JVC HR-A637E, HR-A637EH User Manual

ENGLISH

VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER

HR-A637E/EH

Please find quick set up guide (3 pages) on the
rear at that instruction book.

OPERATE

CH SET

STORE

A

B

CLOCK

DISPLAY

2

12453

ADD TIME

6

DAILY

WEEKLY

9

807

AUX

C.RESET

CANCEL

TIMER

TV

DATESTOP

START

PROG.

EXPRESS PROGRAMMING

AUDIO MONITOR

TV/VIDEO

TV VCR

(MONITOR)

P

R

O

G

C

H

E

C

K

3

G

O

O

K

R

P

O

V

L

.

V

T

1

PUSH JOG

Unless otherwise indicated, the recorder
illustrations appearing in this instruction
manual are of the HR-A637EH.

OPERATE





TIMER



TV PROG



D

W

SP/LP

SP
LP

I TR

EP

D

NORM

L

R

VIDEO

M

INSTRUCTIONS

q

6

PAL

CONTENTS

SAFETY FIRST 2

Safety Precautions ................................... 2

INSTALLING YOUR NEW RECORDER 3

Basic Connections ................................... 3

Tune The TV To Your Video Recorder ...... 3

Connecting/Using A Decoder

[A637EH only] ........................................ 4

Connecting/Using A Satellite Tuner ......... 5

Connecting/Using A Stereo System.......... 6

INITIAL SETTINGS 7

Tuner Set ................................................. 7

Clock Set ................................................. 8

PLAYBACK 10

Basic Playback ...................................... 10

Playback Features .................................. 11

RECORDING 14

Basic Recording .................................... 14

Recording Features ................................ 15

TIMER RECORDING 17

Information On ShowView .................... 17

Guide Prog. Number Set..................... 17

ShowView Timer Recording .................. 19

Regular Timer Programming .................. 20

Check And Cancel Programmes.......... 21

PDC/VPS Recording ........................... 21

EDITING 22

Edit To Or From Another Video

Recorder ............................................... 22

Edit From A Camcorder ......................... 23

USING THE CONFIRMATION DISPLAY 24

Storing Channels Manually ................... 24

Delete A Channel .................................. 24

Change Station Channel Position .......... 24

Set Stations ............................................ 25

Fine-Tuning Channels Already Stored .... 25

TV STATION AND ID LIST 26
TROUBLESHOOTING 27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 29
INDEX 30
SPECIFICATIONS 33

PU30425-1859

EN

2 EN

SAFETY FIRST

Safety Precautions

The rating plate and the safety caution are on the rear of the unit.

WARNING: DANGEROUS VOLTAGE INSIDE
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN OR

MOISTURE.

CAUTION

n When you are not using the recorder for a long period of

time, it is recommended that you disconnect the power
cord from the mains outlet.

n Dangerous voltage inside. Refer internal servicing to

qualified service personnel. To prevent electric shock or
fire hazard, remove the power cord from the mains
outlet prior to connecting or disconnecting any signal
lead or aerial.

WARNING

There are two different types of SECAM colour systems:
SECAM-L, used in FRANCE (also called SECAM-West), and
SECAM-B, used in Eastern European countries (also called
SECAM-East).

1.This recorder can also receive SECAM-B colour
television signals for recording and playback.

2.Recordings made of SECAM-B television signals produce
monochrome pictures if played back on a video recorder
of SECAM-L standard, or do not produce normal colour
pictures if played back on a PAL video recorder with
SECAM-B system incorporated (even if the TV set is
SECAM-compatible).

3.SECAM-L prerecorded cassettes or recordings made with
a SECAM-L video recorder produce monochrome
pictures when played back with this recorder.

4.This recorder cannot be used for the SECAM-L standard.
Use a SECAM-L recorder to record SECAM-L signals.

IMPORTANT

n Please read the various precautions on this page before

installing or operating the recorder.

n It should be noted that it may be unlawful to re-record

pre-recorded tapes, records, or discs without the consent
of the owner of copyright in the sound or video record­ing, broadcast or cable programme and in any literary,
dramatic, musical, or artistic work embodied therein.

The OPERATE button does not completely shut off mains
power from the unit, but switches operating current on and
off.

