RCA VR636HF manual

video cassette recorder user's guide VR636HF[...]

Import ant Informa tion WARNING T o reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. Caution: T o 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[...]

T ABLE OF C ONTENTS 1 7 First Things First .............................................................. 3 Setting up the VCR ......................................................... 7 Using the QuickSet Guide ................................................................. 8 Using the Menu to Set Up featur es ...................................[...]

T ABLE OF C ONTENTS 2 Recording Audio Only ................................................................ 35 Pla ying Back Audio Only ...................................................... 35 Using T wo VCRs f or Cop ying and Editing T a pes .................... 36 Programming the Remote ............................................ 37 About Pr og[...]

First Things First 3 Hi, m y name is Liz… and I wr ote this User’ s Guide . It’ s m y job to see that y ou ha ve a r e war ding user man ual e xperience. Y ou’ll find that I’ v e arrang ed this manual to clearl y explain all of y our VCR’ s features. Read the First Three sections The first thr ee sections of the manual intr oduce y ou t[...]

First Things First 4 Step 1: Unp ack Wha t ’ s in the Bo x The following items come packed in the box: • VCR • Remote control • RF coaxial cable STEP 2: Inst all Ba tteries In the Remote C ontrol 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. Pla[...]

First Things First 5 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 T une 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 co[...]

First Things First 6 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU. VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels 5 Setup 6 Preferences 7 Audio 8 Language 0 Exit 2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu . PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control: VCR1 2 Auto Play: ON 3 Auto TV/VCR: ON 4 EnergySaver: 2:00 5 Front Panel: AUTO 6 Tape Speed: SLP 0 [...]

7 Setting Up the VCR on-screen guide and Additional Set-up fea tures Belo w is a list of set-up f eatures that y ou may want to set up befor e y ou begin using y our VCR for the first time . • Using QuickSet Guide • Select a Languag e • Set up for a Digital Satellite System • Set up for a Cable Bo x • Set up VCR Channel List (AUT O CHANNE[...]

8 Setting Up the VCR USING THE MENU to set up fea tures Y ou 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. langu age Select your preferred language, and the on-screen displays will appear in th[...]

9 Setting Up the VCR 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU. VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels 5 Setup 6 Preferences 7 Audio 8 Language 0 Exit 2. Press 8 to select the LANGUAGE menu. LANGUAGE Select a language. 1 > English 2 Espanol 3 Francais Press MENU to continue ˜ ˜ 3. Select English, Español (Spanish), or[...]

10 Setting Up the VCR 3. Press 6 to select DSS SETUP . DSS SETUP On what channel does the VCR receive signals from the DSS receiver? -- Enter 01-125 or INPUT Press MENU to cancel 4. Enter the output channel of your satellite receiver , usually 03, 04, or video line input and press MENU. The VCR confirms that it receives all DSS signals on the speci[...]

11 Setting Up the VCR Cable Box Setup This setup applies only when all channels are received through the cable box. There are two steps: • The first sets up the VCR for the output channel of the cable box signal. • The second sets up the VCR for a remote-controllable cable box so the VCR can control the cable box by changing channels for timer [...]

12 Setting Up the VCR 4. If you selected ALL CHANNELS, enter the output channel of your cable box, usually 03, 04, or video line input and press MENU. Once you complete the setup, the VCR confirms that the VCR will now receive all signals on the designated channel. 5. Press MENU and select whether your cable box is remote controllable. CABLE BOX SE[...]

13 Setting Up the VCR 8. Select one of the choices and follow the on-screen instructions. CABLE BOX SETUP Did the cable box tune to channel 9? 1 Yes, setup is complete 2 No, try again 3 No, cancel setup Once you have completed the setup, the VCR confirms the CABLE BOX SETUP is completed or canceled. VCR CHANNELS LIST If you use a cable box for all [...]

14 Setting Up the VCR Auto Channel Sear ch Use the Auto Channel Search featur e to place all available channels in memory . If you ever change cable or antenna signals, you may need to Auto Channel Search again. Detect Automatically A str ong cable or antenna signal in your ar ea may cause Auto Detect to mis-detect. If this should happen, select 1 [...]

15 Setting Up the VCR 3. Press 2 to display the ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS screen. Use CHAN up or down or number buttons to go to the channels you want to remove or add. ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS Channel 115 is presently ADDED Press CLEAR to remove Press MENU to exit Time and D a te The VCR gives you two ways to set the time and date. The Auto Clock feature whi[...]

