RCA VR730HF manual

USER’S GUIDE VR730HF VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER[...]

i Introduction WARNING To reduce the risk of fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. Caution: To prevent electric shock, match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert. Attention: Pour Žviter les chocs Žlectriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousser j[...]

Introduction T able of Contents Important Infor mation Warnings ______________________________ i Cautions ______________________________ i Note to Cable TV Installer _______________ i Product Registration ____________________ i Hooking Up the VCR Choosing a Hookup ____________________ 2 Antenna or Cable System Without a Cable Box __________________[...]

2 Hooking Up the VCR Choosing a Hookup The hookups on pages 3 through 8 are divided into two hookup types: Basic (A) and Advanced (B). The basic hookup shows the backs of TVs that have only an antenna/cable connection. It is the easier of the two and additional accessories may not be needed. The advanced hookup shows the VCR hooked up to a TV with [...]

3 Hooking Up the VCR Back of TV 300/75 Ohm Adapter OR From Antenna or Cable Cable/ Antenna VHF UHF OR RF Coaxial Cable (supplied) 75 to 75/300 Ohm Separator OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT. VHF/UHF 3 CH. 4 Back of VCR IN OUT VIDEO1 AUDIO1 R L S-VIDEO OUT IN Antenna or Cable System Without a Cable Box A. Basic hookup. Use this hookup for a basic connection wh[...]

4 Hooking Up the VCR Cable System With Cable Box to Unscramble All Channels Position Cable Box Position the remote-controllable cable box on top of the VCR. You may need to position it at different angles before the VCR can control it. Make sure the cable box does not cover the transmitting window on top of the VCR. A. Basic hookup. Use this hookup[...]

5 Hooking Up the VCR Cable System With Cable Box to Unscramble Only Pay Channels (such as HBO, Showtime, Pay-Per-View, etc.) Position Cable Box Position the remote-controllable cable box on top of the VCR. You may need to position it at different angles before the VCR can control it. Make sure the cable box does not cover the transmitting window on[...]

6 Hooking Up the VCR RCA Digital Satellite Receiver VIDEO R AUDIO L S-VIDEO CH3 CH4 IN FROM ANT SATELLITE IN OUT TO TV Back of VCR Back of Satellite Receiver From Satellite Dish RF Coaxial Cable Audio/Video Cables (supplied) From Cable, Cable Box or Antenna OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT. VHF/UHF 3 CH. 4 IN OUT VIDEO1 AUDIO1 R L Back of TV Cable/ Antenna OR[...]

7 Hooking Up the VCR RCA Digital Satellite Receiver B. Advanced hookup with basic receiver . Use this hookup if your TV has audio/video jacks and your receiver has one set of AUDIO/VIDEO jacks. 1 . Set the CH3 CH4 switch on back of receiver to either channel 3 or 4. You will tune the VCR to this channel to record from the satellite receiver. To wat[...]

8 Hooking Up the VCR Connecting T wo VCRs for Copying T apes RF Coaxial Cable (supplied) Audio/Video Cables RF Coaxial Cable or Use the hookup to the TV as previously selected on pages 3, 4, or 5. From Antenna, Cable or Cable Box Playback VCR OUT TO TV IN FROM ANT. VHF/UHF 3 CH. 4 IN OUT VIDEO1 AUDIO1 R L S-VIDEO OUT IN Recording VCR OUT TO TV IN F[...]

9 Setting Up the VCR 1. Check accessories with VCR. Contact your dealer if any items are missing. 2. Insert batteries in remote. 3. T ur n on the TV . A. Turn on the TV. B . If you used one of the basic hookups, tune the TV to the channel selected with the 3 CH. 4 switch on back of VCR. If you used one of the advanced hookups, tune the TV to the TV[...]

10 Setting Up the VCR Star tup 4. T urn on the VCR. A. Press VCR1 on the remote. The CABLE BOX SETUP screen appears the first time the VCR is turned on after connecting it. A step-by-step procedure is used to set up the VCR for Cable Box Setup with cable box control , DSS Setup, Auto Clock Set using Coordinated Universal Time information transmitte[...]

11 Setting Up the VCR Star tup After the output channel of the cable box signal is set up, the VCR prompts you to set up the cable box brand for cable box control. Just follow the on screen displays. A. Turn on your cable box and tune it to channel 2. B. Enter the code for your cable box. C. Follow the on-screen displays. Digital Satellite System S[...]

Setting Up the VCR VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME AUTO CLOCK SET The AUTO CLOCK SET feature is set to ON at the factory. With this feature on, the VCR automatically updates the clock using the Coordinated Universal Time infor[...]

13 Setting Up the VCR Star tup VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME 4 CHANNELS VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME Set the Clock If the AUTO CLOCK SET was unsuccessful, set the clock through the menu option. Also, if you choose to set the clock manually, the AUTO CLOCK SET feature is automatically turned off. A . Pres[...]

