RCA VR342, User Manual

Page 1: ...video cassette recorder user s guide VR342 nEC_IYED_ 0Or0 i ISS m m m _ ...

Page 2: ...ons 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 t...

Page 3: ...FERENCES Menu 12 RemoteVCR I VCR2 Option 13 Auto Play 13 Auto I V VC R 14 VCR Basics 15 Remote Buttons 16 Playing a Tape 17 Tape Eject 17 Recording 18 Check the SafetyTab 18 Automatic Rewind 18 Recording 19 Recording Features 20 Express Recording 20 Timer Recording 2 I Stopping aTimer Recording 22 Reviewing and Clearing Programs 22 UsingTwoVCRs for Copying and EditingTapes 23 Other Features 25 Pic...

Page 4: ...osing a VCR Connection 33 Advantages of Audio Video Cable Connections 33 Don t ForgetAbout the Auto TVNCR Feature 33 TV with RF Jack Only 34 TV with Audio Video Jacks 35 TV with AudioNideo Jacks and Cable Box to Unscramble Pay Channels Only 36 Appendix A Reference 37 Front Panel 38 Back Panel 39 Indicator Panel 39 Troubleshooting Tips 40 Specifications 43 Cleaning the VCR 43 Limited Warranty 44 In...

Page 5: ...t 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 WHAT S LEFT V Y 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 ...

Page 6: ...Place batteries in 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 ANT IN and RFOUT jacks for a good signal as shown If you have a TV with AUDIONIDEO jacks use these audio video jacks on the TV and VCR for a better connection ...

Page 7: ...DIO VIDEO jacks with audio video cables select the TV s video input to see the signal See the 7 VOwner s Manual STEP 6 TURN ON THE VCR Press POWER to turn on the VCR 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 1 Press MENU to bring up the VCR MAIN MENU VCR MAIN MENU 1 Timer Re...

Page 8: ...ess 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFE PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control VCR2 2 Auto PLay OFF 3 Auto TV VCR ON 0 Exit See Setting Up the VCR for detailed information about the Auto Play feature STEP 8 SET UP THE VCR Once you understand how to move around andlor through the menus go to the next section to set up your VCR 6 ...

Page 9: ...fore you begin using yourVCR for the first time Select a language Set upVCR channel list Auto Channel Search Set automatic daylight saving time Set the time and date Set the RemoteVCRI VCR2 feature 2 V SE I FING UP THE VCR V V I Set the Auto Play feature Set the AutoTV VCR feature V V 7 ...

Page 10: ...e LANGUAGE menu LANGUAGE Select a Language l_English 2 Espanot 3 Fran_ais Press RENU to continue 3 Press 1 for English 2 for EspaSol Spanish or 3 for Fran_ ais French 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 elim...

Page 11: ...EARCH menu_ AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH What type of signal are you using 1 Cable TV 2 Antenna 3_0etect Automatically 0 Cancel 4 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 No_ scanning channel 14 Pness any key to cancel Det...

Page 12: ...els have weak signals or you don t want to watch them 1 PressMENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU 2 Press3 to display the CHANNELS menu 3 Press2 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 REROVE CHANNELS Channel 115 is ...

Page 13: ...AIN MENU 1 Timer Recordings 2 Time 3 ChanneLs 4 Preferences 5 Language 0 Exit Press 2 to display the TIME menu TIRE 1 Set time and date 2 Auto DST ON 0 Exit ime and Date 1 he time and date must be set before timer recording can be programmed 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 ...

Page 14: ...t 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 RENU 1T4mer Recordings 2 Time 3 ChanneLs 4 Preferences 5 Language 0 Exit Press 4 to display the PREFERENCESmenu PREFERENCES 1 Remote Control VCR1 2 Auto PLay ON 3 Auto TV VCR ON 0 Exit Now you are ready to select an item f...

Page 15: ...etting 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 VCR1 Then the remote that came with the VCR will be able to control it again AUTO PLAY This feature allows the VCR to automatically start playing when you insert a tape with the safety tab removed Press 2 ...

Page 16: ...o switch to the VCR mode when the VCR is turned on or a cassette is inserted This only applies if you connect the ANT IN and RF OUT jacks of your VCR and TV and watch your VCR on channel 3 or 4 of your TIZ 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 14 ...

Page 17: ...ng a recorded tape and recording a program should do just that However there are other features that enhance the enjoyment of yourVCR but they aren t necessary to get you started If you want to learn more about yourVCR just keep reading 13 w BAs V I V VCR Basicstells you what you need to know in order to watch a movie or tape your favorite show 15 ...

Page 18: ... from the component connected to the audio video input jacks on the back of the VCR MENU Brings up VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen Used to select a menu item or exit a menu Numbers 0 through 9 Select a channel up to 99 by pressing 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 PAUSE Pauses playback or recording Pre...