16 Setting Up the VCR 2. Press 3 to display TIME menu. TIME 1 Set Time and Date 2 Auto Clock Set: ON 3 Set Time Zone 4 Set Daylight Savings XDS Time Data was found on channel 20. 0 Exit 3. Press 3 to display the SET TIME ZONE screen. SET TIME ZONE What is your Time Zone? 1 Eastern 2 Central 3 Mountain 4 Pacific 5 Alaska 6 Hawaii 7 Automatic Press M[...]

17 Setting Up the VCR Time/Date Display Pressing INFO on the r emote displays the time and date on the screen. SET THE TIME AND D A TE Manuall y If the AUTO CLOCK SET was unsuccessful, set the clock through the menu option. The AUTO CLOCK SET feature is set to OFF automatically when you set the clock this way . 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN[...]

18 Setting Up the VCR See next page for Canadian List T wo-Digit VCR Plus+ Channel Numbers for Cable TV (USA List) 35 American Mo vie Classics 39 Arts &-Enter tainment 57 Black Entertainment 54 Bra vo 42 Cable News Netw ork 45 Cinemax 98 Cinemax 2 37 The Disco v er y Channel 53 The Disney Channel 63 Entertainment T elevision 34 ESPN Sports Netw[...]

19 Setting Up the VCR *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. Broadcast or Cable-TV Station Name VCR Plus+ Channel Number** Channel Number Y ou Receive the Station On* Hbo 33 ESPN 34 VCR Plus + Worksheet T wo-Digit VCR Plus+[...]

20 Setting Up the VCR Remote Contr ol Option Changing the r emote option to VCR2 disables the r emote that came with your VCR. Additional SET-UP fea tures 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[...]

21 Setting Up the VCR The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote’ s VCR2, VCR2•LD, or VCR2•DVD button. If you change the remote setting to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR will no longer control it. Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to VCR1. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press VCR on[...]

22 Setting Up the VCR EnergySa ver By default, this VCR automatically turns off after two hours of inactivity . Press 4 to change the time delay , or to disable the feature. • OFF: The VCR will remain turned on until you shut it off. • 1:00, 2:00, or 3:00: The VCR turns off after one, two, or three hours of inactivity . Thirty seconds before sh[...]

23 VCR BA sICS learn the ba sics To get y ou st arted These VCR basics should be enough for y ou to begin enjo ying y our VCR. Learning the r emote contr ol functions, pla ying a r ecorded ta pe, and recor ding a pr o gram should do just that. Ho w e v er , ther e ar e other featur es that enhance the enjo yment of y our VCR, but the y aren’ t ne[...]

24 VCR Ba sics 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 T urns off VCR when remote is set to control the VCR. Also turns some compatible components on and of f.[...]

25 VCR BA sICS Numbers (0 through 9) Select a channel up to 99 by pr essing two numbers. Select a cable channel over 99 by pressing and holding 1 until 1 – – appears on the screen. Then press the other two numbers. OFF T ur ns of f the VCR when the remote is set to control the VCR. P AUSE Pauses playback or recording. Press P AUSE again to retu[...]

26 VCR Ba sics Pla ying a T ape 1. T une the TV to your VCR viewing channel (3, 4, or TV’ s video input). 2. Insert a tape in the VCR. If the Auto Play feature is set to ON, the tape automatically begins playback (if the safety tab on the cassette is removed). • Press FWD or REV (FORWARD or REVERSE on remote) to position the tape. • Press PLA[...]

27 VCR BA sICS A utoma tic Rewind The VCR automatically rewinds the tape if it reaches the end of the tape during playback. While rewinding, you can press POWER and the VCR will turn off after rewinding. T ape Eject Press STOP•EJECT on the VCR (STOP on remote) when it is stopped to eject the tape. Recording If you want to record something that yo[...]

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29 RECORDING SEVERAL reco rding OPTIONS No w that y ou’ v e g one through the necessary steps to operate y our VCR, I’ll explain the differ ent r ecording f eatur es that are a vailable to suit y our needs. Recor ding F eatures: • Recor ding (explained in VCR Basics section) • Express Recor ding • Timer Recording • Timer Recording with [...]

30 RECORDING Recording fea tures There are four ways to record programs: • Recording lets you press one button to start recor ding a program. (See VCR Basics section.) • Express Recor ding lets you start recording a program you are watching, and then set the VCR to automatically stop recording after a designated period of time. • Timer Record[...]

