VCR VR400BMG Video Cassette Recorder Owner’s Manual
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Introduction 3 Welcome to your VCR owner’s manual. This manual has six sections: Setting Up Your VCR; Description of Controls; Basic Operations; Recording; Playing; and Information You May Need. The instructions explain all of the VCR’s features, which are listed below. You cannot hurt your VCR by trying the features! So read on – and relax.
Table of Contents Setting Up Your VCR Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Before Using Your VCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Hookups Without a Cable Box/Direct Broadcast System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before Using Your VCR 5 Putting Batteries in the Remote Control 1 1 2 2 3 3 Remove the battery compartment lid on the bottom of the remote control by sliding the lid in the direction of the arrow. Insert two AA batteries inside the battery compartment with their + and – ends aligned as indicated. Replace the battery compartment lid. Using the Remote Control ● ● Point the remote control at the VCR’s remote sensor (see page 21) when using the remote control to operate the VCR.
Hookups Without a Cable Box / Direct Broadcast System The basic VCR/TV connection – antenna/cable to VCR to TV – is shown below. If you have a Cable Box or a Direct Broadcast System, please see pages eight-nine. If you have a Stereo TV, please see page 10. After you hook up the VCR, go to page 11 to turn on the VCR. 1 Disconnect the antenna or cable from your TV.
Hookups Without a Cable Box / Direct Broadcast System (cont’d) 7 3 Connect the RF coaxial cable (supplied) to the OUT Jack on the back of the VCR and to the ANTENNA IN Jack on the TV. (You may use either a snap-on type (supplied) or screw-on type of coaxial cable, whichever you prefer.
Hookups With a Cable Box / Direct Broadcast System There are two ways to connect your Cable Box/DBS to the VCR. With this connection: ● You may view any channel. ● You must select channels at the Cable Box/DBS. Channels cannot be changed at the VCR. ● You may not view a channel other than the one you are recording. ● You may not program channels at the VCR. ● You can only program a timer recording for one channel at a time.
Hookups With a Cable Box / Direct Broadcast System (cont’d) 9 With this connection: ● You may watch one channel while recording another. ● You may not record scrambled channels. 1 VCR 2 ANT Cable Box/DBS 75V ANT CAB / LE IN AUDIO IN OUT IN VIDEO OUT OUT CH3 CH4 RF coaxial cable Cable Signal RF coaxial cable 3 TV’s ANTENNA IN Jack Connections 1 2 Connect a Cable signal to the VCR’s ANT(enna) IN Jack.
Hookups With a Stereo TV 1 ANT antenna or cable to ANT(enna) IN Jack IN AUDIO OUT IN VIDEO VIDEO (yellow) and AUDIO (white) OUT Jacks OUT 2 3 Audio and Video IN Jacks on TV CH3 CH4 Video Cable Audio Cable ● Audio and Video cables are not supplied. 1 Connect the antenna or cable to the ANT(enna) IN Jack on the back of the VCR. 2 Connect a video cable to the yellow VIDEO OUT Jack on the back of the VCR. Then, connect the other end of the video cable to the VIDEO IN Jack on your TV.
Turning on Your VCR 11 ● Before turning on your VCR, make sure there are batteries in the remote control and the VCR and TV are connected (see pages five-10). ● You can not set up channels if you are using a Cable Box/DBS. ● The instructions on this page only work when you turn on the VCR for the first time. If there is a power failure or if the VCR is unplugged for more than one minute, you may need to repeat the instructions on this page. 1 2 1 Press the POWER button.
Automatic Channel Setup Although your VCR may automatically set up the channels you receive when you turn it on for the first time, this function lets you set up channels again. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear on the display panel. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) 1 Press the MENU button until the main menu appears.
Automatic Channel Setup (cont’d) 13 Adding/Deleting Channels The channels you no longer receive or seldom watch can be deleted from the memory. You also may add new channels into the memory. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) 1 2 Press the MENU button until the main menu appears. POWER Press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly to select CHANNEL SET UP. Then, press the F.FWD button.
Setting the Clock Follow the steps below to set your VCR’s clock. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) 1 Press the MENU button until the main menu appears. -MENUPOWER B TIMER PROGRAMMING AUTO REPEAT [OFF] PICTURE SELECT CHANNEL SET UP CLOCK SET LANGUAGE SELECT AUTO SATELLITE LINK 2 Press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly to select CLOCK SET. Then, press the F.FWD button.
