squirrel-bait, if you are using an old Exceutive Director Pack (GCEB0A), you have to plug in that VCR signal at the back of the receiver and stick the signal emitter in front of the IR receiver on your VCR. Then, pick the right VCR brand and signal code in the GCEB0A menu.
Then, the most important part. The IR emitter will NOT turn on the VCR and it will NOT change the channel on the VCR! You have to turned on your VCR, changed to the correct channel (3, 4, or line-input), and inserted a tape, and let it stand until you are done recording.
You then can go to the Program Guide and select a program to record. When the program starts, the IR emitter will send "record" and then "stop" when done.