Video tapes recorded with this video recorder in the LP
(Long Play) mode cannot be played back on a single-speed
video recorder.

Failure to heed the following precautions may result in
damage to the recorder, remote control or video
cassette.

1. DO NOT place the recorder . . .

... in an environment prone to extreme temperatures or

humidity.
... in direct sunlight.
... in a dusty environment.
... in an environment where strong magnetic fields are

generated.
... on a surface that is unstable or subject to vibration.

For Italy:

“It is declared that this product, brand JVC, conforms to the
Ministry Decree n. 548 of 28 Aug.’95 published in the
Official Gazette of the Italian Republic n. 301 of 28 Dec.’95”

PAL

n Only cassettes marked “VHS” can be used with this

videorecorder.

n HQ VHS is compatible with existing VHS equipment.
n ShowView is a trademark applied for by Gemstar Develop-

ment Corporation. The ShowView system is manufactured
under licence from Gemstar Development Corporation.

2. DO NOT block the recorder’s ventilation openings.

3. DO NOT place heavy objects on the recorder or remote
control.

4. DO NOT place anything which might spill on top of the
recorder or remote control.

5. AVOID violent shocks to the recorder during transport.

MOISTURE CONDENSATION

Moisture in the air will condense on the recorder when you
move it from a cold place to a warm place, or under extremely
humid conditions—just as water droplets form in the surface of
a glass filled with cold liquid. Moisture condensation on the
head drum will cause damage to the tape. In conditions where
condensation may occur, keep the recorder turned on for a few
hours to let the moisture dry.

ABOUT HEAD CLEANING

Accumulation of dirt and other particles on the video heads
may cause the playback picture to become blurred or inter­rupted. Be sure to contact your nearest JVC dealer if such
troubles occur.

INSTALLING YOUR NEW RECORDER

It’s essential that your video recorder be properly connected.
Follow these steps carefully. THESE STEPS MUST BE

Basic

COMPLETED BEFORE ANY VIDEO OPERATION CAN BE
PERFORMED.

EN 3

Connections

Back of TV

21-pin SCART
connector

Aerial
terminal

RF Cable
(provided)

21-pin SCART Cable

Mains
Power Cord



TV Aerial
Cable

RF output
channel
adjustment
screw

CHECK CONTENTS

Make sure the package contains all of the accessories
listed in “Specifications” (Z pg. 33).

1

SITUATE RECORDER

Place the recorder on a stable, horizontal surface.

2

CONNECT RECORDER TO
TV

The connection method you use depends on the type
of TV you have.

3

RF CONNECTION

●

To Connect To A TV With NO AV Input Terminals . . .

a– Disconnect the TV aerial cable from the TV.
b– Connect the TV aerial cable to the ANT. IN jack

on the rear panel of the recorder.

c– Connect the provided RF cable between the RF

OUT jack on the rear panel of the recorder and
the TV’s aerial terminal.

** Before operating the recorder, make sure the TV’s

channel is set to the VIDEO channel.
AV CONNECTION

●

To Connect To A TV With AV Input Terminals . . .

a– Connect the aerial, recorder and TV as per “RF

CONNECTION”.

b– Connect an optional SCART cable between the

AV1 IN/OUT socket on the rear panel of the
recorder and the TV’s 21-pin SCART connector.

c– Set the RF TEST switch to OFF.

Before operating the recorder, make sure the TV is set
to the VIDEO (or AV) mode.

Rear View

Mains outlet

RF TEST switch

AV1 IN/OUT

Tune The TV
To Your Video
Recorder

CONNECT RECORDER TO
MAINS

Plug the end of the mains power cord into a mains
outlet.

4

The video recorder sends picture and sound signals via the RF
connecting cable to your TV on UHF channel 36.

TURN ON THE RECORDER

Press OPERATE.

1

SELECT OUTPUT MODE

Set the RF TEST switch on the back of the recorder to
ON.

2

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE.

4 EN

INSTALLING YOUR NEW RECORDER (cont.)

Connecting/

SET TV CHANNEL

Set your TV to the video channel (UHF channel 36).
Two white bars appear on screen vertically.

3

● Tune the TV until the bars are as clear as they can be.

● Your TV should be set to the channel designated for

use with a video recorder, or to a spare channel if
there is not a specified video channel on your TV.

