RCA VR688HF VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER
(160-0691) Operation Faxback Doc. # 38323
Operating Instructions
To Play a Tape
1. Turn on the TV and tune it to channel 3, 4, or TV's video input to see
the picture from the VCR.
2. Insert a tape in the VCR.
VCR automatically turns on. The cassette-in (SYMBOL) indicator lights,
and the VCR indicator lights if the Auto TV/VCR feature is set to ON.
The tape automatically begins playback if the safety tab on the cassette
has been removed and the auto play feature is turned on.
3. Press PLAY, if necessary. PLAY appears in the VCR's display panel.
4. Press TRACKING up or down to remove any streaks from the picture, if
necessary. See details below.
5. Press STOP.
6. Press REW on the remote or turn the shuttle ring toward REW on the VCR.
The VCR will automatically rewind the tape if it reaches the end of the
tape during playback. While rewinding, you can press POWER and the VCR
will turn off after rewinding.
7. Press EJECT on the VCR to eject the tape once it is completely rewound.
Using the Playback Features
Tape Playback: HI-FI/LINEAR/MIX Feature
The VCR records the same audio on both the hi-fi and linear tracks on the
tape. The Hi-Fi stereo sound is recorded on separate left and right stereo
channels. Monaural sound is recorded on the linear track.
To enjoy hi-fi sound, connect your VCR to a stereo television or amplifier/
receiver using the audio/video jacks. The Tape Playback: HI-FI/LINEAR/MIX
feature lets you select which audio you play back.
To Select Playback sound
1. Press MENU PROG to see the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
2. Press 8 to see the AUDIO menu on the TV screen.
3. Press 2 to switch between HI-FI, LINEAR, or MIX sound.
Select HI-FI to play back sound recorded on the hi-fi track and for
normal use.
The HI-FI indicator is lit in the VCR's display panel during hi-fi
playback.
Select LINEAR to play back the sound recorded on the linear monaural
track - used to playback a second audio program (SAP).
Select MIX to play back the sound recorded on both the linear track
and the hi-fi track, sound-on-sound.
Using the Playback Features
Auto Play Feature
This feature lets you tell the VCR whether you want it to automatically
start playing a tape that is inserted with the safety tab removed.
1. Press MENU PROG on the remote to see the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
3. Press 2 to select Auto Play: ON or OFF.
Select ON to have a tape with its safety tab removed start playing
automatically.
Select OFF if you do not want a tape with its safety tab removed to
start playing automatically.
Auto Repeat Feature
The VCR will automatically repeat a segment of tape.
1. Locate the beginning of the segment you want the VCR to repeat, and
press STOP.
2. Press DISPLAY to display the time counter, and press CLEAR to reset it
to 0:00:00.
3. Press MENU PROG on the remote to see the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
4. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
5. Press 8 to display the AUTO REPEAT menu.
6. Use the number buttons to enter the length of time (in hours and
minutes) of the segment you want the VCR to repeat.
7. Press MENU PROG to remove the menu from the screen.
The VCR will play the tape until the specified counter reading is
reached, rewind the tape and replay the segment over and over.
8. To stop auto repeat, display the AUTO REPEAT menu and press CLEAR or
eject the cassette.
Using the Playback Features
Pause for Stop Action
This feature stops the tape in action and allows you to examine the details
of the scene. Stop action works best for tapes recorded in the SP and SLP
speed.
1. Press PAUSE during playback to stop the action.
STILL appears in the VCR's display panel.
2. Press TRACKING up or down to reduce any jittering of the picture.
3. Press PAUSE or PLAY to return to playback.
The VCR will automatically switch from stop-action playback to stop
after a few minutes.
Picture Search
You can search a picture during playback by fast forwarding or rewinding
the tape. Sound is turned off during picture search. The picture is best
for tapes recorded in the SP or SLP speed.
Fast Forward Search
1. Press FF on the remote or turn the shuttle dial clockwise toward FWD on
the VCR to search forward at a faster-than-normal speed.
2. To return to playback, press FF on the remote, PLAY, or turn the shuttle
dial again.
Rewind Search
1. Press REW on the remote or turn the shuttle ring counterclockwise
toward REW on the VCR to search in reverse at a faster-than-normal
speed.
2. To return to playback, press REW on the remote, PLAY, or turn the
shuttle dial again.
Frame Advance
Frame advance lets you view one stop-action frame after another. Frame
advance works best for tapes recorded in the SP or SLP speed.
1. Press PAUSE to stop the action. STILL appears in the VCR's display
panel.
2. Press F. ADV each time you want to view a frame of the scene.
3. Press PAUSE or PLAY to resume normal playback.
Slow Motion
You can view the picture in slow motion during play or play pause. The
SLOW - and + buttons on the remote and the shuttle dial on the VCR allow
you to change the speed. Sound is turned off during slow-motion playback.
Slow motion works best in the SP or SLP speed.
1. During playback, press SLOW + or - on the remote to start slow-motion
playback or press PAUSE and turn the shuttle dial on the VCR in either
direction.
SLOW + or - appears in the VCR's display panel.
2. Press SLOW + on the remote to increase the speed or SLOW - to decrease
the speed.
The speed changes with the amount the shuttle dial on the VCR is turned.
3. Use TRACKING up or down to remove any streaks from the picture.
4. Release the shuttle dial on the VCR to return to pause.
Press PLAY to return to playback.
The VCR will automatically switch from slow-motion playback to stop
after a few minutes.
Automatic Tracking
The VCR has automatic tracking which adjusts the picture when playing back
a tape recorded on another VCR. Automatic tracking is turned on whenever
a tape is inserted or the VCR's power is turned on.
Manual Tracking
Occasionally, you may need to manually adjust tracking on a tape recorded
on a different VCR or camcorder. The TRACKING buttons on the remote or VCR
are used when playing a tape. They have no effect during recording.
When streaks or snow appear, press TRACKING up or down for the best
possible picture.
Press TRACKING up or down during stop-action pause to reduce picture
"jitters".
Press both TRACKING buttons on the VCR at the same time to turn automatic
tracking back on or eject and re-insert the cassette.
Pro-Tect Plus Locking Feature
To protect your timer recordings from any unwanted changes, lock the VCR.
The buttons on the VCR and remote will not operate the VCR. Just follow
the directions below.
To Lock the VCR
1. Set up your VCR for a timer recording.
2. Insert a cassette with safety tab intact.
3. Place VCR in stop mode.
4. Press and hold PWR on the remote for at least six seconds until LOCK
appears in the VCR's display panel.
To Unlock the VCR
Press and hold VCR1 (VCR2 DVD) on the remote until HELLO appears in the
VCR's display panel to unlock the controls.
Index Search
The VCR has a "VHS Index Search System" that automatically records an index
mark on the tape every time you stop and start recording. During playback
you can mark on the tape every time you stop and start recording. During
playback you can locate the program you want to play by the number of index
marks.
The VCR will automatically locate the index number you select. The VCR will
search forward or reverse from the location you are on the tape.
1. Insert the prerecorded tape and press STOP.
2. Press SEARCH on the remote to display the INDEX SEARCH menu on the TV
screen.
3. Press two number buttons to enter the number of index marks you want the
VCR to search.
Press CLEAR to correct an entry.
4. Press FF on remote or turn the shuttle ring clockwise toward FWD on the
VCR to search forward.
Press REW on remote or turn the shuttle ring counterclockwise toward
REW on the VCR to search in reverse.
The time counter is displayed in the upper right corner of the TV screen
during search.
5. Press STOP to stop index searching.
Some index marks may be missed by the VCR.
A mark too close to your location on the tape.
The mark at the beginning of a recorded segment of five minutes or
less.
The first index mark on the tape when you start at the beginning of
the tape.
Go-To Search
The go-to search feature allows you to locate a counter reading on the tape.
1. Insert the prerecorded tape and press STOP.
2. Press SEARCH on the remote twice to display the GO-TO SEARCH menu on the
TV screen.
3. Press number buttons to enter the hour(s) and minute(s) of the time
counter reading you want the VCR to search.
Press CLEAR to correct an entry.
4. Press FF on remote or turn the shuttle ring clockwise toward FWD on the
VCR to search forward.
Press REW on remote or turn the shuttle ring counterclockwise toward REW
on the VCR to search in reverse.
The time counter is displayed in the upper right corner of the TV screen
during search.
5. Press STOP to stop go-to searching.
Blank Search
The VCR searches for blank portions of the tape that are more than six
seconds in length.
1. Insert the tape and press STOP.
2. Press SEARCH on the remote three times to display the BLANK SEARCH menu
on the TV screen.
3. Press FF to begin searching for six seconds of blank tape. A message
appears on the screen if a blank area is not found.
4. Press STOP to stop blank searching.
DISPLAY Button
1. Press DISPLAY to display the status of the VCR, channel number, station
ID (if available), time counter, title of program (if available), date,
time, and tape speed on the TV screen. The time will appear in the
display panel.
The time and date must be set before they are displayed. If you do not
press DISPLAY again, these displays will time out.
2. Press DISPLAY again to display information about the program that is
playing (if available).
If program information is not available, Title Unavailable will appear.
3. Press DISPLAY again to have only the time counter remain on the TV
screen. The time counter will appear instead of the time in the VCRs
display panel.
4. Press DISPLAY again to remove the time counter from the TV screen.
The time counter will remain in the VCR's display panel and no status
displays will appear on the TV screen. This is convenient for editing
tapes.
5. Press DISPLAY again. No displays will appear on the screen. The clock
will appear in the display panel.
Turning off the VCR returns the displays to normal.
Program Information
Some stations broadcast program information along with the program. When
this information is available, it will be displayed automatically when you
press the DISPLAY button.
1. Press DISPLAY to display the status displays on the TV screen. The title
of the program and station ID will appear if they are available.
If program information is not available, Title Unavailable will appear.
2. Press DISPLAY again to display information about the program (start
time, length, time remaining and rating) on the screen. This display
will time out automatically if no button is pressed, or: Press DISPLAY
three times to remove the PROGRAM DETAILS screen from the TV. The clock
will appear in the VCR's display panel.
Time Counter
The time counter shows the actual time it takes to record a program or play
back a segment of a prerecorded tape. It helps locate the beginning or end
of programs you taped. The time counter resets to 0:00:00 whenever the tape
is ejected from the VCR. For example, if a 30-minute program was recorded
at the beginning of the tape, you would:
1. Insert the prerecorded tape. Press STOP. Make sure the tape is rewound.
2. Press DISPLAY three times to display only the time counter on the TV
screen.
3. Press CLEAR to reset the time counter to 0:00:00.
4. Press FF on remote or turn the shuttle on the VCR clockwise to fast
forward the tape until the time counter reads 0:30:00. Press STOP.
This is the approximate end of the program and you can begin recording
at this spot.
5. Press DISPLAY twice to remove the time counter from the screen. The
clock will appear in the VCR's display panel.
(br/EB 12/31/96)
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