RCA VR-691-HF Video Cassette Recorder
(160-0692) Operation Faxback Doc. # 61858
VCR Basics
Learn The Basics To Get You Started
These VCR basics should be enough for you to begin enjoying your VCR.
Learning the remote control functions, playing a recorded tape, and
recording a program should do just that.
However, there are other features that enhance the enjoyment of your VCR,
but they aren't necessary to get you started. If you want to learn more
about your VCR, just keep reading.
VCR Basics tells you what you need to know in order to watch a movie or
tape your favorite show.
Remote Buttons
Your back-lit remote has a light button (light symbol) that glows in the
dark. Press this button to light the buttons on the remote. The remote
buttons remain lit when they are pressed within a few seconds of each
other. If a button is not pressed within approximately eight seconds, the
light turns off to conserve battery power.
The remote control is capable of controlling more than just your VCR, and
if you have compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE components, you may be able to
control them without even having to program the remote.
Component Buttons
AUX - Used with PWR button to turn on a compatible RCA audio
component.
PWR - Turns off VCR when remote is set to control the VCR. Also
turns some compatible components on and off.
SAT/CABLE - Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE satellite receiver
and sets the remote to control the receiver. Can be programmed
to control different brands of receivers. Used with the PWR
button to turn on a compatible cable box (if programmed) and
sets the remote to control the cable box.
TV - Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE TV and sets the
remote to control the TV. Also used with the PWR button to
turn on a different brand of TV (if programmed) and sets the
remote to control the TV.
VCR1 - Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE VCR and sets the
remote to control the VCR.
VCR2/DVD - Turns on a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE VCR and sets remote
to control VCR when it has been setup. Turns on compatible RCA
or ProScan laser disc player. Also can be programmed to
control a compatible RCA DVD player.
VCR Function Buttons
CHAN Up or Down - Selects next higher or lower channel in the VCR's
channel memory.
CLEAR - Resets time counter to 0:00:00. Allows you to
change entries when setting the clock or a timer
recording.
EDIT - Signals two properly connected compatible VCR's to
begin copying a tape.
F.ADV (Frame Advance) - Advances the tape one frame at a time during Play/
pause.
FWD - Fast forwards the tape when the VCR is stopped.
Searches forward through a tape during playback.
Starts slow motion during play/pause and increases
slow-motion speed.
GO BACK - Switches between two channels. Select one channel
and then select another using the number buttons.
Press GO BACK to switch between the two channels.
INFO - Shows the status displays on the TV screen.
INPUT - selects between the line inputs and the VCR's
tuner. Line input refers to the signal coming from
the component connected to the audio/video input
jacks on the back or front of the VCR.
MENU PROG - Displays VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.
Numbers (0 through 9) - Select a channel up to 99 by pressing two number.
Select a cable channel over 99 by pressing and
holding 1 until 1 -- appears on the screen. Then
press the other two numbers.
PAUSE - Pauses playback or recording. Press PAUSE again to
return to playback or recording.
PLAY - Plays a tape.
PWR - Turns the VCR off.
REC - Starts VCR recording. Also used for express
Recording.
REV - Rewinds the tape when the VCR is stopped. Searches
backward through a tape during a playback. Starts
slow motion during play-pause and decreases slow
motion speed.
SEARCH - Displays MOVIE >> ADVANCE screen for prerecorded
movies or displays index, Zero, and Blank Search
menus on TV screen. Starts COMMERCIAL >> ADVANCE
skipping during playback.
SLOW (+) and (-) - Used for slow-motion playback. Press (+) to
increase the speed or (-) to decrease the speed.
SPEED - Selects a recording speed (SP or SLP).
STOP - Stops the current VCR function such as record,
playback, rewind, or fast-forward.
TRACKING Up or Down - Lets you manually reduce the streaks that may
appear on the picture during play, slow motion, or
pause. Reduces picture "jitter" during stop-action
playback.
TV VCR - Switches the picture signal so that it either
comes from the VCR or cable/antenna system.
TV Function Buttons
CHAN Up or Down - Selects next higher or lower channel in the TV's
channel memory.
CLEAR - Removes menu or status displays from the screen.
GO BACK - Switches between two channels. Select one channel
and then select another using the number buttons.
Press GO BACK to switch between the two channels.
INFO - Shows the TV's status displays on the TV screen.
MUTE - Reduces volume to minimum level.
Numbers (0 through 9) - Select a channel up to 99 by pressing two numbers.
