Video Cassette Recorder VRZ255 Owner’s Manual Important! Return your Warranty Registration Card within 10 days. See why inside.
Return your Warranty Registration card today to ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled to. Once your PHILIPS MAGNAVOX purchase is registered, you’re eligible to receive all the privileges of owning a PHILIPS MAGNAVOX product. So complete and return the Warranty Registration Card enclosed with your purchase at once. And take advantage of these important benefits.
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.
Table of Contents Setting Up Your VCR Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Before Using Your VCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Hookups Without a Cable Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before Using Your VCR 5 Removing the Plastic Cover from the Front Panel A thin, plastic cover may protect the front panel of your VCR. Before using the VCR, lift a corner of the plastic, then peel it off. Putting Batteries in the Remote Control 1 1 2 3 2 To open the battery compartment, push in the tab, then pull up the lid. Place two AA batteries inside the battery compartment with their + and – ends aligned as indicated. Close the battery compartment lid.
Hookups Without a Cable Box 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 refer to pages 8 - 9. After you hook up the VCR, please go to page 10 to turn on the VCR. 1 Disconnect the antenna or cable from your TV. Antenna Indoor/Outdoor (300 ohm) 75Ω ANT CAB / LE 75Ω ANT / CABLE OR ANTENNA IN Jack (on back of TV) Cable (75 ohm) 2 Connect the antenna or cable to the ANT(enna) IN Jack on the back of the VCR.
Hookups Without a Cable Box (cont’d) 7 3 Connect the RF coaxial cable (supplied) to the RF 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 or screw-on type of coaxial cable, whichever you prefer. A snap-on type is supplied.) IN OUT ANT.IN R AUDIO L VIDEO RF OUT CH3 CH4 Antenna or Cable IN OUT 75Ω ANT CAB / LE ANT.
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 set up 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 IN OUT ANT.IN R AUDIO L VIDEO 2 Cable Box/DBS IN 75Ω ANT CAB / LE OUT RF OUT CH3 CH4 Cable signal RF coaxial cable 3 TV’s ANTENNA IN jack RF coaxial cable Connections 1 2 Connect a Cable signal to the VCR’s ANT(enna) IN jack.
Turning on Your VCR Before turning on your VCR, make sure there are batteries in the remote control and the VCR, TV, and Cable Box/DBS (if applicable) are connected. 1 2 Press the VCR button, then press the POWER button. 2 6 Turn on the TV. Set it to channel 3 or 4, whichever the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the VCR is set to. The menu shown below will appear. Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select the onscreen display language.
Automatic Channel Setup 11 Although your VCR may automatically memorize the channels you receive when you turn it on for the first time, this function lets you set up channels again. Make each entry within one minute of the previous entry. 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK 5 1 A VCR SET UP TUNER SET UP INITIAL SET UP Wait for the VCR to set up channels.
Automatic Channel Setup (cont’d) Adding/Deleting Channels 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK A VCR SET UP TUNER SET UP INITIAL SET UP 1 TV VCR – CBL/DBS + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW TO END PUSH EXIT 2 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select TUNER SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK A CABLE/ANTENNA CABLE AUTO CH. PROGRAMMING ADD/DELETE CH.
Setting the Clock 13 There are four ways to set the VCR’s clock: Manually, with Time Zone Selection, with Manual PBS Channel Selection, or with Automatic PBS Channel Selection. Cable Box/DBS users must set the clock manually. Before you set the clock, make sure: • The VCR power is on. • The VCR light appears on the display panel. If it does not, press the VCR/TV button once. • Channels are set up. • You make each entry within one minute of the previous entry.
Setting the Clock (cont’d) 4 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button repeatedly to set the TIME. Every time you press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button, the time changes in one minute increments. If you press and hold the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button, the time changes in 30 minute increments. When the time is correct, press the FF :/OK button. TIME DATE D.S.T.