31 RECORDING Timer Recording Y ou can set up as many as eight timer recording programs. 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU. VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR Plus+ 2 Timer Recordings 3 Time 4 Channels 5 Setup 6 Preferences 7 Audio 8 Language 0 Exit 2. Press 2 to display the TIMER RECORDINGS menu. TIMER RECORDINGS 1 Create a New Program 2 Review Existing [...]

32 RECORDING Timer Recording with VCR Plus + Y ou can use VCR Plus+ to simplify timer programming by entering the TV show’ s PlusCode number found in most TV and cable listings. Setting Up the Channel List If you did not set up the VCR Plus+ channel list, you can do it now . 1. Display the CHANNELS menu from the VCR MAIN MENU. 2. Display the VCR [...]

33 RECORDING 3. Enter the VCR PlusCode shown in your local television programming guide. VCR PLUS+ Enter PlusCode Number (from TV listing) 128768 Press CLEAR to correct Press MENU when done 4. Press MENU to enter the VCR PlusCode number . How often should this program record? 1 One time 2 Daily (every day) 3 Weekdays (M-F) 4 Weekly (once per week) [...]

34 RECORDING TIMER RECORDINGS 1 Create a New Program 2 Review Existing Progs. 3 Use VCR Plus+ Code 0 Exit 2. Press 2 to display the Review Existing Progs. screen. Program 1 (One time) Channel 104 Cable Start Time 12:00 AM End Time 01:30 AM Start Date 11/18/98 Wed Tape Speed SLP Press CLEAR to erase Press MENU for next prog 3. Press CLEAR to erase o[...]

35 RECORDING 3. If your VCR viewing channel is 3 or 4, make sure the VCR indicator appears in the VCR’ s display panel. If not, press the TV•VCR button on the remote to turn it on. 4. Use the SPEED button on the remote to select a recording speed. The tape speed indicator appears on the TV screen. 5. Select the channel or line input to be recor[...]

36 RECORDING Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing T apes Use one VCR as the playback VCR and the other as the recording VCR . 1. Connect the VCRs using the diagram below . 2. T urn on both VCRs and TV . 3. T une the TV to the VCR viewing channel (either 3, 4, or TV’ s video input). 4. If you are using coaxial cables for the connection, tune rec[...]

37 programming the remote control y our T V The remote can be pr ogrammed to contr ol a tele vision. It is pr o grammed to control an RCA, GE, or Pr oScan TV . Other manufactur er’ s brands need to be pr ogrammed. ➣ ➣ Setting Up the VCR 2 First things first 1 ➣ recording 3 VCR Ba sics 4 ➣ ➣ Other FEA TURES 6 PROGRAMMING THE REMOTE 5 7 C[...]

38 Programming the Remote About Programming the Remote The remote can be programmed to control other brands of remote-controllable TVs. It is already programmed to operate most RCA, ProScan, and GE televisions. Programming the Remote to Control aT V If the TV does not turn on when you press the TV button, the remote needs to be programmed. Follow t[...]

39 programming the remote TV Codes Akai ............................................ 03 AO C .................................... 06,12 Candle ....................................... 06 Citizen ....................................... 06 Colortyme ............................... 06 Concerto .................................. 06 Curtis Mathes .......[...]

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41 OTHER FEA TURES fea tures to enhance VCR opera tion • Pictur e Sear ch Options • T racking • Pr o-T ect Plus™ Locking • Time Counter • On-Scr een Displa ys • Audio Reception • Audio Pla yback 7 5 ➣ ➣ Setting Up the VCR 2 First things first 1 ➣ recording 3 VCR Ba sics 4 ➣ OTHER FEA TURES 7 6 Connections ➣ 5 ➣ PROGRAMMI[...]

42 OTHER FEA TURES Picture Search Options The most basic wa y to sear ch during pla yback is using the FOR W ARD or REVERSE buttons. This section contains several other options available for searching a tape. Forw ard and Reverse Search Y ou can search a tape during pla yback. Sound is turned off during picture search. Search works well for tapes r[...]

43 OTHER FEA TURES FRAME ADV ANCE Frame advance lets you view one-stop action frame after another during playback. Frame advance works well for tapes recorded at the SP or SLP speed. 1. Pr ess P A USE or F .AD V to “fr eeze” the action. 2. Pr ess F .AD V each time y ou want to vie w a frame of the scene . 3. Pr ess P A USE or PLA Y to r eturn t[...]

44 OTHER FEA TURES TRACKING Y our VCR has automatic tracking which r emoves the str eaks or snow from the picture. Automatic tracking is activated when you insert a tape or turn on the VCR. Occasionally you may need to manually adjust tracking, especially if the tape was recorded on a diff erent VCR. J ust use the TRA CKING buttons to r emove the s[...]

