RCA VR688HF VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER
(160-0691) Recording Faxback Doc. # 38324
COMMERCIAL ->> ADVANCE Feature
Recording and Playback
COMMERCIAL ->> ADVANCE is a patented technology that detects and marks most
commercials on your tape for any recording that is more than 15 minutes
long. During playback, the VCR automatically skips the detected commercial
segments or you can choose to manually skip them. This feature reduces three
minutes of commercials into approximately 8-12 seconds of fast forwarding in
the SLP speed. You can select a background of blue or see the video as the
commercials are skipped.
After recording, the VCR rewinds the tape to the beginning of the recording
and determines where the commercials are located. It then marks the begin-ning and end of the detected commercial segments and returns the tape to the
end of the recording. It does not erase the commercials from the tape.
Because television signals do not indicate where commercials are located,
this feature finds and marks them through a set of formulas based on how
television is broadcast today. Since television stations broadcast differ-
ently and insert their own commercials, you may experience some variations
in this feature's effectiveness. Station promotions, identifications, and
announcements are not considered commercials - but might be skipped.
See Faxback Doc. # 38329 for answers to common questions about COMMERCIAL->>
ADVANCE.
COMMERCIAL ->> ADVANCE Marking
1. Press MENU PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
3. Make sure CA Marking is set to ON. If not, press 5. The VCR will mark
most commercials for the following types of recording:
VCR Plus +, Timer, or Express Recording: The VCR will automatically
mark the commercials after the power is turned off.
Manual Recording: When you press STO to stop recording, the VCR will
ask you if you want to mark the commercials. Just follow the on-
screen display.
MARK and COMM alternate in the display panel while the VCR is marking
commercials.
To Stop COMMERCIAL ->> ADVANCE Marking
Press STOP to cancel commercial marking.
To Turn Off Marking
For special VCR use (such as editing or copying) or if you decide not to
use this feature, turn COMMERCIAL ADVANCE marking (CA Marking) off.
1. Press MENU PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
3. Press 5 to select CA Marking OFF. The VCR will not mark the commercials.
COMMERCIAL ->> ADVANCE is a trademark of Arthur D Little Enterprises, Inc.
A Jerry Iggulden invention licensed by Arthur D. Little Enterprises, Inc.
Recording and Playback
To Select a Background for Playback
1. Press MENU PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
3. Press 7 to select CA Display: BLUE or VIDEO.
Select BLUE to have the VCR display a blue screen while it advances
through the block of marked commercials.
Select VIDEO to have the VCR display the video as it advances through
the block of marked commercials.
To Play Back a Recording Made Using COMMERCIAL->>ADVANCE
1. Press MENU PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 6 to display the PREFERENCES menu.
3. Press 6 to select CA Playback: AUTO or MANUAL.
Select AUTO to have the VCR automatically advance through the blocks
of marked commercials.
It works with most 30, 45, and 60-second commercials.
A commercial group starting within the first two minutes or last two
minutes of a recording will not be automatically skipped.
A commercial will not be skipped if the recording starts in the middle
of a commercial segment, one isolated commercial is shown without
others, or a commercial is longer than one minute. Press FF to scan
through the commercial.
It is possible that part of a recorded program might be skipped if the
program segment is between commercials and less than one minute or
there are frequent dark and quiet scenes. If part of the program is
skipped, rewind the tape to the beginning of the skipped program seg-
ment and press PLAY.
Select MANUAL and the VCR will not advance through the blocks of
marked commercials until you press SEARCH.
The VCR will resume playback when it reaches the end of the marked
commercials.
If you press SEARCH during playback of material other than commer-
cials, the VCR will still advance to the end of the next "marked"
commercial block and resume playback.
Types of Recordings
Your VCR provides different types of recording. These types are explained
in the following sections:
Basic Recording - Operating Instructions
Recording While You're Away
VCR Plus + Recording
Timer Recording
Express (XPR) Recording
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP (Second Audio Program)
Recording Audio Only
Using Two VCRs for Copying Tapes
Using the Recording Features
Recording Speeds
Press SPEED on the remote to select a recording speed (SP, LP, or SLP).
The speed you select appears on the TV screen and in the VCR's display
panel. The VCR automatically selects the playback speed (SP, LP, or SLP).
