Why is the unit Magnavox vet/DVD recorder turning off when I insert the tape, and when power back on it ejects the tape.

It's not loading correctly. You need to open the cover (unplug first) and get familiar with the loading mechanism. You can get the tape out by rotating the loading motor wheel.

There are many delicate nylon parts in VCR's, they are usually the first to break, that is one possibility. The covers come off these pretty easily but I would pick it up and shake it first to see if something is rattling around inside, if you can hear something moving around in there and if it isn't something a child pushed inside (this often happens) then it is probably toast as it is more expensive to have fixed than it is worth. One other thing that is possible is that there is buildup on the capstan or tape guide rollers which can be sticky and wrap the tape around themselves and the machine will kick the tape out. If you are at all handy you could take the cover off, (FIRST MAKING SURE IT IS UNPLUGGED), plug it back in and insert a tape. As you watch the tape you can see at which stage of the cycle the tape backs out and maybe see the problem. As you can see many problems are possible, best to get another machine.

I am thinking hard... So any tape (different tape?) it will not play or record for but 17 seconds?

I had this problem when copying an old family vhs tape. I had to unscrew the top of the magnavox to access the vhs tape. Then, I gently removed the tape and replaced the cover. After winding the tape back, I put it in the player and immediately pushed fast forward for about 3 seconds before hitting play followed by d.dubbing. I was able to make a copy of the tape and did not damage my original.

Try a video head cleaner first of all, OR eject the tape before turning off power.

Had the same problem. took cover off, cleaned the recording heads. Also look on the left and right of casett chassie.You'll see to thin green strips sticking up with a black elctronic device. Chech to see if it is aimed at the clear plastic pin near the little black plastic gear in the middle. mine was out of alignment on the left one. Works know. Good luck

I returned it to Wal-Mart and got another one that I hope acts better. Perhaps if more of our electronic products were made in the U.S., Germany or Japan they'd be more dependable.

on vcr's if the tape is hard to turn the tape will sense this and reject the tape. Try to get a tape that you can feel turn free eaiser. I would rewind it to the middle of the tape so each side is equal and it would make the tape run easier. If it runs ok then the unit is bad and is too sensitve to the pull on the tape. This is all designed in the electronics and there is not much you can do about it then get return it if you can.

I have been using my machine with no problems, until recently. The machine will not stay on more than a few minutes when I try to use it, either watch a tape or tape a show. It starts, then just shuts down. When the machine is turned back on it ejects the tape????
Can you help, please.

Thanks
Sharon

Turn off the unit, Unplug it. wait 30 seconds. plug it back in. Press the power button on the unit press source so that its on dvd and press eject