Zenith VRS428, VRS418 OPERATING GUIDE

Operating Guide and

Warranty for your new Zenith

Entertainment Machine

Models

VRS418

VRS428

thanks for choosing zenith

R

SAFETY TIPS:

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

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

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.”

		I N S TA L L AT I O N
VCR Features Chart
FEATURES	VRS418	VRS428
VCR Plus+® Recording System	X	X
SpeakEZ Function	X	X
4-Heads (Special Video Effects)	X	X
Full Load/Quick Start	X	X
Auto Head Cleaner	X	X
Audio System	Monaural	MTS Hi-Fi Stereo
Audio/Video (A/V) Jacks	Monaural	Stereo
Remote Control MBR424	X	X
Auto/Manual Band Select	X	X
Auto/Manual Channel Search	X	X
Channel Capability (CATV & TV)	181	181
Record Speeds SP/EP	X	X
Playback Speeds SP/LP/EP	X	X
Auto Playback System	X	X
Auto/Manual Digital Tracking	X	X
Instant Recording	X	X
Timer-Controlled Recording	X	X
Auto Playback Tape Speed Adjust	X	X
Forward/Reverse Slow-Motion	X	X
Video (4-head VCR)	Variable 1/10 to 1/32	Variable 1/10 to 1/32
Pause/Still Video	X	X
Real-Time Tape Counter	X	X
Speed Search	X	X
CM Skip	X	X
English/Spanish/French Menus	X	X
1-Year, 8-Event Timer	X	X
LED Clock Front Panel Display	X	X
Auto Clock Set System	X	X
Hook-up Cable (VCR to TV)	X	X

P A G E 3

This page shows the features of your VCR and the differences between the models

1.Model VRS428 is used for the description, operation, and details provided in this operating guide.

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

X = Feature is provided

N/A = Feature is Not Available

P A G E 4	I N S TA L L AT I O N

Required	Connections for your VCR
connections
for your VCR	Connections Without a Cable Box
						Antenna
						Flat Wire
						(300 ohm)
	Back Panel of Stereo VCR					300/75 ohm
						Adaptor
				ANT	OR	(Not provided)
		R-AUDIO-L VIDEO		IN
		OUT	OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV	OR	Cable TV
	CH3 CH4	IN	IN	TO			Back Panel of Typical TV
						Wall Jack
				OUT
				TV
							IN	IN
									VHF/UHF/CATV
							OUT	OUT
							R AUDIO L	VIDEO	ANT
									IN

This cable is provided with your VCR.

Turn off power or unplug VCR before making any connections.

Connections With a Cable Box

	Back Panel of Stereo VCR				Back Panel of Typical TV
				ANT	IN	IN
							VHF/UHF/CATV
		R-AUDIO-L	VIDEO	IN
					OUT	OUT	ANT
				R	AUDIO L	VIDEO
		OUT	OUT				IN
				VHF/UHF/CATV
	CH3 CH4	IN		OUT
			IN	TO
				TV
Back Panel of
Typical Cable Box				Cable TV
				Wall Jack
CH3	CH4
CABLE
OUT	IN					This cable is provided

with your VCR.

Turn off power or unplug VCR before making any connections.

I N S TA L L AT I O N	P A G E 5

Connections for your VCR	Optional
	connections
Audio/Video (A/V) Connections to TV	for your VCR
Use A/V connections for a better picture.

	Back Panel of Stereo VCR			Back Panel of Typical TV
			ANT	OUT	OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV
	R-AUDIO-L	VIDEO	IN
				IN	IN
	OUT	OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV	R-AUDIO-L	VIDEO	ANT
						IN
CH3 CH4			OUT
	IN	IN	TO
			TV

Turn off power or unplug VCR before making any connections.

A/V cable is not provided with VCR.

Back Panel of Monaural VCR

			ANT
		AUDIO	IN
			VIDEO
		OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV
	CH3 CH4		OUT
		IN	TO
			TV

A/V cable is not provided with VCR.

Back Panel of Typical Monaural TV

AUDIO VIDEO

OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV

IN

ANT

IN

Note: If the back panel on your TV is different, refer to the TV's operating guide.

Accessory Audio/Video (A/V) Connections to VCR						Accessory
						Component:
						Another VCR,
						Camcorder,
						Video Camera,
	Back Panel of Stereo VCR			Jack panel of Accessory		Satellite Receiver,
						Laser Disc Player
			ANT	OUT	OUT
	R-AUDIO-L	VIDEO	IN
	OUT	OUT	VHF/UHF/CATV	IN	IN
				R-AUDIO-L	VIDEO
CH3 CH4			OUT
	IN	IN	TO
			TV
						Turn off power
						or unplug VCR
						before making
						any connections.

A/V cable is not provided with VCR.