Setting the Clock (cont’d) 15 Time Zone Selection 1 2 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select INITIAL SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK A CLOCK LANGUAGE VCR PLUS+ CH. ENGLISH TO END PUSH EXIT 3 TIME DATE VCR – CBL/DBS + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW 6 2-3 5 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select CLOCK, then press the FF :/OK button.
Setting the Clock (cont’d) Manual PBS Channel Selection 1 2 3 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. TV VCR – CBL/DBS Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select INITIAL SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select CLOCK, then press the FF :/OK button. (If AUTO CLOCK is set to OFF, PBS CH. will not be available in the menu.
Setting the Clock (cont’d) 17 Automatic PBS Channel Selection 1 2 3 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. 1 TV VCR – CBL/DBS + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select INITIAL SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select CLOCK, then press the FF :/OK button. (If AUTO CLOCK is set to OFF, PBS CH. will not be available in the menu.
Daylight-Saving Time Follow the steps below to program the VCR so its clock will automatically move forward one hour in April and turn back one hour in October. 1 2 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. VCR – CBL/DBS Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select INITIAL SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. SELECT , 9 TV CHOOSE :/OK A CLOCK LANGUAGE VCR PLUS+ CH.
Language Selection 19 Follow the steps below to change the language of the on-screen displays. 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK 1 A VCR SET UP TUNER SET UP INITIAL SET UP – + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW 2 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select INITIAL SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button. CHOOSE :/OK A CLOCK LANGUAGE VCR PLUS+ CH.
Remote Control Buttons TV Button Press this button before pressing other TV operation buttons. VCR Button Press this button before pressing VCR operation buttons. CBL/DBS Button Press this button before pressing Cable Box/DBS operation buttons. POWER Button After pressing the CBL/DBS, VCR, or TV button, press to turn on or off the Cable Box/DBS, VCR, or TV. PLAY 8 Button In VCR mode, press to play a tape. Also, press to release Slow, Still, or Search mode and to return to normal playback.
Remote Control Buttons (cont’d) 21 STILL/SLOW –/+ Buttons During slow motion tape playback, press to adjust the playback speed. Details are on page 48. MENU Button Press to access the main VCR menu. Or, press the TV button, then the MENU button, to access the TV menu. EXIT/STATUS Button Press to exit on-screen menus. Press to bring up the status display for five seconds. Details are on page 25.
Display Panel VCR Display Panel Information about VCR operations appears here. Different information appears at different times. The display is brighter when the VCR power is on. The display dims automatically when you turn off the VCR power. Remote Sensor Receives a signal from your remote control so you can operate your VCR from a distance. Press the VCR button on the remote control before pressing other VCR operation buttons. Cassette Compartment Insert a tape here.
Front Panel 23 FF (Fast Forward) Button When tape playback is stopped, press to fast forward the tape at high speed. During tape playback, press to fast forward the tape while the picture stays on-screen. Details are on page 48. PLAY Button Press to play a tape. Also, press to release Slow, Still, or Search mode and return to normal playback. Details are on page 48. REW(ind) Button When tape playback is stopped, press to rewind the tape at high speed.
Rear Panel ANT(enna) IN Jack Connect your antenna or cable here. Details are on pages 6 - 9. AUDIO OUT Jacks Connect cables going to the AUDIO IN jacks of a camcorder, another VCR, or an audio source here. Details are on pages 41 and 44. AUDIO IN Jacks Connect cables coming from the AUDIO OUT jacks of a camcorder, another VCR, or an audio source here. Details are on page 41. IN OUT ANT.IN R AUDIO L VIDEO RF OUT CH3 CH4 CH3/CH4 Switch Set to channel 3 or 4 to use your TV with your VCR.
On-Screen Status Displays 25 An on-screen status display, which includes the current time, channel, and other information (see illustration of the status display at right), will appear when you press the EXIT/STATUS button or certain function buttons. The contents of the status display may vary. ON SCREEN MODE ON: • Whenever you press the PLAY 8 button or the STOP 9 button to stop playback, some of the contents of the status display will appear for five seconds.
Setting the Remote Control to Operate a TV Your VCR remote control may operate your TV. Follow these steps to set the remote control code. 1 Point the remote control at your TV. Press the TV button, then press the POWER button. If your TV turns on or off, try the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons. If your remote control operates the TV, you’re finished. If your TV doesn’t turn on or off, or if the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons don’t work, go to step 2. 2 2 1 Find the code for your TV.
Setting the Remote Control to Operate a Cable Box/DBS 27 Your VCR remote control may operate your Cable Box/DBS. Follow these steps to set the remote control code. 1 Point the remote control at your Cable Box/DBS. Press the CBL/DBS button, then press the POWER button. If your Cable Box/DBS turns on or off, try the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons. If the remote control operates the Cable Box/DBS, you’re finished. If your Cable Box/DBS does not turn on or off, or if the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons don’t work, go to step 2.
Playing Read and follow the steps below to play a tape. 1 Turn on the TV and set it to channel 3 or 4, whichever the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the VCR is set to. 2 Insert a tape in the VCR. The power will come on. The VCR will place itself in VCR position automatically (the VCR light will appear on the display panel of the VCR). If the VCR light does not appear, press the VCR/TV button once. If the tape’s record tab has been removed, playback will start automatically.
Recording 29 Read and follow the steps below to record a television program. 1 Turn on the TV and set it to channel 3 or 4, whichever the CH3/CH4 switch on the back of the VCR is set to. 2 1 2 Turn on the TV. Insert a tape. Insert a tape with its record tab intact (details are on page 5) in the VCR. The power will come on. 3 4 Press the VCR button. If the VCR light appears on the display panel of the VCR, go to step 5. If the VCR light does not appear, press the VCR/TV button once.
One-Touch Recording The One-Touch Recording (OTR) function allows you to start an immediate timed recording 30 minutes to six hours long of the channel you are watching. Before you begin, make sure: • Channels are set up. Details are on pages 11 - 12. • The desired recording speed (SP or SLP) has been selected with the SPEED button. Details are on pages 37 and 50. • There is a tape in the VCR. Make sure the tape’s record tab is intact (see page 5) and the tape is long enough to record the program(s).
Recording One Channel/Watching Another 31 1 2 4-5 Press the VCR button. Press the REC(ord)/OTR button to start a recording. Details are on page 29. 3 Press the VCR/TV button to put the VCR in TV position. The VCR light will disappear from the display panel. 4 Use the TV remote control to select the channel you want to watch. Or, if the VCR remote control operates your TV, press the TV button, then use the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons to select the channel you want to watch.
Setting Up the VCR Plus+ Programming System 1 First, fill in the boxes on this page. It will only take a few minutes, and you must do it if you want the VCR Plus+ programming system to work properly. Since the channel numbers of the stations you receive may not be the same as the station numbers, and since channel numbers differ from area to area, you must program the VCR with your local channel information.
Setting Up the VCR Plus+ Programming System (cont’d) 33 2 Now, compare the channel numbers you have written into the VCR PLUS+ CH. and CABLE/TV CH. columns. You’ll notice that some stations have VCR Plus+ and Cable/TV channel numbers that are the same, and other stations have channel numbers that do not match. You must tell the VCR Plus+ and Cable/TV channel numbers according to the following steps. 3 4 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button.
Timer Recording With the VCR Plus+ Programming System Follow the steps below to program a timer recording using PlusCode programming numbers. Before you begin make sure: • Channels are set up. Details are on pages 11 - 12. • The clock is set. Details are on pages 13 - 17. • 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 light will appear on the display panel).
