GE VG2044 User manual

IWARNING 1
To reduce the risk of fire or
shock hazard, do not expose
this product to rain or moisture.
personal injury.
Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match
wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.
Attention: Pour eviter les chocs electriques,
introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la
borne correspondante de la prise et pousserausqL_ au
fond.
Refer to the identification/rating label located on the back panel of your
product for its proper operating voltage.
FCC Regulations 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 to
the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry
as practical.
Product Registration
Please fill out the product registration card and return it immediately.
Returning this card allows us to contact you if needed.
Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for
proof of purchase. Attach it here and record the serial and model
numbers in case you need them. The numbers are located on the back
of the product.
Model No. VG2044
Serial No.
Purchase Date:
Dealer/Address/Phone:

First Things First .................................................. 3
Setting Up the VCR .............................................. 7
Using the Menu to Set Up Features ...................................... 8
Language ........................................................................... 8
VCR Channels List ............................................................. 9
To Auto Channel Search ............................................. 9
To Change the SignaIType ...................................... 10
To Add or Remove Channels .................................... 10
Time and Date .................................................................. 11
Set Daylight-Saving Time ......................................... 11
Set theTime and Date ............................................... 11
Additional Set-up Features in the Preferences Menu ........ 12
Remote VCRI/VCR2 Option ............................................ 13
Auto Play .......................................................................... 13
EnergySaver .................................................................... 14
VCR Basics ........................................................ 15
Remote Buttons ..................................................................... 16
Playing a Tape ........................................................................ 17
Automatic Rewind ................................................................. 18
Tape Eject ............................................................................... 18
Recording ............................................................................... 18
Check the Safety Tab ....................................................... 18
Recording .......................................................... 19
Recording Features ............................................................... 20
Express Recording (XPR) ................................................ 20
Timer Recording .............................................................. 21
Stopping aTimer Recording ........................................... 22
Reviewing and Clearing Programs ................................ 22
Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes .......... 23

Other Features ................................................... 25
Picture Search Options ......................................................... 26
Forward and Reverse Search ......................................... 26
Slow Motion .................................................................... 26
Commercial Scan (SEARCH button) .............................. 26
Frame Advance ................................................................ 27
Index Search .................................................................... 27
Go-To Search ................................................................... 28
Pro-Tect Plus TM Locking Feature ........................................... 28
Tracking .................................................................................. 29
Time Counter ......................................................................... 29
On-screen Displays ............................................................... 30
Connections ....................................................... 31
Things to Know Before Connecting Your VCR .................... 31
Connecting Your VCR ............................................................ 32
Jacks and Cables ............................................................. 32
RF Jacks and Coaxial Cables (F-type) ............................ 32
Audio/Video Jacks and Cables (RCA-type) .................... 32
Choosing a VCR Connection ............................................... 33
Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections ................. 33
TV with RF Jack Only ............................................................ 34
TV with Audio/Video Jacks ................................................... 35
TV with Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box to
Unscramble Pay Channels Only ........................................... 36
Appendix: Reference ......................................... 37
Front Panel ............................................................................. 38
Indicator Panel ....................................................................... 39
Back Panel .............................................................................. 40
Troubleshooting Tips ............................................................ 41
Specifications ........................................................................ 44
Cleaning the VCR ................................................................... 44
Limited Warranty ................................................................... 45
2

Hi, my name is Liz... I 1
and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see
that you have a rewarding user manual experience.
You'll find that I've arranged this manual to clearly
explain all of your VCR's features.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
vI
Read the First Three Sections V
The first three sections of the manual introduce
you to your VCR, and show you how to set the VCR
up and use the on-screen menus. Reading these
sections gives you the basic information you need
to use your VCR.
V
What's Left? ¥
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 index. V
V
[READ ME!
These note boxes give you tips for your
new video cassette recorder. ]3

Step 1: Unpack what's in the box
The following items come packed in the box:
• VCR
• Remote control
• RF coaxial cable
STEP 2: Install batteries in the
remote control
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. Place the batteries in the 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 yourTV, use the VCR's ANT. IN and RF OUTjacks for
a good signal as shown.
If you have a TV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use the jacks for a
better connection. Refer to the Connections section, toward the
back of the manual.
VCR
TV
CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR_'_I_ANTENNA
I
CABLE/ I
__NNA
4

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
Tune theTV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing
channel is channel 3 or 4 or theTV's video input.
If you connect your VCR using the ANTENNA connectors
with RF coaxial cable, set the 3 CH. 4 switch to channel 3 or
channel 4 -- the channel you want to use on yourTV.
If you connect your VCR using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks with
audio/video cables, select theTV's video input to see the
signal. See the TV Owner'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 seLLing, you
would do the following:
r
VCR Viewing Channel
When using the ANT. IN and RF OUT
jacks to connect your VCR, tune your
TV to channel 3 or 4.
When using the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks
to connect your VCR, tune your TV
to the TV's video input.
5

