RCA VR631HF User Manual

video cassette recorder
user's guide
VR631HF
RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT OPEN
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
_i his symbol indicates
"dangerous voltage" inside
the product that presents a risk of electric shock or
personal injury.
This symbol indicates
important instructions accompanying the product.
p.i = i
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or :shock hazard, do not expose
this product to rain or moisture.
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 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.
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. VR631HF
Serial No. Purchase Date: Dealer/Address/Phone:
First Things First .............................................................. 3
Setting up the VCR ......................................................... 7
Using the QuickSet Guide .................................................................. 8
Using the Menu to Set Up Features ................................................. 8
Language .......................................................................................... 8
Cable Box Setup ............................................................................ 9
VCR Channels List ....................................................................... 10
To Auto Channel Search ...................................................... 10
To Change the Signal Type ................................................... I I
To Add or Remove Channels ............................................. 12
Time and Date .............................................................................. 12
Set Daylight-Saving Time ...................................................... 12
Set the Time and Date ......................................................... 13
VCR Plus+ Channels ................................................................... 14
What's Next--Additional Set-Up Features
in the PREFERENCES Menu ...................................................... 16
RemoteVCR I/VCR2 Option .................................................... 16
Auto Play ........................................................................................ 17
Auto TV/VCR ................................................................................ 17
Front Panel (VCR Display) ......................................................... 18
VCR Basics ..................................................................... 19
Remote Buttons .................................................................................. 20
Component Buttons ................................................................... 20
VCR Function Buttons ................................................................ 20
"IV Function Buttons ................................................................... 2 I
Playing a Tape ....................................................................................... 22
Automatic Rewind .............................................................................. 23
Tape Eject ............................................................................................. 23
Recording ............................................................................................. 23
Check the Safety Tab ................................................................... 23
Recording ............................................................... 25
Recording Features ............................................................................ 26
Express Recording ....................................................................... 26
Timer Recording .......................................................................... 27
Timer Recording with VCR Plus+ ............................................ 28
Stopping a Timer Recording ...................................................... 30
Reviewing and Clearing Programs ........................................... 30
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP
(Second Audio Program) ...................................................... 30
Recording Audio Only ................................................................ 31
Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes .................... 32
Other Features .............................................................. 33
Picture Search Options ..................................................................... 34
MOVIE, ,ADVANCE ................................................................. 34
Forward and Reverse Search .................................................... 36
Slow Motion .................................................................................. 36
Commercial Scan (SEARCH Button) ...................................... 36
Frame Advance ............................................................................. 37
Index Search .................................................................................. 37
Zero Search .................................................................................. 38
Pro-Tect PlusTM Locking Feature .................................................... 38
Tracking ................................................................................................. 39
Time Counter ...................................................................................... 39
On-Screen Displays ............................................................................ 40
Audio Set-Up Features ...................................................................... 40
Reception ....................................................................................... 4 I
Tape Playback ................................................................................ 41
Connections .................................................................. 43
Things to Know Before Connecting Components .....................43
ConnectingYourVCR ........................................................................44
Jacks and Cables ...........................................................................44
Choosing a VCR Connection ...................................................45
Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .................45
Don't Forget About the Auto 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 PayChannels Only ..........................................48
Appendix A: Reference ................................................ 49
Front Panel ........................................................................................... 50
Display Panel ........................................................................................ 5 I
Back Panel ............................................................................................ 52
Troubleshooting Tips .......................................................................... 53
Specifications ....................................................................................... 57
Cleaning theVCR ................................................................................ 57
Limited Warranty ................................................................................ 58
Index .............................................................................. 59
2
HI, MY NAME IS SUSAN...
and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see that you have a rewarding user manual experience.
And, I think you'll be pleased with the features that can be accessed through the on-screen menus.
1
FIRSTTHINGS FIRST
¥
I
READ THE FIRSTTHREE SECTIONS
V
The first three sections of the manual introduce you to yourVCR, and show you how to set theVCR
up and use the on-screen menus. Reading these
sections gives you the basic information you need to use yourVCR.
V
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.
