Zenith VRA423 OPERATING GUIDE

Operating Guide and
Warranty for your new Zenith
Entertainment Machine

Model

VRA423

thanks for

choosing zenith

R

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the pres­ence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to con­stitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important oper­ating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING:

TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

POWER CORD POLARIZATION:

CAUTION: To Prevent 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 jusqu’au fond.

NOTE TO CABLE/TV INSTALLER:

This reminder is provided to call the cable TV system installer’s attention to Article 820-40 of the National Electric
Code (U.S.A.). The code 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 the cable entry as practical.

REGULATORY INFORMATION:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION:

Do not attempt to modify this product in any way without written authorization from Zenith Electronics
Corporation. Unauthorized modification could void the user’s authority to operate this product.

This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.

“Ce appareil numérique de la class b respecte toutes les exigences du Règulement sur le matériel brouillier
du Canada.”

RECORD YOUR MODEL NUMBER
(Now, while you can see it)

The model and serial number of your new VCR are located
on the back of the VCR cabinet. For your future convenience,
we suggest that you record these numbers here:

MODEL NO.____________________________________
SERIAL NO.____________________________________

WARNING

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

SAFETY TIPS:

Refer to the “Safety Tips” leaflet that
came with your product for Important
Safety Instructions.

INSTALLATION PAGE 3

This page
shows the
features of
your VCR.

VCR Features Chart

FEATURES

VCR Plus+® Recording System
SpeakEZ Function
4-Heads (Special Video Effects)
Full Load/Quick Start
Auto Head Cleaner
MTS Hi-Fi Stereo Audio System
Front and Rear Audio/Video (A/V) Jacks
Remote Control MBR423
Auto/Manual Band Select
Auto/Manual Channel Search
181 Channel Capability (CATV & TV)
Record Speeds SP/EP
Playback Speeds SP/LP/EP
Auto Playback System
Auto/Manual Digital Tracking
Instant Recording
Timer-Controlled Recording
Auto Playback Tape Speed Adjust
Forward/Reverse Slow-Motion Video (4-head VCR); Variable 1/10 to 1/32
Clear Pause/Still Video
Real-Time Tape Counter
Speed Search
CM Skip
English/Spanish/French Menus
1-Year, 8-Event Timer
LED Clock Front Panel Display
Auto Clock Set System
Hook-up Cable (VCR to TV)

VCR design and specifications are subject to change without prior notice.

INSTALLATIONPAGE 4

Required

connections

for your VCR

Connections for your VCR

Connections With a Cable Box

Connections Without a Cable Box

Back Panel of Stereo VCR

Back Panel of Typical TV

Antenna

Flat Wire
(300 ohm)

300/75 ohm
Adaptor
(Not provided)

Cable TV
Wall Jack

This cable is provided

with your VCR.

OR

OR

IN

OUT OUT

IN

R

L

AUDIO

VIDEO

VHF/UHF/CATV

ANT

IN

ANT

IN

OUT

TO
TV

VHF/UHF/CATV

VIDEOR-AUDIO-L

OUT

IN

OUT

CH3 CH4

IN

AUX 1

Turn off power or unplug VCR
before making any connections.

ANT

IN

OUT

TO
TV

VHF/UHF/CATV

VIDEOR-AUDIO-L

OUT

IN

OUT

CH3 CH4

IN

AUX 1

Back Panel of

Typical Cable Box

CH3 CH4

CABLE

OUT IN

Back Panel of Stereo VCR Back Panel of Typical TV

IN IN

OUTOUT

R

L

AUDIO VIDEO

VHF/UHF/CATV

ANT

IN

Cable TV
Wall Jack

This cable is provided

with your VCR.

Turn off power or unplug VCR
before making any connections.

INSTALLATION PAGE 5

Optional
connections
for your VCR

Connections for your VCR

Audio/Video (A/V) Connections to TV

Use A/V connections for a better picture.

Accessory Audio/Video (A/V) Connections to VCR

ANT

IN

OUT

TO
TV

VHF/UHF/CATV

VIDEOR-AUDIO-L

OUT

IN

OUT

CH3 CH4

IN

AUX 1

OUT

IN

OUT

IN

R-AUDIO-L VIDEO

VHF/UHF/CATV

ANT

IN

Back Panel of Typical TV

A/V cable is not provided with VCR.

