GE VG4240 User manual

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DO NOT OPEN
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do
not remove cover (or back). No user
serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to
qualified service personnel.
This symbol indicates
"dangerous voltage"
inside the product that
presents a risk of electric
shock or personal injury.
m_This symbol indicates
important instructions
accompanying the
product.
Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match
wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.
Attention: Pour _viter les chocs 61ectriques,
introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la
borne correspondante de la prise et pousser jusq_
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.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or
shock hazard, do not expose
this product to rain or moisture.
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. VG4240
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 ............................................................. 8
To Auto Channel Search ............................................. 9
To Change the Signal Type ....................................... 10
To Add or Remove Channels .................................... 10
Time and Date .................................................................. 11
Set Daylight-Saving Time ......................................... 11
Set the Time and Date ............................................... 12
Additional Set-up Features in the PREFERENCES Menu ... 12
Remote VCR1/VCR2 Option ............................................ 13
Auto Play .......................................................................... 14
Auto TV/VCR .................................................................... 14
VCR Basics ........................................................ 15
Remote Buttons ..................................................................... 16
Playing a Tape ........................................................................ 17
Tape Eject ............................................................................... 17
Recording ............................................................................... 18
Check the Safety Tab ....................................................... 18
Automatic Rewind ................................................................. 18
Recording .......................................... . .. . . .. .. .. ... ..19
Recording Features ............................................................... 20
Express Recording .......................................................... 20
Timer Recording .............................................................. 21
Stopping a Timer Recording ........................................... 22
Reviewing and Clearing Programs ................................ 22
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV and SAP ...................... 23
Recording Audio Only ..................................................... 23
Playing Back Audio Only ........................................... 24
Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes .......... 24
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
Zero Search ...................................................................... 28

"13me Counter ......................................................................... 28
On-Screen Displays ............................................................... 29
Tracking .................................................................................. 29
Audio Set-up Features .......................................................... 30
Reception ......................................................................... 30
Tape Playback .................................................................. 31
Connections ....................................................... 33
Things to Know Before Connecting Components .............. 33
Connecting Your VCR ............................................................ 34
Jacks and Cables ............................................................. 34
Choosing a VCR Connection ......................................... 35
Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .......... 35
Don't Forget About the TV/VCR Feature ........................ 35
TV With RF Jack Only ...................................................... 36
TV With Audio/Video Jacks ............................................ 37
TV With Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box to
Unscramble Pay Channels Only ........................... 38
Appendix A: Reference ...................................... 39
Front Panel ............... .............................................................. 40
Back Panel .............................................................................. 41
Indicator Panel ....................................................................... 41
Troubleshooting "Rps ............................................................ 42
Specifications ........................................................................ 45
Cleaning the VCR .............. :.................................................... 45
Limited Warranty ................................................................... 46
Index ................................................................. 47
2

Hi, my name is SUSAN...
and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see that
you have arewarding user manual experience. Also, I
think you'll be pleased with the features that can be
accessed through the on-screen menus.
1FIRST THINGS FIRST
¥
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 l: 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 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 RF OUT jacks for
a good signal as shown.
If you have a TV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use the audio/video
jacks on the TV and VCR for a better connection. In order to hear
stereo and hi-fi sound from the VCR, the audio/video jacks must
be used. Refer to the Connections section, toward the back of
the manual.
VCR
CABLE, CABLE BOX, OR_ANTENNA
OUT IN VIDEO ANT.IN
L!_:_Aoo° .,o0T
TV
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 the TV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing
channel is channel 3 or 4 or the TV's video input.
• If you connect your VCR using the ANTENNA connectors
with RF coaxial cable, set the 3CH.4 switch to channel 3 or
channel 4--the channel you want to use on your TV.
•If you connect your VCR using the AUDIONIDEO jacks with
audio/video cables, select the TV'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
setting, you would do the following:
1. Press MENU to bring up the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
I Timer Recordings
2 Time
3 Channels
4 Preferences
5 Audio
6 Language
0 Exit
5