RESET OUTPUT MODE

Return the RF TEST switch to OFF.

4

NOTES:

●

If CH36 is occupied by a local station, adjust the RF output
channel adjustment screw to use another channel between
CH32 and CH40 instead.

●

If some interference noise is continually seen on the screen,
consult your JVC dealer.

The AV2 IN/DECODER connector can be used as an input
terminal for an external decoder (descrambler). Simply connect
a decoder and you can enjoy the variety of programming that is
available through scrambled channels.

Using A
Decoder

(A637EH only)

TV Receiver

RF Cable
(provided)

AV2 IN/DECODER



TV Aerial
Cable

SELECT INPUT MODE

Set the AV2 SELECT switch to “DECODER”.

1

CONNECT DECODER

Connect your recorder’s AV2 IN/DECODER connector
to the decoder’s Euroconnector using a 21-pin SCART

2

cable.

SET TUNER

Follow the procedure starting on page 7.

3

AV1 IN/OUTAV2 SELECT switch

Decoder

Rear View

Connecting/

EN 5

The AV2 IN (/DECODER) or AV1 IN/OUT connector can be
used as an input terminal for a satellite tuner. Simply connect a
satellite tuner and you can enjoy the wide variety of satellite
programming.

Using A
Satellite Tuner

TV Receiver

TV Aerial
Cable

Rear View

AV2 IN (/DECODER)

AV2 SELECT switch

RF Cable
(provided)



AV1 IN/OUT

CONNECT SATELLITE
TUNER

Connect an optional 21-pin SCART cable between the
satellite tuner’s Euroconnector and your recorder’s AV2

1

IN (/DECODER) connector.

SELECT INPUT MODE
(A637EH only)

Set the AV2 SELECT switch to “AV2”.

2

PREPARE TO WATCH A
SATELLITE PROGRAMME

Select the appropriate channel on the satellite tuner.
Then set the auxiliary mode by pressing NUMBER key

3

“0” or TV PROG. on the remote control until “AU2”
appears on the recorder’s front display panel.

NOTE:

When connecting a satellite tuner together with a decoder . . .

. . . first connect the decoder to the decoder input of the

satellite tuner, then connect the satellite tuner’s output to
the recorder’s AV2 IN (/DECODER) connector.
Refer to the instruction book for the satellite tuner and
decoder.

Satellite antenna

Satellite tuner

Decoder

6 EN

INSTALLING YOUR NEW RECORDER (cont.)

Connecting/
Using A Stereo

These instructions enable you to connect your video recorder to
your Hi-Fi stereo system (if you have one) and listen to the
soundtrack through the stereo.

System

Audio Cable (not provided)

Mains outlet

R

AUDIO OUT

AV2 SELECT

/ RF TEST

DECODER

OFF

AV2

FM Tuner

CD Player

Stereo Amplifier

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

AUX IN or TAPE MONITOR

Speaker Speaker

L



ON





AV2 IN/DECODER

AV1 IN/OUT

ANT. IN

32
40

RF OUT

Television

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

AUDIO OUT

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Connect the AUDIO OUT L and R connectors on your
video recorder to the AUX IN or TAPE MONITOR

1

terminals on your stereo system’s receiver or amplifier.

NOTES:

●

When connecting your recorder’s audio output connectors to
a stereo amplifier, make sure you connect L and R correctly.

●

If stereo or bilingual TV broadcasts are receivable in your
area, this recorder can record them independently of the TV
set and play them back through the connected stereo system.

●

When listening to sound through the connected stereo system,
turn the TV’s volume down completely.

Rear View

CAUTIONS:

● This recorder has a dynamic range of more than 80 dB with

regards to its Hi-Fi audio capability. It is recommended that
you check the maximum level if you are going to listen to the
Hi-Fi audio signals through a stereo amplifier. A sudden surge
in the input level to the speakers may damage them.

● Some speakers and televisions are specially shielded to

prevent television interference. If both are of the non-shielded
type, do not place the speakers adjacent to the TV set as this
can adversely affect the video playback picture.

INITIAL SETTINGS

Tuner Set

Your recorder needs to memorise all necessary stations in
channel positions in order to record TV programmes. The Auto
Tuning System automatically assigns all receivable stations in
your area to call them up with the TV PROG. buttons without
going through any vacant channels.