Back Panel of Stereo VCR

ANT

IN

OUT

TO
TV

VHF/UHF/CATV

VIDEOR-AUDIO-L

OUT

IN

OUT

CH3 CH4

IN

AUX 1

Back Panel of Stereo VCR

OUT

IN

OUT

IN

R-AUDIO-L VIDEO

Jack panel of Accessory

A/V cable is not provided with VCR.

Accessory
Component:
Another VCR,
Camcorder,
Video Camera,
Satellite Receiver,
Laser Disc Player

Turn off power
or unplug VCR
before making
any connections.

Turn off power
or unplug VCR
before making
any connections.

INSTALLATIONPAGE 6

Things you

must do

before you

can operate

your VCR

Before you operate your VCR

1

2

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1
TIMER : 2
SETUP : 3
AUDIO : 4

PROGRAM 1
MONTH :
DAY :
START :
STOP :
CHANNEL :
SPEED :
REPEAT :
(1-8) to select program
ENTER to adjust program

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

CLOCK

MAIN MENU

TIMER SETUP AUDIO

Press NUMBER (1, 2, 3, 4) button

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ: ON 1 ON 2 OFF
PLAYBACK:

RECORD:

CLOCK MENU

AUTO CLOCK SET(ON): 1
MANUAL CLOCK SET : 2

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Connect the Power

(Required) Plug your VCR into an unswitched

120 Vac, 60 Hz household power outlet. Turn
on the VCR by pressing the POWER on the
remote or on the VCR’s front panel.

Do not plug the VCR into a switched
power outlet. Otherwise, when the
power is switched off, the VCR turns
off. You may then have to reset the
time and date, and reprogram opera­tional features.

Set Position of the CH3/CH4 Switch

(Required) The CH3/CH4 switch on the VCR’s

back panel determines which channel the VCR
uses to send video signals to your TV. The TV
must be tuned to the same channel you set
with the CH3/CH4 switch to see tape play­back and status displays from the VCR. To
determine which video channel provides the
best picture for your system, try the switch
in CH3 position and tune your TV to channel
3; then try the CH4 position and tune your
TV to channel 4.

For a test display, press TV/VCR on remote
repeatedly until the VCR indicator appears in
the VCR’s front panel display. Press MENU on
the remote to see the main menu.

TYPICAL ZENITH VCR

WALL

SWITCH

POWER

OUTLET

CH3 CH4

l - audio - r video

power stop/eject rew play f fwd pause sp/ep ch rec/itr

AM

VCR

PM

REC

Tune
TV to

Ch.3

TMR

Tune

OR

CH3 CH4

TV to

Ch.4

aux 2

INSTALLATION PAGE 7

Things you
must do
before you
can operate
your VCR

Before you operate your VCR

How to Access Menus

1. Press MENU to see Main Menu.

2. Press NUMBER (1, 2, 3, or 4) to see
desired sub menu to be used.

3. Press NUMBER to choose desired
option to be changed.

4. Press QUIT/CC to exit menu, or wait a
few minutes and the VCR returns to
normal operation.

Select SpeakEZ Function ON/OFF

A voice tells you how to use the features
in the menus if SpeakEZ is ON. (ON is
recommended.).
See the AUDIO Menu for details.

SpeakEZ only functions with
ENGLISH.

Select Language for VCR
Menus/Displays

(Optional) Select English, Spanish, or

French for VCR menus and status dis­plays. See the LANGUAGE SELECT option
on the SETUP menu for details.

enter

menu quit/cc

Selects

VCR tuner

Chooses and

modifies options

tv/vcr

123

456

789

0

vcr

cbl/
dbs

tv

power

program

ch

ch

vol

vol

eject

enter

mute

rec/itr

123

456

789

tv/vcr

adjvcr+

0

cm skip

sel

sel

menu quit/cc

memory sp/ep

p

a

u

s

e

s

t

o

p

play

rew f fwd

Point remote toward VCR

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1
TIMER : 2
SETUP : 3
AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ: ON 1 ON 2 OFF
PLAYBACK:

RECORD:

MAIN MENU

Press NUMBER

(1 or 2) to choose

ON or OFF

Press 4.

SETUP MENU

Press NUMBER (1, 2,

or 3) to select the

desired language

Press 5.

3

4

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

LANGUAGE SELECT : ENGLISH
1 ENGLISH 2 ESPAÑOL
3 FRANÇAIS
Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

INSTALLATIONPAGE 8

Some things
you must do

and others

you may

want to do

before you

can operate

your VCR

Before you operate your VCR

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

SOURCE: TUNER (TV)

1 TV 2 CATV
3 AUX1 4 AUX2

SETUP MENU

Press NUMBER

(1, 2, 3, or 4) to

select the desired

source

Press 3.

