RCA VG2050 Owner’s Manual

WARNING

To reduce risk of fire or

shock hazard, do not expose this product to

rain or moisture.

Cautions Caution: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE

RiSKOFELECrRPCSHOCK PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE

DONOTOPEN PERSONNEL. This symbol indicates "dangerous

,_k This symbol indicates _k voltage" inside the product that

important instructions _,_ presents a risk of electric shock or

accompanying the product, personal injury.

insert.

Attention: Pour eviter les chocs _lectriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la

fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusq_ au fond.

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

FCCRegulations state that unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment may void the user's authority to operate it.

Cable TV Installer: This reminder is provided to call your attention to Article 820-40 of the National Electrical Code (Section 54 of the Canadian Electrical Code,

Part 1) which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building

as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

Care and Cleaning:

Use a soft cloth or the dusting attachment of your vacuum cleaner to dust

yourVCR. Remove dust from the ventilation holes. Plastic surfaces are easily scratched and can be marred by alcohol and

various solvents. Avoid excessive use of oil-based furniture polishes since the materials used in the cabinet will accumulate more dust. A

nonabrasive, antistatic cleaner/polisher is recommended.

Product Registration

Please fiJl out the product registration card and return it immediately. Returning the 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. VG2050

Serial No.

Purchase Date:

Dealer/Add ress/Phone:

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

Setup with the QuickSet Guide ........................................ 5

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

Using On-screen Menus to Set Up Features .................. 8

Language Selection ....................................................... 8

Cable Box Setup ............................................................. 9

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

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

Changing the Signal Type ..................................... 11

Adding or Removing Channels ............................. 12

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

Auto Clock Set Feature .......................................... 12

Setting the Time Zone ............................................ 13

Setting Daylight-Saving Time ............................... 13

Setting Time and Date Manually ........................... 14

Additional Set-Up Features ............................................ 15

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option ......................................... 15

Auto Play ....................................................................... 16

Auto TV/VCR ................................................................. 16

EnergySaver ................................................................. 17

Front Panel Brightness (VCR Display) ........................ 17

Preferred Tape Speed .................................................. 17

Set Auto Repeat ........................................................... 17

VCR Basics ....................................................................... 19

Remote Buttons .............................................................. 20

Component Buttons ..................................................... 20

VCR Function Buttons .................................................. 20

TV Function Buttons .................................................... 21

Playing a Tape ................................................................. 22

Automatic Rewind ........................................................ 22

Tape Eject ...................................................................... 22

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

Check the Safety Tab .................................................... 23

Recording ......................................................................... 25

Recording Features ......................................................... 26

Express Recording (XPR) ............................................. 26

Timer Recording ........................................................... 27

Stopping a Timer Recording ................................. 28

Reviewing and Clearing Programs ....................... 28

Copying and Editing Tapes ............................................ 29

Other Features ............................................................... 31

Picture Search Options ................................................... 32

Forward and Reverse Search ...................................... 32

Slow Motion ................................................................. 32

Frame Advance ............................................................ 32

Index Search ................................................................. 33

Go-To Search ................................................................ 33

Commercial Scan (SEARCH Button) ........................... 34

Tracking ............................................................................ 34

Pro-Tect Plus TM Locking Feature ................................. 34

Time Counter ................................................................ 35

On-Screen Displays ...................................................... 35

Connections .................................................................... 37

Things to Know Before Connecting Components ........ 37

Connecting the VCR ........................................................ 38

Jacks and Cables .......................................................... 38

RF Jacks and Coaxial Cables (F-type) ................... 38

Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) ........... 38

Choosing a VCR Connection ......................................... 39

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections ........ 39

TV with RF Jack Only ................................................... 40

TV with Audio/Video Jacks .......................................... 41

TV with AN Jacks and a Cable Box to

Unscramble Pay Channels Only .............................. 42

Reference ......................................................................... 43

Front Panel ...................................................................... 44

Display Panel ................................................................... 45

Back Panel ....................................................................... 46

How to Find Your TV's Video Input Channel ................. 47

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome to Your New VCR...

To help get started using your newVCR with

as little reading as possible, all basic information is placed in the first three sections of the manual. To make things easier, there's even an interactive setup guide the first time the VCR is turned on that

walks through several important setup steps.

Getting Started

Before setting up the first time, though, learning some of the finest features are key to getting the

most out of your new videotape recorder. ]]me and date, abilities of the VCR's remote control,

working with channels and basic cassette operations are all covered in the manual's first

three sections.

Once familiar with the VCR's essential features,

make sure to refer to other sections of the manual

to learn more detailed information.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

What Remains?