2. Press 4 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
PREFERENCES
1Remote Control: VCR1
2Auto Play: ON
3Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFF.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Pray: OFF
3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF
0Exit
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 and/or through the
menus, go to the next section to set up your VCR.
6

Set-up Features
Below is a list of set-up features that you may want to
set up before you begin using your VCR for the first
time:
• Select a language
• Set up VCR channel list (Auto Channel Search)
• Set automatic daylight-saving time
• Set the time and date
• Set the Remote VCR1/VCR2 feature
• Set the Auto Play feature
• Set the Auto TV/VCR feature
J2 ¥
SETTING UP THE VCR
¥
V
V
I
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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
1Timer Recordings
2 Time
3Channets
4Preferences
5 Audio
6Language
0Exit
.Press 6 to display the LANGUAGE menu.
LANGUAGE
Setect atanguage.
1.,Engtish
2Espanot
3FranFais
Press MENU to continue
3. Press 1 for English, 2 for Espafiol (Spanish), or 3 for
Frangais (French).
VCR Channels List
If you use a cable box for all channels, this step is not necessary.
Your VCR may come with achannel list through at the factory.
Even though your VCR may come with a list, it's possible that
you may want to add or eliminate some channels depending on
whether they are active.
On-screen Menus
Not all the VCR screens are shown in
this manual when explaining
the features.
All Channels
If you do not use a cable box for ALL
channels, then you will want to use a
channel list (Auto Channel Search),
8

To Auto Channel Search
Auto channel search memorizes the channels available through
your signal type--cable or antenna.
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 Time
3Channels
4Preferences
5Audio
6Language
0Exit
2. Press 3 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channel Search
2 Add/Remove Channels
3 Signal Type: CABLE
0Exit
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
O Cancel
.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
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.
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

The VCR begins scanning for the available channels--this
takes about one to two minutes. The lowest channel is tuned
once the search is completed. Pressing CHANNEL up or
down now selects 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 Signal Type between CABLE and
ANTENNA.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channel Search
2 Add/Remove Channels
3Signal Type: CABLE
0Exit
To Add or Remove Channels
You may want to add or delete channels after you Auto Channel
Search, especially if some of the channels have weak signals or
you don't want to watch them.
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 3 to display CHANNELS menu.
3. Press 2 to display the ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS menu. Use
the CHANNEL up or down, or number buttons, to go to the
channels you want to delete or add.
ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS
Channel 115
is presently ADDED
Press CLEAR to remove
Press MENU to exit
ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS
Channet 115
is presently REMOVED
Press INFO to add
Press MENU to exit 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 control.
•i
10

Time and Date
Before you set the time and date, set the Auto DST (Daylight
Saving Time) 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
2Time
3ChanneLs
4 Preferences
5Audio
6Language
0Exit
,Press 2 to display TIME menu.
TIME
1Set time and date
2 Auto DST: ON
0 Exit
3. Press 2 to turn the Auto DST ON or OFF.
•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.
VCR MAIN MENU
ITimer Recordings
2Time
3ChanneLs
4 Preferences
5Audio
6Language
0 Exit
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 that falls 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.
11

.Press 2 to display TIME menu.
TIME
1 Set time and date
2 Auto DST: ON
0 Exit
.Press 1 to display the SET TIME AND DATE screen.
SET TIME AND DATE
Time --:--
(hh:mm)
Date --/--/--
Press MENU to cancel
4. Enter the data using the number buttons. Press 0before
single-digit numbers and follow the on-screen directions.
SET TIME AND DATE
Time 12:34 PM
Date 10/24/97 Friday
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
I Timer Recordings
2 Time
3Channels
4Preferences
5 Audio
6 Language
0Exit
[
Time and Date
The time and date must be set
before a timer recording can be
programmed.
[_me/Date Display
Pressing INFO on the remote
displays the time and date on the
TV screen, 1
12

