into the record mode when the record button is pushed.
If not, see, "VCR will not go into record mode."
If so, check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time (including AM or PM setting). Also, verify that the timer for automatic recording is set properly. (Refer to the owner's manual.)
Verify that the VCR is in the "TIMER" or "AUTOMATIC" record mode when the power to the VCR is turned off.
The word "TIMER" should appear on the VCR display when the VCR is in the timer mode. [You might need to push a "TIMER MODE" or similar button to put the VCR into the timer mode before turning the VCR off.]
If you cannot figure out how to properly set up the VCR in the automatic record mode or the VCR still will not operate properly, contact the Cox cable customer service center.

Verify that pictures are clear on the TV before recording.
If you are using a converter before the VCR, verify that the converter is on the channel you wish to record and the VCR is on the appropriate default channel for your cable equipment (in most cases this will be channel 3, if this does not work, try 2, 4).
If the VCR records snow when in the automatic timer mode, verify that the timers on the VCR and converter (if recording from an addressable converter) are set up properly.
The converter should be set up to come on at the desired time and on the correct channel. The VCR should be set up to begin recording on the cable default channel (this may be 3, 2, or 4) at the same time the converter comes on.
If you are recording from a basic converter, the VCR should still be set up to begin recording on the default channel (this may be 3, 2, or 4) at the desired time.
The basic converter, however, should be left on and tuned to the channel that you want to record. (It has no timer function and will put out snow if it is turned off.)
If the VCR still records snow, it may need to be fine tuned or, if the VCR has electronic tuning, the tuner may need to be programmed.
Refer the customer to the operation manual for the VCR for proper fine tuning or tuner set up procedures.
If you cannot set up the VCR tuner, contact the Cox cable customer service center.

If you are using a converter before the VCR, verify that the converter is on the channel you wish to record and the VCR is on the appropriate default channel for your cable equipment (in most cases this will be channel 3, if this does not work, try 2 or 4).
If you are having a problem while trying to record using the automatic timer on the VCR, make certain that the VCR timer is set up to record the correct channel. If you are using an addressable converter before the VCR, verify that the converter is programmed properly and the VCR is tuned to appropriate default channel for your cable equipment (in most cases this will be channel 3, if this does not work, try 2 or 4).
If the VCR still records the wrong channel and the VCR has electronic tuning, the tuner may need to be programmed. Refer to the operations manual for the VCR for tuner set up procedures.

Verify that the TV is on the appropriate default channel for your cable equipment (in most cases this will be channel 3, if this does not work, try 2 or 4) and that the "channel 3/4" selector switch on the back of the VCR is in the "3" (4 or 2) position.
If the picture is still poor, locate the "TRACKING" control on the VCR or the VCR remote control. Then, adjust the tracking until the picture and sound are clear and undistorted. The tracking adjustment aligns the tape with the pickup heads in the VCR.
If adjusting the tracking does not clear up the picture, try a different tape to see if the picture problem still exists. If the problem goes away when a different tape is played, the first tape may be damaged (i.e., left in the sun or on a hot surface).
If the problem still exists, the VCR may be damaged or there may be a problem with the equipment hookup. Contact the Cox cable customer service center for assistance.

Verify that the TV is on the appropriate default channel for your cable equipment (in most cases this will be channel 3, if this does not work, try 2 or 4) and that the "channel 3/4" selector switch on the back of the VCR is in the "3" (4 or 2) position.
Verify that the "TV/VCR" switch on the VCR is in the "VCR" position.
If there is still no picture on the TV, verify that the VCR is properly hooked up to the
TV by walking through the hookup.
If there is still no picture, try a different tape. The first tape may have been accidentally erased, or it may have been damaged and would not play properly.
If there is still no picture, contact the Cox cable customer service center.

Preference Definitions:

SAP: Secondary Audio Programming

Language: Specify the language desired for the audio (alternate track digital channels only) or display (settop menus and help)

Audio: Specify the cable settop's volume level, output mode for analog and digital channels, and dynamic range compression

Settop Clock: Specify whether the cable settop LED displays time only, the current channel only, or time with the current channel number