RCA VG4061 Owner’s Manual

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not

remove cover (or back). No user serviceable

RISK OF ELECTRIC

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 jusqfi 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 indicatesimportant instructions accompanying the

product.

lTo reduce the risk of fire or

ishock 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

Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately. Returning this card allows us to contact you if needed.

Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the serial and model numbers in case you need them. The numbers are located on the back of the product.

Model No. VG4061 Serial No. Purchase Date: Dealer/Address/Phone:

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

Setting up the VCR .............................................. 7

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

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

VCR Channels List ............................................................. 8

To Auto Channel Search ............................................. 9

To Change the Signal Type ....................................... 10

To Add or Remove Channels .................................... 10

]]me and Date .................................................................. 10

Set Daylight-Saving ]]me ......................................... 11

Set the ]]me and Date ............................................... 11

VCR Plus+ Channels ........................................................ 12

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

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

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

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

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

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

Component Buttons ........................................................ 18

VCR Function Buttons ..................................................... 18

TV Function Buttons ........................................................ 19

Playing a Tape ........................................................................ 20

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

Recording ............................................................................... 21

Check the Safety Tab ....................................................... 21

Automatic Rewind ................................................................. 21

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

Recording Features ............................................................... 24

Express Recording .......................................................... 24

"timer Recording .............................................................. 25

VCR Plus+ Recording ...................................................... 26

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

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

Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes .......... 29

Programming the Remote .................................. 31

To Control a TV................................................................ 32

Other Features ................................................... 35

Picture Search Options ......................................................... 36

Forward and Rewind Search .......................................... 36

Slow Motion .................................................................... 36

Commercial Scan (SEARCH Button) .............................. 36

Frame Advance ................................................................ 37

Index Search .................................................................... 37

Zero Search ...................................................................... 38

]]me Counter ......................................................................... 38

On-Screen Displays ............................................................... 39

Tracking ........ .......................................................................... 39

Connections ....................................................... 4 l

Things to Know Before Connecting Components .............. 41

Connecting Your VCR ............................................................ 42

Jacks and Cables ............................................................. 42

Choosing a VCR Connection ......................................... 43

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .......... 43

Don't Forget About the Auto TV/VCR Feature ............... 43

TV With RF Jack Only ...................................................... 44

TV With Audio/Video Jacks ............................................ 45

rv With Audio/video Jacks and Cable Box to

Unscramble Pay Channels Only ................................. 46

Appendix A: Reference ...................................... 47

Front Panel ............................................................................. 48

Display Panel ......................................................................... 49

Back Panel .............................................................................. 50

Troubleshooting "tips ............................................................ 51

Specifications ........................................................................ 54

Cleaning the VCR ................................................................... 54

Limited Warranty ................................................................... 55

Index ................................................................. 56

:_ , =_ -_ _. 2:.

Hi, my name is SUSAN... [1

and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see that you have a rewarding user manual experience. Also, I

think you'll be pleased with the features that can be accessed through the on-screen menus.

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.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

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 coaxial cable

Step 2: Install Batteries in the Remote

Control

Follow these steps whenever you need to install or change the batteries in your VCR remote.

1. Remove the cover of the battery compartment.

2. Place batteries in remote, matching the + and - ends of each battery to the diagram inside the compartment.

3. Replace the cover.

Step 3: Connect Your VCR

If you connect your VCR to your home antenna or cable system

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

If you have a TV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use the audio/video

jacks on the TV and VCR for a better connection. Refer to the

Connections section, toward the back of the manual.

CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR"_AANTENNA

VCR

_ RFOUT

"Iv

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.

Step 5: Tune the TV

Tune the TV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing channel is channel 3 or 4 or the TV's video input.

• If you connect your VCR using the ANT.IN and RF OUT jacks with RF coaxial cable, set the 3 CH. 4 switch to channel 3 or

channel 4--the channel you want to use on your TV.

If you connect your VCR using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks with audio/video cables, select the TV's video input to see the

signal. See the TV Owner's Manual.

Ill Fix

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Step 6: Turn On the VCR

Press VCR on the remote to turn on the VCR.