P A G E 6

Things you must do before you can operate your VCR

I N S TA L L AT I O N

Before you operate your VCR

CLOCK MENU			PROGRAM		1		SETUP MENU
			MONTH :
			DAY	:
AUTO CLOCK SET(ON):	1						AUTO PROGRAM:	1
			START	:
MANUAL CLOCK SET :	2		STOP	:			CH. ADD/DEL:	2
			CHANNEL :				SOURCE:	3
							ON-SCREEN DISPLAY:	4
			SPEED	:
							LANGUAGE SELECT:	5
			REPEAT	:
Press number keys			( 1 - 8 ) to select program				Press number keys
QUIT = exit			ENTER to adjust program				QUIT = exit

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ: ON 1 ON 2 OFF

PLAYBACK:

RECORD:

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

CLOCK

TIMER

SETUP

AUDIO

								Note:
	Press NUMBER (1, 2, 3,					4) button
								Audio menu’s PLAYBACK and
			SpeakEZ					RECORD options are available only
			CLOCK		:			with stereo VCRs.
						1
			TIMER		:	2
			SETUP		:	3
			AUDIO		:	4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

MAIN MENU

1

2

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.

WALL

SWITCH

POWER

OUTLET

TYPICAL ZENITH VCR

power stop/eject

rew

play

f fwd

pause

sp/ep

ch

rec/itr

	AM
VCR	PM
REC	TMR

	Tune			Tune
CH3 CH4	TV to	OR	CH3 CH4	TV to
	Ch.3			Ch.4

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.

3	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.

4	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.

I N S TA L L AT I O N	P A G E 7

Point remote toward VCR

power	cbl/	tv dvd
	vcr dbs

	play
rew	f fwd

stop

pause

menu

quit/cc ch

vol

enter

ch

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

sp/ep memory

0

vcr+

adj

rev

fwd

Press 4.

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1

TIMER : 2

SETUP : 3

AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

MAIN MENU

			Things you
			must do
			before you
Chooses and			can operate
modifies options			your VCR
	menu
quit/cc
enter
1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9
0

Selects

VCR tuner

tv/vcr

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ: ON 1 ON 2 OFF

PLAYBACK:

RECORD:

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (1 or 2) to choose ON or OFF

Press 5.	SETUP MENU

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

Press NUMBER (1, 2, or 3) to select the desired language

P A G E 8

Some things you must do and others you may want to do before you can operate your VCR

I N S TA L L AT I O N

Before you operate your VCR

5

6

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 AUX if you have an accessory Audio/Video (A/V) connected to the VCR.

See SOURCE option on SETUP menu for details.

Press 2.

CLOCK MENU

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

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

CLOCK MENU

Press 3.

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

	CLOCK MENU
MONTH	:		JANUARY
		1
DAY	:	1	THU
YEAR	: 1998
TIME	: 12:00 PM
Press number keys
then ENTER			QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (0-9) then ENTER to set date and time

SETUP MENU

SOURCE: TUNER (TV)

1 TV 2 CATV

3 AUX

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (1, 2, or 3) to select

the desired source

7

8

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.

	Press 1.				SETUP MENU
					AUTO PROGRAM:	SEARCHING
SETUP MENU
AUTO PROGRAM:
		1
CH. ADD/DEL:		2
SOURCE:		3			QUIT = exit
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY:		4
LANGUAGE SELECT:		5
Press number keys
QUIT = exit
SETUP MENU
	Press 2.				SETUP MENU
					CH. ADD/DEL: CH.			ADD
SETUP MENU							2
AUTO PROGRAM:
		1
CH. ADD/DEL:		2			Press number keys
SOURCE:		3			then ENTER QUIT = exit
ON-SCREEN DISPLAY:		4			Press NUMBER
LANGUAGE SELECT:		5
Press number keys					(0-9) then ENTER
QUIT = exit

SETUP MENU

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 recom-
		mend 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 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

Press 4.

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1

TIMER : 2

SETUP : 3

AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

MAIN MENU

Press 4.

SpeakEZ

CLOCK : 1

TIMER : 2

SETUP : 3

AUDIO : 4

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

MAIN MENU

I N S TA L L AT I O N	P A G E 9

SETUP MENU

ON-SCREEN DISPLAY: ON 1 ON 2 OFF

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (1 or 2) to choose ON or OFF

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ:

PLAYBACK: HI-FI 1 HI-FI

2 NORMAL

RECORD:

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (1 or 2) to choose

HI-FI or NORMAL

AUDIO MENU

SpeakEZ:

PLAYBACK:

RECORD: STEREO 1 STEREO

	2 MONO
	3 SAP
Press number keys
then ENTER	QUIT = exit

Press NUMBER (1, 2 or 3) to choose STEREO, MONO, or SAP

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

P A G E 1 0

Before you can record programs with VCR Plus+®, you must tell this VCR the PlusCodeTM channels for your area.

I N S TA L L AT I O N

Setup for VCR Plus+® recording

Introduction

These PlusCodeTM channels 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 PlusCodeTM 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).