Select a cable channel over 99 by pressing and
holding 1 until 1 -- appears on the screen. Then
press the other two numbers.
PWR - Turns the TV on and off.
SLOW (+) and (-) - Used with some TV menus to select and adjust
features.
VOL Up and Down - Raises and lowers sound of TV.
Playing A Tape
1. Tune the TV to your VCR viewing channel (3, 4, or TV's video input).
2. Insert a tape in the VCR.
TV Buttons
The TV buttons may not control all features of all models of RCA, ProScan,
and GE TV's.
If the Auto Play feature is set to ON, the tape automatically begins play
back (if the safety tab on the cassette is removed).
Press FWD or REV to position the tape.
Press PLAY (if necessary) to begin tape play.
Press PAUSE for stop action.
Press TRACKING up or down to remove any streaks from the picture, if
necessary.
Press STOP to stop playback.
Automatic Rewind
The VCR automatically rewinds the tape if it reaches the end of the tape
during playback. While rewinding, you can press POWER (PWR) and the VCR
will turn off after rewinding.
Tape Eject
Press EJECT on the VCR when it is stopped to eject the tape.
Recording
If you want to record something that you're watching, you can use basic
recording.
1. Set the tape speed by pressing the SPEED button on the remote (see
"Tape Speed" in Setting Up the VCR section (Faxback Doc. # 61857) for
information about tape speeds).
2. Press the RECORD (REC) button to begin recording.
3. Press STOP to stop recording.
If you just want to pause the recording for a short time (like during
a commercial), press PAUSE instead of STOP.
Pause
If you pause, the VCR automatically switches from pause to stop after a
few minutes to reduce tape wear.
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.
Check The Safety Tab
No matter which recording option you use, you need to make sure there is a
tape in the VCR, and that the tape's safety tab is in place. You cannot
record on a tape with the safety tab removed.
If the safety tab is removed and you want to record over it, simply cover
the hole with vinyl tape.
Recording
Several Recording Options
Now that you've gone through the necessary steps to operate your VCR, I'll
explain the different recording features that are available to suit your
needs.
Recording Features:
Recording (explained in VCR Basics section, above)
Express Recording
Timer Recording
Timer Recording with VCR Plus +
Broadcast Stereo or Second Audio Program (SAP)
Audio Only Recording
Copying and Editing Tapes
Recording Features
There are four ways to record programs:
Recording - lets you press one button to start recording a program
(See VCR Basics section, above.)
Express Recording - lets you start recording a program you are watching,
and then set the VCR to automatically stop recording
after a designated period of time.
Timer Recording - lets you program the VCR to automatically start and
stop recording at a predetermined time.
Timer Recording - lets you program the VCR just by entering a Plus Code
with VCR Plus (+) number found in some TV guides.
Express Recording (XPR)
Use express recording when you want to quickly record the remaining
portion of the program you are watching.
1. Set the tape speed by pressing the SPEED button on the remote.
2. Press the RECORD button to begin recording.
3. Repeatedly press the RECORD button to set up the recording duration.
REC CH 36 REC CH 36
Record Length 0:0 Record Length 1:30
Press REC to set Length. Press REC to set Length.
Each time you press the RECORD button, you increase the recording time (up
to 4 hours).
The VCR continues to record for the amount of time you indicate, and then
automatically turns off.
Express Recording
Express recording is a great way to tape the last quarter of the game, or
the last part of a movie when you have to leave.
To stop an express recording, press and hold STOP for a few seconds.
Timer Recording
You can set up as many as eight timer recording programs.
1. Press MENU to display the VCR Main Menu.
VCR Main Menu
1. VCR Plus +
2. Timer Recordings
3. Time
4. Channels
5. Setup
6. Preferences
7. Audio
8. Language
0. Exit
2. Press 2 to display the Timer Recordings menu.
Timer Recordings
1. Create a New Program
2. Review Existing Progs.
3. Use VCR Plus + Code
0. Exit
3. Select 1 to Create a New Program.
How often should this program record?
1. One time
2. Daily (every day)
3. Weekdays (M-F)
4. Weekly (once per week)
0. Cancel
4. Select how often you want the program to record.
Program 1 (One time)
Channel --
Start Time --:--
End Time --:--
Start Date --/--/--
Tape Speed SLP
Press MENU to cancel
5. Enter the data for the program with the number buttons.
The data includes the channel number (press INPUT to select the line
input), start time including AM or PM, and end time. The start date
is automatically entered based on the VCR clock. Both the date and
speed can be changed.
Timer Recording Information
Clock must be set correctly.