Setting Up the VCR Star tup 6. Add or remove channels fr om the VCR’ s memor y . You may want to add or remove channels if some of the channels are not active, have weak signals, or you do not want to watch them. We recommend channels be placed in memory using the AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH feature before adding or removing channels. A . Press MENU on t[...]

15 9. Set the display panel brightness. This VCR lets you change the brightness level of the fluorescent display panel. A . Press MENU on remote to see the VCR MAIN MENU . B . Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu. C . Press 4 to select a FRONT PANEL mode. ¥ Select AUTO to keep the display panel bright when VCR is on and dim when it is off. ¥ S[...]

16 Using the Remote Contr ol SEARCH MUTE PREV CH DISPLAY INPUT TV•VCR CLEAR SPEED REW PLAY FF STOP PAUSE REC MENU PROG • SLOW TRACKING V C R S A T • C A B L E VCR• DV D A U X C H A N C H A N 6 1 4 7 3 9 2 5 8 0 PWR TV VOL VOL M EDIT + _ 1 2 J O G S H U T T L E e C ▼ ▲ AUX (Auxiliary) Can be programmed to control a compatible RCA audio o[...]

Using the Remote Contr ol VCR Function Buttons (continued) Numbers (0 through 9) Select a channel up to 99Ñpress two numbers. Select a cable channel over 99Ñpress and hold 1 until 1-- appears on the screen. Then, press the other two numbers. PAUSE Pauses action for viewing during playback. Pauses recording to prevent recording of unwanted scenes.[...]

18 Contr olling a VCR The VCRÕs remote control is programmed for compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE VCRs with the VCR1 and VCR2•DVD buttons. Most compatible VCRs automatically respond to VCR1 without being programmed. If you own two compatible VCRs, test them to see if VCR1 turns on both VCRs. If it does, then you may want to program this VCR to res[...]

19 Using the Remote Contr ol Contr olling a TV The VCRÔs remote is programmed to control the basic functions of compatible RCA, ProScan, and GE TVs. Also, you can set up the remote to control other manufacturerÔs brands. To program the remote, enter the remote code numbers that correspond to your brand. Program the Remote for a TV 1 . Turn on the[...]

Using the Remote Contr ol Contr olling a Cable Box or Satellite Receiver The SAT•CABLE button on the VCRÕs remote is programmed to control a compatible RCA cable box or compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE satellite receivers. If your cable box or satellite receiver is another manufacturerÕs brand and has its own remote, you may be able to program th[...]

21 Using the Remote Contr ol Contr olling an Auxiliary Component The remote that came packed with your VCR is also capable of controlling one compatible RCA auxiliary component, such as an AM/FM radio, CD player, tape players, phonograph, satellite receiver, or DVD. The remote must be programmed for the specific component it is to control. To progr[...]

22 Playing a T ape Playback T o play a tape 1 . Turn on the TV and tune it to channel 3, 4, or the TVÕs video input to see the picture from the VCR. 2 . Insert a tape in the VCR. VCR automatically turns on. The cassette-in indicator ( ) lights, and the VCR indicator lights if the AUTO TV/VCR feature is set to ON . The tape automatically begins pla[...]

23 Playing a T ape Using the Playback Featur es AUTO PLA Y Feature This feature allows the VCR to automatically start playing when you insert a tape with the safety tab removed. 1 . Press MENU on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU . 2 . Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu. 3 . Press 2 to select AUTO PLAY: ON or OFF. ¥ Select ON if you wan[...]

24 Using the Playback Featur es DISPLA Y Button The DISPLAY button shows the status of the VCR channel number, station ID (if broadcast), time counter, date, time and tape speed on the TV screen. The time and date must be set before they can be displayed. 1. Press DISPLAY . If you do not press DISPLAY again, this display times out. 2. Press DISPLAY[...]

25 Pause for Stop Action This feature stops the tape in action and lets you examine the details of the scene. Stop action works best for tapes recorded in the SP or SLP speed. 1 . Press PAUSE on the remote or PLAY•PAUSE on the VCR during playback to stop the action. 2 . Press TRACKING up or down to move the lines out of the picture or reduce any [...]

26 Playing a T ape Using the Playback Featur es Index Search The VCR has a ÒVHS Index Search SystemÓ that automatically records an index mark on the tape every time you begin recording a program. Your VCR has two index playback features. To locate the program you want to play, select a specific index number or search by scanning. Some index marks[...]

VCR MAIN MENU 1 VCR PLUS+ 2 TIMER RECORDINGS 3 TIME 4 CHANNELS 5 PREFERENCES 6 AUDIO 27 Using the Playback Featur es Blank Search The VCR searches for blank portions of the tape that are more than six seconds long. 1. Insert the prerecorded tape and press STOP . 2. Press SEARCH three times to display the BLANK SEARCH menu. 3. Press FF on the remote[...]

