Just got Direct TV - but now can't record TV with the VCR.
Wife is ready to divorce me as she is missing her SOAPS -
HELP HELP HELP - Direct TV is no support - their manual
Does not even include a sample hookup showing a VCR.

I need specific directions an idiot can follow that tells what cords
Go where for the Dish receiver and the VCR and TV.
I have bought a couple cords with 3 color coded cables
Two audio and 1 video - plus have some other ones too.

THANKS to anyone who can describe the hookup in
Layman terms

Thanks in advance big TIME

There should be several output jacks on the sat box. They represent different qualities of transmission. You then need to compare those outputs to the inputs on the VCR. You then run compatible cables (Coax, Component, Composite, S-Video, whatever) from the sat box to the VCR. You then do the same between the output jacks on the VCR to the TV.

Now this will permit you tape what's coming from the Sat. iIf you want to be able to watch something else while you tape, the hookups become more complex and depend on your VCR and TV capabilities.

There is another kicker here. The VCR can't control the sat box. So if you wife need to tape different channels it won't work. She can set the VCR for specific times, but it won't change the channel on the set top box.

Why don't you look into the DVR box from DirectTV? That can record up to 80 hours.