The final sections of this manual contain playback

and recording information, a detailed connections section, and a reference section complete with

troubleshooting tips, warranty information, and an

index.

READ ME!

These note boxes give you tips for

your new video cassette recorder. J

Step 1: What's in the Box?

The following items come pecked in the box:

VCR Remote control

RF coaxial cable AAA Batteries

Step 2: Install Batteries in the VCR's Remote Control

Follow these steps whenever installing or changing the batteries in the VCR's remote control:

Remove the cover of the battery compartment on the rear of the remote control.

Place the batteries into the compartment matching the

positive (+) and negative (-) ends of each battery to the

diagram inside the compartment.

3. Replace the cove_

Step 3: Connect the VCR to a TV

If you connect the VCR to a home antenna or cable system and

then to a TV, use the VCR's ANT. IN and RF OUT jacks for a good

signal (as shown in the diagram to the right). If you have a TV with AUDIONIDEO jacks, use these jacks for a

better connection. Refer to the Connections section for additional setup options.

Step 4: Plug in the VCR

Your VCR's power cord has a plastic band strung through the blades. Remove plastic band before plugging the cord into the power outlet. To remove band, cut with a pair of scissors and pull it free of the blades. Once the plastic is removed, match

the wide blade of the power cord to the wide slot in the AC outlet. Be sure to insert the plug completely.

CABLE,CABLEBOX,ORANTENNA "_

VCR

Step 5: Tune the TV

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

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

If you connect your VCR using the ANTIN and RF OUT connectors with RF coaxial cable, set the 3 CH. 4 switch to

3 or 4 -- whichever channel isnt used locally.

If the VCR is connected using the Audio/Video (A/V) jacks and AN cables, select the TV's video line input with

the TV's remote control to see the VCR's picture. For more

information about video line input, see "How to Find Your TV's Video Input Channel" in the References section of this

manual.

Step 6: Turn on the VCR

Press the POWER button on the VCR_ front panel or the VCR remote control to turn on the VCR. The first time the VCR is

turned on, a menu screen appears.

Select a language. Seleccione un idJoma. Choisissez une Langue.

1 English 2 Espa_ol 3 Frangais

This is the start of a interactive setup which walks through

essential settings of the VCR.

Step 7: Setup with the QuickSet Guide

The QuickSet Guide is an automated procedure that helps set up the VCR for first time use. Upon initial power up, the setup guide

asks which language to use for all on-screen menus.

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

After this selection is made, just follow the rest of the step-by-

step procedures until the initial setup is complete.

(Continued on next page)

VCR Viewing Channel

! 'LI

AUDIO/VIDEO OUT jacks CH. 3/4 switch

When using the ANT. IN and RF OUT jacks to connect your VCR, tune the

TV to channel 3 or 4. The 3 CH 4

switch on the back of the VCR determines which TV channel

is used to see the VCR's output. When using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks

to connect your VCR, tune your TV to the TV's Video Input Channel with

the TV's remote control. For more

information about video line input, see "How to Find Your TV's Video

Input Channel" in the References section of this manual.

If the initial menu does not appear:

Make sure the TV is tuned to the same channel as the 3 CH. 4 switch (on back of the VCR), or if using A/V cables to connect the VCR to the TV, tune to the TV's video line input (see, "How to Find Your TV's Video Input Channel," in

the References section of this manual for more information).

Make sure the VCR indicator is on in the VCR display (press

the TVoVCR button on the remote control or the VCR's front

panel until "VCR" shows on the front display). Check your connections.

If you choose to set up your VCR options individually instead of using the initial setup, go to the next section.

Step 8: Accessing On-screen Menus

The MENU and number buttons on the VCR's remote control allow for accessing, selecting and changing the VCR's

preferences. For example, to select a different preferred on- screen language than the one selected during the initial set up:

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VER MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings

2 Time

3 Channels 4 Setup

5 Preferences 6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

2. Press 6 to display the LANGUAGE memJ

LANGUAGE

Select a Language,

1>English 2 Espafio[ 3 Fran_ais

Press MENU to continue

Press 1 for English, 2 for Espahol (Spanish), or 3 for Francais (French).

All on-screen menus are handled the same by following on- screen instructions and using the remote control to select

choices. See the next section, Additional Set-Up Features, for detailed information about accessing menus.

Additional Setup Features

Below is a list of setup features, some of which need

to be set up before using your VCR for the first time.

Whether or not the features are handled in the first time interactive setup, all features allow you to get

the most out of your VCR.