1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Language
O Exit
2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: ON
3 EnergySaver: 2:00
O Exit
3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFE
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: ON
3 EnergySaver: 2:00
O Exit
See Additional Set-Up Features for detailed information
about the Auto Play feature.
STEP 8: Set up the VCR
Once you understand how to move around through the menus,
go to the next section to set up your VCR.
6

On-Screen Guide and Additional
Set-up Features
Below is a list of set-up features that you may want to
set up before you begin using your VC;R for the first
time
• Select a Language
• Set up VCR Channel List (Auto Channel Search)
• SetTime and Date
• Set the Remote VCRIIVCR2 feature
• Set the Auto Play feature
• Set the EnergySaver feature
I2V
SETTING UP THE VCR
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7

Using the Menu to Set Up Features
You can set up features by using the menu system. Each feature
is explained in this section.
Language
Select your preferred language, and the on-screen displays will
appear in that language.
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 5 to select the LANGUAGE menu.
LANGUAGE
Select a language.
1>English
2 Espa_ol
3 Franqais
Press MENU to continue
3. Select English, Espar_ol (Spanish), or Franqais (French).
On-Screen Menus 1
Not all the VCR screens are shown in
this manual when explaining the
features.
8

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 yourVCR may come with a list, it's possible that
you may want to add or eliminate some channels depending on
whether they are active.
To Auto Channel Search
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channel Search
2 Add/Remove Channels
3 Signal Type: CABLE
0 Exit
3. Press 1 to display the AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH menu.
AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
What type of signal
are you using?
1 Cable TV
2 Antenna
3>Detect Automatically
0 Cancel
Auto Channel Search
Use the Auto Channel Search feature
to place all available channels in
memory.
If you ever change cable or antenna
signals, you may need to Auto
Channel Search again.
9

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
Now scanning channel 14
Press any key to cancel
The VCR begins scanning for the available channels--this
takes about one to two minutes. The lowest channel is tuned
once the search is complete. Now pressing CHANNEL up or
down should only select the active channels.
To Change the Signal Type
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.
3. Press 3 to change the SignalType between CABLE and
ANTENNA.
To Add or Remove Channels
You may want to add or remove channels after you Auto
Channel Search, especially if some of the channels have weak
signals or you don't want to watch them.
,
2.
3.
Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.
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
ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS
Channel 115
is presently REMOVED
Press INFO to add
Press MENU to exit
Detect Automatically
A strong cable or antenna signal in
your area may cause Auto Detect to
mis-detect. If this should happen,
select 1 or 2 for the system you have,
Selecting Channels
The CHANNEL up and down buttons
access those channels active in your
VCR channel list,
You can still access channels not in
the channel list by using the number
buttons on the remote,
10

Time and Date
Before you set the time and date, set the Auto DST (Daylight-
SavingTime) feature to ON or OFF for your area.
Set Daylight-Saving Time
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Language
O Exit
2. Press 2 to display the TIME menu.
TIME
1 Set Time and Date
2 Auto DST: ON
O Exit
,Press 2 to turn Auto DST: ON or OFE
Select ON if you want the VCR's clock to automatically adjust
for daylight-saving time.
Select OFF if you do not want the VCR's clock to adjust for
daylight-saving time.
Set the Time and Date
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 2 to display the TIME menu.
3. Press 1 to display the SETTIME AND DATE menu.
SET TIME AND DATE
Time --:--
(hh:mm)
Date --/--/--
Press MENU to cancel
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 3:00 AM
(forward one hour), remember to
include the extra hour for timer
recording falling within this time
frame.
In the Autumn, daylight-saving time
ends on the last Sunday in October,
The VCR clock automatically
changes from 2:00 AM to 1:00 AM
(back one hour), Therefore, it can
affect your recording length,
Time/Date Display 1
Pressing INFO on the remote displays
the time and date on the screen,
11

4. Enter the data using the number buttons. Press 0 before
single-digit numbers and follow the on-screen directions.
SET TIME AND DATE
Time 12:34 PM
Date 11/18/97 Tuesday
Press CLEAR to correct
Press MENU to set
Additional Set-up Features 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 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Language
O Exit
2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: ON
3 EnergySaver: 2:00
O Exit
Now you are ready to select an item from the menu to set up.
12

Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option
If you own a compatible RCA, GE, or ProScan remote that has a
VCR2, VCR2.LD, or VCR2.DVD button, this feature allows you to
set this VCR to respond to that button.
Press 1 to select the Remote Control item. Then press the VCR2,
VCR2.LD, or VCR2.DVD button to change.
PREFERENCES
(Press VCR2 to Change)
2 Auto Play: OFF
3 EnergySaver: 2:00
0 Exit
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR2
2 Auto Play: OFF
3 EnergySaver: 2:00
0 Exit
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
VCRI. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press
VCR on the VCR's remote.
Auto Play
This feature allows the VCR to automatically start playing when
you insert a tape with the safety tab removed. Press 2 to switch
between ON or OFE
Select ON if you want a tape with its safety tab removed to
start playing automatically when the tape is inserted.
Select OFF if you do not want a tape with its safety tab
removed to start playing automatically.
13