45 OTHER FEA TURES Locking Y our VCR: If a timer recor ding is pr ogrammed, make sure your VCR is turned of f. Locking your VCR prevents the VCR from being accidentally turned on. Pro-Tect Plus ™ Locking Fea ture To disab le the usa g e of the VCR, or to pr otect y our timer r ecor dings, you can lock the VCR so that the buttons on the VCR or r e[...]

46 OTHER FEA TURES ON-SCREEN DISPLA YS The INFO button sho ws the status of the VCR (Stop , Pla y , Rec , etc .), channel n umber (Video1 or Video 2 f or the line input), time counter , date, time, and tape speed on the TV screen. The date and time must be set before they can be displayed. 1. Press INFO to see the on-screen displays. If the channel[...]

47 OTHER FEA TURES T o receive Hi-Fi stereo sound, use audio-video cables with a compatible TV or receiver . Using only the RF OUT jack will not pr oduce stereo sound. Reception Some TV programs are broadcast with stereo audio or a second audio pr o gram (SAP) which off ers a second langua g e . The Reception feature lets you select the type of aud[...]

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49 connections Things to Know Before Connecting C omponents Pr otect Y our Components from Power Surges • Connect all components before plugging an y po w er cor ds into the wall outlet. • Al wa ys turn off the TV and other components bef ore you connect or disconnect any cables. Position Cables Correctly to A void Audio Hum or Interference •[...]

50 connections Connecting Y our VCR Refer to these pages to help you connect your VCR. Jacks and Cables RF Jacks and Coaxial Cables (F-type) The RF jacks provide good picture and mono sound quality , and must be used if audio/video connections are not available for your TV . These jacks are required for antenna or cable-TV connections. The RF jacks[...]

51 connections Choosing a VCR Connecti on There are several different ways to connect your VCR, depending on whether or not you have cable service, and if you have a cable box, and whether some of the channels are scrambled, and maybe you have a satellite receiver along with cable (but no cable box), or a satellite receiver and no cable or ...well,[...]

52 connections VCR TV CABLE/ ANTENNA CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR ANTENNA 3 CH. 4 ANT . IN RF OUT VIDEO AUDIO IN OUT L R TV with rf jack onl y This connection assumes: • Y ou are connecting antenna, cable, or cable box system. • Y our television has only an RF input jack. This connection provides: • Mono sound playback from VCR. • Record one channe[...]

53 connections TV VCR 3 CH. 4 VIDEO AUDIO IN OUT ANT . IN RF OUT L R CABLE/ ANTENNA CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR ANTENNA INPUT 1 VIDEO R L/MONO S-VIDEO AUDIO OUTPUT R L INPUT 2 VIDEO R L/MONO TV with audio/video jacks This connection assumes: • Y ou are connecting an antenna, cable, or cable box system. • Y our television has audio/video jacks. This co[...]

54 connections VCR CABLE CABLE BOX 3 CH. 4 VIDEO AUDIO IN OUT ANT . IN RF OUT L R TV CABLE/ ANTENNA INPUT 1 VIDEO R L/MONO S-VIDEO AUDIO OUTPUT R L INPUT 2 VIDEO R L/MONO IN OUT TV with audio/Video jacks and Cable bo x to unscramble p a y channels onl y This connection assumes: • Y ou are using a cable box only to unscramble premium channels. •[...]

55 connections TV with RF jack and digit al sa tellite receiver This connection assumes: • Y ou have a basic digital satellite system and your TV does not have audio/video input jacks. This connection provides: • Mono sound playback from VCR, recording from a digital satellite receiver , and r ecording one off-air or cable channel while watchin[...]

56 connections TV with audio/video jacks and DIGIT AL sa tellite receiver This connection assumes: • Y ou have an advanced digital satellite system and your TV has audio/video input jacks. This connection provides: • Stereo sound playback from VCR, recording from receiver while watching cable or off-air channel, and recording one cable or of f-[...]

57 appendix: reference This section giv es y ou some additional inf ormation about the VCR, including a description of the unit’ s controls and displa y . Y ou also will find a T roubleshooting Tips section in this Appendix, which might help to resolv e some of those simple pr oblems. Finally , this section contains y our warranty inf ormation.[...]