The following procedure describes how to select automatic
channel setting.

ACCESS CONFIRMATION
DISPLAY

The channel position, channel and station name (ID –

Z pg. 26) of the stations located by your recorder

6

appear in a Confirmation display.

(EX.)

Channel Position≠Channel

≠

Station Name

≠

EN 7

TURN ON THE RECORDER

Press OPERATE.

1

ACCESS CH. SET DISPLAY

Press and hold CH SET for more than 2 seconds.
“AUTO” appears on the front display panel.

2

ACCESS COUNTRY DIS­PLAY

Press OK and the Country display appears on the front
display panel.

3

SELECT COUNTRY

Press PUSH JOG %fi to select your country’s name.

4

The available country names appear in the following
order:

“AUT” (Österreich) “OTHR” (Others)
“BELG” (Belgium) “SWED” (Sverige)
“DEUT” (Deutschland) “SUOM” (Suomi)
“DK” (Danmark) “SUIS” (Suisse)
“ESP” (España) “PORT” (Portugal)
“GRCE” (Greece) “NOR” (Norsk)
“ITA” (Italia) “NL” (Nederland)

●

If you selected “BELG” or “SUIS” above . . .

. . . refer to “INFORMATION” at the end of this page.

START AUTO CHANNEL
SET

Press OK and “AUTO” blinks on the front display
panel.

5

●

If you selected “BELG” or “SUIS” in step 4 . . .

. . . refer to “INFORMATION” at the end of this page.

Ch=Regular CC=Cable
Confirm all the stored stations by using PUSH JOG%fi.

RETURN TO NORMAL
DISPLAY

Press CH SET.

● Using the Confirmation display, you can skip or add

7

NOTES:

●

●

channel positions, enter station names and perform
other operations. Refer to page 24 for the procedures.

● Depending on the reception conditions, the stations
may not be stored in order, and the station names
may not be stored correctly.

● If you own the A637EH and use a decoder, Z pg. 24
for information on scrambled broadcasts.

Fine tuning is performed automatically when you select
“AUTO” in step 2. If you want to perform it manually, refer to
page 25.
To set the tuner manually, refer to “Storing Channels
Manually” (Z pg. 24).

INFORMATION

If you selected “BELG” or “SUIS” in step 4, you need to
enter the language used in your area. This ensures that
stations broadcasting programmes in your language will be
stored in the highest channel positions. Once you select a
language, the recorder selects the region.
After pressing OK in step 5, perform the following
procedure:

1. Press PUSH JOG%fi to select your language.

● Users living in Belgium should select “DEUT”, “FRA”
or “NL”.

● Users living in Suisse should select “DEUT”, “FRA” or
“ITAL”.

The available languages appear in the following order:

“ENG” (English) “DK” (Dansk)
“DEUT” (Deutsch) “SUOM” (Suomi)
“FRA” (Français) “NOR” (Norsk)
“ITAL” (Italiano) “SWED” (Svenska)
“CAST” (Castellano) “NL” (Nederlands)

2. Press OK, then go to step 6.

8 EN

INITIAL SETTINGS (cont.)

Preparation

Clock Set

If you performed Auto Channel Set (Z pg. 7), the recorder’s
built-in clock is also set automatically. The Auto and Manual
clock setting procedures are necessary when . . .

– a power outage of more than 3 minutes occurs.
– the tuner has been set manually.
– the user desires to set the clock slightly ahead of the actual

time.

– the clock was not set even after Auto Tuner Set was

performed.

Whether you perform Auto or Manual clock setting, you can
use the convenient Just Clock function.

Just Clock

The Just Clock function provides accurate time keeping through
automatic adjustments at regular intervals, by reading data from
a PDC signal.
The Just Clock option appears in the Just Clock display, and can
be set “ON” or “OFF” (the default setting is “ON”). Press OK
until the Just Clock setting begins blinking, then press PUSH
JOG%fi to change the setting.

Just Clock Channel Position

≠

IMPORTANT: If you turn off Just Clock off, the accuracy of your
recorder’s built-in clock may be reduced, which could
adversely effect timer recording.

Both Auto and Manual clock setting procedures begin from step

3.