SETTING UP THE VCR

Language*

Cable box set up*

VCR channels list (Auto Channel Search)*

time setup using Auto Clock set*

- Setting time zone*

- Daylight Saving time*

Manually setting time and date

Remote VCRINCR2

Auto play

EnergySaver feature

Front panel brightness

Preferred tape speed

* Features handled during the VCR'sinitial setup

Using On-screen Menus to Set Up Features

The VCRfs features can be set up using its emote control buttons to enter choices from on-screen instructions.

Each on-screen menu item is explained in this section.

For each numbered selection on the menus, use the same numbered button on the remote control to select it.

Language Selection

If you did not complete this step in the initial QuickSet Guide, it is time to select a preferred language for on-screen displays.

1. On your remote control, press theMENU button to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

I Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels

4 Setup

5 Preferences

6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

2. Press 6 to select the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE

Select a Language,

1>English 2 Espafiol 3 Frangais

Press MENU to continue

Press I for English, 2 for Espafiol (Spanish), or 3 for Frangais (French). An arrow indicator highlights the current

selection. Once the proper language is highlighted, press the MENU button on the remote control to return to the VCR MAIN MENU.

Is Something Missing?

Note that not all VCR on-screen

displays are always shown in this

manual when explaining the features.

Cable Box Setup

This particular setup appliesonly when all channels are

received through a cable box. In this case, the VCR will automatically enter the channel used to view cable box programming (usually 3 or 4). Your VCR will use this channel

for all future timer recordings.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

I Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 Channels

4 Setup

5 Preferences 6 Language/Langue/Idioma

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 4 to display the CABLE BOX SETUP screen. Then select one of the three choices.

CABLE BOX SETUP

Do you use your cable box to receive ALL

channels or only SOME

channels?

1 ALL channels 2 Only SOME channels

3 Cancel setup

If you selected ALL Channels, enter the output channel of your cable box (usually 03 or 04), or press the INPUT

button on the VCR's remote to select the VCR's video input channel if you used the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks and A/V cables to connect the VCR to the "IV.

Choosing the Right Setup for Your Cable Box

If you use your cable box to receive: ALL channels- enter two numbers for

the output channel of your cable box

or press INPUT if you connect your cable box with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks.

Only SOME channels- choose this option if you only use the cable box to unscramble premium channels.

Cancel setup will take you to a screen stating your VCR will not control the cable box channel during timer recordings.

W i

CABLE BOX SETUP On what channel does the VCR receive signaLs from the cable box?

(usuaLLy 3 r A, or Video)

Enter 01-13 or INPUT Press MENU to cancel

Once you complete the setup, the VCR confirms that it will

CABLE BOX SETUP

On what channel does the VCR receive signals

from the cable box?

(usuaLLy 3, 4 or video)

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to continue

now receive all signals on the designated channel.

CABLE BOX SETUP

The CabLe Box Setup is complete.

The VCR wiLL NOT control the cable box channel

during timer recording.

Press MENU to continue

VCR Channels List

If a cable box is used fora//channels, this next step is not

necessary. Your VCR may come with a channel list preset at the factory, but adding or deleting some channels may be necessary. depending on whether they are broadcasting signals.

Auto Channel Search

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 ChanneLs A Setup

5 Preferences 6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search

2 Add/Remove ChanneLs 3 Signal Type: CABLE

A CabLe Box Setup

0 Exit

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

Auto channel 6earch

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

What type of signal are you using?

1 Cable TV

2 Antenna 3>Detect Automatically

0 Cancel

Select one of the three AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH options (the current choice is highlighted with the arrowhead at left):

Cable TV searches for cable stations from a single channel

Antenna searches for local broadcast stations on all channels

Detect Automatically will attempt to determine if the

signal comes from one or many channels.

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH

Now scanning channel 14

Press any key to cancel

The VCR begins scanning for available channels--this can take up

to one or two minutes. When the scan is complete, the VCR tunes to the lowest numbered channel. Pressing the CHAN up or down

buttons on the remote will only scroll through active channels.

Changing the Signal Type

If cable service is ever added or Bmoved, the VCR_ signal may have to be adjusted. To choose between cable and standad

antenna signals:

1. Press the MENU button on the remote control to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

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 3 to change the Signal Type between CABLE and

ANTENNA

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.

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.

Adding or Removing Channels

Channels may be added or remove channels after youAuto Channel Search, especially if some of the channels have weak

signals or you dont want to watch them.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.

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

Channel 115

is presently REMOVED

Press INFO to add Press MENU to exit

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish this set up.

Time and Date

The VCR gives you two ways to set the time and date: the Auto Clock Feature or manually. The Auto Clock Feature enables the VCR to update the clock each time the VCR is turned off. The

Auto Clock is advantageous because it updates the time for you automatically.