Example of Completed Worksheet

Worksheet with Channels Found

Published List of PlusCodeTM

via Auto Channel

Channels

Channel found

Network or

Published

CHANNELS,

PlusCodeTM

via Auto Channel

Station ID

Channel

VCR PLUS+

(TV Ch/Cable Ch)

(VCR+ Ch)

PlusCodes

2

CBS

Ch.2:WBBM (CBS)

2

Ch.5:WMAQ (NBC)

5

5

NBC

Ch.7:WLS (ABC)

6

7

ABC

Ch.9:WGN (WB)

8

9

WB

Ch.11:WTTW (PBS)

11 &19

Ch.20:WYCC (PBS)

20

11

PBS

Ch.26:WCIU (Ind.)

26

20

PBS

Ch.32:WFLD (Fox)

32

Ch.38:WCFC (Ind.)

3

Ch.44:WSNS (Tel.)

4

Completed Worksheet for Channel Mapping

Ch.50:WPWR (UPN)

42

Ch.66:WGBO (Uni.)

46

Channel found

Published

Network or

PlusCodeTM

50

WPWR

via AutoChannel

Station ID

Channel

(TV Ch/Cable Ch)

60

HSN

(VCR+ Ch)

2

CBS

2

66

WGBO

5

NBC

5

7

ABC

6

9

WB

8

11

PBS

11 & 19

20

PBS

20

50	WPWR	42
60	HSN	– –
66	WGBO	46

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

I N S TA L L AT I O N	P A G E 1 1

Setup for VCR Plus+® recording

On-Screen Instructions for TV Tuning Band

START

Press VCR+ on remote

	VCR PLUS							Channel Map
								TV Ch	VCR+ Ch
						3-Review		2			- -		QUIT
VCR+ program:				1
								4	- -
Ch Map Setup:				2
								3	- -
Ch Map Review:				3				5	- -
								6	- -
								7	- -
Press number keys								to select		to adjust
										QUIT=exit
			QUIT = exit
2-Setup
Are your channels on								Channel Map
								TV Ch	VCR+ Ch
TV the same as in TV
listing?						2-No		2			- -		QUIT
								3	- -
								4	- -
	1	Yes						5	- -
	2	No						6	- -
								7	- -
Press number keys								to select		to adjust

QUIT = exit	QUIT=exit
1-Yes

On-Screen Instructions for CATV Tuning Band

START

Press VCR+ on remote

VCR PLUS					Channel Map
					Cable Ch		VCR+ Ch
			3-Review		1			- - -		QUIT
VCR+ program:	1
					3	- - -
Ch Map Setup:	2
					2	- - -
Ch Map Review:	3				4	- - -
					5	- - -
					6	- - -
Press number keys					to select		to adjust

QUIT = exit

QUIT=exit

VCR PLUS

Setup complete

Press 0000 to show Double Map Screen

			Double Map
TV Ch			VCR+Ch		2nd VCR+Ch
2			2		- -
3			3			- -
4			4			- -
5			5		- -
6			6		- -
7			7		- -
		to select			to adjust
					QUIT=exit

Channel mapping a second PlusCode TM Channel for

TV channel 3.

2-Setup

Do you have a Cable

Box or DBS receiver?

1Yes

2No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

1-Yes

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

1Yes

2No

Press number keys

QUIT = exit

1-Yes

Enter your Cable Box or DBS receiver output channel:

-

(Useto erase)

Press number keys

then ENTER QUIT = exit

ENTER

2-No

2-No

		Are your channels on										Channel Map									VCR PLUS
												Cable Ch		VCR+ Ch
		TV the same as in TV
										1					- - -						Setup complete
		listing?							2-No								QUIT
										2			- - -
				Yes						3			- - -
			1							4			- - -
			2	No						5			- - -
										6			- - -
Press number keys												to select		to adjust
														QUIT=exit
						QUIT = exit
												1-Yes
		Channel Map
		Cable Ch				VCR+ Ch			QUIT
1							- - -
2							- - -
3					- - -													Press 0000 to show
4					- - -
5					- - -
6					- - -													Double Map Screen
		to select				to adjust
						QUIT=exit															Double Map
																		Cable			VCR+Ch		2nd VCR+Ch
																	1				1	- - -
																	2				2	- - -
																	3				3			- - -
																	4				4			- - -
																	5				5	- - -
																	6				6	- - -
												VCR PLUS								to select			to adjust
																							QUIT=exit

Setup complete

Channel mapping a second PlusCode TM Channel for Cable channel 3.

Before you can record programs with VCR Plus+®, you must tell this VCR the PlusCodeTM channels for your area.

P A G E 1 2

Before you can record programs with VCR Plus+®, you must tell this VCR the PlusCodeTM channels for your area.

I N S TA L L AT I O N

Setup for VCR Plus+® recording

Channel Mapping Worksheets

Channel found	Network or	Published
via Auto Channel	Station ID	PlusCodeTM
(TV Ch/Cable Ch)		Channel (VCR+ Ch)

Channel found	Network or	Published
via Auto Channel	Station ID	PlusCodeTM
(TV Ch/Cable Ch)		Channel (VCR+ Ch)

NOTE: Two PlusCodeTM channel numbers may be listed for certain networks or stations. Enter both numbers on the worksheet. After you have “mapped” the first number, press 0000 to show the Double Map menu. Then enter the second number next to the first one.