RCA VR911HF User manual

vide o cassette recorde r
user,'s....guide
VR911I-IF

RISKOF ELECTRIC
SHOCKDO NOT OPEN
YThi_sy_6ot irillicates'_t
"dangerous voltage" inside.
the product that presents a
risk of electric shock or
personal injury.
i
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove
cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside.
Refer servicing to qualified service personnel.
Thmssymbol indicates !'_
important instructions
accompanying the product.
"WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or
shock hazard, do not expose
this product tO rain or moisture.
Caution: To reduce the risk of electric shock, match
wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.
Attention- Pour _viter les chocs _lectriques, introduire
la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne
correspondante cl_l/_:_._jet pousser jusq_ au fond.
R_he_identific_tinn/rating Ibb_!..k_ed on the back panel of your
pr__cLqctfor it__sproper operating voll_ 0_)
FC-_-Regulations_state_that_una_hdl_i;_d,€;_anges or modifications to this
equipment ma_ void th_ _tauthority to_erate it.
(:able-ll:V-Install_rj_cLe_g_i_ed to call your attention to
ALl:icle820-40 of the National Ele_bCo_e (Section 54 of the Canadian
Electrical Code, Part 1) which provide_i_elines for proper grounding
and-_-_particul'ar, specit, es that thefl _c_fll_e6_lroundshall 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 allowsus 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. VR911HF
Serial No.
Purchase Date:
Dealer/Address/Phone:

First Things First ..... .................. ,....... ....,............. ...... ....... 3
Setting up the VCR ................ ,.. ........... ,. .... ,.,....,..,.... .... 7
Using the Menu to Set Up Features ................................................. 8
VCR Channels List......................................................................... 8
To Auto Channel Search ....................................................... 8
To Add or Remove Channels ............................................... 9
To Change the SignaIType ............ .................................. ..... 9
Set the Time and Date ................................................................ 10
Additional Set-up Features in_he_eferences Menu .......... II
RemoteVCR I/VCR2 Option ........._.:..;;,.._.:., ................... I I
Auto Play.............................................................. .:...;............. 12
Auto TV/VCR ......................................................................... 12
VCR Basics .............................. ,...................................... 13
Remote Buttons .................................................................................. 14
Component Buttons ................................................................... 14
VCR Function Buttons ................................................................ 14
Digital Satellite Receiver Buttons ............................................. 16
Universal TV Function Buttons ................................................. 16
RCA, GE, and Proscan TV Function Buttons ......................... 17
Playing aTape ....................................................................................... 17
Automatic Rewind .............................................................................. 18
Tape Eject ............................................................................................. 18
StandardVHS Recording ................................................................... 18
Check the SafetyTab .......................................................................... 18
Recording ...................................................................... 19
Recording Features ............................................................................ 20
D-VHS Recording ..................... ..;........................ ........................ 20
Conditions for D-VHS Recording ...................,................ 21
Express Recording (XPR) ..........;............................................... 2 I
Timer Recording .......................................................................... 22
Stopping aTimer Recording ............................................... 23
Reviewing and Clearing Programs ..................................... 23
Timer Recording Using a Digital Satellite Receiver ............. 24
Conflicting Timers ................ ,................................................ 25
Editing or Cancelling aTimer Recording ......................... 25
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP ........................................ 26
Recording Audio Only ....................... ......_......................................... 26
Playing Back Audio Only ...................................... ............._......... 27
UsingTwoVCRs for Copying and EditingTapes ,.,, ...........,........ 27
Editing with the AutoEdit Feature ............................ ................ 27
Editing Manually ............................................................................ 28
Dubbing D-VHS Recordings ...................................................... 28 1

Programming theRemote ................................ ,..,....., 29
About Programming the Remote ................................................... 30
To Control a"IV .............................. .:..;;:......;.._...;;;.......................;... 30
To Control an Auxiliary Component...., ........................................ 32 °
To Control a Laser Disc Player or DVD Player ........................... 33
To Control aDigital Satellite Receiver or Cable Box .............,,.34
Other Features ................................. ,.., .... .,...... ............. 35
Picture Search Options ................... Z.............. ,................................. 36
Forward and Reverse Search ....;.......;....i.:.._.;_.._.!,.........._....:.. 36
SearchingWith the Remote. ................ ...., ................;........ 36"
SearchingWith theVCR ..................,................................... 36
Slow Motion ........................................... ....................................... 36
Commercial Scan (Search Bu_on) ........................................... 37
Frame Advance ........................................... .......;........................ ,. 37
Index Search .................................................................................. 37 •
Go-To Search ................................................................ ;............... 38
Tracking ........................................................................................... ;..... 39
Time Counter ...................................... _......................... ;...................... 39
On-Screen Displays .............................. ;............................................. 40
Audio Set-Up Features ............................................................... _......4 I
Reception ..................................... ;.............................. ;..................4 I
Tape Playback ................................................................................ 42
Connections ............................. ............ ......................... 43
Connecting YourVCR ......._................................................................ 44
Choosing a VCR Connection .......................................................... 45
Advantages of Audio/Video Cable Connections ................... 45
Don't Forget About the Auto TV/VCR Feature .................... 45
Best Picture and Sound Quality ...................................................... 46
Very Good Picture and Sound Quality. ........;.;............................ J.47
Good Picture and Sound Quality .................................................... 48
Reference ...................................................................... 49
Front Panel ........................................................................................... S0
Display Panel ........................................................................................ S I
Back Panel ......................................... .......................... ......................... 52
TroubleshootingTips ............................... ,................... ......,. .............. $3
Specifications ...................................... ........................ .................. ."'". 56
Cleaning theVCR ...................... ..........i_......................... ............._ ...... 56
Accessories ............................................. ,;................ .,......;..................57
Limited Warranty _'_ - ..... "
................................ ..,....,.,...;..,...:;,.,...;.,..,;...,;.;;;. 59,4
Index ................................................... ii._.............,..,;,;.;.. .............,,...;...60
2

HI, MY NAME IS ROGER...
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 yourVCR's features.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
_r
READ TH E FI RST TH REE SECTIONS Y
The first three sections of the manual introduce
you to yourVCR, giving you the basic information
you need to operate it.They show you how to set
theVCR up and use the on-screen menus.
WHAT'S LEFT?
The rest of the book covers playback, recording,
and more detailed connections.Also, a reference
section provides troubleshooting tips and the
limited warranty.
V
V
BUT...WHAT IS D-VHS?
D-VHS, short for DigitalVHS, features new
technology that lets you make high quality digital
recordings from a DSS ®receiver or compatible
component. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to tell
the difference between the original satellite
broadcast and a D-VHS recording.YourVCR can
also record and play back standardVHS tapes.
To record or play back a D-vHs tape, theVCR
must be connected to a compatible digital satellite
receiver or component with a special digital A/V
cable, and you'll need to use a D-VHS compatible
videocassette (both are provided).You'll find more
information about D-VHS in the Recording section
of this manual.
"rDSS®is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes
Electronics Corp.
V
IREAD ME! 1
These note boxes give you tips for
your new video cassette recorder.
3

STEP I:UNPACKTHE BOX
Carefully unpack the items in the box:
• VCR
• Remote control and batteries
•• RFcoaxial cable
• AudioNideo cables
•Digital A/V cable
•D-VHS videocassette
STEP 2: INSTALL BA'I-FERIES 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 the remote, matching the + and - ends of
each battery to the diagram inside the compartment.
3. Replace the cover.
STEP 3: CONNECT YOUR VCR
Use the diagram at the right to connect your VCR to adigital
satellite receiver and TV. This illustration shows a basic
connection that allows you to watch television and satellite
broadcasts, and record in both standard VHS and D-VHS formats.
Do not place the VCR on top of the digital satellite receiver.
.Connect a coaxial cable from the cable or antenna lead to
the VCR's IN FROM ANT. jack. Connect a second cable from
the VCR's OUT TO TV jack to the satellite receiver's IN FROM
ANT jack, and a third from the satellite receiver's OUT TO TV
jack to the TV's CABLE/ANTENNA jack.
2. Connect Audio/Video cables to the satellite receiver (both
sets are output jacks) and the VCR's (SATELLITE) IN jacks.
3. Connect the Digital A/V cable to the satellite receiver and
VCR.
CABLE,CABLI[ 80X OR_ANTENNA SATELLITESIGNAL
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If you have a TV with AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, use the jacks for a
better connection. For additional information and connection
options, refer to the Connections section toward the back of the
manual.
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 ischannel 3 or 4 or the TV's video input, depending on
the connection you've chosen,
•If you connect your VCR using the ANTENNA connectors with
RFcoaxial cable, set the CH3-4 switch to channel 3 or 4--the
•channel you want to use on your TV.
• 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 your TV Owner's Manual.
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TV*VCR EJECT
To select channel 3 or 4, open the VCR's
front panel, press and hold EJECT,then
press TV/VCR.
STEP 6: TURN ON THE VCR
Press POWER on the VCR'sfront panel, or VCR on the remote to
turn on the VCR. To set up the VCR, you will need to understand
how to move through and change items in the on-screen menus.
STEP 7: ACCESS THE MENUS
The MENU-PROG 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 IN FROM ANT and OUT
TO TV jacks to connect your VCR, tune
your TV to channel 3 or 4.
When using the audiolvideo jacks to
connect your VCR, tune your TV to the
TV's video input.
5

1. PressMENU.PROG todisplay the VCR MAIN MENU,
VCR MAIN MENU
1 Timer Recordings
2 ChanneLs
3 Preferences
4 Audio
.Press3 to display the PREFERENCESmenu.
.- PREFERENCES
1 Remote ControL: VCR1
2 Auto PLay: ON
3Auto TV/VCR: ON
0Exit
3. Press2to switch Auto Play to ON or OFR
PREFERENCES
-1 Remote ControL: VCR1
2 Auto PLay: OFF
3Auto TV/VCR: ON
0 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

SETUP FEATURES
Below is a list of features that you may, want to set.
up before you begin using yourVCR for the first
time. I
• Set upVCR Channel List (Auto Channel I _i
Search)
•Set theTime and Date
SETTING UP THE VCR
_d
• Set the RemoteVCRI/VCR2 feature
• Set the Auto Play feature
• Set the Auto TV/VCR feature
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USING,THE:MENUTO SET UP FEATURES
.:.- : _ .
You can set up features by using the menu system. The features
you may want to set up before you begin using your VCR are
explained in this section.
_VCRCHANNELS LIST
Your VCR may have had a channel list preset at the factory.
Even if your VCR has a list, it's possible that you may want to
add or deletesome channels depending on whether they are
active.
If you use acable box and/or digital satellite receiver to tune
all channels exclusively, this step isn't necessary.
To Auto Channel Search
1. Press MENUoPROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
VCR RAIN RENU
1 Timer Record4ngs
2 Channels
3Preferences
4 Audio
2. Press2 to display the CHANNELS menu.
CHANNELS
1Auto Channel Seerch
2AddlRelove Channels
3 S_gnat TYpe: CABLE
0Exit
3. Press 1 to begin Auto Channel Search.
rOn-Screen Menus
Not all the VCR screens are shown in this
manual when explaining the features.
AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH
Now scanning channel 14
Press any key to 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.
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