TURN THE RECORDER ON

Press OPERATE.

1

ACCESS CLOCK SET
DISPLAY

Press CLOCK on the remote control. The Clock Set
display appears.

2

Auto Clock Set

SET CLOCK
AUTOMATICALLY

At the Clock Set display, press PUSH JOG . The Clock
Set display blinks and clock setting begins.

3

● If the Just Clock channel position isn’t set to the
channel position on which Auto Clock data is
received, “Err”(or) appears, and then the display from
step 2 reappears. To set the Just Clock channel
position, press OK until the Just Clock channel
position begins blinking, then cycle through the
numbers by pressing PUSH JOG%fi until the number
representing the channel position in which the station
transmitting clock setting data is stored appears.

%

RETURN TO NORMAL
DISPLAY

Once clock setting is completed, press CLOCK to return
to the normal display.

4

EN 9

Manual Clock Set

SET DATE AND TIME

Press PUSH JOG%fi to set the hour, then press OK. The
“minutes” display begins blinking. Repeat the proce-

3

dure to set the minutes, day, month and year.

Hour≠Minutes

After inputting the year, press OK and the Just Clock
display appears.

Day

≠

≠

Month

D

Year

≠

≠

M

SET JUST CLOCK

The default setting is “ON”. Set as desired by pressing

PUSH JOG%fi, then press OK.

4

● If you set to “OFF”, you can disregard the next step as
you won’t be able to receive regular clock adjust­ments.

NOTES:

●

Auto Clock and Just Clock require a PDC signal, and will not
operate with a VPS signal.

●

Just Clock (when set to “ON”) enables adjustment of the
recorder’s built-in clock every hour on the hour, except for 11
o’clock in the evening and midnight.

●

Just Clock is not effective when . . .
– the recorder’s power is on (unless the recorder is tuned to

the same channel position selected in the Just Clock

display).
– the recorder is in the Timer mode.
– a difference of more than 3 minutes exists between the

built-in clock’s time and the actual time.

●

If Just Clock is set to “ON”, the recorder’s clock is automati­cally adjusted at the start/end of Summer Time.

●

Auto clock setting and Just Clock may not function properly
depending on the reception condition.

●

During Manual clock setting, if the day and month data are
invalid (such as 31st April), the month digits are cleared
automatically and the day digits begin blinking. Input the
correct data.

●

If, in step 3 of the Manual Clock Set procedure, the year digits
are automatically cleared and the day digits begin blinking, it
is possible that you have input 29th February for a non-leap
year. Input the correct data.

SET CLOCK DATA SOURCE
CHANNEL POSITION

The recorder is preset to receive clock setting and
adjustment data from channel position 1. Press PUSH

5

JOG%fi to set the channel position to the number

representing the station transmitting clock setting data,
then press OK.

START CLOCK OPERATION

Press CLOCK.

6

10 EN

PLAY

STOP

STOP/EJECT

REW

FF

PLAY

Basic

PLAYBACK

The easiest, most basic operation possible with your video
recorder is tape playback. Already-recorded signals on a video
tape are read by your video recorder and displayed on your TV
just like a TV programme.

Playback

2

12
45
7

8
0

3
6
9

LOAD A CASSETTE

Make sure the window side is up, the rear label side is
facing you and the arrow on the front of the cassette is

1

point toward the recorder. Don’t apply too much
pressure when inserting.

● The recorder power comes on automatically and the
counter is reset to 0:00:00.

● If the record safety tab has been removed, playback
begins automatically.

q

6

FIND PROGRAMME START
POINT

If the tape is advanced past the start point, press REW.
To go forward, press FF.

2

.

START PLAYBACK

Press PLAY.

3

STOP PLAYBACK

Press STOP on the remote or STOP/EJECT on the
recorder’s front panel. Then press STOP/EJECT to

4

remove the cassette.

REW

1

3

FF

Usable cassettes

● Compact VHS camcorder recordings can be played on
this video recorder. Simply place the recorded cassette
into a VHS Cassette Adapter and it can be used just like
any full-sized VHS cassette.

● This video recorder can record on regular VHS and
Super VHS cassettes. However, it will record and play
back regular VHS signals only. It is not possible to play
back a recorded Super VHS tape.