Video FAQ - VCR's, DVD Players and Camcorders

Antennas VCR's DVD Players Camcorders Televisions Remote Controls Other Accessories

VCR'S

General Questions

Product: Features and Specifications
Question: What is Commercial Skip and how do I turn it on?
Answer: As its name suggests, Commercial Skip allows you to bypass commercials during normal TV viewing. When a commercial comes on, you can activate the Commercial Skip timer to run from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. While the timer is counting down, you are free to watch other channels. After the timer runs out, the TV/VCR automatically changes back to your original channel. For example, you can use the following steps to program the Commercial Skip timer on the VR780HF (160-3216) VCR:
  1. On your remote, press SKIP/SEARCH. An on-screen timer appears.
  2. Press SKIP/SEARCH repeatedly to set the timer as desired. The time increases by 30 seconds each time SKIP/SEARCH is pressed. Skip countdown starts automatically if you haven't pressed SKIP/SEARCH for two seconds.
  3. To cancel Commercial Skip, keep pressing SKIP/SEARCH until the SKIP display disappears from the screen, or press CLEAR. Your TV/VCR will stay tuned to the channel it is on and will not change back to your original channel.

Commercial Skip works only when there is no tape in the TV/VCR.

  
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Product: General Operation
Question: How do I set up my Timer Record feature? My DSS switches to antenna when the VCR comes on.
Answer: If the DSS is switching to antenna when the VCR comes on, you need to set the VCR to turn on at least two (2) minutes BEFORE the DSS turns on. This situation appears to be caused by the VCR's initial startup surge allowing signal back onto the coaxial line.
  
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Product: General Operation
Question: Why won't my VCR receive any cable channels above channel 36?
Answer: You should first check and be sure the VCR has been programmed for cable channels and that the correct input is selected.  Also, you should check the age of the VCR; older units (10+ years old) may not accommodate higher channels.
  
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Product: General Operation
Question: Why do "dew drops" appear on my VCR's display?
Answer: "Dew drops" on the VCR display are an indicator that the VCR has been taken from a cold into a hot environment; this can cause condensation within the VCR, which will damage the unit if it is turned on before evaporation.  The dew drops indicate that the unit should not be operated at that time.
  
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VCR'S

Product-specific Questions

Product: VCR Cat. No.: 160-3210
Question: Page 10 of my manual lists codes for satellite receivers (to tell the VCR what brand receiver is being used/controlled in conjunction with the VCR). I can't get the VCR to accept a code starting with "7".

Answer: The VCR will not accept a code that starts with anything higher than a 6 (i.e., 69). Below are corrected codes.

VCR Brand & Model Manual Code Corrected Code
Panasonic Tu-Ird20 Series

75

01

Toshiba Tsr-101 Series

73

02

Sony Sat-B1 & Sat-B55 Series

72

03

Hughes Network

77

None

DishNetwork / Echostar 5000 Series

78

06

  
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Product: VCR Cat. No.: 160-3211
Question: "C-RD" or "C-AD" is on the display. How do I turn it off?
Answer: The display is showing "C-AD" because Commercial Advance is turned on. With this feature on, the VCR marks the commercials and rewinds and the end of the timer recording. When it is finished marking commercials and rewinding, "C-AD" will not appear.
  
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DVD PLAYERS

General Questions

Product: General Operation
Question: My picture is distorted and keeps going back and forth from black and white to color; what's wrong?
Answer: It sounds as though you are running the DVD player through your VCR or another recording device, triggering the copy-protection on the DVD. Try connecting the DVD player directly to your television (not a TV/VCR combination). If the problem persists, try using the DVD player with a different television; if the problem occurs on two televisions, we would suggest sending the DVD player to be serviced.

For information on the MacroVision Copy-protection process, we recommend that you visit the MacroVision website.

For information on getting your DVD player serviced, please refer to the Repair Shop at RadioShack for information on what brands we repair.

  
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Product: General Operation
Question: My DVD player won't play some DVD's.
Answer: Check the back of the DVD box to see if it states that the DVD is for PC DVD's. Not all DVD players can play PC DVD's. There are some DVD's that can read CD-X formats as well as CD-R and CD Extra.
  
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Product: Connections
Question: I am having problems with my Dolby® 5.1 Connections; the DVD (or other source) is recorded in 5.1, but when I select 5.1 (or DIGITAL) on the receiver, I get no sound.
Answer: Here is a brief explanation of Dolby® Digital connections. On the Audio/Video Receivers (like 310-5005), you have three different connections.
  • Analog -- uses the A/V input from an Audio/Video device … for example, DVD, CD, SAT, or VCR
  • Digital -- uses the Digital connection input … for example, Coax, Opt. 1 & 2
  • 5.1 -- uses the 5.1 Audio inputs … Surround L, Surround R, Subwoofer, Center, DVD 5.1 CH front R/L

If you want true 5.1 sound, then you must use the 5.1 inputs. That means the Video unit (like a DVD) must have the 5.1 outputs (Surround L, Surround R, Subwoofer, Center, DVD 5.1 CH front R/L).

RadioShack does not currently sell a video unit with 5.1 outputs; our video devices have only Digital and Analog connections. The only way to use devices without 5.1 outputs with the 5.1 inputs is to use a 5.1 Decoder. Even if the source is encoded in 5.1, video devices can not communication communicate this information to the receiver without specific 5.1 outputs; the receiver cannot decode 5.1 information from either the Digital or the Analog inputs.