Timer Recording With the VCR Plus+ Programming System (cont’d) 35 5 Press the FF :/OK button. If the VCR PLUS+ and CABLE/TV channel lists appear on-screen, the CABLE/TV channel has not been set for the VCR PLUS+ channel of the program you have set in step 4. Complete steps 6 - 7 on page 33. TV 6 VCR – CBL/DBS + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW • If you want to record the program one time only, go to step 7.
Quick Programming Follow the steps below to program your VCR to record TV programs while you’re away from home. The VCR will turn itself on, record, and turn itself off automatically. Before you begin make sure: • Channels are programmed. Details are on pages 11 - 12. • The clock is set. Details are on pages 13 - 17. • 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.
Quick Programming (cont’d) 37 4 Press the Number 1/START + or Number 4/START– button to set the recording’s start time. Every time you press a button, the start time changes in one-minute increments. If you press and hold a button, the start time changes in 30-minute increments.
Quick Programming (cont’d) 7 Press the Number 3/DATE+ or Number 6/DATE– button to set the recording date. Every time you press a button, the date changes in one-day increments. If you press and hold a button, the date changes quickly. The day of the week will appear automatically. (You cannot program the VCR to record more than one year in advance.
Quick Programming (cont’d) 39 Checking, Editing, or Clearing Timer Recordings 1 Press the VCR button, then press the TIMER button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK 1 A VCR PLUS+ QUICK PROGRAMMING PROGRAM REVIEW TV VCR – CBL/DBS + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW TO END PUSH EXIT 7 2 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select PROGRAM REVIEW, then press the FF :/OK button. The list of programmed timer recordings will appear.
Timer Recording Speed Setting If a program is recorded in SP and there is not enough tape to record the entire program, the VCR automatically switches to SLP to allow complete recording if TIMER REC SPEED is set to AUTO. This feature is especially useful when you record a program that is more than two hours long. For example, to record a program of 140 minutes in length onto a 120-minute tape, the program is recorded in SP for about 110 minutes and in SLP for about 30 minutes.
Rerecording (Tape Duplication) 41 The instructions on this page show you how to copy tapes. The illustration uses two VCRs just like yours. Different VCRs may operate differently. To duplicate a tape, make the connections shown, then follow steps 1 - 6. (You may use the AUDIO and VIDEO In jacks on the front of VCR 2 instead if you prefer.) VCR 2 Recording VCR VCR 1 Playing VCR IN OUT 3) Use an RF coaxial cable to connect the RF OUT Jack on VCR 2 to the TV’s ANTENNA IN Jack. IN ANT.
Index Search When you make a recording, the VCR automatically places an index code at the beginning of the recording. Essentially, an index code is a type of “bookmark” for your tape. This feature is useful if you have several different programs recorded on a single tape. 3 Insert a tape. Fast forward or rewind to the next or previous index code on the tape by following the steps below. 1 2 TV + POWER EXIT/STATUS PLAY : REW ;; TIMER [REC/OTR 1 + 2 + FF /OK :: L STOP S.
Multi-Channel Television Sound System 43 Your VCR can receive and record programs broadcast in stereo or second audio. It can also play back tapes recorded in stereo or second audio. • Second Audio You can program your VCR so that you can hear a program that is being broadcast in second audio or a tape that was recorded in second audio. (A second audio broadcast is usually a program in a second language.) Follow the steps on page 44 to receive or record this type of program.
Multi-Channel Television Sound System (cont’d) To receive and record programs broadcast in second audio, follow steps 1 - 6. To receive and record a program broadcast in stereo, make one of the connections shown, then follow steps 1 - 6. IN OUT ANT.IN R AUDIO L VIDEO RF OUT CH3 CH4 IN OUT ANT.IN R AUDIO L If you have a Stereo and a Monitor TV, use a video cable to connect the VCR’s VIDEO OUT Jack to the TV’s VIDEO IN Jack.
Hi-Fi Stereo Tape Playback 45 If a tape is recorded in Hi-Fi stereo, follow the steps below to play the tape in Hi-Fi stereo. 1 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button. SELECT , 9 CHOOSE :/OK A VCR SET UP TUNER SET UP INITIAL SET UP – + POWER cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW 4 2-3 2 Press the PLAY 8 or STOP 9 button to select VCR SET UP, then press the FF :/OK button.