Page 19: ...e TV to your VCR viewing channel 3 4 or TV s video input 2 Insert a tape in the VCR 11 II 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 to position the tape Press PLAY if necessary on the remote PLAY PAUSE on VCR to begin tape play Press PAUSE PLAYoPAUSE on VCR for stop action Press TRACKING up or down to ...

Page 20: ... record over it simply cover the hole with vinyl tape AUTOMATIC REWI N D During playback the VCR automatically rewinds the tape if the tape reaches the end and stops During recording the VCR automatically rewinds the tape if it reaches the end While rewinding you can press POWER and the VCR turns off after rewinding Speeds SP Standard Play Gives the best quality recording but fewer programs can be...

Page 21: ... the necessary steps to operate yourVCR rll explain the different recording features that are available to suit your needs Recording Features Recording explained in VCR Basics section Express Recording Timer Recording Copying and EditingTapes RECORDING 19 ...

Page 22: ...ss of the RECORD button increases the recording time up to 4 hours The VCR continues to record for the amount of time you indicate and then automatically turns off 20 Tape Speeds SP Standard Play Gives the best quality recording but fewer programs can be recorded on the tape Special effects such as pause slow motion picture search and frame advance work well when you play back tapes recorded in th...

Page 23: ...Press RENU to cancel 5 Enter the data for the program with the number buttons The data includes the channel number press INPUT to select the line input start time including AM or PM and end time The start date is automatically entered based on the VCR clock and the tape speed remains the same as was last selected Both the date and speed can be changed Timer Recording Information Clock must be set ...

Page 24: ...ording in progress even an express recording Press and hold the STOP button on the remote STOPeEJECT button on the VCR for a few seconds REVIEWING AND CLEARING PROGRAMS To review programs that you have already set up 1 Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU 2 Press 1 to display the TIMER RECORDINGS menu TIBER RECORDINGS 1 Create a New Program 2 Review Existing Progs 0 Exit 3 Press2 to display the...

Page 25: ...ou want to begin copying press PLAyoPAUSE and then PLAyoPAUSE again on the playback VCR You may need to adjust the tracking 6 Press the RECORD button then press PLAYoPAUSE on the recording VCR 7 Press the PLAyoPAUSE buttons on both VCRs at the same time to begin copying the tape 8 To edit segments that you do not want to copy Press PLAYoPAUSE on recording VCR to pause copying Locate the next segme...

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Page 27: ...FEATURES TO ENHANCE VCR OPERATION Picture Search Options Time Counter On Screen Displays Tracking V V 5 V OTHER FEATURES V I 25 ...

Page 28: ...e during play or play pause using slow motion Slow motion works best for tapes recorded at the SPor SLPspeed 1 Press SLOW on the remote to begin slow motion playback 2 Use TRACKING up or down to remove any streaks from the picture 3 Press PLAY on the remote PLAYoPAUSEon the VCR to return to normal playback The VCR switches automatically from slow motion playback to stop after a few minutes COMMERC...

Page 29: ...e INDEX SEARCHmenu on the TV screen If you want to search through a certain number of index marks press two number buttons to enter the number of marks you want to search Press CLEAR on the remote to correct an entry Press FWD to search forward or REV to search in reverse The VCR will locate your index mark and begin playback If you did not enter a specific index number the VCR will locate the nex...

Page 30: ...ressSTOPto cancel is TIME COUNTER The time counter shows the actual time it takes to record a program or play back a segment of a recorded tape It helps locate the beginning or end of programs you taped The time counter resets to 0 00 00 whenever the tape is ejected from the VCR For example if you record a 30 minute program at the beginning of the tape and you want to go to the end of that program...

Page 31: ...00 Timer counter only does not time out 3 Normal display TRACK ING Your VCR has automatic tracking which removes the streaks 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 different VCR Just use the TRACKING buttons to remove the streaks or snow You can...

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Page 33: ...middle after you connect your components Try not to coil any twin lead cables and keep them away from the audio video cables as much as possible Make sure all antennas and cables are properly grounded Refer to the SafetyTips sheet packed with your unit PROTECT YOUR COMPONENTS FROM OVE RH EATI NG Do not block ventilation holes in any of the components Arrange the components so that air can circulat...

Page 34: ...e coaxial cable supplied with your VCR is used to connect the VCR s RF OUT jack and your TV s antenna input O RFJack Audio Video Jacks and Cables rCA type The audio video jacks provide very good picture and sound and can be used if your I V has audio video input jacks These jacks must be used for most audio video connections The VCR audio video jacks are color coded yellow for video and white for ...

Page 35: ...cular component ADVANTAGES OF AUDIO VIDEO CABLE CONN ECTIONS Using a simple coaxial cable connection gives you good picture quality If your television has AN jacks I highly recommend using them to get even better picture when recording and playing back videotapes These connections give you more convenient operation by not having to share the TV s RF signal DON T FORGET ABOUT TH E AUTO TV VCR FEATU...