The button on the front of the receiver or the 5.1 button on the remote is for selecting the 5.1 inputs; if nothing is connected to those inputs, there will be no sound. The other connections are digital or analog. When you connect the video device (DVD or SAT) to the digital input and /or analog inputs (A/V) and use SIGNAL SELECT on the remote, you are switching between those inputs. DIGITAL selects the digital inputs, and ANALOG selects the A/V inputs. If you do not connect a video device to the ANALOG inputs (A/V) but you do connect to the DIGITAL (OPT.1) and then use the SIGNAL SELECT button to select ANALOG SIGNAL, there is nothing there as you have are not using the A/V inputs.

It is recommended that you connect both digital and analog inputs if you have the outputs available. Not all programs are broadcast in digital and some analog signals are in Dolby® Surround Sound; however, if the signal is digital, then the DIGITAL light comes on.

The best way to test the system is use the TEST TONE feature. If you get sound through all of the speakers, then the system is hooked up right. Try to adjust the speaker volumes individually. There are different Dolby® sound systems, so you must know what you are listening to -- PROLOGIC, SURROUND SOUND, DOLBY® DIGITAL .

Look on the item you are playing or watching (CD, Video, DVD or program listing) … that will help determine what encoding (if any) is being used.

For additional information on Dolby® formats, we recommend the Dolby® website at http://www.dolby.com/.

  
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Product: General Operation
Question: Why won't my DVD player play a DVD from different country?
Answer: DVD players are designed to play movies coded by regions and will only play movies coded to their particular region.  The map below shows the movie regions by number. This coding is used because a movie may be released on DVD before it is available in theaters in some countries.

DVD World Regions

  • Region 1: Canada, United States and Territories
  • Region 2: Europe, Middle East, South Africa, Japan
  • Region 3: Southeast Asia
  • Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America
  • Region 5: Africa, Russia and rest of Asia
  • Region 6: China
  
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DVD PLAYERS

Product-specific Questions

Product: RC5215P RCA® DVD Player Cat. No.:160-3230
Question: When playing audio CD's with the RC5215P, I sometimes get a 3 sec skip when using the fiber optic cable but not with standard audio cables.
Answer: Per RCA® this is normal. This unit goes through different processors and the fiber optic input goes through a decoder that must select the correct format. This process sometimes will result in a skip. They are unable to put in a skip buffer like a normal CD player because it causes the audio/video signals for DVD to become out of sync.
  
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CAMCORDERS AND DIGITAL CAMERAS

General Questions

Product: Features and Specifications
Question: What is the difference between CMOS and CCD cameras?
Answer: Digital cameras use CCD (Charge Coupled Device) arrays. Compared to CMOS cameras, they have a wider view angle, lower lux rating, and sharper picture. Typically, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) cameras are found in surveillance cameras and are best for close-up areas for basic observation, and generally cost less.
  
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CAMCORDERS AND DIGITAL CAMCORDERS

Product Specific Questions

Product: CC-9370 RCA® Compact Digital Camcorder Cat. No.: 160-2410
Question: What data is available for this camcorder?
Answer: The User's Manual for this camcorder is available on-line.
  
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Product: CC-9370 RCA® Compact Digital Camcorder Cat. No.: 160-2410
Question: Does this camcorder record still pictures as well as video? Does RadioShack sell the DV tape?
Answer: This digital camcorder does record digital video or still pictures, both of which are downloadable to a computer. The DV tape is available as part number RSU 12116463 and holds about 60 minutes of video (possibly more if different modes in camera are used). Because this item is only available by special order, you will need to contact either your local store or RadioShack.com at 800-241-8742 to place an order.
  
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Product: CC-9370 RCA® Compact Digital Camcorder Cat. No.: 160-2410
Question: Does this come with software? If so, what software? If not, what software is compatible?
Answer: There is no software included. It comes with an IEEE 1394 cable and is designed to connect to a computer with a video capture board equipped with an IEEE 1394 port. Software is generally included with the video capture board.
  
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Product: CC-9370 RCA® Compact Digital Camcorder Cat. No.: 160-2410
Question: Does RadioShack carry the replacement battery?
Answer: The replacement battery is available as part number RSU 12304333. Because this item is only available by special order, you will need to contact either your local store or RadioShack.com at 800-241-8742 to place an order.
  
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Product: CDS-4100 RCA® Digital Camera Cat. No.: 160-3600
Question: What items are included with the camera in the box?
Answer: The CDS-4100 Camera comes with the following items in the box:
  • CDS-4100 Camera
  • User's Guide
  • (1) CD - "MGI PhotoSuite SE" (Windows 3.x, Win 95/98, Win NT & Mac) (Multilanguage)
  • (2) 3.5" Floppies - Camera Driver V.1.0 (Win 95/98 Only)
  • Power Supply
    • Model: UP01811070 P/N: A300001-02
    • Input: 100V-250VDC 50/60 Hz 0.5A.
    • Output: 7VDC 2.5A
    • Center Tip: Positive
  • (4) Cables:
    • 9-pin Serial Cable - Firewire
    • NTSC Video Cable
    • Mac - ADB - Serial
    • Power Cable (for Power Supply)

NOTE: Page 3 of the User's Manual ID's all parts. However, there is an error! The picture shows two CD's and two disks. The package only contains 1 CD and 2 disks.

  
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