GE VG4043 User Manual

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user serviceable

RISK OFELECTRICSHOCK parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified

DO NOT OPEN service personnel.

This symbol indicates _ This symbol indicates

"dangerous voltage" _, important instructions inside the product that accompanying the

presents a risk of electric product.

shock or personal injury.

Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.

Attention: Pour 6viter les chocs 61ectriques,

introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la

borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusq5 au

fond.

Refer to the identification/rating label located on the back panel of your product for its proper operating voltage.

FCC Regulations state that unauthorized changes or modifications to this

equipment may void the user's authority to operate it. Cable TV Installer: This reminder is provided to call your attention to

Article 820-40 of the National Electrical Code (Section 54 of the Canadian

Electrical Code, Part 1) which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose

this product to rain or moisture.

Product Registration

Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately. Returning this card allows us to contact you if needed.

Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the serial and model numbers in case you need them. The numbers are located on the back

of the product.

Model No. VG4043

Serial No.

Purchase Date:

Dealer/Address/Phone:

First Things First .................................................. 3

Setting Up the VCR .............................................. 7

Using the Menu to Set Up Features ....................................... 8

Language ................................................................................. 8

Cable Box Setup ...................................................................... 8

VCR Channels List ................................................................. 10

To Auto Channel Search .................................................. 10

To Change the SignalType ............................................. 11

To Add or Remove Channels ......................................... 11

Time and Date ....................................................................... 12

Set Daylight-SavingTime ................................................ 12

Set theTime and Date ..................................................... 13

Additional Set-up Features in the PREFERENCES Menu ... 14

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option ............................................. 14

Auto Play .......................................................................... 15

Auto TV/VC R ..................................................................... 15

EnergySaver ..................................................................... 16

Front Panel (VCR Display) ............................................... 16

Tape Speed ....................................................................... 16

VCR Basics ........................................................ 17

Remote Buttons ..................................................................... 18

Component Buttons ........................................................ 18

VCR Function Buttons ..................................................... 18

TV Function Buttons ........................................................ 19

Playing aTape ........................................................................ 20

Automatic Rewind ........................................................... 21

Tape Eject ......................................................................... 21

Recording ............................................................................... 21

Check the SafetyTab ........................................................ 21

Recording .......................................................... 23

Recording Features ............................................................... 24

Express Recording ................................................................ 24

Timer Recording .................................................................... 25

Stopping aTimer Recording ........................................... 26

Review and Clearing Programs ...................................... 26

Using Two VCRs for Copying and EditingTapes .................. 27

Program the Remote .......................................... 29

About Programming the Remote ......................................... 30

Programming the Remote to Control a TV .......................... 30

Operate the Cable Box or Digital Satellite Receiver ........... 32

Other Features ................................................... 33

Picture Search Options ......................................................... 34

Forward and Reverse Search .......................................... 34

Slow Motion .................................................................... 34

Commercial Scan (Search Button) ................................. 34

Frame Advance ................................................................ 35

Index Search .......................................................................... 35

Zero Search ............................................................................ 36

Pro-Tect Plus TM Locking Feature ........................................... 36

Time Counter ......................................................................... 37

On-Screen Displays ............................................................... 37

Tracking .................................................................................. 38

Connections ....................................................... 39

Connecting Your VCR ............................................................. 40

Jacks and Cables ................................................................... 40

RF Jacks and Antenna Cables (F-type) ........................... 40

Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) .................... 40

Choosing a VCR Connection ................................................ 41

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections ........... 41

Don't Forget About the AutoTV/VCR Feature ................ 41

TVWith RF Jack Only ............................................................ 42

TV With Audio/Video Jacks ................................................... 43

TVWith Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box

to Unscramble Pay Channels Only ................................. 44

Reference .......................................................... 45

Front Panel ............................................................................. 46

Display Panel ......................................................................... 46

Back Panel .............................................................................. 47

Troubleshooting Tips ............................................................. 48

Specifications ........................................................................ 51

Cleaning the VCR ................................................................... 51

Limited Warranty ................................................................... 52

Index ....................................................................................... 53

Hi, my name is Roger...

and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see that you have a rewarding user manual experience.You'll find that I've arranged this manual to clearly explain all your VCR's features.

I 1

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Read the First Three Sections

The first three sections of the manual introduce you to your VCR, and show you how to set the VCR up and

use the on-screen menus. Reading these sections gives you the basic information you need to use your

VCR.

What's Left?

The rest of the book highlights playback and recording

information, contains a detailed connections section, and a reference section that includes troubleshooting

tips, limited warranty, and index.

[

READ ME!

These note boxes give you tips for your new video cassette recorder.

STEP l: Unpack What's in the Box

The following items come packed in the box:

• VCR

• Remote control

• RF antenna cable

STEP 2: Install Batteries in the Remote Control

Follow these steps whenever you need to install or change the batteries in yourVCR remote.