EnergySaver
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 shutting off, the VCR will warn you with a
screen reading, "The VCR will turn off in 30 seconds. Press any
key to cancel."
If you use the VCR's tuner instead of yourTV to tune channels,
you may want to turn this feature off.
Auto TV/VCR
Pressing TVoVCR will still switch
between the VCR and TV mode.
VCR mode: VCR indicator in the
display panel lights.
TV mode: VCR indicator turns off.
14

Learn the Basics To Get You
Started
These VCR basics should be enough for you to begin
enjoying your VCR. Learning the remote control
functions, playing a recorded tape, and recording a
program should do just that.
However, there are other features that enhance the
enjoyment of your VCR, but they aren't necessary to
get you started. If you want to learn more about your
VCR,,just keep reading. I3
V
V
VCR BASICS I
V
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¥
[VCR Basics tells you what you need to
know in order to watch a movie or
tape your favorite show.
15

Remote Buttons
CHANNEL vor A Selects next higher or lower channel in the
VCR's channel memory.
CLEAR Resets time counter to 0:00:00. Allows you to change
entries when setting the clock or a timer recording.
F.ADV Lets you view one frame with each press of the button
when tape is in pause.
FWD Fast forwards the tape when the VCR is stopped.
Searches forward through a tape during playback. Starts slow
motion during play-pause and increases slow-motion speed.
GO BACK Switches between two channels. Select one channel
and then select another using the number buttons. Press GO
BACK to switch between the two channels.
INFO Shows the status displays on the TV screen.
INPUT Selects between the line input and theVCR's tuner. Line
input refers to the signal coming from the component connected
to the AUDIO/VIDEO IN jacks on the VCR.
MENU Brings up VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
Numbers (O 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.
POWER Turns the VCR on and off.
PAUSE Pauses playback or recording. Press PAUSE again to
return to playback or recording.
PLAY Plays a tape.
REC Starts VCR recording. Also used for express recording.
REV Rewinds the tape when the VCR is stopped. Searches
backward through a tape during playback. Starts slow motion
during play-pause and decreases slow-motion speed.
SEARCH Displays Index and Go-To Search menus onTV
screen when VCR is stopped. Advances the tape 30 seconds of
recorded material during playback. Each press advances the
tape an additional 30 seconds up to five minutes.
SLOW Used for slow-motion playback.
SPEED Selects a recording speed (SP or SLP).
TV.VCR POWER
o ©
PLAY
REC STOP PAUSE
INPUT INFO SPEED
©©O
40 °O
'O'O °0
GO BACK
©°0 &
CLEAR MENU CHANNEL
S_H 7_ RAC KO,.I-
F.ADV SLOW
© ©
16

STOP Stops the current VCR function such as record, playback,
rewind, or fast forward.
TRACK +or - Lets you manually reduce the streaks that may
appear on the picture during play, slow motion, or pause.
Reduces picture "jitter" during stop-action playback.
TV.VCR Switches the picture signal so that it either comes
from the VCR or cable/antenna system.
Playing a Tape
1. Tune theTV to yourVCR viewing channel (3, 4, orTV'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 to position the tape.
• Press PLAY, if necessary (PLAY,PAUSE on the VCR) to begin
playing the tape.
• Press PAUSE (PLAY,PAUSE on VCR) to pause the tape.
• Press the TRACK buttons to remove any streaks from the
picture, if necessary.
• Press STOP (STOP,EJECT on the VCR) to stop playback.
Pause
If you pause, the VCR automatically
switches from pause to stop after a
few minutes to reduce tape wear,
Automatic Tracking
The VCR has automatic tracking
which adjusts the picture when
playing back a tape recorded on
another VCR. Automatic tracking is
turned on whenever a tape is
inserted or the VCR's power is
turned on.
17

Automatic 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.
Tape Eject
Press (STOP.EJECT on the VCR) when it is stopped to
eject the tape. A tape can be ejected even when the VCR is off.
Recording
If you want to record something that you're watching, you can
use basic recording.
1. Set the tape speed by pressing the SPEED button on the
remote.
,
3.
Press the REC button to begin recording.
Press STOP to stop recording.
If you just want to pause the recording for a short time
(such as during a commercial), press PAUSE instead of
STOP.
Check the Safety Tab
No matter which recording option you use, you need to make
sure there is a tape in theVCR, and that the tape's safety tab is in
place.You cannot record on a tape with the safety tab removed.
\Safety Tab
If the safety tab is removed and you want to record over it,
simply cover the hole with vinyl tape.
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
this speed.
LP (Long Play)
Your VCR is capable of playing back
tapes recorded in LR You cannot
record in the LP speed.
SLP (Super Long Play)
Gives three times the recording time
of tapes recorded in SR Special
effects such as pause, slow motion,
picture search, and frame advance
work well when you play back tapes
recorded in this speed.
Recording Time
Cassette SP SLP
T-120 2Hr 6Hr
T-160 2Hr40Min 8Hr
18