V
¥
I READ ME! 1
These note boxes give you tips for
your new video cassette recorder.
3
STEP 1: UNPACK WHAT'S IN THE BOX
The following items come packed in the box:
VCR " Remote control
RFcoaxial cable
STEP 2: INSTALL BATI"ERIES 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 ANT. and OUT TO TV
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.
CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR_ANTENNA
VCR
R-AIJDIO-L VIDEO
out@- @- @ .....
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_1@-@- @ ',,_'
4
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 RFcoaxial cable, set the 3CH.4 switch to channel 3 or channel
4--the channel you want to use on your TV.
If you connect your VCR using the AUDIONIDEO 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
The first time you connect your VCR and turn it on, a menu screen appears. This is the beginning of the QuickSet 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:
r
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.
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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 Audio 7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCESmenu.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: OFF
3 Auto TVIVCR: OFF 4 Front Panel AUTO
0 Exit
3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFF.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON
3 Auto TVIVCR: OFF 4 Front Panel AUTO
0 Exit
See AdditionalSet-UpFeaturesfordetailedinformation about the Auto Playfeature,
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
ON-SCREEN GUIDE AND ADDITIONAL SET-UP FEATURES
The QuickSet Guide is a one-time procedure that
takes you through specific features to set up your
VCR. In addition to the Guide, there are other features you may want to set up, such as:
Select a Language
Set up for a Cable Box
Set upVCR Channel List (Auto Channel Search)
Set Automatic Daylight-Saving time
Set theTime and Date
Set upVCR Plus+ Channels
Set the Remote VCRI/VCR2 option
Set the Auto Play feature
Set the Auto TV/VCR feature
2
Y
SETTING UP THE VCR
Y
Y
V
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Set the Front Panel Brightness feature
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USING THE QUICKSET GUIDE
The QuickSet Guide is an automated procedure that helps you set up your VCR. The first time you turn on your VCR0the first
screen of the guide appears.
Select a Language. Seleccione un idioma. Choisissez une langue.
1 English 2 Espa_ot 3 Franpais
Just follow the step-by-step procedures until setup is complete. Some of the feature options may not apply to your VCR configuration.
If the menu does not appear:
Make sure TV is tuned to the same channel asthe 3CH.4 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 ANT. and OUT TO TV
jacks.
Check your connections.
If you choose to set up the VCR options individually, then go to the next section.
USING THE MENU TO SET UP FEATURES
You can set up features by using the menu system. Each feature that appears in the QuickSet Guide is explained in this section as
well as a few others you may want to set up before you begin
using your VCR.
LANGUAGE
Select your preferred language, and the on-screen displays will appear in that language.
OniScreen Menus
Not all the VCR screens are shown in this
manual when explaining the features.
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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 Audio
7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 7 to display the LANGUAGE menu.
LANGUAGE
Select a language.
1>English
2 Espanol 3 FranFais
Press MENU to continue
3. Select English, Espa_ol (Spanish), or Fran_ais (French).
CABLE BOX SETUP
This setup applies only when all channels are received through the cable box. The VCR will automatically enter the output channel of the cable box when programming your VCR for timer
recordings.
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 Audio
7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channel Search 2 AddlRemove Channels 3 Signal Type: CABLE
4 VCR Plus+ Channel List 5 Cable Box Setup
0 Exit
9
,
Press 5to display CABLE BOX SETURThen select one of the three choices.
CABLE BOX SETUP
Do you use your cable box to receive ALL
channels or only SORE channels?
1 ALL channels 2 Only SOME channels
3 Cancel setup
.
If you selected ALL channels, enter the output channel of your cable box, usually 03, 04, or video line input and press MENU.
CABLE BOX SETUP
On what channel does
the VCR receive signals from the cable box?
(usually 3. 4. or Video)
O4
Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to continue
CABLE BOX SETUP
The VCR will now
receive all signals
from the cable box
on channel 04.
Press MENU to continue
Once you complete the setup, the VCR confirms that Cable Box Setup is complete.