Insert a tape with the safety tab in place and enough tape to record the
program.
The output of your cable box appears in the Channel item of the timer
recording menu if you've set up the VCR for a cable box for all channels.
PROGRAMS OVERLAP appears if you have entered two programs where the times
overlap.
The TIMER indicator appears in the display when you turn off the VCR and a
timer recording has been set. It flashes if there is no tape in the VCR.
For cable box or satellite receiver the VCR can control, turn it on before
the recording is to begin. Enter the cable or satellite channel number to
be recorded in the channel item of the timer recording menu.
For cable box or satellite receiver the VCR cannot control, turn it on and
tune it to the channel you want to record before the recording is to begin
6. Review the information to make sure it is correct, and then press MENU
to save.
Program 1 (One Time) | Program 1 has been saved
|
Channel 03 Cable | Remember to insert a
Start Time 08:00 PM | recordable tape and
End Time 09:30 PM | turn the VCR off before
Start Date 10/24/97 FRI | the program start time.
Tape Speed SLP |
1=SP 2= SLP | Press MENU to continue
Press CLEAR to correct |
Press MENU to save |
Timer Recording With VCR Plus +
You can use VCR Plus + to simplify timer programming if you have cable TV
and don't receive all channels through a cable box, have a cable box the
VCR can control, or if you get your TV signal off-air.
Setting Up the Channel List
If you did not set up the VCR Plus + channel list, you can do it now.
1. Display the CHANNELS menu from the VCR Main Menu.
2. Display the VCR Plus + Channel List menu.
3. Go to Setting Up Your VCR if you need more information on setting up
your VCR Plus + Channel list.
VCR MAIN MENU
1. VCR Plus +
2. Timer Recordings
3. Time
4. Channels
CHANNELS
1. Auto Channel Search
2. Add/Remove Channels
3. Signal Type: CABLE
4. VCR Plus + Channel List
VCR + Channel My Channel
5 46
4 --
3 -> -> -> 23
2 --
1 --
Use CH +/- to select
Press 0-9 to change
Press MENU to save
Using VCR Plus +
1. Press MENU to bring up the VCR Main Menu.
VCR Main Menu
1. VCR Plus +
2. Timer Recordings
3. Time
4. Channels
5. Setup
6. Preferences
7. Audio
8. Language
0. Exit
2. Press 1 to display the VCR PLUS + menu.
VCR PLUS +
Enter Plus Code Number
(from TV Listing)
Press CLEAR to correct
Press MENU to cancel
VCR Plus + and Plus Code are registered trademarks of Gemstar Development
Corporation.
3. Enter the VCR Plus Code shown in your local television programming
guide.
VCR PLUS +
Enter Plus Code Number
(from TV Listing)
12876
Press CLEAR to correct
Press MENU when done
4. Press MENU to enter the VCR Plus Code number.
How often should this program record?
1. One time
2. Daily (every day)
3. Weekdays (M-F)
4. Weekly (Once per week)
0. Cancel
5. Indicate how often you want the program to be recorded.
Program 1 (One time)
Channel 03 Cable
Start Time 08:00 PM
End Time 09:30 PM
Start Date 10/24/97 FRI
Tape Speed SLP
Press CLEAR to adjust
Press MENU to save
6. Change the speed with the SPEED button on the remote or the program
end time with the CLEAR button on the remote (if necessary).
Changing the end time comes in handy when you are recording a program,
such as a sporting event, that may exceed the scheduled broadcast time
7. Press MENU to save the program.
Program 1 has been saved
Remember to insert a
recordable tape and
turn the VCR off before
the program start time.
Press MENU to continue.
VCR Plus + Recording
Clock must be set correctly.
Insert a tape with the safety tab in place and enough tape to record the
program.
UNRECOGNIZED NUMBER...PLEASE RE-ENTER appears when the VCR does not
recognize the Plus Code number.
PROGRAMS OVERLAP appears if you have entered two programs where the times
overlap.
The TIMER indicator appears in the display when you turn off the VCR and a
timer recording has been set. It flashes if there is no tape in the VCR.
For a cable box the VCR can control, turn it on before the recording is to
begin.
For a cable box the VCR cannot control, turn it on and tune it to the
channel you want to record before the recording is to begin.
Stopping A Timer Recording
To stop or cancel a timer recording in progress (even an express
recording) :
Press and hold the STOP button for a few seconds.
Reviewing and Clearing Programs
To review programs that you have already set up:
1. Press 2 when the VCR Main Menu is displayed to display the TIMER
RECORDINGS menu.
