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Instruction manual
Video cassette recorder
VCR 2120
PALSONIC CORPORATION PTY LTD
1 JOYNTON AVENUE
WATERLOO NSW 2017 AUSTRALIA
TEL:(02)9313 7111
FAX:(02)9313 7555
www.palsonic.com.au
PALSONIC CUSTOMER SERVICE
TELEPHONE
AUSTRALIA:1300 657 888
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WORTH
knowing
Please keep the video machines guarantee card and receipt safe for warranty
purposes.
Precautions
Read carefully through this manual to familiarize yourself with this
high-quality video recorder.
Make sure the rating of your household electricity supply matches
that shown on the back of the video recorder.
Refer to this chapter and the "Initial installation" chapter to help
you install and adjust your video recorder.
Do not ...
... expose the video recorder to high levels of humidity and heat, to
avoid the risk of fire and electric shock.
... open the video recorder. Have a qualified technician carry out
repairs.
... connect the video recorder to the power supply if you have just
moved it from a cold to warm environment. This can result in
condensation inside the recorder and cause serious damage to the
machine and cassettes. Wait around two hours to allow it to reach
room temperature.
Make sure ...
...
the recorder is placed on a steady, flat surface.
... you place the recorder where there is good ventilation all around.
...
you clean the recorder only with a soft, lint-free cloth; do not use
aggressive or alcohol-based cleaning agents.
...
you disconnect the power supply if the recorder appears to be
working incorrectly, is making an unusual sound, has a strange
smell, has smoke emitting from it or liquids have got inside it. Have
a qualified technician check the recorder.
... you disconnect the power supply and aerial if you will not be using
the recorder for a long period or during a thunderstorm.
For your own safety!
There are no components in this video recorder you can
service or repair yourself
Do not open the case of the video recorder. Only allow
qualified personnel to repair or service your set.
This video recorder is designed for continuous
operation. Switching it off does not disconnect it from
the mains (stand-by). To disconnect it from the mains,
you have to unplug it.
Recording any copyright protected material may infringe
a copyright.
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Before doing anything with the machine, please
read the chapter “Initial installation".
Contnets
Controls
The remote control unit .............................................................................
The machine, On screen display ..............................................................
Initial installation
Connecting up the video recorder, Fitting the remote control‘s batteries .
Setting up the video recorder ....................................................................
Playing cassettes
Playing back .............................................................................................
Still, Variable picture search, Variable slow motion,
Accessing new recordings (index scan), CM Skip ....................................
Recording cassettes
Simple recording .......................................................................................
One touch recording (OTR) ......................................................................
More functions
Normal timer recording .............................................................................
Timer Review - changing and erasing, Setting time and date ..................
Clock/Counter display, Remaining time and Cassette length,
Accessing counter zero position, Resetting the counter to zero ...............
Menu languages, Child lock, Cassettes, and ...........................................
Tuning in new stations
Tuning .......................................................................................................
Station names ...........................................................................................
Sorting programme locations, Clearing programme locations ..................
WORTH
knowing
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Connections and copying
To the TV via antenna cable (if you are not using a RCA cable) ..............
Copying, Assembling ... ............................................................................
Appendix
Brief instruction for experienced users .................................................
Before you ask a specialist .......................................................................
Index, Technical data ...............................................................................
On the following pages, the pictures show the buttons you press on the remote control to
perform the function, and what you should see in the On Screen Display or machine
display (if present)
19/20
17
18
21
22
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CONTROLS
The remote control is the principle means of control, but the main playback and
record functions are also available on the front of the machine.
Press any button to turn on the power.
The remote control unit
power on/off
This button is not available for this set
number buttons to select programmes (stations) or to type
in numbers
This button is not available for this set
a button for selecting input sources for recording:
TV stations - input sockets
clock/counter on-screen display
This button is not available for this set
This button is not available for this set
CM skip button to cue the tape for 30 seconds
The buttons to use
are marked on the
following pages.
pause (record), still (playback)
playback start
playback stop
rewindind/fast forwarding a cassette from stop, or
picture search backwards/forwards from playback mode
the record or OTR button
(One Touch Recording means each time you press the
button recording is extended by 30 minutes)
to eject the cassette
a button that doubles the maximum recording time for
very long recordings
the variable slow motion button
the menu controls, programme (station) selection
(PR +/-)
to search the beginnings of records (index)
This button is not available for this set
This button is not available for this set
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Press any button to turn on the power.
