RCA VG2042 Owner’s Manual

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not

remove cover (or back). No user serviceable

RISK O|

DO NOT OPEN

This symbol indicates

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

Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match

wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.

Attention: Pour _viter les chocs _lectriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la

borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusqt_ 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.

parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

This symbol indicates

important instructions

accompanying the

product.

WARN]NG

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

this product to rain or moisture.

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.

Product Registration

Pleasefill out the product registration cardand return it immediately. Returningthis cardallowsusto contact youif 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. VG2042

Serial No.

Purchase Date:

Dealer/Address/Phone:

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

Setting Up the VCR .............................................. 8

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

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

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

VCR Channels List ........................................................... ao

To Auto Channel Search .................................................. ao

To Change the Signal'l'ype ............................................. 11

To Add or Remove Channels ......................................... 3a

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

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

Set the'rime and Date ............................................... 13

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

Remote VCRINCR2 Option ............................................. 14

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

EnergySaver TM ................................................................. 15

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

•rimer Recording .............................................................. 25

Stopping a,rimer Recording ..................................... 26

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

UsingTwo VCRs for Copying and Editing'rapes .................. 27

Programming the Remote .................................. 29

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

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

Programming the Remote to Control a Digital

Satellite Receiver or Cable Box ....................................... 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 PlusTM Locking Feature ......................................... 36

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

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

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

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

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

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

AudioNideo Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) .................... 40

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

Advantages of AudioNideo Cable Connections ........... 41

Don't Forget About the AutoTVNCR Feature ................ 41

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

TV With AudioNideo Jacks ................................................... 43

TV With Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box

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

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

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

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

Indicator Panel ....................................................................... 47

TroubleshootingTips ............................................................. 48

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

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

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

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

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.

These note boxes give you tips for

READ ME! 1

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 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.

CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR_ANTENNA

VCR

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 yourVCR 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 "/'VOwner's Manual.

STEP 6: Turn On the VCR

Press POWER to turn on theVCR.Turning on theVCR for the first

time starts the Interactive Setup feature.

STEP 7: Interactive Setup

The first time the VCR is turned on, Interactive Setup--a brief series of on-screen menusmappears.These menus assist in setting up several of theVCR'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. Seteccione un idioma.

Choisissez une Langue.

1>English Z Espafiot 3 Fran_ais

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 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 the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN 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 EnergySaver: 2:00

4 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 EnergySaver: 2:00 4 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

SETTING UP THE VCR

• Set for use with a cable box

• Set upVCR channel list (Auto Channel Search)

• Set automatic daylight-saving time

• Set the time and date

• Set the Remote VCR1/VCR2 feature

• Set theAuto Play feature

• Set the EnergySaver TM 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 the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 Channets 4 Preferences $ Language

0 Exit

Press 5 to display the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE

Select a tanguage.

l>Engtish 2 Espanol

3 Francais

Press NENU to continue

3. Press 1for 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 VCRwill automatically enter the output

channel of the cable box when programming your VCR for timer recordings.

Not all the VCR screens are shown in

this manual when explaining

On-screen Menus ]

the features.

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

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 SORE channels.

1 ALL channels 2 OnLy 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 wiLL now

receive aLL signals

from the cable box on channeL 04.

Press RENU to continue

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

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.

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 your VCR 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 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

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 your VCR.

Detect Automatically

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 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 display theVCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 3 to 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

O 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 the VCR 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 RENU to exit

ADD/REROVE CHANNELS

ChanneL 115

is presentLy REROVED

Press INFO to add Press mENU to ex4t

• 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 display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels

4 Preferences S 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 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 the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 ChanneLs

4 Preferences

5 Language

0 Exit

Press 2 to displayTIME menu.

TIRE

1 Set time and date

2 Auto DST: ON

0 EXIT

Press 1 to display the SETTIME AND DATE screen.

SET TIRE AND DATE

Time --:--

(hh:mm)

Date --/--/--

Press RENU 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 PR

Date 10124197 Friday

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set

The time and date must be set before a timer recording can be

I Time and Date

programmed.

Time/Date Display

Pressing INFO on the remote displays the time and date on the

TV screen.

] ]

Additional Set-up Features in the

PREFERENCES Menu

The features in this section are all accessed through the PREFERENCES menu.

1. Press MENU to display theVCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN RENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time

3 ChanneLs

4 Preferences 5 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4 to display PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote ControL: VCR1 2 Auto PLay: ON 3 EnergySaven: 2:00 4 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Ex(t

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

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option

If you own a compatible GE0RCA or ProScan remote that has a

VCR2, VCR2.LD, or DVD.VCR2 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, VCR2.LD, or DVD.VCR2 button to change.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote ControL: VCR1

2 Auto PLay: ON 3 EnergySaver: 2:00

4 Tape Speed: SLP

0 Exit 0 Exit

PREFERENCES

(PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE)

2 Auto PLay: ON

3 EnergySaver: 2:00 4 Tape Speed: SLP

Remote Control Option

Changing the Remote Control option toVCR2 disables the remote that came with yourVCR.

The VCR 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 yourVCR will no longer control the VCR.

Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to

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

control it again.

Auto Play

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

between ON or OFF.

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.

EnergySaver TM

Bydefault, this VCR automatically turns off after two hours of

inactivity. Press3 to change the time delay, or to disable the feature.

OFF: The VCR will remain turned on until you shut it off.

1:00, 2:00, or 3:00:The VCR turns off after one, two, or three

hours of inactivity.

Thirty seconds before shutting off, theVCR will warn you with a

screen reading, "The VCR will turn off in 30 seconds. Press any key to cancel."

If you use the VCR's tuner instead of yourTV to tune channels,

you may want to turn this feature off.

TV.VCR Bu_on

+ 39 hidden pages

RCA VG2042 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual