GE VG4261 User manual

RISK OF
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.
_1_ This symbol indicates _ This symbol indicates
"dangerous voltage" _ important instructions
inside the product that accompanying the
presents a risk of electric
shock or personal injury, product.
Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match wide blade of plug to
wide slot, insert fully into adapter.
Attention" Pour _viter les chocs _lectriques, introduire la lame la plus
large de la fiche dans la borne correspondante de la prise et pousser
jusqfi 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 carcl 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. VGS320
Serial No.
Purchase Date:
Dealer/Address/Phone:

Other Features ................................................... 35
Picture Search Options ......................................................... 36
Forward and Reverse Search .......................................... 36
Slow Motion .................................................................... 36
Commercial Scan (SEARCH Button) .............................. 36
Frame Advance ................................................................ 37
Index Search .................................................................... 37
Zero Search ...................................................................... 38
Time Counter ......................................................................... 38
On-Screen Displays ............................................................... 39
Tracking .................................................................................. 39
Connections ....................................................... 41
Things to Know Before Connecting Components .............. 41
Connecting Your VCR ............................................................. 42
Jacks and Cables ............................. ................................ 42
Choosing a VCR Connection .......................................... 43
Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections .......... 43
Don't Forget Abo(Jt the Auto TV/VCR Feature ................ 43
TV with RF Jack Only ....................................................... 44
TV with Audio/Video Jacks ............................................. 45
TV with Audio/Video Jacks and Cable Box to
Unscramble Pay Channels Only ................................. 46
Appendix A: Reference ...................................... 47
Front Panel ............................................................................. 48
Back Panel .............................................................................. 48
Display Panel ......................................................................... 49
Troubleshooting Tips ............................................................. 50
Specifications ........................................................................ 53
Cleaning the VCR ................................................................... 53
Limited Warranty ................................................................... 54
Index ................................................................. 55
2

Hi, my name is SUSAN...
and I wrote this User's Guide. It's my job to see that
you have a rewarding user manual experience. And, I
think you'll be pleased with the features that can be
accessed through the on-screen menus.
1FIRST THINGS FIRST [
V
Read the First Three Sections ¥
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.
¥
I I I
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
IREAD ME! 1
These note boxes give you tips for
your new video cassette recorder.
3

Step 1: Unpack the Box
The following items come packed in the box:
•VCR
• Remote control
•RF coaxial dable
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. Refer to the
Connections section, toward the back of the manual.
VCR
TV
CABLE,CABLEBOX OR_ANTENNA
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 "IV to the VCR viewing channel. The VCR viewing
channel is channel 3 or 4or 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 "IV.
If you connect your VCR using the AUDIO/VIDEO 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
The first time you connect your VCR and turn it on, a menu
screen appears. This is the beginning of the On-Screen Guide
which helps you to set up specific features of the VCR.
If you choose not to use this Guide, you can set up each
feature individually.
Go to the next step to understand how to move through and
change items in the menu system.
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:
VCR Viewing Channel
When using the ANTENNA 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

2. Press 5to display the PREFERENCES menu.
PREFERENCES
1Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto Play: ON
3Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
3. Press 2 to switch Auto Play to ON or OFF.
PREFERENCES
1Remote Control: VCR2
2 Auto PLay: OFF
3 Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 Exit
See Set-Up Features 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

On-Screen Guide and Additional
Set-up Features
The On-Screen Guide is a one-time procedure that takes
you through specific features to set up your VCR. In
addition to the Guide, there are other features you may
want to set up, such as:
• Select a language
•Set up for a Cable Box
• Set up VCR Channel List (Auto Channel
Search)
• Set automatic Daylight-Saving'time
• Set up'time and Date
• Set up VCR Plus+ channels
•Set the Remote VCRINCR2 feature
• Set the Auto Play feature
• Set the Auto TVNCR feature
• Set the Front Panel (brightness feature)
V
SETTING UP THE VCR
Y
Y
V
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
1VCR PLus+
2Timer Recordings
3Time
4 ChanneLs
5 Preferences
6Language
0 Exit
2. Press 6 to display the LANGUAGE menu.
LANGUAGE
SeLect a Language.
l_English
2 EspanoL
3 Fran_ais
Press MENU to continue
3. Press 1for English, 2 for Espafiol (Spanish), or 3 for
Frangais (French).
On-screen Menus
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 eliminate some
channels depending on whether they are active.
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
1VCR Plus+
2Timer Recordings
3Time
4Channels
5 Preferences
6 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1Auto Channel Search
2Add/Remove Channels
3Signal Type: CABLE
4VCR Plus+ Channel List
0Exit
3. Press 1 to display the AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH menu.
AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
What type of signal
are you using?
1 Cable TV
2Antenna
3_Detect Automatically
0Cancel
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.
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
9

AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
Nov 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. 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 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
3. Press 3 to change the Signal Type between CABLE and
ANTENNA.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channet Search
2 Add/Remove Channels
3 Signal Type: CABLE
4 VCR PLus+ Channel List
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 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
3. Press 2 to display the ADD/REMOVE CHANNELS screen. Use
CHANNEL up or down, or number buttons, to go to the
channels you want to delete or add.
Selecting Channels
The CHANNEL up and down
10

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2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1 Auto Channel Search
2Add/Remove Channels
3Signal Type: CABLE
4 VCR PLus+ Channel List
5 Cable Box Setup
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
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 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
3. Press 3 to change the Signal Type between CABLE and
ANTENNA.
Detect Automatically
11

3. Press I 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
VCR Plus+ Channels
Using VCR Plus+ can make programming timer recordings for
cable or off-air antenna easier, but you have to put in alittle time
right now to set up a channel list. A worksheet and abbreviated
codes for typical cable services in the U.S. and Canada are
provided on the following pages.
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR MAIN MENU
1 VCR Plus+
2 Timer Recordings
3 Time
4Channels
5 Preferences
6Language
0Exit
1lime/Date Display
Pressing INFO on the remote
displays the time and date on the
screen.
VCR Plus+ Channel List
Refer to your local television list for
a complete VCR Plus+ channel list
for your viewing area or contact
your cable company. Using the list
may save you some time.
12

,Press 2 to turn 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 "['Lme and ])ate
1. Press MENU to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR RAIN RENU
1 VCR Plus+
2 Timer Recordings
3Time
4 Channels
5 Preferences
6Audio
7 Language
0 Exit
2. Press 3 to display the TIME menu.
TIRE
Set Time and Date
Auto DST:
Exit
ON
3. Press 1 to display the SET TIME AND DATE screen.
SET TIME AND DATE
Time --:--
(hh:mm)
Date --I--/--
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.
13

2. Press 4 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1Auto Channel Search
2 Add/Remove Channels
3Signal Type: CABLE
4 VCR PLus+ Channel List
0 Exit
3. Press 4 to display the VCR Plus+ Channel List screen.
.
VCR+ Channel Hy Channel
5--
4--
3-> -> -> --
2 --
Use CH+/- to select
Press 0-9 to change
Press HENU to save
Enter the data following the on-screen directions using your
worksheet.
VCR+ Channel Hy Channel
5 46
4--
3-> -> -> 23
2 --
1 --
Use CH+/- to select
Press 0-9 to change
Press MENU to save
Screen is for an example only.
]4

VCR Plus+ Worksheet
Broadcast or
Cable-TV Station
Name
HBO
ESPN
VCR Plus+ Channel
Number**
33
34
Channel Number
You Receive the
Station On* Two-DigitVCR Plus+ Channel Numbers for CableTV
(USA List)
35 American Movie Classics
39 Arts &-Entertainment
57 Black Entertainment
54 Bravo
42 Cable News Network
45 Cinemax
98 Cinemax 2
37 The Discovery Channel
53 The Disney Channel
63 Entertain ment Television
34 ESPN Sports Network
47 The Family Channel
33 Home Box Office
95 Home Box Office 2
96 Home Box Office 3
51 The Learning Channel
46 Lifetime
58 The Movie Channel
48 MusicTelevision
49 The Nashville Network
38 Nickelodeon
64 Nostalgia Television
99 Quality Value Cable
41 Showtime
97 Showtime 2
59 Sports Channel
52 Turner Network Television
44 USA-Network
62 Video Hits I
93 Viewer's Choice I
94 Viewer's Choice 2
55 WGN Chicago
43 WTBS Atlanta
60 WWOR-NewYork
See next page for Canadian List
*Check your localor cable listing forthe channel number you receivethis station on.
**Check your local listingfor broadcast orVCR Plus+ channel number assigned. 15

PREFERENCES
1 Remote Control: VCR1
2 Auto PLay: ON
3 Auto TV/VCR: ON
0Exit
PREFERENCES
(PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE)
2 Auto PLay: ON
3 Auto TVIVCR: ON
0Exit
The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2,
VCR2-LD, or DVD.VCR2 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
VCR1. Display the PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press
VCRI. Then the remote that came with the VCR will be able to
control this VCR again.
Auto Play
This feature allows the VCR to automatically start playing when
you insert a tape with the safety tab removed. Press 2to 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 notwant a tape with its safety tab
removed to start playing automatically.
Auto TV/VCR
This feature controls whether the TVNCR 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
16

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. Then press the
VCR2, VCR2-LD, or DVD°VCR2 button to change.
PREFERENCES
<PRESS VCR2 TO CHANGE>
2 Auto PLay: OFF
3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF
4 Front PaneL AUTO
0Exit
PREFERENCES
1Remote Control: VCR2
2 Auto PLay= OFF
3 Auto TV/VCR: OFF
4Front Panel AUTO
Exit
._-_
The VCR will only respond to the compatible remote's VCR2,
VCR2°LD, or DVD°VCR2 button. If you change the remote
setting to VCR2, the remote that came with your VCR will no
longer control it.
To change the remote setting back to VCR1, display the
PREFERENCES menu, press 1, and then press VCR1 on your
compatible remote.
Auto Play
This feature allows the VCR to automatically start playing
when you insert a tape with the safety tab removed. Press2
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 notwant a tape with its safety tab
removed to start playing automatically.
IRemote Control Option
Changing the remote option to
VCR2 disables the remote that
came with your VCR.
17

Remote Buttons
The remote control is capable of controlling your VCR and many
brands of televisions. Ifyou have a GE, RCA, or ProScan TV,
you may be able to control it without having to program the
remote.
Component Buttons
OFF Turns off VCR when remote is set to control the VCR. Also
turns some compatible components on and off.
TV Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE TV and sets the
remote to control the TV. Also used with the OFF button to turn
on a different brand of TV (if programmed) and sets the remote
to control the TV.
VCR Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE VCR and sets
the remote to control the VCR.
VCR Function Buttons
CHAN 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.
FORWARD Fast forwards the tape when the VCR is stopped.
Searches forward through a tape during playback. Starts slow-
motion playback when tape is paused.
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 "FVscreen.
INPUT Selects between the line input and the 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.
©
CLEAR © © MENU SPEED
,0
oO
Q ©
• TRACKING • ©
F.ADV
18

_ _ : .. i:¸ i?i_!i,. _:i¸¸ :_'
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
13 VCRBASICS
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[VCR Basics tells you what you
need to know in order to watch a
movie or tape your favorite show. )
19