Set Date and Time for Clock

Set the clock in the VCR to the current
date and time. See CLOCK Menu for
details.

Your VCR also has an Auto-Clock Set
feature. See CLOCK Menu for details.

The Timer features will not
function unless the Clock has
been set.

Select Source for VCR

(Optional) Set the source of the VCR for

the type of program signal you have
connected to the ANT IN jack on the
back of the VCR. Choose TV if you have
an antenna connected to the VCR.
Choose CATV if you have a cable system
(with or without a cable box) connected
to the VCR. Choose AUX1 (or AUX2) if
you have an accessory Audio/Video
(A/V) connected to the VCR.

See SOURCE option on SETUP menu for
details.

Use Auto Program to Find
Channels

(Required) Use AUTO PROGRAM to find

active channels in your broadcast area.
AUTO PROGRAM stores the active chan­nels that you can access by using the
Channel Up/Down arrows. See AUTO
PROGRAM on the SETUP Menu for
details.

Use CH. ADD/DEL to Create
Favorite Channels

(Optional) Use CH. ADD/DEL to change

the list of active channels found when
using AUTO PROGRAM, so you can list
your favorites. See CH.ADD/DEL on the
SETUP Menu for details.

6

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: SEARCHING

SETUP MENU

Press 1.

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

CH. ADD/DEL: CH. 2 ADD

SETUP MENU

Press NUMBER

(0-9) then ENTER

Press 2.

7

8

5

CLOCK MENU

AUTO CLOCK SET(ON): 1
MANUAL CLOCK SET : 2

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

CLOCK MENU

MONTH : 1 JANUARY
DAY : 1 THU
YEAR : 1998
TIME : 12:00 PM

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

CLOCK MENU

Press NUMBER

(0-9) then ENTER to

set date and time

Press 2.

INSTALLATION PAGE 9

Things you
may want to
do before you
operate your
VCR.

Before you operate your VCR

9

Select Other Menu Options

Show or hide the VCR status on your
screen by using the ON-SCREEN DISPLAY
option on the SETUP menu. We recom­mend keeping this option ON. See the
SETUP menu for details.

If you have a stereo VCR, select the audio
format (HI-FI or NORMAL) to use when
you play a tape. We recommend setting
this option to HI-FI. See the PLAYBACK
MODE option on the AUDIO Menu for
details.

If you have a stereo VCR, select the audio
format (STEREO, MONO or SAP) to use
when recording. We recommend using
STEREO. See the RECORD MODE option on
the AUDIO Menu for details.

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

AUTO PROGRAM: 1
CH. ADD/DEL: 2
SOURCE: 3
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: 4
LANGUAGE SELECT: 5

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: ON

1 ON 2 OFF

SETUP MENU

Press NUMBER

(1 or 2) to choose

ON or OFF

Press 4.

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1
TIMER : 2
SETUP : 3
AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ:
PLAYBACK: HI-FI 1 HI-FI

2 NORMAL

RECORD:

MAIN MENU

Press NUMBER

(1 or 2) to choose

HI-FI or NORMAL

Press 4.

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1
TIMER : 2
SETUP : 3
AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ:
PLAYBACK:

RECORD: STEREO 1 STEREO

2 MONO
3 SAP

MAIN MENU

Press NUMBER

(1, 2 or 3) to choose

STEREO, MONO, or SAP

Press 4.

INSTALLATIONPAGE 10

Before you

can record

programs

with VCR

Plus+®, you

must tell this

VCR the

PlusCode

TM

channels for

your area.

Setup for VCR Plus+® recording

Example of Completed Worksheet

VCR Plus+ and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development
Corporation. The VCR Plus+ system is manufactured under license
from Gemstar Development Corporation.

Introduction

These PlusCodeTMchannels must be mapped to the
active channels you found using AUTO PROGRAM
on the SETUP menu. An example of channel
mapping and a blank worksheet are provided for
your convenience. Check the TV schedule in your
local newspaper for the published PlusCode

TM

channels.
Note: The VCR PLUS+ system does not control the

cable box.

Channel Mapping Your VCR

PREPARATION (Already Done)

See “Before You Operate Your VCR” section.

