Is the VCR connected between the converter box and the TV?

jdbillp,
My husband says yes, the VCR is connected between the converter box and the TV.

sounds like maybe the VCR is not hooked between them like he thinks. or it's output is set to the wrong channel. if you put a tape or dvd in, can you watch them?

Yes, we can watch tapes and DVDs fine.

if you can watch a tape of DVD thru the VCR, then you should be able to bring up the menu. if you can't, then the VCR may be going stupid or bad.

It's embarassing to admit that we could have missed something so basic, but we went back to Radio Shack and asked the guy who sold us the converter box and he asked, "Did you push the TV/VCR button?" Something we should have known to try! Went home, and he was right.

He also told us how to go in and turn off the factory setting that tells the converter box to turn off after 4 hours in order to save energy, if we're going to be programming a timer recording for more than 4 hours in the future.

Sometimes it is the simplest things, isn't it? I'm glad to hear it is now working for you.