RCA VR525 User Manual

video cassette recorder

user's guide

VR525

Important Information

WARNING

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK DO NOT OPEN

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

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.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.

This symbol indicates important instructions accompanying the product.

Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.

Attention: Pour éviter les chocs électriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusqú au fond.

WARNING

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

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. VR525 Serial No. Purchase Date: Dealer/Address/Phone:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

Time and Date..............................................................................10

Set Daylight-Saving Time......................................................10

Set the Time and Date .........................................................11

VCR PLUS+ CHANNELS ..........................................................12

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

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option ....................................................14

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

Auto TV/VCR................................................................................15

EnergySaver...................................................................................16

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

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

Playing a Tape ................................................................................19

Automatic Rewind..............................................................................20

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

Recording .............................................................................................20

Check the Safety Tab...................................................................20

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

Recording Features ............................................................................22

Express Recording (XPR) ..........................................................22

Timer Recording..........................................................................23

Timer Recording with VCR Plus+............................................24

Setting Up the Channel List................................................24

Using VCR Plus+....................................................................24

Stopping a Timer Recording ......................................................26

Reviewing and Clearing Programs ...........................................26

Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes ....................27

Other Features .............................................................. 29

Picture Search Options.....................................................................30

Forward and Reverse Search ....................................................30

Slow Motion..................................................................................30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Commercial Scan (SEARCH BUTTON) ................................30

Frame Advance.............................................................................31

Go-To Search................................................................................31

Index Search..................................................................................31

Pro-Tect Plus™ Locking Feature ....................................................32

Tracking.................................................................................................32

Time Counter......................................................................................33

On-Screen Displays ............................................................................33

Connections .................................................................. 35

Things to Know Before Connecting Components.....................35

Connecting Y our VCR ........................................................................36

Jacks and Cables...........................................................................36

Choosing a VCR Connection..........................................................37

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .........................37

Don’t Forget about the AUTO TV/VCR Feature.........................37

TV with RF jack only...................................................................38

TV with Audio/Video Jacks........................................................39

TV with audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box

to Unscramble Pay Channels Only..........................................40

Appendix: Reference .................................................... 41

Front Panel...........................................................................................42

Indicator Panel.....................................................................................43

Back Panel ............................................................................................43

T roubleshooting Tips..........................................................................44

Specifications .......................................................................................47

Cleaning the VCR................................................................................47

Limited Warranty................................................................................48

Index.............................................................................. 49

First Things First

Hi, my name is Liz…

and I wrote this User’s Guide. It’s my job to see that you ha ve a rewarding user manual experience. You’ll find that I’ve arranged this manual to clearly explain all of your VCR’s features.

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

➣

Setting Up the VCR

➣

VCR Basics

➣

recording

➣

OTHER FEATURES

Connections

➣

READ ME!

These note boxes give you tips for your new video cassette recorder.

First Things First

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 the batteries in the 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 jacks for a better connection. Refer to the Connections section, toward the back of the manual.

CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR ANTENNA

VCR

VIDEO

OUT

AUDIO

3 CH. 4

ANT. IN

RF OUT

CABLE/

ANTENNA

First Things First

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 ANTENNA connectors 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.

STEP 6: turn on the vcr

Press POWER 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:

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.

First Things First

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 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

0 Exit

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

PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

0 Exit

See Additional Set-Up Features for detailed information about the Auto Play feature.

STEP 8: SET UP THE VCR

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

Setting Up the VCR

on-screen guide and Additional 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 Time and Date

• Set up VCR Plus+ Channels

• Set the Remote VCR1/VCR2 feature

• Set the Auto Play feature

• Set the Auto TV/VCR feature

• Set the EnergySaver feature

First things first

➣

Setting Up the VCR

➣

VCR Basics

➣

recording

➣

OTHER FEATURES

➣

Connections

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 1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels 5 Preferences 6 Language

0 Exit

2. Press 6 to select the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE Select a language. 16English

2 Espanol 3 Francais

Press MENU to continue

3. Select English, Español (Spanish), or Français (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

Not all the VCR screens are shown in this manual when explaining the features.

Setting Up the VCR

To Auto Channel Search

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

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.

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH

Now scanning channel 14

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.

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 complete. Now pressing CHAN up or down should only select the active channels.

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.

Setting Up the VCR

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.

To Add or Remove Channels

You may want to add or remove 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 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

Time and Date

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

Set Daylight-Saving Time

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

Selecting Channels

The CHANNEL up and down buttons access those channels active in your VCR channel list.

0 Exit

You can still access channels not in the channel list by using the number buttons on the remote.

Setting Up the VCR

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 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.

2. Press 3 to display the TIME menu.

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

SET TIME AND DATE Time --:--

(hh:mm) Date --/--/--

Press MENU 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 PM

Date 11/18/97 Tuesday

Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set

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 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.

Time/Date Display

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

Setting Up the VCR

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.

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 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 MENU to save

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

VCR+ Channel My Channel 5 46 4 - 3 -> -> -> 23 2 - 1 --

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

Two-Digit VCR Plus+ Channel

Numbers for Cable TV

(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 Entertainment T elevision 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 T elevision 49 The Nashville Network 38 Nickelodeon 64 Nostalgia T elevision 99 Quality Value Cable 41 Showtime 97 Showtime 2 59 Sports Channel 52 Turner Network Television 44 USA-Network 62 Video Hits 1 93 Viewer’s Choice 1 94 Viewer’s Choice 2 55 WGN Chicago 43 WTBS Atlanta 60 WWOR-New York

See next page for Canadian List

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.

Screen is for an example only.

Setting Up the VCR

VCR Plus+ Worksheet

Broadcast or

Cable-TV Station

Name

Hbo 33 ESPN 34

VCR Plus+ Channel

Number**

Channel Number

You Receive the

Station On*

Two-Digit VCR Plus+ Channel

Numbers for Cable TV

(Canadian List)

67 Allarcom Pay Television/

Superchannel 44 Arts & Entertainment 72 Cable News Network-Headline

News 61 Cable News Network 70 Canadian Home Shopping Network 56 Canal Famille 69 Cathay International Television Inc 68 Chinavision Canada Corp 60 Country Music Television 63 Family Channel 62 First Choice 96 First Choice Two 97 First Choice Three 99 First Choice Four 90 House of Commons 91 La Chaine Francaise 51 The Learning Channel 65 MeteoMedia/The W eather Network 48 MuchMusic 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 1 93 Viewer’s Choice 2 94 Viewer’s Choice 3 95 Viewer’s Choice 4 71 Vision TV: Canada’s Faith Network 38 Youth TV, Canada Inc.

*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.

Setting Up the VCR

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 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 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

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 RCA, GE, or ProScan remote that has a VCR2, VCR2•LD, or VCR2•DVD 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 VCR2•DVD button to change.

PREFERENCES (Press VCR2 to Change) 2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

0 Exit

PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control: VCR2 2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF 4 EnergySaver: 2:00

0 Exit

Remote Control Option

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

Setting Up the VCR

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 it.

Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to VCR1. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press VCR on the VCR’s 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 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. 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. Refer to the Connections section, toward the back of the manual.

Auto TV/VCR

Pressing TV•VCR 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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