What are you talking about? GAF is a cable man, doctor, lawyer, psychiatrist, and specializes in computer programming, electrician, audio care specialist, bookeeping legal assistant, interior decorating, or you can get your degree! You can major in business management or accounting!
Not necessarily. Cable is crap. Seriously, the picture is travelling through miles of cable before it even gets to your house (I'm assuming you're talking about analog cable).
If you think your VCR is the culprit, hook up the cable directly to your TV and see if that helps.
If it doesn't, don't call the cable company. Call DirecTV. (disclosure: I work for DirecTV, although that doesn't change the fact that cable is horrible)