28 Using the Playback Featur es Playing a T ape V ariable Speed Picture Sear ch Using the SHUTTLE DIAL on the VCR The SHUTTLE DIAL on the VCR lets you search a picture during playback at variable speeds in both forward and reverse. Sound is turned off during picture search. The picture is best for tapes recorded in the SP or SLP speed. 1 . Turn the[...]

29 Recording and Playback Feature COMMERCIAL ADV ANCE™ COMMERCIAL ADVANCEª is a patented technology that detects and marks most commercials on your tape for any recording that is more than 15 minutes long. During playback, the VCR automatically skips the detected commercial segments or you can choose to manually skip them. This feature reduces t[...]

30 Recording and Playback Feature T o Select a Background for Playback 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU . 2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu. 3. Press 7 to select CA DISPLAY: BLUE or VIDEO. ¥ Select BLUE to have the VCR display a blue screen while it advances through the block of marked commercials. ¥ Select VIDEO to have the VC[...]

29 Recording and Playback Feature COMMERCIAL ADV ANCE™ COMMERCIAL ADVANCEª is a patented technology that detects and marks most commercials on your tape for any recording that is more than 15 minutes long. During playback, the VCR automatically skips the detected commercial segments or you can choose to manually skip them. This feature reduces t[...]

30 Recording and Playback Feature T o Select a Background for Playback 1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU . 2. Press 5 to display the PREFERENCES menu. 3. Press 7 to select CA DISPLAY: BLUE or VIDEO. ¥ Select BLUE to have the VCR display a blue screen while it advances through the block of marked commercials. ¥ Select VIDEO to have the VC[...]

31 Recording a Program Recor dings Your VCR provides different recording options. These options are explained in this section of the manual. Recording Speeds Press SPEED on the remote to select a recording speed (SP or SLP). The speed you select appears on the TV screen. Tapes recorded in LP can be played in this VCR. SP (Standard Play) gives the b[...]

32 Recording a Program Expr ess Recor ding Express recording lets you record up to four hours without using the timer program feature. The VCR turns off automatically at the end of the recording. CHANNEL REW PLAY FWD POWER TV•VCR TRACKING RECORD STOP•EJECT PAUSE S•VHS AUTO S•VHS MONO VIDEO IN L•AUDIO IN•R VCR SLP REC Hi-Fi TIMER[...]

33 Recording a Program Recor ding While Y ou’re A way (VCR Plus+* Recor ding) *VCR Plus+ and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation. VCR Plus+ Setup for Antenna, Unscrambled Cable System (Not Requiring a Cable Box), or Cable Box VCR Can Contr ol A VCR Plus+ channel number is assigned for each broadcast or cable channel. These [...]

34 Recording a Program VCR Plus+ TM Channel W orksheet Use this worksheet to create a list from which you can set up your VCR Plus+ channel list. Broadcast or Cable TV Station Name (Such as ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.) Channel Number You Receive This Station On** VCR Plus+ Channel Number* (See Standardized VCR Plus+ Channel Chart) * Check your local listin[...]

35 Recording a Program Recor ding While Y ou’re A way (VCR Plus+ Recor ding) The VCR Plus+ and timer program features let you program the VCR to record up to eight different programs within a one year period. Before using VCR Plus+ to record a program, make sure that: ¥ The clock is set correctly. ¥ A tape with safety tab has been inserted with[...]

Recording a Program Recor ding While Y ou’re A way (Timer Recording) The timer program and VCR Plus+ features let you program the VCR to record up to eight different programs within a one year period. Before setting the timer, make sure that: ¥ The clock is set correctly. ¥ A tape with its safety tab in place has been inserted and has enough ta[...]

37 Recor ding While Y ou’re A way Checking or Clearing VCR Plus+ or Timer Recor dings 1. Press MENU on remote to display VCR MAIN MENU on TV screen. 2. Press 2 to display the TIMER RECORDINGS menu. 3. Press 2 to display the REVIEW EXISTING PROGS. 4. Press MENU for the next program information or press CLEAR to erase the program. Timer Recording F[...]

38 Br oadcast Stereo TV or SAP (Second Audio Pr ogram) Some TV programs are broadcast with stereo audio or a second audio language (SAP). The RECEPTION: STEREO/MONO/SAP feature lets you select the type of audio you want to record. T o Record Ster eo Broadcast TV or SAP Turn on the TV and tune it to the VCR viewing channel, either 3, 4, or the TVÕs[...]