58 appendix: reference TRACKING ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ FWD PLAY PAUSE RECORD REV ^ ^ ^ CHANNEL POWER STOP EJECT . . TIMER VCR A M VIDEO IN L mono • AUDIO IN • R AUDIO (R and Lmono) and VIDEO IN Jacks Receives signals from another component, like a VCR or camcorder , when it is connected to these jacks. Use INPUT on the remote to select “L2” to record fr[...]

59 appendix: reference Displa y P anel Time, Channel Number , Line Input Indicator (L1 or L2), T ape Speed Indicator , or Status Indicator s Time The cur rent time appears. Only an AM indicator appears with the time. There is no indicator for PM. Channel Number or Line Input Indicator The channel number appears when the VCR is tuned to a channel. T[...]

60 appendix: reference Back P anel 3 CH. 4 Switch Selects the channel to which you will tune the TV to see the VCR picture if you connect the VCR using one of the basic hookups. AUDIO (R and L) and VIDEO IN Jacks Receives signals from another component, like a VCR or camcorder , when it is connected to these jacks. Use INPUT on the remote to select[...]

61 appendix: reference Troubleshooting Tips No power • Check to make sure it is plugged into an operating outlet. • Check to make sure your connections are correct. VCR does not respond to r emote • Press VCR to set remote to control the VCR. • Check to make sure there are no objects between the VCR and remote. • The batteries may need ch[...]

62 appendix: reference Streaks in pictur e during normal playback • Press one of the TRACKING buttons to move streaks up or down for the best picture. • Check to make sure the tape is of good quality and not worn out. Time counter not working or time counter not working in search modes • The time counter does not advance during unrecorded por[...]

63 appendix: reference Clock shows incorrect time or date • Power interruption. Automatic clock set was not turned on or did not work properly . Check time zone and daylight- savings settings. • Make sure VCR or cable box is tuned to channel carrying XDS information. • Auto clock set is not supported by digital satellite receivers. Set the cl[...]

64 appendix: reference No stereo sound during playback • Check to make sure the T ape Playback feature is set to HI-FI to hear stereo sound during playback. The tape you are playing must be recorded in HI-FI in order to play back in HI-FI. • Must use the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks on the back of the VCR to hear stereo sound. Stereo audio too noisy • S[...]

65 appendix: reference Limited W arrant y What your warranty covers: • Any defect in materials or workmanship. For how long after your pur chase: • Ninety days for labor charges. • One year for parts. The warranty period for rental units begins with the first rental or 45 days from date of shipment to the rental firm, whichever comes first. W[...]

66 appendix: reference Specifica tions Format: VHS Record/Playback V ideo: 4-head System: Audio: 2 Hi-Fi record/playback system Video Signal System: EIA standard: NTSC color Antenna: 75-ohm external VHF/UHF combined antenna terminal T uner: USA: 181 channels capability* (125 cable channels) Canada: 178 channels capability* (122 cable channels) T yp[...]

67 Index 3 CH. 4 switch 5, 8, 52, 55, 60 A Accessing menus 5 Add or remove channels 14 ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS screen 15 ANT . IN and RF OUT jacks 4, 5, 8, 50, 51, 52, 55, 60 Audio AUDIO menu 46 Hi-Fi 47 linear 47 mono 47 playback 47 reception 47 recording audio only 35 SAP 47 set-up features 46 stereo 47 AUDIO/VIDEO jacks 4, 5, 24, 35, 36, 50, 51, 53,[...]

68 Index Index H Hi-Fi playback 47 I Important information inside front cover Index search 43 INDEX SEARCH menu 43 INFO button 17, 24, 25, 45, 46 INPUT button 24, 31, 35 J Jacks ANT . IN and RF OUT 4, 5, 8, 50, 51, 52, 55, 60 AUDIO/VIDEO 4, 5, 24, 35, 36, 50, 51, 53, 54, 56, 58, 60 types of 50 L L1 and L2 line indicators 35, 36, 56, 59 Language fea[...]

69 Index frame advance 43 go-to 44 index 43 slow-motion 42 SEARCH button 25, 42, 43, 44 SET DA YLIGHT SAVINGS screen 16 Set time and date manually 17 SET TIME AND DA TE menu 17 SET TIME ZONE screen 16 Set up additional features 7 cable box 11 digital satellite system 9 first 3 language 8 setting up the VCR 6 setup menu 8 using menus 8 Signal type C[...]

10330 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46290 ©1998 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. T rademark(s)® Registered Marca(s) Registrada(s) Printed in Japan TOCOM 15313900 If your VCR needs service, please contact your dealer or the nearest Servicenter from the yellow pages. Please do not send any products to the Indianapolis address listed in t[...]