Step 7: Access the 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 MAIN MENU

1 VCR Plus+

2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels 5 Preferences

6 Language

0 Exit

VCR Viewing Channel

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

TV to channel 3 or 4. When using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks to

connect your VCR, tune your TV to the TV's video input channel.

2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

0 Exit

3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play ON or OFF.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1

2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

0 Exit

See Setting Up the VCRfor detailed information about the Auto Play feature.

Step 8: Set Up the VCR

Once you understand how to move around and/or through the menus, go to the next section to set up your VCR.

Set-Up Features

Below is a list of set-up features that you may want to

set up before you begin using your VCR for the first time:

• Select a Language

• Set up VCR Channel List (Auto Channel Search)

• Set Automatic Daylight-Saving Time

• Set the Time and Date

• Set up VCR Plus+ Channels

• Set the Remote VCR1/VCR2 feature

• Set the Auto Play feature

• Setthe AutoTV/VCR feature

SETTING UP THE VCR

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 MENU

I VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings

3 Time

4 Channels

5 Preferences 6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 6 to display the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE

Select a Language.

l_English

2 Espanol 3 FranFais

Press MENU to continue

3. Press 1 for English, 2 for Espa5ol (Spanish), or 3 for

Frangais (French).

VCR Channels List

If you use a cable box for all channels, this step is not necessary. Your VCR 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.

On-screen Menus

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).

To Auto Channel Search

Auto channel search memorizes the channels available through your signal type--cable or antenna.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 VCR Plus+

2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels

5 Preferences 6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search 2 Add/Remove Channels

3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 VCR Plus+ Channel List

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

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.

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH

Now scanning channel 14

Press any key to cancel

Detect Automatically

Auto Channel Search

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 the VCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.

3. Press 3 to change the Signal Type between CABLE and ANTENNA.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channet Search 2 Add/Remove Channels

3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 VCR PLus+ Channel List

0 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.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

2. Press 4 to display CHANNELS menu.

3. 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 remove or add.

ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently ADDED

Press CLEAR to remove Press NENU to exit

ADD/REROVE CHANNELS

Channel 115 is presently REHOVED

Press INFO to add Press RENU to exit

Time and Date

Before you set the time and date, setthe Auto DST (Daylight- Saving Time) feature to ON or OFF for your area.

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.

Set Daylight-Saving Time

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN MENU

1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings

3 Time

4 Channels 5 Preferences

6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 3 to display the TIME 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.

Set the Time and Date

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR RAIN MENU

1VCR PLus+ 2 Timer Recordings

3 Time 4 Channels

5 Preferences

6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 3 to display TIME menu.

TIME

1 Set time and date

2 Auto DST: ON

0 EXIT

]3me and Date

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

programmed.

i i

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. The VCR clock automatically

changes from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM (back one hour). Therefore, it can

affect your recording length.

Press 1 to display the SET TIME AND DATE screen.

SET TIME AND DATE

Time --:--

(hh:mm)

Date --/--/--

Press MENU to cancel

Enter the data using the number buttons. Press 0 before

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

SET TIRE AND DATE

Time 12:34 PM

Date 11/18/97 Tuesday

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set

VCR Plus+ Channels

Using VCR Plus+ can make programming timer recordings for cable or off-air antenna easier, but you have to put in a little time

right now to set up a channel list. A worksheet and abbreviated codes for typical cable services in the U.S. and Canada are provided on the following pages.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1VCR PLus+ 2 Timer Recordings

3 Time 4 Channels 5 Preferences

6 Language

0 Exit

lime/Date Display

VCR Plus+ Channel List

Refer to your local television list for a complete VCR Plus+ channel list for your viewing area or contact your cable company. Using the list may save you some time.

VCR Plus+ Worksheet

Broadcast or

Cable-T3/Station

Name

HBO ESPN

VCR Plus+ Channel

Number H

33 34

Channel Number

You Receive the

Station On*

Two-DigitVCR Plus+ Channel

Numbers for CableTV

(USA List)

35 American Movie Classics

39 Arts &-Entertainment

57 Black Entertainment 54 Bravo 42 Cable News Network 45 Cinemax 98 Cinemax 2

37 The Discovery Channel

53 The Disney Channel

63 Entertain ment Television 34 ESPN Sports Network

47 The Family Channel 33 Home Box Office

95 Home Box Office 2 96 Home Box Office 3

51 The Learning Channel 46 Lifetime

58 The Movie Channel 48 Music Television 49 The Nashville Network 38 Nickelodeon

64 Nostalgia Television 99 QualityValue Cable

41 Showtime 97 Showtime 2 59 Sports Channel

52 Turner NetworkTelevision 44 USA-Network 62 Video Hits I 93 Viewer's Choice I 94 Viewer's Choice 2

55 WGN Chicago 43 WTBS Atlanta

60 WWOR-NewYork

*Check your local or cable listing for the channel number you receive this station on.

