RCA VR-691-HF Video Cassette Recorder
(160-0692) Troubleshooting Faxback Doc. # 61863
Troubleshooting Tips
No power
Check to make sure it is plugged into an operating outlet.
Check to make sure your connections are correct.
VCR does not respond to remote
Press VCR1 (VCR2/DVD) to set remote to control the VCR.
Make sure to press the VCR1 or VCR2/DVD button on the remote to operate
the VCR - whichever one corresponds to the Remote VCR1/VCR2 setting in
the PREFERENCES menu.
Check to make sure there are no objects between the VCR and remote.
The batteries may need changing.
Make sure to press the VCR1 or VCR2 DVD button on the remote to operate
the VCR--whichever one corresponds to the Remote VCR1/VCR2 setting.
Remove batteries and hold number button 1 for at least 60 seconds to
drain the microprocessor inside the remote. Release number 1 and replace
the batteries.
Remove all batteries for approximately 12 hours. Then replace batteries.
Remote no longer controls an RCA, Pro Scan, or GE TV
Press TV to set remote to control a compatible TV.
Check to make sure the remote is programmed to control an RCA, Pro Scan,
or GE TV.
Remote no longer controls a compatible TV, cable box, satellite receiver,
or auxiliary component.
Press the correct component button to set the remote to control the
corresponding component.
Check to make sure there are no objects between the component and remote
The batteries may need changing.
Reprogram remote after batteries have been changed.
Remove batteries and hold number button 1 for at least 60 seconds to
drain the microprocessor inside the remote. Release number 1, replace
the batteries, and (if necessary) reprogram the remote.
Remove all batteries for approximately 12 hours. Then replace batteries
and (if necessary) reprogram the remote.
Poor or no picture for normal TV viewing.
Check to make sure the VCR indicator is off.
Check to make sure the TV is switched to an active channel.
Check to make sure the antenna connections are secure and correct.
Snowy or no picture during playback.
Press TV/VCR to turn VCR indicator on.
Check TV channel selected (3 or 4) to make sure it matches the channel
selected with 3 CH. 4 switch on back of VCR.
Check to make sure the TV's fine tuning is correct for the channel you
have selected.
Check video cable connections between VCR and TV monitor.
Check to make sure the TV monitor is set to video input.
Try another tape.
Some snow/streaks are normal during search, stop action, frame advance,
and slow-motion playback.
Streaks in picture during normal playback.
Press one of the TRACKING buttons to move streaks up or down for the
best picture.
Check to make sure the tape is of good quality and not worn out.
Time counter not working or time counter not working in search modes.
The time counter does not advance during unrecorded portions of tape.
When an unrecorded segment of tape is encountered, the time counter will
hold its count until recorded material is detected again.
A minus (-) will appear in front of the time if you rewind the tape
farther back than a counter reading of 0:00:00.
Will not record or play.
Check to make sure there is a tape in the VCR.
Try ejecting and reinserting the cassette.
Check to make sure the tape is not broken.
Check to make sure the VCR is not in pause mode. Press PAUSE or PLAY to
return to normal playback.
Check the ProTect Plus^TM feature.
Will not record.
Check to make sure the safety tab is intact.
Check to make sure the VCR is not in the line mode. Press INPUT.
Rewind does not operate.
Check to make sure the tape is not already rewound.
VCR Plus + or timer recording not made or wrong program recorded.
Check to make sure the correct VCR Plus + code is entered.
Check to make sure the cable box or satellite receiver was turned on
when recording was to begin.
Check to make sure the program was entered correctly (wrong channel or
times).
VCR cannot control cable box or satellite receiver. Check to make sure
VCR was set up for cable box or DSS control or try repositioning the
cable box or satellite receiver.
Power interruption. Reset the clock.
Check to see if time and date are correct - including AM/PM.
Check to make sure the program did not exceed the tape's length or the
tape was not rewound beforehand.
Check to make sure the VCR was turned off at the time recording was to
start.
Check to make sure there was a tape in the VCR and the cassette's safety
tab was intact.
VCR ejects cassette when the end of the tape is reached during a timer
recording.
Check to make sure VCR Plus + setup was completed correctly.
Clock shows incorrect time or date.
Power interruption. Automatic clock set was not turned on or did not
work properly. Check time zone and daylight-savings settings.
Make sure VCR or cable box is tuned to channel carrying XDS information.
Auto clock set is not supported by digital satellite receivers. Set the
clock manually.
Time did not adjust for daylight-saving time.
Check to make sure daylight-saving feature is set correctly.
VCR makes noise when stopped.
VCR is removing tape from heads. This is normal. The head cylinder
inside the VCR will continue to rotate for a few minutes after you put
the VCR in the stop mode.
Will not AUTO CHANNEL SEARCH active channels correctly.
Check to make sure the antenna connections are secure and correct.
Check to make sure the Signal Type: CABLE/ANTENNA feature is set
correctly.
If Detect Automatically was selected for the Signal Type in the AUTO
CHANNEL SEARCH menu, try using either CABLE TV or ANTENNA instead.
May not be necessary if using a cable box for all channels. Contact your
local cable company for more information.
Tape plays back in slow motion.
Press PLAY to return to normal playback.
Tape or section of tape continues to play over and over.
Check to make sure Set Auto Repeat feature is turned off in PREFERENCES
menu.
Cassette with safety tab removed does not start to play automatically.
Check to make sure the Auto Play ON/OFF feature is set to ON.
TIMER indicator flashes.
Check to make sure there is a cassette in the VCR when a timer recording
is set.
Time counter disappears during searching.
This is normal.
On-Screen menus appear in English, French, or Spanish.
Check LANGUAGE feature.
No stereo sound during playback.
Check to make sure the Tape Playback feature is set to HI-FI to hear
stereo sound during playback.
Must use the AUDIO/VIDEO jacks on the back of the VCR to hear stereo
sound.
Stereo audio too noisy.
Stereo signal is weak. Set reception: STEREO/SAP/MONO feature to MONO.
Press one of the TRACKING up or down buttons to minimize the noise.
Index, Zero, and Blank Search Features do not Operate.
These features do not operate if the Movie Advance feature is activated.
Cannot access MOVIE >> ADVANCE feature.
Cassette must have safety tab removed and be recorded in SP speed.
Home Recording was selected in the MOVIE ADVANCE menu. Eject cassette
and re-insert.
VCR forwards through commercials or momentarily displays a blue screen
during playback.
Commercial Advance Playback feature is set to AUTO. Set it to MANUAL.
COMMERCIAL >> ADVANCE feature does not mark commercials when:
The Marking feature is set to OFF in the COMMERCIAL ADVANCE menu. Set it
to ON.
A recording is less than 15 minutes or the commercial is longer than one
minute.
A single isolated commercial can not be marked.
Recording started in the middle of a commercial segment.
A commercial group within the first or last two minutes of a recording.
Accuracy and effectiveness can vary depending upon program content and
the characteristics of the commercials.
A commercial is between 30-and-45 seconds and 45-and-60 seconds.
Effectiveness may vary when local television stations insert their own
commercials.
Commercials recorded even though COMMERCIAL >> ADVANCE feature was set to
ON.
COMMERCIAL >> ADVANCE is designed to record the commercials, mark them,
and then skip over the marked commercials during playback.
(BR EB 9/15/00)
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