1. Set Date and Time for Clock.

2. Select Tuning Band for VCR.

3. Use Auto Channel to find channels.

PRELIMINARY STEPS

1. Turn on VCR, TV, and cable box (if used).

2. Select TV (or CATV) for SOURCE on SETUP
menu.

3. Obtain listing of PlusCode channels.

CHANNEL MAPPING

1. Complete Channel Mapping Worksheet.

2. Press VCR+ on remote and follow all on-screen
instructions. Enter channels with Numbers.
Use ADJ (Left/Right) to erase (some models).

Channel found

via Auto Channel

(TV Ch/Cable Ch)

Network or
Station ID

Network or
Station ID

Worksheet with Channels Found

via Auto Channel

Published

PlusCode

Channel

(VCR+ Ch)

TM

2 CBS
5 NBC
7 ABC

9WB
11 PBS
20 PBS
23 WFBT
26 WCIU
32 WFLD
38 WSNS
50 WPWR
60 HSN
66 WGBO

Channel found

via AutoChannel

(TV Ch/Cable Ch)

PlusCodes
Ch.2:WBBM (CBS) 2
Ch.5:WMAQ (NBC) 5
Ch.7:WLS (ABC) 6
Ch.9:WGN (WB) 8
Ch.11:WTTW (PBS) 11 &19
Ch.20:WYCC (PBS) 20
Ch.26:WCIU (Ind.) 26
Ch.32:WFLD (Fox) 32
Ch.38:WCFC (Ind.) 3
Ch.44:WSNS (Tel.) 4
Ch.50:WPWR (UPN) 42
Ch.66:WGBO (Uni.) 46

Completed Worksheet for Channel Mapping

Published List of PlusCode

Channels

Published

PlusCode

Channel

(VCR+ Ch)

TM

22CBS
55NBC
76ABC

98WB
11 11 & 19PBS
20 20PBS
23 – –WFBT
26 26WCIU
32 32WFLD
38 4WSNS
50 42WPWR
60 – –HSN
66 46WGBO

CHANNELS,
VCR PLUS+

TM

INSTALLATION PAGE 11

Before you
can record
programs with
VCR Plus+®,
you must tell
this VCR the
PlusCode

TM

channels for
your area.

Setup for VCR Plus+® recording

On-Screen Instructions for TV Tuning Band

On-Screen Instructions for CATV Tuning Band

VCR PLUS

VCR+ program: 1
Ch Map Setup: 2
Ch Map Review: 3

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

VCR PLUS

Setup complete

Are your channels on
TV the same as in TV
listing?

1 Yes
2 No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Channel Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

TV Ch VCR+ Ch

2 - -
3- ­4- ­5- ­6- ­7- -

Channel Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

TV Ch VCR+ Ch

2 - -
3- ­4- ­5- ­6- ­7- -

Double Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

TV Ch VCR+Ch 2nd VCR+Ch

2 2 - ­33 - -
4 4 - ­5 5 - ­6 6 - ­7 7 - -

START

Press VCR+

on remote

Press 0000 to show
Double Map Screen

3-Review

2-Setup

1-Yes

2-No

QUIT

QUIT

Channel mapping a

second PlusCode

Channel for

TV channel 3.

TM

Are your channels on
TV the same as in TV
listing?

1 Yes
2 No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Do you have a Cable
Box or DBS receiver?

1 Yes
2 No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Is the Cable Box or
DBS receiver connected
to VCR ‘ANT IN’?

1 Yes
2 No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

Enter your Cable Box
or DBS receiver
output channel:

-
(Use to erase)

Press number keys
then ENTER QUIT = exit

VCR PLUS

VCR+ program: 1
Ch Map Setup: 2
Ch Map Review: 3

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

VCR PLUS

Setup complete

VCR PLUS

Setup complete

START

Press VCR+

on remote

Press 0000 to show
Double Map Screen

3-Review

2-No

1-Yes

1-Yes

1-Yes

ENTER

2-Setup

2-No

QUIT

QUIT

2-No

QUIT

Channel mapping a

second PlusCode
Channel for Cable

channel 3.

TM

Double Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

Cable VCR+Ch 2nd VCR+Ch

1 1 - - ­2 2 - - ­33 - - -
4 4 - - ­5 5 - - ­6 6 - - -

Channel Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

Cable Ch VCR+ Ch

1 - - -
2 - - ­3 - - ­4 - - ­5 - - ­6 - - -

Channel Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

Cable Ch VCR+ Ch

1 - - -
2 - - ­3 - - ­4 - - ­5 - - ­6 - - -

Channel Map

to select to adjust
QUIT=exit

Cable Ch VCR+ Ch

1 - - -
2 - - ­3 - - ­4 - - ­5 - - ­6 - - -