LiteOn vcr/dvd recorder help?

I thought I was too dumb to work the thing, it locks up, looked like it was recording TV show, counter was counting, record light on, but, picture freezes, although counter still going. Disc wouldn't play back, message-invalid- this is disc that came with unit. Also just when trying to watch a previously recorded vcr tape, plays fine for a while, then picture freezes, but sound still going, now, it won't show picture at all, counter going, no picture. hook-ups are in front of tv, nothing has been changed or moved. Brand new unit. I'm returning it, but is this common problem? What brand should I get that is easy to use? I want to record from TV, video cam, and put old tapes on dvd.