Setting the Clock (cont’d) 15 6 While the HOUR space is flashing, press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly until the desired hour appears. Then, press the F.FWD button. CLOCK SET MONTH DAY YEAR 0 3 / 2 0 MON 2 0 0 0 HOUR MINUTE 05 : –– AM/PM –– 7 POWER While the MINUTE space is flashing, press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly until the desired minute appears. Then, press the F.FWD button.
Language Selection Follow the steps below to change the language of the on-screen menus and displays. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) 1 Press the MENU button until the main menu appears. -MENUB TIMER PROGRAMMING AUTO REPEAT [OFF] PICTURE SELECT CHANNEL SET UP CLOCK SET LANGUAGE SELECT AUTO SATELLITE LINK POWER 2 Press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly to select LANGUAGE SELECT.
On-Screen Status Displays 17 You may access on-screen status displays by pressing the DISPLAY button repeatedly. On-screen status displays may include the current time, channel, and other information. ● Press the DISPLAY button once. The COUNT on-screen status display will appear for five seconds. After five seconds, only the real-time counter will appear on the screen. This counter shows you the elapsed playing time of the tape (from the point at which the real-time counter was set to zero).
Remote Control Buttons POWER Button Press to turn the VCR on or off. Number Buttons Use to select channels. Channels 1 - 9 ● To select, press 0, then press the channel number you want. For example, to select channel 7, press 0, 7. Channels 100 and above ● To select, press the +100 button, then press the last two digits of the channel you want. For example, to select channel 117, press the +100 button, 1, 7. SPEED Button Press to select the recording speed (SP or SLP). Details are on pages 24 and 44.
Remote Control Buttons (cont’d) 19 EJECT Button Press to eject the tape. VCR/TV Button Use to select the signal that your TV receives. ● VCR Position Use to watch a tape, to watch a program while recording it, or to watch a TV broadcast using the CHANNEL o/p or Number buttons to change channels at the VCR. ● TV Position Use to watch TV (changing channels at the TV) or to watch one program while recording another. Details are on page 32.
VCR Display Panel VCR Display Panel Information about VCR operations is displayed here. Cassette Compartment Insert a video cassette tape here. REW REC/OTR POWER VCR/TV POWER TIMER POWER Light This light indicates that the power is on. SPEED CST.IN STOP/EJECT F.FWD PAUSE REC VCR/TV POWER VCR/TV VCR/TV Light This light appears when the VCR is in VCR position. CST.IN PLAY TIMER CHANNEL MENU REC REC(ord) Light This light appears during a recording.
Front Panel 21 Remote Sensor Receives a signal from your remote control so you can operate your VCR from a distance. VCR/TV Button Use to select the signal that your TV receives. ● VCR Position Use to watch a tape, to watch a program while recording it, or to watch a TV broadcast using the CHANNEL o/p or Number buttons to change channels at the VCR. The VCR/TV light will appear when the VCR is in VCR position.
Rear Panel ANT(enna) IN Jack Connect your antenna or cable here. Details are on pages six-10. AUDIO IN Jack Connect a cable coming from the audio out jack of a camcorder, another VCR, or an audio source here. Details are on page 33. AUDIO OUT Jack Connect a cable going to the audio in jack of a camcorder, another VCR, or an audio system here. Details are on page 33.
Playing 23 Read and follow the steps below to play a tape. 1 Turn on the TV and set it to channel 3 or 4, whichever channel to which the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the VCR is set. 1 2 Turn on the TV. Insert a tape. 2 Insert a tape in the VCR. The POWER, VCR/TV, and CST.IN lights will appear. If the tape’s record tab has been removed, playback will begin automatically. POWER 3 If playback does not start automatically, press the PLAY button. 4 5 6 Press the STOP button to stop playback.
Recording Read and follow the steps below to record a television program. 1 Turn on the TV; set it to channel 3 or 4, whichever channel the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the VCR is set to. 1 2 Turn on the TV. Insert a tape. 2 Insert a tape with its record tab intact (see page five) in the VCR. The POWER, VCR/TV, and CST.IN lights will appear. 3 3 If the VCR/TV light does not appear, press the VCR/TV button so that the VCR/TV light appears.