Page 36: ...ble box To connect 1 Connect cables as shown 2 Return to First Things First then follow the steps Using This Connection Tune your TV to channel 3 or 4 whichever one you selected with the switch on the back of the VCR Use the TVoVCR button to watch the VCR Auto TV VCR Setting Set the Auto TV VCR feature to ON To play a tape 1 Insert a tape 2 If necessary press PLAY To record one program and watch a...

Page 37: ...le antenna connection 2 for cable box 2 audio video cables To connect 1 Connect cables as shown 2 Return to First Things First then follow the steps Using This Connection Tune your TV to its video input channel Use of the TVoVCR button is not required Auto TV VCR Setting Set the Auto TV VCR feature to OFF To play a tape 1 Insert a tape 2 If necessary press PLAY To record one program and watch anot...

Page 38: ...cables 1 splitter ll scrambled channels must be viewed through the VCR To connect 1 Connect cables as shown 2 Return to First Things First then follow the steps Using This Connection Tune your TV to its video input channel Use of the TV VCR button is not required Auto TV VCR Setting Set the Auto TV VCR feature to OFF To play a tape 1 Insert a tape 2 If necessary press PLAY To record a scrambled or...

Page 39: ...bout the VCR including a description of the unit s controls and display You also will find aTroubleshootingTips section in this Appendix which might help to resolve some of those simple problems Finally this section contains your warranty information 37 ...

Page 40: ...tion for viewing during playback Pauses recording to prevent recording of unwanted scenes POWER Turns the VCR on or off RECORD Starts VCR recording Used for express recording Remote Sensor Receives signals from the remote control Aim the remote at this sensor REV Rewinds the tape when the VCR is stopped Searchesthe picture in reverse during playback Starts slow motion when tape is paused STOP EJEC...

Page 41: ... IN Jack Receives a signal from an antenna or cable system when attached RF OUT Jack Passessignal to TV using the cable supplied INDICATOR PANEL POWER RECORD VCR TIMER E3 D POWER indicator Lights when the VCR isturned on RECORD Indicator Lights when the VCR is recording TIMER Indicator Lights during an express or timer recording or when the VCR is set for a timer recording and the VCR is turned of...

Page 42: ...turn VCR indicator on Check TV channel selected 3 or 4 to make sure it matches the channel selected with 3 CH 4 switch on back of VCR Check to make sure the TV s fine tuning is correct for the channel you have selected Check video cable connections between VCR and TV monitor Check to make sure the TV monitor isset to video input channel Try another tape Some snow streaks are normal during search s...

Page 43: ...on Reset the clock Check to see if time and date are correct including AM PM Check to make sure the program did not exceed the tape s length or the tape was not rewound beforehand Check to make sure the VCR was turned off at the time recording was to start Check to make sure there was a tape in the VCR and the cassette s safety tab was intact VCR ejects cassette when the end of the tape is reached...

Page 44: ...fer to the VCR Channel List or contact your cable company for more information Tape plays back in slow motion Press PLAY to return to normal playback Cannot select channels over 69 Cable channels over 69 can only be selected if Signal Type CABLE ANTENNA feature is set to CABLE Cassette with safety tab removed does not start to play automatically Check to make sure the Auto Play ON OFF feature is s...

Page 45: ...es high 90 ram 14 1 inches wide 360 mm 10 9 inches deep 278 mm 7 92 pounds 3 6 kg 22 F to 149 F 30 C to 65 C 41 F to 104 F 5 C to 40 C Check your cable company s compatibility requirements CLEANING THE VCR Use a soft cloth or dusting attachment of your vacuum cleaner to dust your VCR Remove dust from the ventilation holes on the top back sides and bottom of the cabinet Plastic surfaces are easily ...

Page 46: ...omer instruction Your Owner s Manual clearly describes how to install adjust and operate your VCR Any additional information should be obtained from your Dealer Installation and related adjustments Signal reception problems not caused by your VCR Damage from misuse or neglect Cleaning of video audio heads Remote control batteries A VCR that has been modified or incorporated into other products or ...

Page 47: ...rch options 26 PLAY button 16 17 23 PLAY PAUSE button 17 23 38 Playing a tape 17 POWER button 7 16 18 38 POWER indicator 39 Power surges 31 PREFERENCESmenu 12 PROGRAMS OVERLAP message 21 R RECORD button 16 18 20 23 38 RECORD indicator 39 Recording basic 18 express 20 speeds 18 20 timer 21 Remote buttons 16 17 Remote control installing batteries 4 Remote Control VCR1NCR2 feature 13 Remote sensor 38...

Page 48: ...y products to the Indianapolis address listed in this manual or on the carton This will only add delays in service for your product THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS 10330 North Meridian Street Indianapolis IN 46290 1997 Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc Trademark s Registered Marca s Registrada s Printed in Mexico TOCOM 15226060 ...