1. Remove the cover of the battery compartment.

2. Place batteries in remote, matching the + and - ends of each battery to the diagram inside the compartment.

3. Replace the cover.

STEP 3: Connect Your VCR

If you connect yourVCR to your home antenna or cable system and then to yourTV, use theVCR's IN FROM ANT. and OUTTOTV jacks for a good signal as shown.

If you have aTV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use the audio/video jacks on theTV and VCR for a better connection. Refer to the

Connections section, toward the back of the manual.

STEP 4: Plug in the VCR

Match the wide blade of the plug with the wide slot in the outlet.

Be sure to insert the plug completely.

VCR

CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR_ANTENNA

iii2-2 I

STEP 5: Tune the TV

Tune theTV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing

channel is channel 3 or 4 or theTV's video input.

• If you connect your VCR using the ANTENNA connectors with RF antenna cable, set the 3CH.4 switch to channel 3 or

channel 4--the channel you want to use on yourTV.

• If you connect your VCR using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks with audio/video cables, select theTV's video input to see the signal. See the TV Owner's Manual.

STEP 6: Turn On the VCR

Press POWER on the VCR's front panel orVCR on the remote to

turn on the VCR.Turning on the VCR for the first time starts the

Interactive Setup feature.

STEP 7: Interactive Setup

The first time theVCR is turned on, Interactive Setup--a brief series of on-screen menus--appears.These menus assist in setting up several of the VCR's features. Use the remote's

number buttons to select options.

1. Press 1 for English, 2 for Espafiol (Spanish), or 3 for Fran(;ais (French).

Select a language. Seleccione un idioma.

Choisissez une [angue.

1>English

2 Espafio[ 3 Francais

The remaining Interactive Setup menus will appear in the

language you choose. Follow the on-screen instructions to

complete the process.

VCR Viewing Channel

When using the ANTENNA jacks to

connect your VCR, tune your TV to channel 3 or 4.

When using the audio/video jacks

to connect yourVCR, tune yourTV to theTV's video input channel.

STEP 8: Access the Menus

When you've completed Interactive Setup, try out the VCR's

regular on-screen menus.The MENU and number buttons let you access, select, and change menu items. For example, to change the Auto Play setting, you would do the following:

1. Press MENU to bring up theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR: ON 4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: AUTO 6 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFE

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: OFF

3 Auto TV/VCR: ON 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

5 Front Panel: AUTO 6 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

See Setting Up the VCRfor detailed information about the Auto Play feature. Once you understand how to use the menus, move on to the next section.

Set-up Features

Below is a list of set-up features that you may want to

set up before you begin using yourVCR for the first time:

• Select a language

• Set for use with a cable box

• Set upVCR channel list (Auto Channel Search)

• Set automatic daylight-saving time

• Set the time and date

SETTING UP THE VCR

• Set the RemoteVCR1/VCR2 feature

• Set theAuto Play feature

• Set theAutoTV/VCR feature

• Set the EnergySaver feature

• Set the Front Panel feature

• Set the preferredTape Speed

Using the Menu to Set Up Features

You can set up features by using the menu system. Each feature

is explained in this section.

Language

Select your preferred language, and the on-screen displays will appear in that language.

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 Channels 4 Preferences 5 Language

0 Exit

Press 5 to display the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE

Select a language.

1>English 2 Espanol 3 Francais

Press MENU to continue

3. Press 1 for English, 2 for Espafiol (Spanish), or 3 for

Fran£ais (French).

Cable Box Setup

This setup applies only when all channels are received through the cable box. The VCR will automatically enter the output channel of the cable box when programming your VCR for timer

recordings.

1. Press MENU to displaytheVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU 1 Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search 2 Add/Remove Channels

3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 Cable Box Setup

0 Exit

Press 4 to display CABLE BOX SETUR Then select one of the

three choices.

CABLE BOX SETUP

DO you use your cable box to receive ALL

channels or only SOME channels.

1 ALL channels 2 Only SOME channels

3 Cancel setup

If you select ALL CHANNELS, enter the output channel of

your cable box, usually 03, 04, or video line input and

press MENU.

CABLE BOX SETUP

On what channel does the VCR receive signals

from the cable box? (usually 3. 4. or Video)

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to continue

CABLE BOX SETUP

The VCR will now

receive all signals from the cable box

on channel 04.

Press MENU to continue

Once you complete the setup, theVCR confirms that Cable

Box Setup is complete.

All Channels

If you do not use a cable box for ALL channels, then you will want to use a

channel list (Auto Channel Search).

VCR Channels List

If you use a cable box for all channels, this step is not necessary. YourVCR may come with a channel list preset at the factory. Even though yourVCR may come with a list, it's possible that you may want to add or eliminate some channels depending on whether they are active.

To Auto Channel Search

1. Press MENU to displaytheVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 3to display the CHANNELS menu.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search 2 Add/Remove Channels

3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 Cable Box Setup

0 Exit

3. Press 1 to display the AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH menu.

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH

What type of signal are you using?

