I tried record from a tape to a DVD but it won't play on either my computer or any machine. i can see on the DVD that something was recorded. What do i do?

There are any number of reasons why it won't play. The loading basket is jammed, the video tape has got tangled up in the mechanical section of the vcr or the loading gears are stripped. Unplug machine and remove top, [screws side and back] if the tape is spewed carefully remove by cutting it and clean tape particles, for any other problem have a technician check it out.

I have the same problem. I just bought a sony handyman and tried to play my old tapes and nothing, not even sound. But I just recorded something using an old tape and it records and I can play that back. I'm thinking maybe over time, somehow all the data on there got erased. Which is really a bummer.

check the hours your set to record.

if your only getting 4 tapes done, expand the number of hours

may need new recorder

Register and download the manual for free audio.manualsonline.com

http://portablemedia.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/jvc/jvc_dr_drmv5s.html

If it won't PLAY VHS tapes it must have a serious mechanical problem (if it even loads) or its heads are glommed up, so it obviously won't record them either. When's the last time you ran a cleaning tape through it?

Solve the load or playback problem and it will probably record.

Time and poor storage conditions are the mortal enemies of tapes. Store the in a 'played

You forgot to finalize the Disc. Here is my post on how to finalize it.
http://angrytechblog.com/2011/02/how-to-one-touch-dub-vhs-to-dvd-on-the-sony-rdr-vx525/

Make sure the tape you are trying to view has something recorded on it. Also insure that the tape you are trying to view is not recorded at a speed your DVD Recorder/VCR combo can not handle. If it is a pre recorded tape and it will play on another unit, then your VCR heads are dirty. Try using a VCR head cleaner. If that doesn't work the heads may need to be cleaned by hand or possibly may be bad, a trip to the repair shop would be call for then.

It sounds like the recorder will only record the dvd+ format, which does NOT need finalizing to play in other machines. ( you can record a dvd- , play it back on the machine you recorded it on, but need to finalize it to play on other machines)
The other units may only accept dvd-.(dvd- being the same format as you would buy or rent a film on)
One option, record the dvd on a dvd+rw (if possible) then copy to a dvd-r using your computer. The average use of a dvd+ is 1000 recordings.
There are many free disc burning suites available to download. Just google "free disc burning software" and take your pick.
I use 1 called "magix goya base" for copying disc to disc and "NTI" for burning to HDD and then to disc, if you only have use of 1 drive.

The machines playabilty setting has gone off. take to nearest repair shop and they will probably reset or change guide posts.
These components normally will allow a tape recorded in one machine to play on another. Had many of those esp from camcorder to vcr

Check your "tracking" If the tape played fine in the old machine, then tracking is the answer, provided that the new machine records good.

The tape load carriage is defective or there is something in the way inside the machine....accordianman