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
I VCR PLus+
2 Timer Recordings 3 Time
4 Channels
5 Preferences
6 Audio 7 Language
0 Exit
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Cable Box Setup
ALL channels: enter two numbers for output channel of your cable box or
press INPUT. Only SOME channels: if you only use
the cable box to tune premium channels.
Cancel setup: select to cancel.
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
5 Cable Box Setup
0 Exit
3. Press 1 to display the AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH menu.
.
AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
What type of signal
are you using?
1 Cable TV 2 Antenna 3>Detect Automatically
0 Cancel
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
Nou 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. PressMENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
3. Press3 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 I 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.
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12
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
Channet 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 (DaylightI
Saving 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 Audio
7 Language
0 Exit
,
Press 3 to display the TIME menu.
TIME
1 Set Time and Date
2 Auto DST: ON
0 Exit
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.
3. Press 2 to turn Auto DST:ON or OFF. m 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°sclock 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 Audio 7 Language
0 Exit
.
Press 3 to display the TIME menu.
TIRE
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 --I--I--
Press MENU to cancel
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 10124/97 Friday
Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU to set
I Time/Date Display 1
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.
i
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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 1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels
5 Preferences
6 Audio 7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
NOW scanning channel 14
Press any key to cancel
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 save
Enter the data following the on-screen directions using your worksheet.
VCR+ Channel My Channel
5 46 4 --
3 -> -> -> 23 2 --
I --
Use CH +I- to select
Press 019 to change Press MENU to save
Screen is for an example only.
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Two-DigitVCR Plus+ Channel
Numbers for CableTV
(USA List)
35 American MovieClassics 39 Arts &-Entertainment 57 BlackEntertainment 54 Bravo 42 Cable NewsNetwork 45 Cinemax 98 Cinemax 2
37 The Discovery Channel 53 The Disney Channel
63 Entertainment Television 34 ESPN Sports Network
47 The Family Channel 33 Home BoxOffice
95 Home Box Office 2 96 Home BoxOffice 3
51 The LearningChannel 46 Lifetime
58 The Movie Channel 48 MusicTelevision 49 The NashvilleNetwork 38 Nickelodeon
64 NostalgiaTelevision 99 QualityValue Cable
41 Showtime 97 Showtime 2 59 Sports Channel
52 Turner NetworkTelevision 44 USA-Network 62 Video Hits I 93 Viewer'sChoice I 94 Viewer'sChoice 2
55 WGN Chicago 43 WTBS Atlanta
60 WWOR-NewYork
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.
VCR PLUS+ WORKSHEET
Broadcast or VCR Plus+ Channel Channel Number
Cable-TV Station Number** You Receive the
Name Station On*
HBO 33 ESPN 34
*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.
Two-DigitVCR Plus+ Channel
Numbers for CableTV
(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 Music Television
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 MeteoMediaJTheWeather 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 I
93 Viewer's Choice 2 94 Viewer's Choice 3
95 Viewer's Choice 4
71 Vision "IV: Canada's Faith Network
38 Youth TV, Canada Inc.
15
WHAT'S NEXT--ADDITIONAL SET-UP
FEATURES IN THE PREFERENCES MENU
The features in this section are all accessed through the PREFERENCESmenu.
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 Audio
7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCESmenu.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF
4 Front Panel AUTO
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 DVDmVCR2 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 DVDmVCR2 button to change.
PREFERENCES
(Press VCR2 to Change)
2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF
4 Front Panel AUTO
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR2
2 Auto Play: OFF 3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF 4 Front Panel AUTO
0 Exit
0 Exi t
I Remote Control Option
Changing the Remote Control option
to VCR2 disables the remote that
came with your VCR.
16
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 the compatible remote to change the remote setting
back to VCR1. Display the PREFERENCESmenu, 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/VC R
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 ANTENNA IN and OUT
jacks of your VCR and TV and watch your VCR on channel
3 or 4 of your T_.
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.
17
FRONT PANEL (VCR DISPLAY)
You can change the brightness level of the fluorescent display panel on the front of the VCR. Press 4 to switch between the
options.
AUTO brightens the display when the VCR is on and dims the display when the VCR is off.
BRIGHT keeps the display bright.
DIM keeps the display at a low brightness level.
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