i can record, and it shows it recording on my optura 300. BUT when i switch over to play and try to playback what i just recorded on my camera, i get nothing, it doesn't show anything, doesn't even display that anything was even recorded in the time..... help asap!!!

update. i have tapes with stuff already recored on them. it will not play them back either!!!!!

Make sure the Optura is in VCR not record mode. If it's still not working, send it to Canon for repair.

You might want to see if you can get a loaner from Canon or the store you bought it from.

where can i check to see if it is in VCR and not rec mode? i have been thru all the menu options.

It's on the same switch you use to turn on the camcorder. Flip it in the opposite direction to go into Play (VCR) mode - that's the option with a blue dot.

Also when you're in VCR playback mode, make sure the little slide switch is set to "tape" not "card."

Well neither of them were it.

I contacted the man who i bought the camera from (lives about 5 minutes from me and a canon rep) he told me it was a clogged head. We put a head cleaner thru it and bam it was fixed.

from me using the tape that got eaten, it clogged the head!

Okay that's a new one for me, but nice to know, thanks!