The machine
standby/on
playback stop and ejecting the cassette
front input sockets for connecting a camcorder
programme (station) selection
recording or OTR
(One Touch Recording means each time you press the button recording is
extended by 30 minutes)
rewinding / fast forwarding a cassette from Stop, or picture search
backwards / forwards from playback mode.
CONTROLS
playback start
On screen display
The video's menu system
gives you easy-tounderstand access to the
less used functions such
as tuning to stations, clock
setting and more.
"Tape Control" Menu
appears only when a tape
is in the VCR.
* Though the "16:9 Set" is displayed on the screen, this function is not available for this set.
2x
The menus show you
which button to press
for the next step.
In addition, some other
functions appear on
screen temporarily.
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Initial
INSTALLATION
Place your video
horizontally on a flat, steady base so that air can circulate around it for ventilation
away from humidity and heat, magnetic fields, such as those from loudspeakers
,
etc and with no heavy objects placed on top
Connecting up the video recorder
AC 204 V
50 Hz
Unplug the aerial cable from your TV and plug it into the
"
ANT.IN" socket of the video.
Plug the short coaxial cable provided into the "ANT.OUT"
socket of the video and the aerial socket of the TV.
Plug a RCA cable into the "RCA" socket of the video and
the AV socket on the TV if available.
This connection will provide best picture and sound quality.
Ask your dealer for an appropriate cable if you do not have one.
Without a RCA cable, you need to follow the steps described under
"If you are not using a RCA cable" (right page and page 17).
Make sure the rating of the household mains supply matches the
rating shown on the back of the video.
Now plug in the mains lead. The display of the video
should now light.
The buttons to use
are marked on the
following pages.
Fitting the remote control's batteries
1.5 V (AAA)
Fit the batteries as shown by
the pictures in the bay.
Protect your environment by returning used batteries to your dealer. Since
batteries contain toxic substances they require special disposal methods.
Make sure the batteries are always of the same type and age, and remove them
from the remote control if you are not using it for a long period.
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Switch the TV on
You can also start "Auto Search" in the menu
"PR PRESET" "Auto Search"
To tune in new stations (manual tuning) and to
enter station names see page 14- 16
Setting up the video recorder
You should see this picture the first
time you switch on the TV and video
Choose your language
OK for "Auto Search"!
Initial
INSTALLATION
"AUTO SEARCH" tunes in all the stations you can receive in
your country and...
sorts them in an order common for your country
Then type in the current time and date
Should you wish the stations to have the same numbers as
those used on the TV, follow the instructions in "Sorting
programme locations" on page 16
Else
exit the basic installation function and enjoy your
video recorder.
If you don't see this picture, because you don't use a RCA cable, search this picture
now (CH 26) with the station tuning functions of your TV set (see its user manual)
In case of interference problems on CH 26, type in an other
transmission channel between 21 and 69 using the number buttons
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PLAYING
cassettes
Your TV and your video recorder are switched on.
To see the picture from your video, press the station button on the TV
reserved for video input or the AV (Audio/Video) button
Playing back
Load the cassette by pushing
it smoothly and squarely into
the cassette bay, with its
windows pointing up.
Start playback.
Stop playback
Eject the cassette
Fast forward or rewind the
cassette from stop
When you load a protected cassette (e.g. pre-recorded film,
see page 13) playback starts automatically.
PLAY switches back to normal playback.
During still, slow or search, you don't hear the sound.
If the still picture is jittering, you can steady it by using the PR+/buttons.
You can reduce horizontal interference stripes resulting from
inaccurate tracking (when playing tapes of poor quality or recorded
on other machines) by using the PR+/- buttons during playback.
After approx 5 minutes instill, the cassette plays back
automatically.
NTSC PLAYBACK on PAL TV, If you playback the tapes, which have
been recorded on NTSC colour system, on this VCR, you can watch
the pictures on a PAL TV.