One-Touch Recording 25 The One-Touch Recording function allows you to program an immediate timed recording 30 minutes to eight hours long. Before you begin, make sure: ● Channels are set up. ● The desired recording speed (SP, SLP) has been selected with the SPEED button. ● There is a tape in the VCR. Make sure the tape’s record tab is intact and the tape is long enough to record the program(s). ● The VCR is in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.
Timer Recording Follow the steps below to program your VCR to record TV programs while you’re away from home. You can program up to seven timer recordings. For each one, the VCR will turn itself on, record, and turn itself off automatically. Before you begin make sure: ● Channels are set up. ● The clock is set. ● There is a tape in the VCR. Make sure the tape’s record tab is intact and the tape is long enough to record the program(s). ● The VCR is in VCR position. The VCR/TV light will appear.
Timer Recording (cont’d) 27 4 Press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly until the desired month appears. Then, press the F.FWD button. Next, press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly until the desired day appears. Then, press the F.FWD button. The day of the week will appear automatically. You can not program the VCR to record more than one year in advance.
Timer Recording (cont’d) 7 Press the PLAY button or the STOP button repeatedly until the desired channel number appears. Then, press the F.FWD button. ● If you are using a standard antenna/cable hookup (as shown on pages six-seven), select the channel of the TV program you want to record. ● If you are recording from line input, select LineIn Rear (L1). (LineIn Rear (L1) is located at the channel 00.) ● If you are using a Cable Box/DBS, select the Cable Box/DBS output channel (03 or 04).
Timer Recording (cont’d) 29 Cancelling a Timer Recording 1 Press the MENU button.The details of your program appear on the screen. TIMER PROGRAMMING DATE B1 05/04 THU 3 05/11 W THU 5 05/21 DAILY STA/END 07:30 PM 08:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:54 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM CH 16 SP 125 SLP 40 SLP POWER 2 Press the PLAY button or the STOP button to select the program number you want to cancel. 3 Press the F.FWD button.
Timer Recording (cont’d) Correcting a Timer Recording If you need to correct a timer recording after you have finished setting the program, follow these steps. Make sure the VCR is on and is in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) 1 Press the MENU button.The details of your program appear on the screen.
Auto Satellite Link Using a Satellite Tuner 31 If you connect your VCR to a satellite tuner that has the Electronic Program Guide, the VCR will turn itself on, record, then turn itself off. First, read the owner’s manual of your satellite tuner; then, follow the steps below. Before you begin: ● Use audio and video cables to connect the VCR’s AUDIO/VIDEO IN jacks to the satellite tuner’s AUDIO/VIDEO OUT jacks. ● Press the SPEED button to select the desired recording tape speed (SP or SLP). ● Set the clock.
Recording One Channel/Watching Another 1 Press the RECORD button to start a recording of the current channel. Details are on page 24. 2 3 4 Select the channel you want to watch at the TV. Set the TV to channel 3 or 4. Press the VCR/TV button to put the VCR in TV position. The VCR/TV light will disappear. 3 POWER Use the TV remote control to select the channel you want to watch at the TV.
Rerecording (Tape Duplication) 33 1. Audio cable from AUDIO OUT Jack of VCR 1 to AUDIO IN Jack of VCR 2 VCR 1 Playing VCR VCR 2 - Recording VCR ANT ANT IN IN AUDIO OUT AUDIO IN VIDEO OUT OUT IN CH3 CH4 VIDEO 2. Video cable from VIDEO OUT Jack of VCR 1 to VIDEO IN Jack of VCR 2 1 OUT CH3 CH4 3. RF coaxial cable from the OUT jack of VCR2 to the TV’s ANTENNA IN Jack VCR 1 will play your tape. Insert a prerecorded tape in VCR 1. If the tape does not have a record tab, playback begins.
Repeat Play Follow the steps below to program the VCR to play a tape over and over. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. The VCR/TV light will appear on the front panel. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once. ● There is a tape in the VCR. 1 Press the MENU button until the main menu appears.