**Check your local listing for broadcast or VCR Plus+ channel number assigned,

See next page for Canadian List

2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.

CHANNELS

1 Auto Channel Search 2 Add/Remove Channels

3 Signal Type: CABLE 4 VCR PLus+ Channel List

0 Exit

3. Press 4 to display the VCR Plus+ Channel List screen.

VCR+

Channel My Channel

5 -- 4 --

3 -> -> -> --

2 -- 1 --

Use CH+/- to select Press 0-9 to change

Press RENU to save

4. Enter the data following the on-screen directions using your worksheet.

VCR+ Channel Ry Channel

5 46

4 --

3 -> -> -> 23

2 --

Use CH+/- to select Press 0-9 to change

Press NENU to save

Screen is for an example only.

Additional Set-up Features in the

PREFERENCES Menu

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

Two-DigitVCR Plus+ Channel

Numbers for Cable TV

(Canadian List)

67 Allarcom PayTelevisionl

Superchannel

44 Arts & Entertainment 72 Cable News Network-Headline

News

61 Cable News Network 70 Canadian Home Shopping Network

56 Canal Famille 69 Cathay InternationalTelevision Inc

68 Chinavision Canada Corp 60 Country HusicTelevision

63 Family Channel 62 First Choice

96 First ChoiceTwo 97 First ChoiceThree

99 First Choice Four 90 House of Commons

91 La Chaine Francaise 51 The Learning Channel

65 MeteoHediarrheWeather Network 48 MuchHusic Network

55 MusiquePlus 52 Nashville Network

73 Newsworld/CBC 53 Le Reseau des Sports

43 The Sports Network 64 Super Ecran 37 Super Ecran B

98 Super Ecran C 66 Telatino Network 46 TV5 Montreal

92 Viewer's Choice I 93 Viewer's Choice 2

94 Viewer's Choice 3 95 Viewer's Choice 4

71 VisionTV: Canada's Faith Network 38 Youth'rV, Canada Inc.

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.

VCR MAIN MENU

1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings

3 Time 4 Channels 5 Preferences

6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu.

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

0 Exit

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

Remote VCRI/VCR2 Option

If you own a compatible GE, RCA, or ProScan remote that has a

VCR2, VCR2-LD, or VCR2 oDVD button, this feature allows you to set this VCR to respond to that button.

Press 1 to select the Remote Control item in the menu. Then press

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

PREFERENCES

1 Remote Control: VCR1

2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

0 Exit

The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2, VCR2.LD, or VCR2 °DVD button. If you change the remote setting to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR 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 the VCR will be able to

control it again.

PREFERENCES

(PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE) 2 Auto PLay: ON

3 Auto TV/VCR: ON

0 Exit

Remote Control Option

Changing the Remote Control option to VCR2 disables the remote that came with your VCR.

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 not want a tape with its safety tab

removed to start playing automatically.

Auto TV/VCR

This feature controls whether the TV/VCR switch changes

automatically to the VCR mode when the VCR isturned on.

Press 3 to switch between ON and OFF.

• Select ON if you want the VCR to switch to the VCR mode when the VCR is turned on or a cassette is inserted. This

only applies if you connect the ANT.IN and RF OUT jacks of your VCR and TV and watch your VCR on channel 3 or 4 of

your TV.

• Select OFF if you want the VCR to remain in the TV mode.

This is useful if you watch your VCR on the TV's video input and you don't want your antenna/cable signal interrupted by the VCR.

Auto TV/VCR

Pressing "FVoVCRon the remote

will still switch between the VCR and TV mode.

VCR mode: VCR indicator in the display panel lights.

TV mode: VCR indicator turns off.

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