Clock / Counter / Remaining time - page 12.
Auto Head Cleaning
This VCR has Auto Head Cleaner The video head will be cleaned
automatically whenever loading or unloading the tape.
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Still
Variable picture search
PLAYING
cassettes
Still picture from playback.
Each press of the button advances the picture
one frame.
"PLAY" blinks during still
PLAY switches back to normal playback
Starting from playback you can control search
speed in 2 steps either forwards ( ) or
backwards ( ). Press repeatedly.
PLAY switches back to normal playback.
Variable slow motion
Starting from playback you can control slow
motion speed in 6 steps (1/5, 1/10, 1/5, 1/30,
1/25, 1/20, 1/15, ...) Press repeatedly.
PLAY switches back to normal playback.
Accessing new recordings (index scan)
Access the beginning of recordings in the middle of the tape using the Index +/- function.
The video recorder automatically sets an electronic marker (index) at the beginning of each
recording. It is these markers which the Index +/- function detects.
Select INDEX + or INDEX - to search forwards or
backwards.
The video will now wind to the beginning of the first
recording, play it for about 6 seconds then wind on to the
next one
When you see the recording you want, press
PLAY.
CM Skip
If you press [CM Skip] button on the remote control, tape advances for 30
seconds segment.
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RECORDING
cassettes
The TV stations on the video have been tuned in (page 5).
The video is switched on.
You can either watch the picture from the video on the TV by pressing the station
button reserved for video input or the AV button, watch another TV station or
switch off the TV altogether.
Simple recording
Load a cassette with its
safety tab in place (see page 13)
Choose the station whose
programme you want to
record.
If the programme you wish to
record is very long, double the
possible recording time with
"LP" (Long Play).
Up to eight hours with an E-240
cassette.
Start your recording.
If you wish to interrupt
recording briefly - then
continue.
"REC" blinks during this period.
The video stops automatically, if
pause exceeds five minutes.
Stop your recording.
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For timer recordings, clock, date, and stations
must be set correctly
Load a cassette with its safety tab in place
(see page 13) and with sufficient free space for
the recording
One touch recording - OTR
If you want to record from a source connected to your video see page 18
To cancel OTR press the button (stop) more than 5 seconds.
Clock / Counter / Remaining time - page 12.
RECORDING
cassettes
Choose the station you want and press the
button once for every 30 minutes of
programme you wish to record.
Up to ten hours are possible
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MORE
functions
For timer recordings, clock, date, and stations must be set correctly.
Load a cassette with its safety tab in place
(see page 13) and with sufficient free space for the recording.
Normal timer recording
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "Timer Program".
Decide if you want to record
"Once", "Weekly" or "Daily" ...
... and confirm.
Type in one after the other.
The programme location
number,
the time the broadcast starts,
the time the broadcast ends,
the day of the broadcast, if it
is not today.
Select LP if you wish to make
a very long recording.
If you wish to make changes:
Move to the position you want to
change using the buttons.
Change the setting using the PR+/- or
number buttons.
If all setting are ok, press or till
you see "OK : confirm" in the bottom
line.
Confirm.
Switch your video off.
Wait a few seconds after typing a one-digit-number
If you have made a mistake, move to the position you want to change
using the buttons and change the setting
If programme timings overlap, the machine will give a warning
message If you don't adjust the times, the machine will record the first
programme completely then continue with the second one
If there is no sufficient free space for the recording on the cassette the
video switches automatically to "LP" for double recording capacity
The recorder will eject cassettes which have the safety tab removed
(page 13).
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Page 13
Timer Review - changing and erasing
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "Timer Program
Select the programming to change or erase.
If you want to erase this programming press
button 0, confirm with OK.
If you wish to make changes:
Move to the position you want to change using
the buttons.
Change the settings using the PR +/- or number
buttons.
If all setting are ok, press or till you see
"OK: confirm" in the bottom line.
Confirm changes with OK. Exit the menus.
MORE
functions
Setting time and date
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "VCR Setup", then "Clock Set"
Move to the position you want to change and
type in the new values.
Wait a few seconds after typing a one-digit number
Store with OK button and exit with MENU button.