Cassette Type --------Recording Time--------
SP LP SLP
T120 2 Hr 4 Hr 6 Hr
T160 2 Hr 40 Min 5 Hr 20 Min 8 Hr
SP (Standard Play) gives the best quality recording. That is why most
prerecorded, rental tapes are recorded in SP. Fewer programs can be record-
ed on the tape. Special effects such as pause, slow motion, picture search, and frame advance work well.
LP (Long Play) gives twice the recording time of tapes recorded in SP.
Special effects in playback are not recommended in LP.
SLP (Super Long Play) gives three times the recording time of tapes recorded
in SP. Special effects such as pause, slow motion, picture search, and
frame advance work well.
Recording Pause
This feature allows you to prevent recording short passages of unwanted
material.
Press PAUSE during recording to stop and start recording. REC P appears
in the VCR's display panel.
The VCR will automatically switch from pause to stop after a few minutes.
Basic Recording - Operating Instructions
To Make a Recording
Turn on the TV and tune it to the VCR viewing channel, either 3, 4, or TV's
video input channel.
1. Insert a tape with safety tab in place.
The cassette-in indicator (SYMBOL) lights in the VCR's display panel.
2. Press VCR1 (VCR2 DVD) to set remote to control VCR.
3. If using one of the basic hookups, make sure the VCR indictor appears
in the VCR's display panel. If not, press TV VCR to turn it on.
4. Select recording speed using SPEED on the remote.
The tape speed indicator appears in the VCR's display panel and on the
TV screen.
5. Select the channel to be recorded.
The channel number appears in the VCR's display panel and on the TV
screen.
6. Press RECORD on the VCR or REC on the remote to begin recording. REC
appears in the VCR's display panel while the VCR is recording.
Watch a TV Channel While VCR is Recording a Different Channel
1. Follow steps 1 through 6 above.
2. If using one of the basic hookups, press TV VCR to switch to the TV
channel. The VCR indicator will turn off in the display panel.
3. Press TV to set the remote to control TV functions for a compatible TV.
4. Select the channel you want to watch with the TV's channel buttons.
5. Press STOP when recording is finished.
Recording While You're Away (VCR Plus +* Recording)
VCR Plus + Setup for Antenna, Unscrambled Cable Systems (not Requiring a
Cable Box), or Cable Box VCR Can Control
A VCR Plus + channel number is assigned for each broadcast or cable channel.
These numbers are listed in most publications that list Plus Code* numbers.
1. Prepare the worksheet on the opposing page for the VCR Plus + channels
that are different than the channels you receive them on. Refer to the
chart below for standardized VCR Plus + channel numbers.
Broadcast or Cable-TV VCR Plus + Channel Number You
Station Name Channel Number Receive This Station On
HBO 33 See Note 1
ESPN 34 See Note 1
ABC See Note 2 See Note 1
FOX See Note 2 See Note 1
Note 1: Check your local or cable listing for the channel number you
receive this station on.
Note 2: Check your local listing for the broadcast or VCR Plus +
channel number assigned to this station.
2. Press MENU PROG on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV
screen.
3. Press 4 to display CHANNELS menu.
4. Press 4 to display VCR Plus + Channel List menu.
5. Using your worksheet, press two numbers to enter each channel number
you receive on a different channel than the assigned VCR Plus + channel
number.
Press CHAN up or down to move the numbers up or down on the menu.
Press CLEAR on the remote to erase a number.
6. Press MENU PROG when you are finished. Auto channel search must be
performed before setting the VCR Plus + channel list.
Standardized VCR Plus + Channel Numbers for Cable-TV
U.S.A. 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 ................. Entertainment 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 ................. Music Television
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 ................. U.S.A. Network
62 ................. Video Hits 1
93 ................. Viewer's Choice 1
94 ................. Viewer's Choice 2
55 ................. WGN Chicago
43 ................. WTBS Atlanta
60 ................. WWOR New York
Canadian List
67 ................. Allarcom Pay Television/Superchannel
44 ................. Arts & Entertainment
72 ................. Cable New Network-Headline News
61 ................. Cable News Network
70 ................. Canadian Home Shopping Network
56 ................. Canal Famille
69 ................. Cathay International Television Inc.