Video Stabilizer You can correct vertical vibration when playing back tapes recorded in SLP speed. When VIDEO STABILIZER is set to ON, vertical vibration will be corrected automatically. VIDEO STABILIZER is set to OFF when you receive the VCR. Follow the steps below to set VIDEO STABILIZER to ON. 1 1 4 2-3 TO END PUSH EXIT EXIT/STATUS + cEJECT PLAY : REW ;; TIMER [REC/OTR 1 + START 2 + STOP 4 FF /OK :: L STOP S.
Incredible Picture 47 You can make the picture sharper or enhance a picture when playing back tapes recorded in SLP speed. PICTURE is set to NORMAL when you receive the VCR. Follow the steps below to set PICTURE to INCREDIBLE or ENHANCER. 1 1 Press the VCR button, then press the MENU button.
Playback Options Forward and Reverse Searching 1 During tape playback, press and release the FF :/OK button or the REW(ind) ; button. A fast forward or reverse picture search will begin. 2 To return to playback, press the PLAY 8 button. TV VCR – CBL/DBS + cEJECT MENU STILL/SLOW EXIT/STATUS PLAY : REW ;; Viewing a Still Picture 1 During tape playback, press the STILL/SLOW button. A still picture will appear on-screen. 2 POWER TIMER [REC/OTR 1 + START 2 + STOP 4 S.
Automatic Operation Features 49 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. Automatic Rewind When a tape is played, fast forwarded, or recorded to its end, the VCR will rewind the tape to the beginning, then stop. Memory Rewind, Power Off When the POWER button is pressed while the VCR is rewinding a tape, REWIND→POWER OFF will appear on-screen.
Glossary AUDIO IN/OUT Jacks: jacks located on the front and back of the VCR which are used to record audio from another source (IN) or to send audio to another source (OUT). Automatic Channel Programming: process in which the VCR scans all available channels and places the ones you receive in its memory. Then, when you press the CH(annel) 8/9 buttons, you only scan through channels you receive. Bands: settings that allow you to tune channels.
Specifications 51 Video Heads Four heads with Hi-Fi stereo 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; 60 Hz Power Consumption 22 W Operating Temperature 41°F (5°C) to 104°F (40°C) Relative Humidity 10% to 80% Weight 7.3 lbs. (3.3 kg.
Helpful Hints If you are having problems with your VCR, check the following 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) 53 Tape can’t be removed. • Make sure the power plug is completely connected to an AC (alternating current) outlet. The motor (cylinder) rotates even when the VCR is in Stop mode. • To enable the quick play mechanism, the cylinder will rotate for about five minutes. This is normal. The quick play mechanism enables the tape mechanism to switch from Stop mode to Play mode in one second. There is no playback picture, or the playback picture is noisy or contains streaks.
RENEWED 90 DAY LIMITED WARRANTY
Index 55 ac power cord 24 accessories 56 ant(enna) in jack 6 - 9, 24 audio in/out jacks 23, 24, 41, 44, 50 audio/mute button 21 automatic playback 49 rewind 49 hookups with a cable box/dbs 8-9 with a stereo TV 44 without a cable box/dbs 6 - 7 incredible picture index buttons index search feature 47 21, 42 42 batteries language selection limited warranty line input mode line input mode light long play lp 19 54 22, 41 22 37, 50 37, 50 5 cable box code 27 connections 8-9 output channel 8 - 9, 50 cable/t
T V BS /D BL C U N – E M IT IL ST EX V W T 2 C JE E c ER W Y LA P : + 4 T R TR TA K 3 EA 6 E T A H RC D O PR H C LY K E E W 9 V 0 /T K IC U R Q VC – D E E Y IL A D 8 P S.
