GE VG4241 VCR User Manual

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do

not remove cover (or back). No user

serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

This symbol indicates "dangerous voltage" inside the product that presents a risk of electric shock or personal injury.

This symbol indicates

important instructions accompanying the product.

Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match

wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert. Attention: Pour _viter les chocs 61ectriques,

introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusq0 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 modificatiohsto this

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

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. VG4241

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

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

AutorV/VCR ..................................................................... 15

EnergySaver TM ................................................................. 16

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

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

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

Playing aTape ........................................................................ 19

Automatic Rewind ................................................................. 20

Tape Eject ............................................................................... 20

Recording ............................................................................... 20

Check the SafetyTab ........................................................ 20

Recording ............. 21• ooeoooeoo oeeoeeeooeooee eeoooe • • oeeooeeeo peps

Recording Features ............................................................... 22

Express Recording ........................................................... 22

Timer Recording .............................................................. 23

Stopping aTimer Recording ..................................... 24

Review and Clearing Programs ................................ 24

Recording Broadcast StereoTV or SAP ............................... 25

Recording Audio Only ..................................................... 25

Playing Back Audio Only ................................................. 26

UsingTwoVCRs for Copying and EditingTapes .................. 26

Other Features ................................................... 27

Picture Search Options ......................................................... 28

Forward and Reverse Search .......................................... 28

Slow Motion .................................................................... 28

Commercial Scan (Search Button) ................................. 28

Frame Advance ................................................................ 29

Index Search .................................................................... 29

Zero Search ...................................................................... 30

Pro-Tect Plus TM Locking Feature ........................................... 30

Time Counter ......................................................................... 31

On-Screen Displays ............................................................... 31

Tracking .................................................................................. 32

Audio Set-up Features .......................................................... 32

Reception ......................................................................... 33

Tape Playback .................................................................. 33

Connections ....................................................... 35

ConnectingYour VCR ............................................................. 36

Jacks and Cables ............................................................. 36

RF Jacks and Antenna Cables (F-type) ........................... 36

Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) .................... 36

Choosing a VCR Connection .......................................... 37

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections ........... 37

Don't Forget About the AutoTV/VCR Feature ................ 37

TVWith RF Jack Only ............................................................ 38

TV With Audio/video Jacks ................................................... 39

TVWith Audio/video Jacks and Cable Box

to Unscramble Pay Channels Only ................................ 40

References ......................................................... 41

Front Panel ............................................................................. 42

Back Panel .............................................................................. 43

Indicator Panel ....................................................................... 43

TroubleshootingTips ............................................................. 44

Specifications ........................................................................ 47

Cleaning the VCR ................................................................... 47

Limited Warranty ................................................................... 48

Index ....................................................................................... 49

Hi, my name is Roger... I1

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.

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 1: 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 your VCR to your home antenna or cable system

and then to your TV, use the VCR's IN FROM ANT. and OUT TO TV

jacks for a good signal as shown.

If you h_ve a TV with AUDIONIDEO jacks, use these jacks for a better connection. In order to hear stereo and hi-fi sound from

the VCR, the audio/video jacks must be used. 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

STEP 5: Tune the TV

Tune the TV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing

channel is channel 3 or 4 or the TV's video input.

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

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

• If you connect yourVCR using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks with audio/video cables, select theTV's video input to see the

signal. See the TVOwner's Manual.

STEP 6: Turn On the VCR

Press POWER to turn on the VCR.

STEP 7: Interactive Setup

The first time the VCR 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 langue.

l>Engtish 2 EspafioL 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 your VCR, tune your TV to the TV's video input channel.

STEP 8: Accessthe 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 uptheVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 Channels 4 Preferences 5 Audio

6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Controt: VCR1 2 Auto Pray: ON

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

$ Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

3. Press 2 to switch AUTO PLAY to ON or OFE

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1

2 Auto Ptay: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR ON

4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

See Setting Up the VCR for 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 features that you can customize using the on-screen menus.