2. Press 4 to display PREFERENCES menu.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: ON
3Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
l
Now you are ready to select an item from the menu to set up.
Remote VCRI/VCR2 Option
If you own a compatible GE, RCA or ProScan remote that has a
VCR2, VCR2°LD, or DVD°VCR2 button, this feature allows you to
set this VCR to respond to that button.
Press 1 to select the Remote Control item in the menu. Then
press the VCR2, VCR2°LD, or DVDoVCR2 button to change.
PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto PLay: ON
3 Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
PREFERENCES
(PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE)
2 Auto Play: ON
3 Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2,
VCR2°LD, or DVDoVCR2 button. If you change the remote setting
to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR will no longer
control the VCR.
Use the compatible remote to change the remote setting back to
VCRI. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press
VCR1. Then the remote that came with the VCR will be able to
control it again.
Remote Control Option 1
Changing the Remote Control
option to VCR2 disables the
remote that came with your VCR.
13

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 OFF.
•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.
Auto TV/VCR
This feature controls whether the TV/VCR switch changes
automatically to the VCR mode when the VCR is turned on.
Press 3 to switch between ON and OFF.
•Select ON if you want the VCR to 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 TV.
• 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.
Auto TV/VCR
Pressing TV.VCR on the remote
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.
V
V
VCR BASICS
VI
V
V
VCR Basics tells you what you
need to know in order to watch a
movie or tape your favorite show. ]
15

Remote Buttons
CHANNEL Up or Down 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.
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. In menu mode, press
to go back to previous menu.
INFO Shows the status displays on the "IV screen.
INPUT Selects between the line input and VCR's tuner. Line
input refers to the signal coming from the component connected
to the audio/video input jacks on the back of the VCR.
MENU Brings up VCR MAIN MENU on the "IV 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. Press PAUSE again to
return to playback or recording.
PLAY Plays a tape.
POWER Turns the VCR on and off.
REC (Record) Starts VCR recording. Also used for express
recording.
REV Rewinds the tape when the VCR is stopped. Searches
backward through a tape during playback.
SEARCH Displays INDEX and ZERO SEARCH menus on TV
screen when VCR is stopped. Advances the tape 30 seconds of
recorded material during playback.
SLOW Used for slow-motion playback.
SPEED Selects a recording speed (SP or SLP).
TV.VCR
©
REC
@
INPUT
0
Io
GO BACK
0
CLEAR
SEARCH
0
F.ADV
0
POWER
O
PLAY _O
STOP PAUSE
INFO SPEED
0 0
MENU CHANNEL
- TRACK +
0 0
SLOW
0
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 or slow. 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 the TV to your VCR viewing channel
(3, 4, or TV'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) on the remote (PLAY.PAUSE
on VCR) to begin tape play.
•Press PAUSE (PLAY.PAUSE on VCR) for stop action.
• Press TRACKING up or down to remove any streaks from
the picture, if necessary.
•Press STOP on the remote (STOP.EJECT on VCR) to stop
playback.
Tape Eject
Press STOP.EJECT on the VCR when it is stopped to
eject the tape.
Pause
If you pause, the VCR automatically
switches from pause to stop after a
few minutes to reduce tape wear.
• ii
Automatic Tracking
The VCR has automatic tracking
which adjusts the picture when
playing back a tape recorded on
another VCR. Automatic tracking is
turned Onwhenever a tape is
inserted or the VCR's power is
turned on.
i
17

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 (see margin note for information about tape speed
settings).
.
3.
Press the RECORD button to begin recording.
Press STOP on the remote (STOP-EJECT on the VCR) to stop
recording.
If you just want to pause the recording for a short time (like
during a commercial), press the PAUSE button on the
remote (PLAY.PAUSE on VCR) instead of STOP.
Check the Safety Tab
No matter which recording option you use, you need to make
sure there is a tape in the VCR, 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.
Automatic Rewind
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 will turn off after rewinding.
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.
Cassette
T-120
T-160
Recording Time
SP SLP
2Hr 6Hr
2Hr 8Hr
40Min
18