As I told embers_log below - long story short, apartment can't handle space heaters - wiring won't support it. We tried and ended up blowing out my tv which resulted in spending all day finding a new one. Got a new one, hooked up and everything. Good news - I might have a working VCR again - yeah.
Bad news, I need four remotes. Also was an expense did not need right now...but oh well. Landlord helped a bit.