RCA VR615HF User Manual

video cassette recorder

user's guide

VR615HF

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. VR615HF
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.........................................................................9

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

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

To Add or Remove Channels .............................................11

Time and Date..............................................................................11

Set Daylight-Saving Time......................................................11

Set the Time and Date .........................................................12

VCR Plus+ Channels...................................................................13

What’s Next--Additional Set-Up Features

in the PREFERENCES Menu ......................................................15

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

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

Tape Eject .............................................................................................21

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

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

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

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

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

Timer Recording..........................................................................25

Timer Recording with VCR Plus+............................................26

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

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

Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP

(Second Audio Program)......................................................28

Recording Audio Only ................................................................29

Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes....................30

7

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

Forward and Reverse Search ....................................................36

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

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

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

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

Go-To Search................................................................................38

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

Time Counter......................................................................................38

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

Audio Set-Up Features......................................................................40

Reception.......................................................................................40

Tape Playback................................................................................41

Connections .................................................................. 43

Things to Know Before Connecting Components.....................43

Connecting Y our VCR ........................................................................44

Jacks and Cables...........................................................................44

Choosing a VCR Connection...................................................45

Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .................45

Don’t Forget About the TV/VCR Feature ..............................45

TV with RF Jack Only .................................................................46

TV with Audio/Video Jacks ........................................................47

TV with Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box to

Unscramble Pay Channels Only..........................................48

Appendix A: Reference ................................................ 49

Front Panel...........................................................................................50

Display Panel........................................................................................51

Back Panel ............................................................................................52

T roubleshooting Tips..........................................................................53

Specifications .......................................................................................56

Cleaning the VCR................................................................................56

Limited Warranty................................................................................57

Index.............................................................................. 58

2

First Things First

Hi, my name is SUSAN...

and I wrote this User’s Guide. It’s my job to see
that you ha ve a rewarding user man ual experience.
And, 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

1

➣

Setting Up the VCR

2

➣

VCR Basics

3

➣

recording

4

➣

PROGRAMMING THE

5

REMOTE

5

OTHER FEATURES

6

5

➣

➣

Connections

7

READ ME!

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

3

First Things First

CH

3 4

IN

FROM

ANTENNA

OUT

TO

TELEVISION

MONO

L L

R

R

IN

OUT

IN OUT

VIDEO

AUDIO

VCR

TV

CABLE/

ANTENNA

CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR ANTENNA

Step 1: Unpack What’s in the Box

The following items come packed in the box:

• VCR

• Power cord

• 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 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 IN FROM ANTENNA and OUT
TO TELEVISION jacks for a good signal as shown.

If you have a TV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use these jacks for a
better connection. In order to hear stereo and hi-fi sound, the
audio/video jacks must be used. Refer to the Connections section,
toward the back of the manual.

4

First Things First

STEP 4: PLUG IN THE VCR

Insert the small end of the power cord into the back of the VCR.
Match the wide blade of the plug on the other end of the cord
with the wide slot in the AC outlet. Be sure to insert the plugs
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 3CH4 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.

1st

2nd

STEP 6: turn on the vcr

The first time you connect your VCR and turn it on, a menu
screen appears. This is the beginning of the On-Screen Guide
which helps you to set up specific features of the VCR. If you
choose not to use this Guide, you can set up each feature
individually.

Go to the next step to understand how to move through and
change items in the menu system.

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 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 your TV to the
TV’s video input.

5

First Things First

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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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

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

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.

6

Setting Up the VCR

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 Automatic Daylight-Saving time

• Set up VCR Plus+ channels

• Set the Time and Date

• Set the Remote VCR1/VCR2 feature

• Set the Auto Play feature

• Set the Auto TV/VCR feature

First things first

1

➣

Setting Up the VCR

2

➣

VCR Basics

3

➣

recording

4

➣

PROGRAMMING THE

5

REMOTE

5

➣

OTHER FEATURES

6

5

Connections

7

7

➣

7

Setting Up the VCR

USING THE MENU to set up features

You can set up features by using the menu system. The features
are explained in this section.

If a menu does not appear:

• Make sure TV is tuned to the same channel as the 3CH4
switch or TV’s video line input.

