VHS/DVD Recorder

I have a recorder I purchased approximately a year or so back and have only used the VHS player a couple of times. I wanted to copy some of my home movies from the VHS tape to a disc. I have tried memorex, and a verbatum disc that came with the player. I do not have the colored wire hookups connected from the player to the TV. The instruction book said I can copy using the quick method by putting in the VHS tape and also a disc and push the copy button on the front and it will copy automatically. When I put in the tape and the disc the info. says reading and then the menu light apperrs and it doesn't copy. Please help, Thank you. David W.