TIMER RECORDINGS
1. Create a New Program
2. Review Existing Progs.
3. Use VCR Plus + Code
0. Exit
2. Press 2 to display the Review Existing Progs. Screen.
Program 1 (One time)
Channel 104 Cable
Start Time 12:00 AM
End Time 01:30 AM
Start Date 10/24/97 FRI
Tape Speed SLP
Press CLEAR to erase
Press MENU for next prog.
3. Press CLEAR to erase or MENU to see the next program.
Recording Broadcast Stereo TV or SAP (Second Audio Program)
Some TV programs are broadcast with stereo audio or SAP (Second Audio
Program).
1. Turn on the TV and tune it to the VCR viewing channel (either 3, 4, or
TV's video input).
2. Insert a tape with safety tab in place.
3. If your VCR viewing channel is 3 or 4, make sure the VCR indicator
appears in the VCR's display panel. If not, press TV VCR to turn it
on.
4. Use the SPEED button on the remote to select a recording speed. The
tape speed indicator appears on the TV screen.
5. Select the channel or line input to be recorded.
6. Set the Reception: STEREO/MONO/SAP feature for the type of audio you
want to record. See Other Features section (Faxback Doc. # 61860).
AUDIO
1. Reception: STEREO
2. Tape Playback; HI-FI
0. Exit
7. Press RECORD to start recording.
8. Press STOP when you are finished.
Recording Audio Only
You can record audio only from another audio source connected to the AUDIO
IN 1 (R and L/MONO) jacks on the back of the VCR.
1. Press the INPUT button once to record from the back AUDIO IN jacks.
L1 will appear in the VCR's display panel.
Press the INPUT button twice to record from the front AUDIO IN jacks.
L2 will appear 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.
3. Start audio source playing and press RECORD to begin recording.
4. Press STOP when you are finished.
Playing Back Audio Only
To get stereo sound, connect the AUDIO OUT jacks of the VCR to the
appropriate input on your amplifier or receiver. Do not use the phono
input. Refer to your amplifier or receiver user's guide.
Recording audio only will erase anything that was previously recorded on
the tape.
Audio Connection (See Faxback Doc. # 61933, Fig. 1)
Using Two VCRs For Copying And Editing Tapes
Use one VCR as the playback VCR and the other as the recording VCR.
1. Turn on the TV and VCRs.
2. Tune the TV to the VCR viewing channel (either 3, 4, or TVs video
input).
3. If you connected your VCR using the IN FROM ANT and OUT To TV jacks,
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 the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks, press
INPUT on the recording VCR's remote to select the line input. Select
L1 for the jacks on the back of the VCR and L2 for the jacks on the
front.
4. Insert the tape you want to copy into the playback VCR. Insert a blank
tape with safety tab in place into the recording VCR.
5. Press PLAY on the playback VCR to begin playback. When you reach the
point on the tape or program where you want to begin copying, press
PAUSE again. You may need to adjust the tracking.
6. Press the RECORD button, then press PAUSE, on the recording VCR.
7. Press the PAUSE buttons on both VCRs at the same time to begin copying
the tape.
8. To edit segments that you do not want to copy:
Press PAUSE on recording VCR to pause copying.
Locate the next segment you want to copy on playback VCR by using
FWD, REV, and PLAY, and then press PAUSE.
Press PAUSE on both VCRs at the same time to resume copying.
9. Press STOP on both VCRs when you are finished.
CAUTION: The unauthorized recording of satellite broadcasts,
television programs, or other copyrighted materials may
infringe the rights of others.
Two VCR Connection (See Faxback Doc. # 61933, Fig. 2)
Using Dual Remote With Auto Edit
Use this VCR as the playback VCR and set it to respond to VCR2/DVD on the
remote as described in Setting Up the VCR section (Faxback Doc. # 61857).
Use your other compatible VCR as the recording VCR, which should respond
to VCR1.
1. Follow step 1-4 in the "Using Two VCRs for Copying and Editing Tapes,"
above.
2. Press VCR1 on remote to control recording VCR. Press RECORD (REC),
then PAUSE, to put recording VCR in pause mode.
3. Press VCR2/DVD on remote to control playback VCR.
4. Use FWD, REV, and PLAY to locate the point where you want to begin
copying. 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 pause copying.
7. Repeat step 4 - 6 as needed.
8. Press VCR1, STOP, then VCR2/DVD, STOP, when you are finished.
(BR EB 9/18/00)
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