1 Cable TV 2 Antenna

3>Detect Automatically

0 Cancel

4. Select one of the three AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH options.

Choices one and two are self-explanatory. If you choose

Detect Automatically, the VCR automatically detects which

signal system you have attached to yourVCR.

Detect Automatically

A strong cable or antenna signal in your area may cause Auto Detect to mis-detect. If this should happen, select 1 or 2 for the system you have.

Auto Channel Search

Use the Auto Channel Search feature

to place all available channels in memory.

If you ever change cable or antenna signals, you may need to Auto Channel Search again.

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH

Now scanning channel 14

Press any key to cancel

TheVCR begins scanning for the available channels--this takes about one to two minutes.The lowest channel is tuned

once the search is completed. Pressing CHANNEL up or down now selects the active channels.

To Change the Signal Type

1. Press MENU to displaytheVCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 3to display the CHANNELS menu.

3. Press 3 to change the SignalType between CABLE and

ANTENNA.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search 2 Add/Remove Channels 3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 Cable Box Setup

0 Exit

To Add or Remove Channels

You may want to add or delete channels after you Auto Channel Search, especially if some of the channels have weak signals or you don't want to watch them.

Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU. Press 3 to display CHANNELS menu.

Press 2 to display the ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS menu. Use the CHANNEL up or down, or number buttons, to go to the channels you want to delete or add.

ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently ADDED

Press CLEAR to remove Press MENU to exit

ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently REMOVED

Press INFO to add Press MENU to exit

Selecting Channels

The CHANNEL up and down buttons access those channels active in your

VCR channel list. You can still access channels not in

the channel list by using the number buttons on the remote control.

Time and Date

Before you set the time and date, set the Auto DST (Daylight

SavingTime) feature to ON or OFF for your area.

Set Daylight-Saving Time

1. Press MENU to displaytheVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

Press 2 to displayTIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date 2 Auto DST: ON

0 EXIT

3. Press 2 to turn the Auto DST ON or OFE Select ON if you want the VCR's clock to automatically

adjust for daylight-saving time. Select OFF if you do not want the VCR's clock to adjust

for daylight-saving time.

Spring forward; Fall backward

In the Spring, daylight-saving time begins on the first Sunday in April. Because the clock automatically changes from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM (forward one hour), remember to

include the extra hour for timer recording that falls within this time

frame.

In the Autumn, daylight-saving time ends on the last Sunday in October.

TheVCR clock automatically changes from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM (back one

hour).Therefore, it can affect your recording length.

Set the Time and Date

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU 1 Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

Press 2 to displayTIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date 2 Auto DST: ON

0 EXIT

Press 1 to display the SETTIME AND DATE screen.

SET TIME AND DATE

Time --:--

(hh:mm)

Date --/--/--

Press MENU to cancel

4. Enter the data using the number buttons. Press 0 before single-digit numbers and follow the on-screen directions.

SET TIME AND DATE

Time 12:34 PM

Date 10/24/97 Friday

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set

I I

Time and Date

The time and date must be set

before a timer recording can be programmed.

Time/Date Display

Pressing INFO on the remote

displays the time and date on the TV screen.

1 1

Additional Set-up Features in the

PREFERENCES Menu

The features in this section are all accessed through the

PREFERENCES menu.

1. Press MENU to displaytheVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4to display PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR: ON 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

5 Front Panel: AUTO 6 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

Now you are ready to select an item from the menu to set up.

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option

If you own a compatible GE, RCA or ProScan remote that has a VCR2, VCR2oLD, or DVDoVCR2 button, this feature allows you to set thisVCR to respond to that button.

Press 1 to select the Remote Control item in the menu.Then

press the VCR2, VCR2oLD, or DVDoVCR2 button to change.

PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: AUTO

6 Tape Speed: SLP

Exit

PREFERENCES

(PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE) 2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: AUTO

6 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

Remote Control Option 1

Changing the Remote Control option to VCR2 disables the remote that came with your VCR.

TheVCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2, VCR2.LD, or DVD.VCR2 button. If you change the remote setting

to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR will no longer control the VCR.

Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to

VCR1. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press VCR1.Then the remote that came with the VCR will be able to

control it again.

Auto Play

This feature allows theVCR to automatically start playing when you insert a tape with the safety tab removed. Press 2 to switch

between ON or OFE

Select ON if you want a tape with its safety tab removed to start playing automatically when the tape is inserted.

Select OFF if you do notwant a tape with its safety tab

removed to start playing automatically.

Auto TV/VCR

This feature controls whether theTV/VCR switch changes automatically to the VCR mode when the VCR is turned on. Press

3 to switch between ON and OFE

Select ON if you want the VCR to switch to the VCR mode when the VCR is turned on or a cassette is inserted. This

only applies if you connect the IN FROM ANT. and OUTTO TV

jacks of your VCR andTV and watch yourVCR on channel 3 or

4 ofyourTV.

Select OFF if you want the VCR to remain in theTV mode. This is useful if you watch your VCR on theTV's video input and you don't want your antenna/cable signal interrupted by

the VCR.

+ 39 hidden pages

GE VG4043 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual