Hitachi VTFX140EUKN User manual

Videorecorder
VTFX140EUKN
Operating instructions

The remote control
VTR/TV TV monitor: To switch between TV reception
and VCR playback
STANDBY mSwitch on or off: Switching device on/off,
cancelling function, Cancelling programmed
recordings (TIMER)
0-9 Number buttons:0-9
SELECT Select: To select a function
CLEAR (CL) Delete: To delete last entry/Clear
programmed recording (TIMER)
REC/OTR nRecord: To record the TV channel selected
on the video recorder. Press REC/OTR n
and Aat the same time
ATo activate recording
STILL RStill picture: To stop the tape and show a
still picture
INDEX EIndex search: In combination with H/
I: to search for previous or next
recording on the cassette
GPlayback: To play a cassette
HRewind: During STOP and STANDBY:
rewind, during PLAYBACK: reverse scanning
IForward wind: During STOP and STANDBY: forward wind, during
PLAYBACK: forward scanning
hPause/Stop: To stop the tape, except during TIMER-recording
;P+ Select: To select the next line or programme number
QSelect: Cursor left
OK Store/Confirm: To store or confirm entry
PSelect: Cursor right
MENU Menu: To call up or end main menu
P- =Select: To select the previous line or programme number
TIMER TIMER: To make a TIMER programming with VIDEO Plus+ or to alter or
clear a programmed TIMER
IN BRIEF
&

Front of the device
mSwitch on or off: To switch off or on, interrupt a function, interrupt a programmed
recording (TIMER)
PROG rSelect: One line or programme number down
PROG qSelect: One line or programme number up
REC nRecord: To record the TV channel selected at this moment
HRewind: During STOP and STANDBY: rewind, during PLAYBACK: reverse
scanning
IForward wind: During STOP and STANDBY: forward wind, during PLAYBACK:
forward scanning
GPlayback: To play a cassette
hPause/Stop, eject cassette: To stop the tape and eject the cassette
Back of the set
4Mains socket: To connect the mains cable
AUDIO OUT L R Audio output socket, left/right: To connect a HiFi-set
EXT.2 AV. 2 Scart socket 2: To connect a satellite receiver, decoder, video recorder, etc.
(programme number 'E2')
EXT.1 AV. 1 Scart socket 1: To connect the TV set (programme number 'E1')
2Aerial input socket: To connect the aerial cable
TV Aerial output socket: To connect the TV set
&

Thank you for buying a HITACHI video recorder. The
VT-FX140EUKN is one of the most sophisticated and
easy-to-use video recorders (VCR) on the market.
Please take the time to read this operating manual before
using your video recorder. It contains important information
and notes regarding operation.
The video recorder should not be turned on immediately
after transportation from a cold to a hot area or vice versa, or
in conditions of extreme humidity.
Wait at least three hours after transporting the device. The
video recorder needs this time in order to become acclimatised
to its new environment (temperature, air humidity, etc.).
This video recorder is used for the recording and playback of
VHS video cassettes.
Cassettes with the VHS-C label (VHS cassettes for
camcorders) may only be used with a suitable adapter.
We hope you enjoy your new video recorder
Important notes regarding operation
ADanger: High voltage!
Do not remove the top cover as there is a risk of an electrical
shock!
AThe video recorder does not contain any components that can be
repaired by the customer. Please leave all maintenance work for
qualified personnel.
AAs soon as the video recorder is connected to the power supply,
there are some components that are in constant operation. To
switch off the video recorder completely you must disconnect it
from the power supply.
CThese operating instructions have been printed on non-polluting
paper.
CDeposit old batteries at the appropriate collection points.
CPlease make use of the facilities available in your country for
disposing of the packaging of the video recorder in a way that
helps to protect the environment.
CThis electronic device contains many materials that can be
recycled. Please enquire about the possibilities for recycling your
old device.
BMake sure that air can circulate freely through the ventilation
slots on the video recorder. Do not place the device on an
unsteady base.
BMake sure that no objects or liquids enter the video recorder. Do
not place vases or the like on the video recorder. If liquid is spilt
into it, immediately disconnect the video recorder from the power
supply and call After-sales Service for advice.
BDo not place any combustible objects on the device (candles,
etc.).
BMake sure that children do not place any foreign objects within
the openings or ventilation slots.
•VIDEO Plus+ and PlusCode are registered trademarks of
Gemstar Development Corporation. The VIDEO Plus+ system is
manufactured under licence from Gemstar Development
Corporation.
So that you can identify your machine for service questions or
in the event of theft, enter the serial number here. The serial
number (PROD.NO.) is printed on the type plate fixed at the
back of the device.
MODELNO. VT-FX140EUKN
PROD. NO. ............................
This product complies with the requirements of Directive
73/23/EEC +89/336/EEC +93/68 EEC.
Specifications
Voltage: 220-240V/50Hz
Energy consumption : 16W
Energy consumption (Standby): less than 4W (clock display
switched off)
Rewind time: approx. 100 seconds (cassette E-180)
Dimensions in cm (B/H/T): 38.0/9.3/26.0
Number of video heads :4
Number of video heads (HIFI):2
Recording/playback time:4 hours (SP) (cassette E-240)
8 hours (LP) (cassette E-240)
Supplied accessories
• Operating instructions
• Remote control and batteries
• Antenna cable
• Power cable
• Quick install guide
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS HITACHI VT-FX140EUKN
1

1. Connecting the video recorder 3..............
Important information for customers in Great Britain 3....
Preparing the remote control for operation 3...........
Connecting your video recorder to the TV set 3.........
Connecting with a scart cable and 'Easy Link' 4.........
Connecting with a scart cable without 'Easy Link' 5......
Connecting without a scart cable 6...................
Connecting additional devices 6.....................
2. Installing your video recorder 7...............
Initial installation 7...............................
Decoder allocation 7..............................
Manual TV channel search 8.......................
Using the satellite receiver 8.......................
Sorting TV channels automatically (Follow TV) 9........
Automatic TV channel search (Autoinstall) 10..........
Monitor function 10...............................
Sorting and clearing TV channels manually 10.........
Setting the time and date 11........................
3. Important notes for operation 12..............
Navigation in the screen menu 12...................
4. Playback 14...............................
Playing cassettes 14..............................
Playing back NTSC cassettes 14....................
Displaying current tape position 14...................
Searching for a tape position with picture
(scanning) 15...................................
Still picture / slow motion 15........................
Searching for tape position without picture (forward
wind and rewind) 15..............................
Easy View 15...................................
Tape Finder 16..................................
5. Eliminating picture interference 17............
Optimising tracking 17............................
Optimising still picture 17..........................
6. Manual recording 18........................
General information 18............................
Recording without automatic switch-off 18.............
Recording with automatic switch-off (OTR
One-Touch-Recording) 18.........................
Preventing accidental erasing of cassettes 18..........
Lining up recordings (assemble cut) 19...............
Selecting the recording speed (SP or LP) 19...........
Automatic controlled recording from a satellite
receiver (RECORD LINK) 20.......................
'Direct Record' 20................................
Switching 'Direct Record' on or off 21.................
7. Programming a recording (TIMER) 22..........
General information 22............................
Programming a recording (with 'VIDEO Plus+') 22.......
Problems and solutions for programmed recordings 23...
Programming a recording (without VIDEO Plus+) 24.....
Problem solving for programmed recordings 24.........
How to check, change or delete a programmed
recording (TIMER) 25.............................
'NexTView Link' 25...............................
8. Other functions 26.........................
Changing the video (colour) system 26...............
Child lock 26....................................
Switching the on-screen display (OSD) off or on 27......
Switch off the clock display 27......................
Continuous playback 28...........................
Automatic switch-off 28...........................
Selecting the sound channel 29.....................
9. Suppressing interference 30.................
Optimising the modulator 30........................
Switching the modulator on / off 30..................
10.Before you call an engineer 31...............
Table of contents
2

Important information for customers
in Great Britain
This set is fitted with an approved moulded 13 amp plug. To
change the fuse in this plug or to attach a different plug,
please proceed as follows:
1Take off the fuse cover and remove the old fuse.
2Insert a new fuse. Suitable fuses are those of the type BS
1362 3A, A.S.T.A. standard or BSI standard.
3Close the fuse cover.
If the attached plug does not meet your requirements, you can
cut it off and replace it with a suitable plug. Please observe the
following conditions:
• If your new plug uses a built-in fuse, this should be a 3A
fuse.
• If your new plug does not contain a built-in fuse, please do
not use any fuses in your fusebox with a rating of more
than 5A.
• Please destroy the old, cut-off plug so that it cannot be
used elsewhere.
1Connect the blue cable (neutral 'N') to the terminal in the
plug which is marked with the letter 'N' or coloured black.
2Connect the brown cable (live, 'L') to the terminal in the
plug which is marked with the letter 'L' or coloured red.
3Do not in any circumstances connect either of the two
cables to the terminal in the plug which is marked with the
letter 'E', the symbol "\" or coloured green or green /
yellow.
Before you refit the plug cover, make sure, that the grip at
the bottom of the plug is clamped over the plastic cover of
the lead, not just over the two wires.
Preparing the remote control for
operation
The remote control and its batteries are packed separately in
the original video recorder packaging. You must install the
batteries in the remote control before use - described in the
following section.
1Take the remote control and the enclosed batteries (2
batteries).
2Open the remote control's battery compartment and place
the batteries in it as shown in the picture and close the
battery compartment.
The remote control is now ready to use. Its range is
approximately 5 metres.
Connecting your video recorder to
the TV set
The necessary cable connections must be made before you
can record or playback TV programmes using your video
recorder.
We recommend that you use a scart cable to connect your TV
set and video recorder.
What is a scart cable?
The scart or Euro AV cable serves as the universal
connector for picture, sound and control signals. With this
type of connection, there is practically no loss of quality
during the picture or sound transfer.
When you install your video recorder for the first time, select
one of the following options:
'Connecting with a scart cable and Easy Link'
If your TV set is equipped with 'Easy Link, NexTView,
Megalogic, Datalogic,…' and you wish to use a scart cable.
What is Easy Link?
If your TV set is equipped with the following functions, e.g.
Easy Link, NextView, Megalogic, Datalogic,… which are
fully compatible with one another (TV set, video recorder,
etc.), your video recorder can exchange information with
your TV set. Please see your TV's operating instructions.
'Connecting with a scart cable without Easy Link'
If your TV set is not equipped with 'Easy Link, NexTView,
Megalogic, Datalogic,…' and you are using a scart cable.
'Connecting without a scart cable'
If you do not wish to use a scart cable.
1. Connecting the video recorder
3

Connecting with a scart cable and
'Easy Link'
Your video recorder can exchange information with your TV
set using 'Easy Link'. Furthermore, your TV channels can be
transferred in the same order from your TV set to your video
recorder using 'Easy Link'.
Have the following cables ready:
an aerial cable (1, supplied), a mains cable (2, supplied), a
special scart cable (for Easylink) (3).
1Switch off your TV set.
2Remove the aerial cable plug from your TV set. Insert it
into the socket 2at the back of the video recorder.
3Insert one end of the supplied aerial cable into the socket
TV at the back of the video recorder and the other end
into the aerial input socket at the back of the TV set.
4Plug in a special scart cable (for Easylink) into the scart
socket EXT.1 AV. 1 at the back of the video recorder
and the scart socket on the TV set reserved for the video
recorder operation (see TV set operating instructions).
My TV set has several scart sockets. Which one should
I use?
Please see the operating instructions of your TV set to find
out which socket supports 'Easy Link'.
5Switch on the TV set.
6Insert one end of the supplied mains cable into the mains
socket 4at the back of the video recorder and the
other end into the wall socket.
7A message appears on the screen announcing that the
transfer has started.
The TV set transfers all saved TV channels, in the same
order, to the video recorder.
This may take several minutes.
When all the information has been transferred, the
following appears on the TV screen: 'YEAR', 'MONTH',
'DATE', 'TIME'.
CLOCK
YEAR è 2001 p
MONTH 01
DATE 01
TIME 20:00
SMART CLOCK ON
________________________________
EXITpMENU STOREpOK
8Check the year in line 'YEAR'. If required, please change
the year with the number buttons 0-9 on the remote
control.
9Select the next line using ;P+ or P- =.
0Check 'MONTH', 'DATE', 'TIME' and if required modify in
the same way.
AWhen all information is correct, confirm with OK .
The initial installation is now complete.
4

Connecting with a scart cable
without 'Easy Link'
Have the following cables ready:
an aerial cable (1, supplied), a mains cable (2, supplied), a
scart cable (3).
1Remove the aerial cable plug from your TV set. Insert it
into the socket 2at the back of the video recorder.
2Insert one end of the supplied aerial cable into the socket
TV at the back of the video recorder and the other end
into the aerial input socket at the back of the TV set.
3Plug one end of a scart cable into the scart socket
EXT.1 AV. 1 at the back of the video recorder and the
other end into the suitable scart socket on your TV set
reserved for the video recorder operation (see your TV's
operating instructions).
My TV set has several scart sockets. Which one should
I use?
Select that scart socket which is suited for the video output
as well as for the video input.
My TV offers me a selection menu for the scart socket.
Select 'TV' as a connection source of this scart socket.
4Switch on the TV set.
5Insert one end of the supplied mains cable into the mains
socket 4at the back of the video recorder and the
other end into the wall socket.
6If the connection was properly made and your TV was
automatically switched to the programme number for
the scart socket, e.g. 'EXT', '0', 'AV', you will see the
following picture:
CONGRATULATIONS
YOU NOW OWN A NEW
VIDEO RECORDER
CONTINUEpOK
My screen is empty
* Many TV sets are switched to the programme number for
the scart socket by way of a control signal sent through the
scart cable.
* If the TV set does not automatically switch to the scart
socket programme number, manually change to the
corresponding programme number on your TV set (see your
TV's operating instructions).
Then, read the paragraph 'Initial installation' in the chapter
'Installing your video recorder'.
5

Connecting without a scart cable
Have the following cables ready:
an aerial cable (1, supplied), a mains cable (2, supplied).
1Switch off your TV set.
2Remove the aerial cable plug from the aerial input socket
of the TV set. Insert it into the socket 2at the back of
the video recorder.
3Insert one end of the supplied aerial cable into the socket
TV at the back of the video recorder and the other end
into the aerial input socket at the back of the TV set.
4Insert one end of the supplied mains cable into the mains
socket 4at the back of the video recorder and the
other end into the wall socket.
5Switch on your TV set and select the programme number
used for video playback on your TV set (see your TV's
operating instructions).
Which programme number is used for video recorder
operation?
To ensure the stability of the television picture during
cassette playback (prevention of waves or streaks), special
programme numbers have been set aside on the TV for the
use of video recorders. This is usually the highest possible
programme number, e.g. '12', '16', '99' or even programme
number '0'. For more information, please see your TV's
operating instructions.
Important: For a Hitachi TV use programme 0
6Select this programme number and manually start the
TV's channel search as if you wanted to save a new TV
channel until the 'test image' appears.
I do not see a 'test screen'
* Check the cable connections.
* The video recorder 'transmits' on the 583MHz frequency
(channel 35)
Repeat the channel search on your TV set.
7Save this programme number setting on your TV set for
video recorder operation.
Programme number for video recorder operation
You have now saved a programme number for use by your
video recorder as you would a regular TV channel. This
programme number must now be used in future for video
recorder playback ('video recorder' TV channel).
You can find more details in chapter 'Initial Installation'.
Connecting additional devices
You can connect additional devices such as decoders, satellite
receivers, camcorders, etc. to the socket EXT.2 AV. 2 .
Two audio sockets AUDIO OUT L R are located on the back of
the video recorder (audio signal output left/right). These can be
used to connect stereo systems.
6

Initial installation
This chapter shows you how to start the initial installation. The
video recorder automatically seeks out and stores all available
TV channels.
'Aim' correctly
In the following sections, you require the remote control for
the first time. When using, always aim the front of the
remote control at the video recorder and not at the TV set.
Connecting additional devices
After you have connected additional devices (satellite
receiver, etc.) through the aerial cable, switch them on. The
automatic channel search will recognise them and save
them.
1Confirm the image on the TV screen by pressing the
OK button on the remote control.
Autoinstall starts. This picture will appear on the screen:
AUTO INSTALL
SEARCHING
00 TV CHANNELS FOUND
ƒƒƒƒƒƒƒ__________________
PLEASE WAIT...
The video recorder does not find any TV channels
during the search
* Select channel 1 on the TV set. Can you see the saved TV
channel on the TV set?
If not, check the cable connection of the aerial (aerial
socket), video recorder, TV set.
* Please have patience.
The video recorder searches the entire frequency range in
order to find and save the largest possible number of TV
channels. It is possible that the TV channels in your country
are broadcast in a higher frequency range. As soon as this
range is reached during the search, the video recorder will
find the TV channels.
2When 'Autoinstall' is complete, 'STORED' will briefly
appear on the TV screen.
The initial installation is now complete.
Check the date and time. Please read 'Setting the time and
date' in this chapter.
Satellite receiver
If you are connecting a satellite receiver, please read the
section 'Using the satellite receiver'.
Decoder
If you are connecting a decoder, you must install it as
described in the next section.
Decoder allocation
Some TV channels transmit encoded TV signals which can
only be viewed with a commercially purchased or hired
decoder without disturbances. You can connect such a
decoder (descrambler) to this video recorder. The following
function will automatically activate the connected decoder for
the desired TV channel.
How do I allocate the decoder with Easy Link?
If your TV supports the 'Easy Link' function, the decoder
must be allocated to the respective TV channel on the TV
(see TV operating instructions).
1Switch the TV on. If applicable, select the programme
number for the video recorder operation.
2Use the buttons ;P+ ,P- =on the video recorder or
the number buttons 0-9 on the remote control to select
the TV channel which you would like to allocate the
decoder to.
3Press the button MENU on the remote control. The main
menu will appear.
4Use the buttons ;P+ or P- =to select the line
'MANUAL SEARCH' and confirm with OK .
MANUAL SEARCH
PROGRAMME NUMBER è P01 p
S-CHANNEL NO
CHANNEL NUMBER 21
DECODER OFF
TV SYSTEM AUTO
________________________________
EXITpMENU STOREpOK
5Use the buttons P- =or ;P+ to select the line
'DECODER'.
6Use the buttons Qor Pto select 'ON' (Decoder
switched on).
2. Installing your video recorder
7