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MORE
functions
The counter counts in real time from the point you load the cassette This does not
have to be its beginning! The counter does not count unrecorded parts of the tape
If you rewind beyond the zero position, the counter counts in negative values
(e.g.- 0:01:15)
Clock / counter display
1x:
Time and datetcurrent
status Time and date
2x:
Counter + current status
counter
disappear
3x:
If didn't wind tape (PLAY, FF, REW,...)
it doesn't appear the tape remain
time.
Remaining time and cassette length
Call the video's "MAIN MENU", choose "Tape Control".
When you want the video to show the time remaining from the current video
tape position (to find out if there is sufficient space for a recording, for
example).
To ensure the remaining time shown is accurate, select the length of cassette
currently loaded by selecting this function until you reach the correct length.
Remaining time display is only possible when the cassette is loaded
Accessing counter zero position
The video will wind to the
position 0:00:00 and stop.
Resetting the counter to zero
Reset the counter
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Menu languages
Child Lock
MORE
functions
Call the video's "MAIN MENU", choose
"VCR Setup", then "Language Set"
Select your language
Confirm.
Press the button for about 5 seconds.
Your video can't be operated now, only timer recordings will
be performed.Keep you remote control in a safe place.
To release child lock, press the button again for 5 seconds.
Cassettes
and...
Use only good quality tape cassettes with the VHS logo.
Keep cassettes away from excessive moisture or dust, magnetic and
electrical fields (loudspeakers and computer monitors, for example).
Always wind the tape to the beginning when you have finished. Store
with the full spool at the bottom and with the cassette in its cover.
You can protect your precious recordings from being wiped by breaking out
the safety tab on the side of the cassette (some cassettes have a slide).
Should you wish to re-use the tape after removing the tab, cover the hole
with adhesive tape.
Dimmer
Your video recorder dims its display when switched to stand-by mode.
Auto power off
Your video recorder switches to stand-by when no tape is played and no
station is received for more than 5 minutes.
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Tuning
NEW
STATIONS
in
The TV and video recorder are switched on.
To see the picture from your video, press the station button on the TV reserved for
video input or the AV (Audio / Video) button.
"AV" should not be selected with the AV button on the video.
Tuning
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "PR Preset".
Select "Manual Set"
Choose any unused location
number "----" or "P-xx" ...
It's simplest to use the same location
number on both the TV and video.
...and confirm.
Tune in the station you want.
Press button to see the
picture.
If it isn't the station you want, or the
picture is disturbed, carry on tuning.
Once you see the station you
want, store it.
Tune in further stations (from
step 3 onwards) or exit tuning
mode.
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Station names
If your video is showing no station name or is showing a station name incorrectly, you can
correct this. Select " : name correct" on the "MANUAL SET" menu.
Tuning
N
E
W STATI0N
Call this menu (just see the left page),
if it isn't displayed.
SeIect "name correct"
Either select the name from the stored list ..
in
S
... or you select " :name create" and enter
a 4-digit name.
Change the letters with the PR +/- buttons,
move to the next letter with the buttons.
Store and exit.
The video's automatic tuning system usually produces the best results In poor reception areas,
fine tuning may improve reception Choose the station and tune using the buttons
Store, typing in the location number again
Should you wish to tune in all the channels available in your region, please refer to page 5
Should you wish to sort or clear stations, please refer to page 16
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Tuning in
NEW STATIONS
Sorting programme locations
If the location numbers used for programmes stored in your TV and
video are different, you can change them on the video.
To do this, move the stations to the right numbers, until they are
arranged the way you want.
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "PR Preset" then "PR
Align".
Select the proqramme to swap.
Confirm.
Move the station to the desired
location number
Confirm
Clearing programme locations
Call the video's "MAIN MENU",
choose "PR Preset" then "PR
Erase".
Select the station (location
number) you want to clear.
Review the picture.
Clear.
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If you are using a RCA cable, select the AV
input on the TV to see the picture from the
video
If you are not using a RCA cable, select the
button number on the TV reserved for video
input to see the picture from the video
CONNECTIONS
and
copying
To the TV via antenna cable (if you are not using a RCA cable)
If you are not using a RCA cable, your video can transmit pictures and sound to the TV via the
coax aerial cable. Just tune the TV to the video's output channel (factory set to UHF CH26)
Tune the TV carefully to ensure the best pictures and sound.