• Make sure VCR indicator is on in the VCR display if you
connected your VCR using the IN FROM ANTENNA and OUT
TO TELEVISION jacks.

• Check your connections.

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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

0 Exit

2. Press 6 to select and display the LANGUAGE menu.

LANGUAGE
Select a language.
1>English

2 Français
3 Español

Press MENU to continue

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

On-Screen Menus

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

8

Setting Up the VCR

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.

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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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

9

Setting Up the VCR

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

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
CHANNEL up or down should only select the active
channels.

To Change the Signal Type

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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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 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.

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.

10

Setting Up the VCR

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
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 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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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 Auto DST: ON or OFF.

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.

11

Setting Up the VCR

• 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 MAIN MENU
1 VCR Plus+
2 Timer Recordings
3 Time
4 Channels
5 Preferences
6 Language/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

0 Exit

2. Press 3 to display the TIME menu.

TIME
1 Set Time and Date

2 Auto DST : ON

0 Exit

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

Time/Date Display

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

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.

12

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 follow.

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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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 menu.

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

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

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

Screen is for an example only.

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 Y ork

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.

13

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.

14

Setting Up the VCR

What’s NEXT--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/Langue/Idioma
7 Audio

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 VCR1/VCR2 Option

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

PREFERENCES
<PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE>

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

0 Exit

PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR2

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

0 Exit

Remote Control Option

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

15

Setting Up the VCR

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 your VCR will no
longer control it.

Use your compatible remote to change the remote setting
back to VCR1. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1 on the
compatible remote, 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 and 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 is turned 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 IN FROM ANTENNA and
OUT TO TELEVISION 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 TV•VCR on 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.

16

VCR BAsICS

learn the basics To get
you started

These VCR basics should be enough for you to
begin enjoying your VCR. Learning the remote
control functions, playing a recorded tape, and
recording a program should do just that.

However, there are other features that
enhance the enjoyment of your VCR, but they
aren’t necessary to get you started. If you want
to learn more about your VCR, just keep
reading.

First things first

1

➣

Setting Up the VCR

2

➣

VCR Basics

3

➣

recording

4

➣

PROGRAMMING THE

5

REMOTE

5

➣

OTHER FEATURES

6

5

Connections

7

7

VCR Basics tells you what you need
to know in order to watch a movie
or tape your favorite show.

➣

17

VCR BAsICS

Remote Buttons

The remote control is capable of controlling your VCR and many
brands of televisions. If you have an RCA, ProScan, or GE TV, you
may be able to control it without having to program the remote.

Component Buttons

OFF

REVERSE PLAY FORWARD

TV

VCR

OFF Turns off VCR when remote is set to control the VCR. Also
turns some compatible components on and off.

TV Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE TV and sets the
remote to control the TV. Also used with the OFF button to turn
on a different brand of TV (if programmed) and sets the remote
to control the TV.

VCR Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE VCR and sets
the remote to control the VCR.

VCR Function Buttons

CHAN Up or Down Selects next higher or lower channel in the
VCR’s channel memory.

CLEAR Resets time counter to 0:00:00. Allows you to change
entries when setting the clock or a timer recording.

F.ADV Lets you view one frame with each press of the button
when tape is in pause.

FORWARD Fast forwards the tape when the VCR is stopped.
Searches forward through a tape during playback. Starts slow­motion playback when tape is paused and increases speed of
slow-motion playback

RECORD

INFO

L

O

V

MUTE

CLEAR MENU

1
4
7

2

5

8

U

P

T

N

I

0

TRACKING





STOP PAUSE

A

N

H

C

C

H

A

SEARCH

V

O

L

GO BACK

N

SPEED

3
6
9

V

•

V

T

F.ADV

C

R

GO BACK Switches between two channels. Select one channel
and then select another using the number buttons. Press GO
BACK to switch between the two channels. In menu mode, press
to go back to previous menu.

INFO Shows the status displays on the TV screen.
INPUT Selects between the line input and the VCR’s tuner. Line

input refers to the signal coming from the component connected
to the audio/video input jacks on the back of the VCR.

MENU Brings up VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen. Used to
select a menu item or exit a menu.

18