• Select a language

• Set upVCR channel list (AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH)

• Set up for a cable box

• Set automatic daylight-saving time

• Set the time and date

• Set the REMOTEVCRINCR2 feature

SETTING UP THE VCR

_{I]I| 0 I_ [!]

• SettheAUTO PLAY feature

• Set theAUTOTV/VCR feature

• Set the EnergySaver TM feature

• Set the preferredTape Speed

Using the Menu to Set Up Features

You can change the setup of the VCR's features using the menu system. Each feature isexplained in this section.

Language

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

1. PressMENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time

3 Channets 4 Preferences

5 Audio

6 Language

0 Exit

Press 6 to select and display the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE

SeLect a Language.

1>English 2 EspanoL

3 Fran_ais

Press RENU to contiune

3. Select English, Espafiol (Spanish), or 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.

On-screen Menus ]

Not all theVCR screens are shown in this manual when explaining

the features.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN NENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time

3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Audio

6 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 SETURThen select one of the

three choices.

CABLE BOX SETUP

Do you use your cable box to receive ALL

channels or only SORE channels.

1 ALL channels

2 0nly SORE 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 RENU to continue

CABLE BOX SETUP

The VCR wilt now

receive all signals from the cable box

on channel 04.

Press RENU to continue

Once you complete the setup, the VCR confirms that Cable Box Setup is complete.

The VCR begins scanning for the available channels--this VCR CHANNELS LIST

Cable Box Setup

ALL CHANNELS: enter two numbers for output channel of your cable box or press INPUT.

ONLY SOME CHANNELS: If you only use the cable box to tune premium channels.

CANCEL SETUP: select to cancel,

VCR Channel List

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 display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels 4 Preferences

5 Audio

6 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

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

The VCR begins scanning for the available channels--this takes about one to two minutes.The lowest channel istuned

once the search is complete. Now, pressing CHANNEL up or down should only select the active channels.

To Change the Signal Type

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.

3. Press 3 to change the SIGNALTYPE between CABLE and ANTENNA.

To ADD or REMOVE Channels

You may want to add or remove channels after you AUTO

CHANNEL SEARCH, especially if some of the channels have weak signals or you don't want to watch them.

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.

3. Press 2 to display the ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS screen. Use

CHANNEL up or down or number buttons to go to the channels you want to remove or add.

ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently ADDED

Press CLEAR to remove Press MENU to exit

ADD/RENOVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently RENOVED

Press INF0 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- Saving Time) feature to ON or OFF for your area.

Set Daylight-Saving Time

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time

3 ChanneLs 4 Preferences

5 Audio

6 Language

0 Exit

Press 2 to display theTIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date

2 Auto DST: ON

0 Exit

. Press 2 to turn AUTO DST: ON or OFF.

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 Channets 4 Preferences

5 Audio 6 Language

0 Exit

Press 2 to displayTIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date 2 Auto DST: ON

0 Exit

, Press 1to display the SET TIME AND DATE screen.

SET TIME AND DATE

Time --:--

(hh:mm)

Date --/--/--

Press MENU to cancer

. Enter the data using the number bu_ons. Press 0 before

single-digit numbers and follow the on-screen directions.

SET TIME AND DATE

Time 12:34 PM

Date 10/24/98 Friday

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set

Time and Date

[

Time/Date Display

Pressing INFO on the remote

displays the time and date on the TV screen.

]

What's NextmAdditional Set-up

Features In the Preferences Menu

The features in this section are all accessed through the PREFERENCESmenu.

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels

4 Preferences 5 Audio

6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control= VCR1

2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR OFF

4 EnergySaver= 2:00

5 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 RCA, GE, or ProScan remote that has a VCR2, VCR2oLD, or DVDoVCR2 button, this feature allows you to set this VCR to respond to that button.

Press1 to select the REMOTE CONTROL item. Then press the VCR2, VCR2oLD, or DVDoVCR2 button to change.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR OFF 4 EnergySaver: Z:O0 5 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR2 2 Auto Play: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR OFF 4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit

I Remote Control Option 1

Changing the Remote Control option to VCR2 disables the remote that

came with yourVCR.

+ 36 hidden pages

GE VG4241 VCR User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual