Trouble-free taping

Having problems setting your video? Thrown a tantrum because you've missed that great programme again? Don't despair - BBC Learning Zone has some top tips on using your Video Cassette Recorder - so you don't miss out.

Before leaving the machine to record your programme, check that:

• There's enough tape on the left side of the spool.
• The tape is in your VCR.
• If the programme you are recording is longer than the tape, ensure that the VCR is put into long play (LP).
• The timer light is on.
• The VCR is set to zero.
• The tracking is moved to the middle position to stop the image from jumping.

Tape maintenance

• Leave a blank 30 seconds at the start of the tape as this often gets chewed or damaged through overuse.
• Leave space between recordings to avoid taping over programmes.
• Take your tape out after recording so that no one else can tape over it!
• To avoid damage, ensure that the tape is wound back to the beginning before ejecting it from the VCR.
• Pull off the black tab on the spine so your tape is not recorded over. Cover it with sticky tape if you want to re-record.