68 ................. Chinavision Canada Corp
60 ................. Country Music Television
63 ................. Family Channel
62 ................. First Choice
96 ................. First Choice Two
97 ................. First Choice Three
99 ................. First Choice Four
90 ................. House of Commons
91 ................. La Chaine Francaise
51 ................. The Learning Channel
65 ................. MeteoMedia/The Weather Network
48 ................. MuchMusic Network
55 ................. MusiquePlus
52 ................. Nashville Network
73 ................. Newsworld/CBC
53 ................. Le Reseau des Sports
43 ................. The Sports Network
64 ................. Super Ecran
37 ................. Super Ecran B
98 ................. Super Ecran C
66 ................. Telatino Network
46 ................. TV5 Montreal
92 ................. Viewer's Choice 1
93 ................. Viewer's Choice 2
94 ................. Viewer's Choice 3
95 ................. Viewer's Choice 4
71 ................. Vision TV: Canada's Faith Network
38 ................. Youth TV, Canada Inc.
* VCR Plus + and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation.
VCR Plus + Channel Worksheet
Use this worksheet to create a list from which you can set up your VCR Plus
+ channel list.
| VCR Plus + |
Broadcast or Cable TV | Channel Number* |
Station Name (Such | (See Standardized VCR | Channel Number You
as ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.) | Plus + Channel Chart) | Receive This Station On**
| |
________________________|_______________________|_____________________________________________________|_______________________|_____________________________________________________|_______________________|_________________________________________________
____|_______________________|_____________________________________________________|_______________________|_____________________________________________________|_______________________|_____________________________________________________|_______________
________|_____________________________
* Check your local listing for VCR Plus + channel numbers assigned to net-
work stations.
**Check your local or cable listing for the channel numbers to enter in
this column.
Recording While You're Away (VCR Plus + Recording)
The VCR Plus + and timer program features let you program the VCR to record
up to eight different programs within a one year period. Before using VCR
Plus + to record a program, make sure that:
The clock is set correctly.
A tape with safety tab has been inserted with enough tape to record the
programs.
The remote is set to control the VCR - using VCR1 (VCR2 DVD).
The VCR is setup for VCR Plus + programming.
If you receive all channels through a cable box, setup the cable box
as shown on Faxback Doc. # 38320.
If you have an antenna, cable system not requiring a cable box, or a
cable box this VCR can control, complete VCR Plus + setup, above.
Setting a VCR Plus + Recording
1. Press MENU PROG on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV
screen.
2. Press 1 to display the VCR PLUS + menu.
3. Press numbers on the remote to enter the Plus Code number for the pro-
gram you want to record. PlusCode numbers are found in most local TV
listings.
Press CLEAR on the remote to correct an entry.
4. Press MENU PROG to enter the program.
If the VCR does not recognize the Plus Code number, Unrecognized
number...Please re-enter appears on the TV screen. Check the number
and enter it again.
5. Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 to select type of program.
1 One Time - single program recorded once.
2 Daily - program recorded at same time every day.
3 Weekdays - program recorded at same time Monday through Friday.
4 Weekly - program recorded at same time once a week.
6. Select recording speed using SPEED on the remote.
7. Press CLEAR If you want to change the program end time.
This feature allows you to extend the recording time on VCR Plus +
programs. This option may be useful when recording programs such as
sporting events that could go past scheduled broadcast times.
8. Press MENU PROG to enter your program. A reminder appears which will
time out.
PROGRAMS OVERLAP may appear on the screen if you entered two programs
where the times overlap.
9. The TIMER RECORDINGS menu appears. Press 3 to enter an additional VCR
Plus + program, or press 0 to exit.
10. Turn off the VCR before recording time.
TIMER appears in the VCR's display panel when the timer has been
programmed.
11. If using a cable box, leave it turned on. If the VCR cannot control
the cable box, tune it to the Channel you want to record.
Stopping a Recording in Progress
With the VCR: Press POWER and then STOP within a few seconds.
With the Remote: Press VCR1 (VCR2 DVD) and then STOP within a few seconds.
NOTE: Timer programs will not be erased during power outages. To clear a
program, see "Clear The Program", below.
Recording While You're Away (Timer Recording)
The VCR Plus + and timer program features let you program the VCR to record
up to eight different programs within a one year period. Before setting the
timer, make sure that:
The clock is set correctly
A tape with safety tab has been inserted with enough tape to record the
programs.
The remote is set to control the VCR - using VCR1 (VCR2l.DVD).
If you receive all channels through a cable box or satellite receiver,
setup the cable box or satellite receiver as on Faxback Doc. # 38320.