Once you have carried out the steps in
"Connecting up the video recorder" (page 4),
switch on your TV.
Press the OK button of the video's remote control
longer than 5 seconds to call the video's test
picture.
Tune the TV to the test picture using the channel
pre-set functions of your TV as described in its
manual.
When you have found the test picture, store it
under the button number on your TV for video
input.
Press the OK button of the video's remote control
again longer than 5 seconds to release the test
picture.
If the quality of the test picture transmitted to the TV is poor due to interference caused by
a station transmitting on channel 26. you can tune the video to a different transmitting
channel Find a free channel between 21 and 69 on your TV
Call the video's "MAIN MENU" choose
"VCR Setup" then "RF Output Set".
Type in the free channel.
Store and exit
If the quality of the test picture transmitted to the TV is poor, fine-tuning on the TV may
help (refer to the TV manual)
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CONNECTIONS
and copying
Switch off all components when connecting or disconnecting cables
Copying
To copy to your video from
another video machine,
connect the two machines with
a cable between their RCA
TV
(other VCR)
Other VCR
Decoder for Pay-TV
Camcorder
Video Player
sockets and select as
programme "AV" using the AV
button.
Set the other video machine to
playback and your machine to
record.
To copy to another video
machine from your video,
connect the two machines by
means of their RCA sockets.
On the other video, select its
AV input and set the machine
to record.
Switch your video to play back
at the position vou want
copying to start.
Assembling
Should you wish to assemble your own film, from camcorder footage for
example, use the assembly technique for smooth edit points:
For the best results, the source cassette from which you are recording
should already be playing back when you start recording.
Move the tape to the
position at which the new
scene is to be added using
the play functions (pages
6/7).
Wind back slightly before
the edit point and put the
machine into pause using the
||
button (do not press
STOP!).
Now go directly into record.
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BRIEF INSTRUCTION
for experienced users
Playing back
Your TV and your video recorder are switched on
To see the picture from your video, press the station
button on the TV reserved for video input or the AV
(Audio/Video) button.
Start playback
Stop playback
Fast forward or rewind the
cassette from stop
Still picture from playback.
Each press of the button
advances the picture one
frame.
PLAY switches back to normal
playback.
Starting from playback you can
control search speed in
2 steps either forwards ( )
or backwards ( ) Press
repeatedly.
PLAY switches back to normal
playback.
Starting from playback you
can control slow motion speed
in 6 steps (1/15, 1/10, 1/5,
1/30, 1/25, 1/20, 1/15, ....)
Press repeatedly.
PLAY switches back to normal
playback.
Select INDEX + or INDEX - to
search forwards or backwards.
The video will now wind to the
beginning of the first recording, play
it for about 6 seconds then wind on
to the next one.
When you see the recording you
want, press play.
Simple recording
The TV stations on the video have been tuned in
(Page 5)
The video is switched on.
You can either watch the picture from the video on
the TV by pressing the station button reserved for
video input or the AV button, watch another TV
station or switch off the TV altogether.
Load a cassette with its safety
tab in place (see page 13).
Choose the station whose
programme you want to
record.
If the programme you wish to
record is very long, double the
possible recording time with
"LP" (Long Play).
Up to eight hours with an E-240
cassette.
Start your recording.
If you wish to interrupt
recording briefly - then
continue.
Stop your recording
One touch recording - OTR
Choose the station you want
and press the button once for
every 30 minutes of
programme you wish to
record.
Up to ten hours are possible.
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BRIEF INSTRUCTION
for experienced users
Normal timer
For timer recordings, clock, date, and stations must be set correctly.
Load a cassette with safety tab in place (page 13) and with sufficient free space for the recording.
Call the video's "MAIN MENU", Confirm,
choose "Timer Program".
Decide if you want to record
"Once", "Weekly" or "Daily" ...
... and confirm.
Type in one after the other:
the programme location
number,
the time the broadcast starts,
the time the broadcast ends,
the day of the broadcast,
if it is not today.
select LP if you wish to make a
very long recording.