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

Saving l'me) feature to ON or OFF for your area.

Auto Clock Set Feature

The Auto Clock Set feature is set to ON at the factory. In the ON setting, the VCR looks for a channel carrying XDS (Extended

Data Services) information. XDS updates the clock using the Coordinated Universal Time. There are certain steps that are

required, such as Auto Channel Search, setting the "iqme Zone, and Daylight Saving feature before the Auto Clock feature

works.

Setting the Time Zone

1. Press MENU on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

I Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels 4 Setup

5 Preferences

6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

2. Press 2 to display TIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date 2 Set Time Zone

3 Set Daylight Savings

0 Exit

3, Press 3 again to displaythe SET TIME ZONE menu.

33me/date display

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

screen.

SET TIME ZONE What is your Time Zone? I Eastern 2 Central 3 Mountain 4 Pacific 5 Alaska 6 Hawaii 7>Automatic

Press MENU to continue

4. Select your time zone. If you select Automatic for your time zone, the VCR sets the

clock using the first Coordinated Universal Time information it finds. If the time is not correct, select another time zone or set

the time and date through the menu system.

Setting Daylight-Saving Time

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 2 to display the TIME menu.

3. Press 4 to display the SET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS menu.

Continued on Next Page

SET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

Does your area observe DayLight Savings Time from April to October?

I Yes, DST is observed 2 No

3>Automatic

Press MENU to continue

4. Select one of the options.

DST is the aconym for Daylight Saving Time. If you chose AUTOMATIC, the VCR sets the clock using the

DST information broadcast in the signal (channel).

Setting Time and Date Manually

If the Auto Clock Set was unsuccessful, set the clock through the menu option. The Auto Clock Set feature is set to OFF

automatically when you set the clock this way

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

I Timer Recordings

2 Time 3 Channels

4 Setup 5 Preferences

6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

Spring Forward; Fall Back

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 falling within this time frame.

In the Autumn, daylight-saving time ends on the last Sunday in October. The VCR clock automatically changes

from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM (back one

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

2. Press 2 to display the TIME menu.

TIME

1 Set Time and Date 2 Set Time Zone

3 Set Daylight Savings

0 Exit

3. Press 1 to display the SET TIME AND DATE menu.

SET TIME AND PATE

Time --:--

(hh:mm)

Date --/--/--

Press MENU to cancel

Enter the data using the number buRons. Press O before

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

SET TIME AND DATE

Time 12:34 PM

Date 11/18/99 Thursday

Press CLEAR to correct

Press MENU to set

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 the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

I Timer Recordings 2 Time

3 ChanneLs

4 Setup 5 Preferences

6 Language/Langue/Idioma

0 Exit

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VER: OFF

4 EnergySaver: 2:00

5 Front Panel: BRIGHT 6 Tape Speed: SLP 7 Set Auto Repeat

0 Exit

The PREFERENCES menu allows access to settings for the remote control, EnergySaver, front panel brightness and more,

2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: OFF

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

5 Front Panel: BRIGHT

6 Tape Speed: SLP 7 Set Auto Repeat

0 Exit

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

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option

If you own a compatible GE, RCA, or PROSCAN remote that has a VCR2, VCR2.LD, or VCR2oDVD button, this feature allows you

to set this VCR to respond to that button.

Press 1 to select the Remote Control item. Then press the VCR2, VCR2.LD, or VCR2oDVD button to change.

Continued on Next Page

(Press VCR2 to Change) 2 Auto PLay: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF

4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: BRIGHT

6 Tape Speed: SLP 7 Set Auto Repeat

I PREFERENCES

Exit

I Remote Control: VCR2 2 Auto PLay: OFF

3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF

4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: BRIGHT

6 Tape Speed: SLP 7 Set Auto Repeat

0 Exit

PREFERENCES

The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2,

VCR2-LD, or VCR2oDVD button. If you change the remote setting to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR will no longer

control it.

Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to

VCRI. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press VCR or VCR1 on the compatible remote.

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 youdo notwant a tape with its safety tab

removed to start playing automatically.

Auto TV/VCR

To view a signal from a VCR connected to a TV with a standard

RFcoaxial cable, the TV/VCR button on the remote control must

be pressed in order to see the signal.

When Auto TV/VCR is turned on, the signal will be changed to VCR automatically, eliminating the need to press the remote

control button.

The TV must be tuned to the VCR viewing channel (usually 3

or 4) to see the signal. Select OFF if youdo notwant the VCR's signal to change

automatically to VCR when a tape is inserted and played.

Remote control option

Changing the remote option to VCR2 disables the remote that came with

your VCR,

+ 42 hidden pages