Setting a Timer Recording
1. Press MENU.PROG on remote to display VCR MAIN MENU.
2. Press 2 to display TIMER RECORDINGS menu.
3. Press 1 to display Create a New Program menu.
4. Press 1, 2, 3, or 4 to select type of program.
1 One Time - single program recorded once.
2 Daily - program recorded at same time every day.
3 Weekdays - program recorded at same time Monday through Friday.
4 Weekly - program recorded at same time once a week.
5. Press number buttons on the remote to enter the channel number (or INPUT
to select line input), start time including AM or PM, end time, and
start date of the recording. Just follow the on-screen prompts.
Press CLEAR to correct an entry.
Channels with numbers less than 100 will record from the cable box or
antenna connection. Channels with numbers 100 and over will record from
the corresponding DSS channel.
6. Select recording speed using SPEED on the remote.
7. Press MENU.PROG to enter your program. A reminder appears which will
time out or you can press MENU.PROG to return to the VCR MAIN MENU.
PROGRAMS OVERLAP may appear on the screen if you have entered two pro-
grams where the times overlap.
8. The TIMER RECORDINGS menu appears. Press 1 to enter an additional timer
program, or press 0 to exit.
9. Turn off the VCR before recording begins.
TIMER appears in the VCR's display panel when the timer has been pro-
grammed.
10. If using a cable box, leave it turned on. If the VCR cannot control
the cable box, tune it to the channel you want to record.
Stopping a Recording in Progress
With the VCR: Press POWER and then STOP within a few seconds.
With the Remote: Press VCR1 (VCR2.DVD) and then STOP within a few seconds.
NOTE: Timer programs will not be erased during power outages. To clear a
program see "Clear the Program", below.
Check, Edit, or Clear a VCR Plus + or Timer Recording
1. Press MENU PROG on remote to display VCR MAIN MENU on TV screen.
2. Press 2 to display the TIMER RECORDINGS menu.
3. Press 2 for Review Existing Progs. feature.
The first program in the timer is displayed.
Check the Programs: Press MENU.PROG to display information for the
next program.
Edit the Program: Press DISPLAY to edit the program.
The frequency menu appears first so you can change how often you want
to record the program.
Press a number button to select the type of program you want to
record.
Edit the rest of the program using the CLEAR and and number buttons.
Clear the Program: Press CLEAR when the program appears.
Timer Recording From the VCR's Line Input
The line input refers to the signal coming from the AUDIO and VIDEO IN jacks
of the VCR. Recording from the line input is convenient if you have a
satellite receiver or similar component attached to these jacks. To timer
record from the component connected to the VCR's line input:
Press INPUT to enter the channel number when you program the timer. Enter
VIDEO1 to record from the jacks on the back of the VCR or VIDEO2 to record
from the jacks on the front of the VCR.
Express Recording (XPR)
Express recording lets you record up to four hours without using the timer
program feature. The VCR will turn off automatically at the end of the
recording.
Operating Instructions
1. Turn on the VCR.
2. Insert a tape with safety tab in place.
3. Select the channel you want to record.
4. Select the desired recording speed using SPEED on the remote.
5. Press RECORD twice on the VCR or REC twice on the remote to activate
express recording.
6. Repeatedly press RECORD on the VCR or REC on the remote until the amount
of recording time for the program is displayed in the VCR's display
panel or on the TV screen.
Each press increases the time - 30 minutes up to four hours.
The amount of time the VCR will record and X-REC will appear in the
VCR's display panel.
You can increase the amount of recording time by pressing REC on the
remote or RECORD on the VCR.
Stopping a Recording in Progress
With the VCR: Press POWER and then STOP within a few seconds.
With the Remote: Press VCR1 (VCR2.DVD) and then STOP within a few seconds.
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP (Second Audio Program)
Some TV programs are broadcast with stereo audio or a second audio language
(SAP). The Reception: STEREO/MONO/SAP feature lets you select the type of
audio you want to record.
To Record Stereo Broadcast TV or SAP
Turn on the TV and tune it to the VCR viewing channel, either 3, 4, or TV's
video input.
1. Insert a tape with safety tab in place.
2. If using one of the basic hookups, make sure the VCR indicator appears
in the VCR's display panel. If not, press TV VCR to turn it on.
3. Use SPEED on the remote to select a recording speed.
The tape speed indicator appears in the VCR's display panel and on the
TV screen.
4. Select the channel or line input to be recorded.
The channel number, VIDEO1, or VIDEO2 appears on the TV screen.
5. Set the Reception: STEREO/MONO/SAP feature for the type of audio you
want to record.
A. Press MENU PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
B. Press 8 to display the AUDIO menu.
C. Press 1 to select the type of audio Reception: Stereo, MONO, SAP.
Set to STEREO for normal recording and to record broadcast stereo
TV.