Special Effects Playback 35 Forward and Reverse Searching (SP/LP/SLP) 1 During tape playback, press and release the F.FWD button or the REWIND button. A fast forward or reverse picture search will begin. 2 To return to playback, press the PLAY button. POWER Super High Speed Searching (LP/SLP) 1 During tape playback, press the F.FWD button or the REWIND button, then press again. The VCR will now search in super high speed. 2 To return to playback, press the PLAY button.
Picture Select This function enables you to select the picture quality of a tape. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once. ● There is a tape in the VCR. 1 During tape playback, press the MENU button until the main menu appears.
Real-Time Counter Memory 37 Follow the steps below to reset the real-time counter to zero at a tape location you want to refer to later. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once. ● There is a tape in the VCR. 1 Play, fast forward, or rewind a tape to the location that you would like to refer to later. Press the STOP button to stop the tape.
Index Search When you make a recording, the VCR places an index mark at the beginning of the recording. Essentially, an index mark is a type of “bookmark” for your tape. This feature is useful if you have several different programs recorded on a single tape. You may skip over programs by following the steps below. Before you begin, make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) ● There is a tape in the VCR.
Time Search 39 The Time Search function allows you to go to a specific point on a tape. You will enter the exact amount of playback time that you wish to skip in order to reach the specified point. Make sure: ● The VCR is on and is in VCR position. (The VCR/TV light will appear. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once.) ● There is a tape in the VCR. 1 Press the TIME SEARCH button.
Quick Find The Quick Find feature locates the beginning of each recording on a tape, then plays the first portion of the recording at high speed for 30 seconds. After it plays the portion, the VCR fast forwards the tape to the next recording. This process is repeated until the end of the tape is reached, or until you stop the Quick Find. 1 Press the QUICK-FIND button. QUICK-FIND POWER D The VCR will fast forward the tape to the beginning of the next recording.
Automatic Playback Features 41 Automatic Playback When you put a tape in the VCR, the power will come on automatically. If the tape’s record tab is missing, playback will begin. (If a timer recording is set, you may have to press the POWER button to turn on the VCR. Make sure you turn off the VCR for the timer recording later. If you insert a tape without a record tab when a timer recording is set, the VCR will eject the tape.
Helpful Hints If you are having problems with your product, check this list of problems and possible solutions before requesting service. You may be able to solve the problem yourself. If you need to call a customer service representative, please know the model number and serial number of your product before you call. This information is displayed on the back of the product. Also, please take a moment to identify the problem you are having, and be prepared to explain this to the representative.
Helpful Hints (cont’d) 43 Tape cannot be removed. • Make sure the power plug is completely connected to an AC (alternating current) outlet. • You have set a timer recording. Turn on the VCR power, then eject the tape. Be sure to insert a tape and turn off the VCR for your timer recording. Tape cannot be inserted. • Insert the tape, window side up, with the record tab facing you.
Glossary AUDIO IN/OUT Jacks: jacks located on the back of the VCR which are used to record audio from another source (IN) or to send audio to another system (OUT). Automatic Channel Setup: process in which the VCR scans all available channels and places the ones you receive in its memory. Then, when you push the CHANNEL (o/p) buttons, you only scan through channels you receive. Bands: settings that allow you to tune channels.
Specifications 45 Video Heads Four heads Video Signal EIA standards; NTSC color Antenna VHF/UHF – 75 ohm external antenna terminal VHF Output Signal Channel 3 or 4 (switchable) 75 ohms unbalanced Power Requirement 120V AC; 60Hz Power Consumption 12W Operating Temperature 41°F (5°C) to 104°F (40°C) Relative Humidity 10% to 80% Weight 5.3 lbs. (2.4 kg.
RENEWED 90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY
Index 47 ac power cord ...........................7, 22 accessories.......................................48 ant(enna) in jack ..................6-10, 22 audio in/out jacks .............10, 22, 33 auto satellite link ............................31 automatic playback........................................41 rewind, eject, off ........................41 batteries..............................................5 cassette compartment ..................20 ch3/ch4 switch.......................
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES The following items are supplied with your VCR; they are provided to help you use or set up your VCR. POWER VCR/TV EJECT 1 2 4 5 7 SPEED SLOW 0 3 6 8 9 CHANN EL +100 QUICKFIND TIME SEARC H INDEX MENU DISPLA Y EXIT COUNT ER REWIN D / PLAY RECOR RESET MEMOR F.