39 Recording a Program Recor ding Audio Only You can record audio only from another audio source connected to the AUDIO1 or AUDIO2 IN ( L and R ) jacks on the back of the VCR. Any video on the tape will be erased when you record audio only. T o Record Audio Only 1. Press the INPUT button on remote until the line indicator Ò L1 (Rear connection)Ó [...]

40 Recording a Program Using T wo VCRs for Copying and Editing T apes Operating Instructions (Refer to hookup on page 8.) Use one VCR as the playback VCR and the other as the recording VCR. 1. Turn on the TV and VCRs. 2. Tune TV to the VCR viewing channel, either 3, 4, or the TVÕs video input. 3. If you have connected your VCR using Option A (page[...]

41 References Location of Contr ols CHANNEL REW PLAY FWD POWER TV•VCR TRACKING RECORD STOP•EJECT PAUSE S•VHS AUTO S•VHS MONO VIDEO IN L•AUDIO IN•R CHANNEL or TRACKING Up or Down Selects next higher or lower channel in the VCRÕs channel memory. Adjusts tracking during playback. PLAY•PAUSE Plays a tape. Pauses the tape for stop-action [...]

42 References Location of Contr ols Back Panel OUT T O TV IN FROM ANT . VHF/UHF 3 CH. 4 IN OUT VIDEO1 AUDIO1 R L S-VIDEO OUT IN 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. IN FROM ANT. (Antenna) Connector Receives a signal from an antenna or cable sys[...]

43 References Location of Contr ols Cassette-in Indicator ( ) Lights when a tape is in the VCR. Channel Number or Line Input (Ò L1 Ó or Ò L2 Ó) The channel number or line input is displayed. Press INPUT on the remote to light Ò L 1Ó or Ò L2 Ó to record from the VIDEO1 or VIDEO2 and AUDIO1 or AUDIO2 IN jacks on the back or front of the VCR. [...]

44 References T r ouble Checks Sometimes problems can be easily solved by checking a few basic things. Check below before you call for help or take your VCR to an Authorized RCA VCR Servicenter. N o power VCR does not respond to remote Remote no longer controls a compatible TV, cable box, or auxiliary component VCR only responds to VCR2•DVD butto[...]

45 ¥ No cassette in VCR. ¥ Eject and reinsert cassette. ¥ Broken tape Ñ try another cassette. ¥ VCR is in pause mode. Press PLAY•PAUSE on the VCR or PAUSE on the remote . ¥ Pressing JOG SHUTTLE during playback places VCR in pause mode . Press PLAY•PAUSE on the VCR or PLAY on the remote, or PAUSE to return to normal playback. ¥ Check the [...]

46 ¥ Stereo signal is weak. Set RECEPTION: STEREO/SAP/MONO feature to MONO . ¥ Press one of the TRACKING up or down buttons to minimize the noise. ¥ Check position of S-VHS AUTO switch on VCR. S ee page 39. ¥ A tape with S-VHS must be used to make S-VHS recordings. ¥ Make sure the componentÕs S-VIDEO connectors are connected using an S-VHS ca[...]

47 COMMERCIAL ADV ANCE Questions and Answers About COMMERCIAL ADV ANCE™ Question Answer Will commercials be scanned through only on playback of recordings? How fast does the COMMERCIAL ADVANCEª VCR scan through the commercial breaks? Are commercials still recorded if I want to watch them? What if the VCR scans forward through part of my program?[...]

48 References Format: S-VHS Record/Playback Video: 4-Head System: Audio: 2 Hi-Fi record/playback system Flying Erase Head Video Signal System: EIA standard: NTSC color Antenna: 75-ohm external VHF/UHF combined antenna terminal Tuner: USA: 181 channels capability* (125 cable channels) Canada: 178 channels capability* (122 cable channels) Type: AutoP[...]

49 References Limited W arranty What your warranty covers: ¥ Any defect in material or workmanship. For how long after your purchase: ¥ 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. What we will do:[...]

50 References Index 3 CH. 4 Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8,42 Accessories, Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Add or Remove Channels Memory . . . . . . . . . .14 ADD/REMOVE CHANNEL Menu . . . . . . . . . . .14 Antenna Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2,3 Antenna Signal Type . . . . .[...]

51 References Index Two VCRs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 ID, Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 IN FROM ANT (Antenna) Connector . . . . .3-8,42 INDEX SEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 INPUT Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16,36,37,39,40-43 JOG SHUTTLE[...]

52 References Index Search, Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23,28 Select a Playback Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Sensor, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Set the clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Set the clock automatically . . . . . . . . . . [...]

53 Notes[...]

10330 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46290-1024 © 1996 Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Trademark(s) ¨ Registered Marca(s) Registrada(s) Printed in Japan Part Number 96-VR730HF-1 VQTS3235 (A) For your nearest Home Entertainment Dealer or Authorized Servicenter call toll-free in the U.S.A. 1-800-336-1900 Canadian Consumers Ð Your toll f[...]