The STEREO indicator lights in the VCR's display panel when the
station you are turned to is broadcasting stereo.
Set to MONO if the stereo signal is weak and the sound is too
"noisy".
Set to SAP to record SAP (second audio program) instead of the
main audio on the linear track. The main (or normal) audio will
still be recorded on the hi-fi tracks.
The SAP indicator (SIGNAL) lights in the VCR's display panel.
Set the Tape Playback: HI-FI/LINEAR/MIX feature to LINEAR to hear
SAP. Details are on Faxback Doc. # 38323.
D. Repeatedly press 0 to remove the menus from the TV screen.
6. Press REC on remote or RECORD on the VCR to start recording. REC
appears in the VCR's display panel.
7. Press STOP when you are finished.
Recording Audio Only
You can record audio only from another audio source connected to the AUDIO
IN (L MONO and R) jacks on the back or front of the VCR. Any video on the
tape will be erased when you record audio only.
To Record Audio Only
1. Press the INPUT button to select a line input.
Press INPUT once to record from the back AUDIO IN jacks. L1 appears
in the VCR's display panel.
Press INPUT twice to record from the front AUDIO IN jacks. L2 appears
in the VCR's display panel.
The VCR will record audio from the audio equipment connected to the
AUDIO IN jacks.
2. Use SPEED on the remote to select the recording speed.
The tape speed indicator appears in the VCR's display panel.
3. Make sure the Reception: STEREO/MONO/SAP feature is set to STEREO.
A. Press MENU.PROG to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
B. Press 8 to display the AUDIO menu.
C. Press 1 to select Reception: STEREO.
4. Start audio source playing and press REC on remote or RECORD on the VCR
to begin recording.
REC appears in the VCR's display panel.
5. Press STOP when you are finished.
Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes
Operating Instructions (Refer to hookup on Faxback Doc. # 38318.)
Use this VCR as the playback VCR and the other as the recording VCR. If
you have two compatible VCR's, use the AutoEdit feature described below.
1. Turn on the TV and VCRs.
2. Tune TV to the VCR viewing channel, either 3, 4, or TV's video input.
3. If you have connected your VCR using Option A (on Faxback Doc. # 38318),
tune recording VCR to channel 3 or 4 - the one selected on the back of
the playback VCR.
If you have connected your VCR using Option B (on Faxback Doc. # 38318),
press INPUT on recording VCR to select the line input. Select L1 to
record from the jacks on the back or L2 to record from the jacks on the
front.
4. Insert the tape you want to copy into playback VCR. Insert a blank tape
with safety tab in place into recording VCR.
To prevent recording on-screen displays from the playback VCR, press
DISPLAY four times. See Faxback Doc. # 38323 for details.
5. Press PLAY, then PAUSE on playback VCR when you reach the point on the
tape or program where you want to begin copying. If the tape was not
recorded on the playback VCR, streaks may appear and you may need to
adjust tracking.
6. Press RECORD, then PAUSE, on recording VCR.
7. Press PAUSE buttons on both VCRs at the same time to begin copying the
tape.*
8. Edit out segments that you do not want to copy by pressing PAUSE on
recording VCR to stop copying the tape. Then locate the next segment
you want to copy on the playback VCR by using FWD, REW, and PLAY. Press
PAUSE on the playback VCR. Press PAUSE at the same time on both VCRs to
resume copying.
9. Press STOP on both VCRs when you are finished.
* You may turn off the TV after the recording has started as it does not
have to be on to copy a tape.
Using Dual Remote with AutoEdit
Use this VCR as the playback VCR and set it to respond to VCR2 DVD on the
remote as described on Faxback Doc. # 38322. Use your other compatible VCR
as the recording VCR, which should respond to VCR1.
1. Follow steps 1-4 in the "Operating Instructions" above.
2. Press VCR1 on remote to control recording VCR. Press RECORD then PAUSE,
to put recording VCR in pause mode.
3. Press VCR2 DVD on remote to control playback VCR.
4. Use FF, REW, and PLAY to locate the point where you want to begin copy-
ing. Press PAUSE while VCR is playing to put playback VCR in pause mode.
5. Press EDIT on remote to start the VCRs copying.
6. Press EDIT again when you want to stop the tape from copying.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 as needed.
8. Press VCR 1, STOP, then VCR2 DVD, STOP, when you are finished.
(br/EB 12/31/96)
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