If you wish to make changes:
Move to the position you want to change
using the button.
Change the setting using the +/- or number
button.
If all setting are ok, press or till you
see "OK:confirm" in the last line.
Switch your video off
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Before you ask a specialist
Mains supply
thevideo's display does not light
the video doesn't work
Recording
doesn't start
the cassette starts playback
or is ejected
Playback
no picture
poor picture quality
APPENDIX
-
The mains lead is not connected to the wall socket.
-
condensation may have formed when moving the video
recorder from a cold to a warm room. Wait until the video
(and cassette!) reach room temperature.
Is a cassette loaded?
-
-
the safety tab may be missing. Cover the hole with
adhesive tape (page 13).
-
Is the TV tuned to the video (page 5)?
-
Is there a recording on the video tape?
-
Use PR. -/+ buttons to adjust tracking if horizontal stripes appear.
-
Is the cassette of poor quality or worn out? Test with another cassette.
-
If you are not using a RCA cable, have you tuned the location
for video input on the TV properly? pages 5/17.
-
Try a different cassette. The video head drum may need cleaning
- ask your dealer.
poor still picture
Remote control doesn't work
General
a cassette won't load
the cassette won't rewind, fast forward,
play or record mode
timer is recording incorrectly
a loud noise when left in Stop mode
"ERR" shows in the display
-
Press || (pause) several times. Adjust with the PR +/- buttons until
you get the best picture.
are the batteries run down?
is the distance between remote control and video more than
1 meters?
is there an object blocking the direct line between remote control
and video?
-
is there a cassette already loaded? If so, the video's display will
indicate it.
-
the cassette is already fully wound back or to the end.
is the clock set correctly (page 11)?
-
if no play or record function is used for about five minutes when left
in Stop mode, the video switches its motor off to conserve the
mechanism.
-
Your video has detected abnormal conditions. Release this mode
with any button ,your video then safely switches to stand-by.
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APPENDIX
Index
Aerial ....................................................
Assembling recordings .........................
Cassette length ....................................
Channel .......................................
Child lock .............................................
CM Skip ...............................................
Condensation ........................
Counter ................................................
Fine Tuning ..........................................
Location number .........................
LP (Long Play) ..................................
Mains ................................................
Menu ...................................................
OTR .................................................... 9
5/14-17
Precautions
4/14-17
8-10
4/22
Technical data
18
12
13
12
15
Protected cassette ...................................
4
RCA .........................................................
Remaining time ........................................
RF out ...................................................
7
SP (Standard Play)................................
Stand-by ....................................
Station ..............................................
Still frame adjustment ...............................
Test picture ..............................................
Tracking ....................................................
3
13
17
12
5/17
8-10
Precautions
5/14-17
6
17
6
Dimensions
W x H x D
Weight
Power supply
VoItage
Power consumption
System
Video
Channel range
Channel locations
RF Out
360 x 90 x 288 mm
3.85 kg
AC 240 V- 50 Hz
15 Watt
PAL B/G
VHF 2 - 12,
UHF 21 - 69,
CATV S1 -S41, x, y, z
(Hyperband)
99 + AUX
UHF CH 21 - 69 (26)
Video
System
Speeds
VHS
SP / LP
General
Temperature range
Humidity range
Timer
Subject to technical alterations without notice.
0
5 - 35 C
< 80 %
8 events,
1 month
22
Page 25
Eixit the basic installation
function and enjoy your
Video cassette recorder.
Instruction Manual Pages 4-5
...sorts them in an order
common for your country.
Then type in the current
time and date.
Press any button to turn on the power.
Fit the batteries as shown by the pictures in the bay.
"AUTO SEARCH" tunes in
all the stations you can
receive in your country
and ...
VCR 2120
OK for "Auto Search!".
You should see this
Unplug the aerial cable from your TV and plug it into the socket "ANT.IN"
of the video.
Plug the short coaxial cable provided into the "ANT.OUT" socket of the
video and the aerial socket of the TV.
Plug a RCA cable into the "RCA socket of the video and the AV socket
on the TV if available.
Now plug in the main lead. The display of the video should now light.
Choose your language.
picture the first time you
switch on the TV and
video
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