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RCA VR538 User Manual

Rca video cassette recorder user's guide
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VR538
USER'S
GUIDE
Important Information .............i
Table of Contents .....................1
Hooking Up the VCR.................2
Setting Up the VCR...................7
Playing a Tape.......................18
Recording a Program .............25
References.............................35
Index ....................................42
VIDEO CASSETTE
RECORDER

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Summary of Contents for RCA VR538

  • Page 1: Table Of Contents

    VR538 USER’S GUIDE Important Information ...i Table of Contents ...1 Hooking Up the VCR...2 Setting Up the VCR...7 Using the Remote Control...12 Playing a Tape...18 Recording a Program ...25 References...35 Index ...42 VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER...

  • Page 2: Important Information

    Do not defeat the safety feature of the plug. The wide blade fits into the wall socket only one way. If you need an extension cord, make sure it matches the plug of the VCR. For U.S.A. — Operate VCR only on 120 volts, 60Hz AC power (normal house power).

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Set the Time and Date _____________ 11 Using the Remote Control Component, VCR, TV, and Cable Box or RCA Satellite Receiver Buttons __ 12-13 Controlling a VCR ____________________ 14 Controlling a TV ______________________ 15 Controlling a Cable Box or RCA DSS™...

  • Page 4: Hooking Up The Vcr

    The advanced hookup shows the VCR hooked up to a monitor/receiver (TV with audio and video jacks) using a signal splitter. This connection may improve the picture quality as well as convenience of operation.

  • Page 5: Hooking Up The Vcr

    A. Basic hookup. Use this hookup for a simple connection which requires fewer accessories. 1. Set the CH3 CH4 switch on back of VCR to either channel 3 or 4. You will tune the TV to this channel and use the TV•VCR button to watch the VCR.

  • Page 6: Cable System With Cable Box To Unscramble All Channels

    Cable System With Cable Box to Unscramble All Channels Position Cable Box Position a remote-controllable cable box on top of the VCR as shown. Be sure not to block any of the VCR’s ventilation holes. A. Basic hookup. Use this hookup for a simple connection which requires fewer accessories.

  • Page 7: Cable System With Cable Box To Unscramble Pay Channels

    (such as HBO, Showtime, Pay-Per-View, etc.) Position Cable Box Position a remote-controllable cable box on top of the VCR as shown. Be sure not to block any of the VCR’s ventilation holes. A. Basic hookup. Use this hookup for a simple connection which requires fewer accessories.

  • Page 8: Connecting Two Vcrs For Copying Tapes

    2. Set the CH3 CH4 switch on the playback VCR to either channel 3 or 4. You will tune the recording VCR to this channel to receive the signal from the playback VCR. 3. Connect as shown.

  • Page 9: Setting Up The Vcr

    4. Turn on the VCR. A. Press VCR1 on the remote. The Interactive Guide appears the first time the VCR is turned on after connecting it. It is a step-by-step question-and-answer procedure that helps you select the feature options to set up the VCR quickly.

  • Page 10: Use The On-Screen Menu System

    The second way is using MENU•PROG or MENU and arrow buttons on the remote or front of the VCR to point and select an item in the menu. Although there are two ways to access the menu system, only the number buttons are referenced throughout this manual to explain the VCR features and operations.

  • Page 11: Place Channels In Vcr's Memory

    To get additional channels available on your antenna or cable system, you must use the Auto- Search Channels feature of the VCR. If you ever change cable or antenna signals, you may need to Auto-Search channels again.

  • Page 12: Use Tv•Vcr Button

    E. Press 2 to switch between ON and OFF. • Select ON if you used one of the basic hookups and watch your VCR on channel 3 or 4 of your TV. You will then press the TV•VCR button to turn the VCR indicator on or off to switch between the picture coming from the VCR or television channels.

  • Page 13: 10. Set The Time And Date

    Setting Up the VCR Startup 10. Set the time and date. When you first turn on the VCR, --:-- appears in the clock area of the VCR’s display panel. A. Press MENU•PROG on remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.

  • Page 14: Using The Remote Control

    Used with POWER button to turn on another brand of TV when the remote VCR Function Buttons Press VCR1 (VCR2•LD) to set remote to control the VCR to use the function buttons. Arrow Buttons (MOVE Allow you to move through the menus, enter data and change settings of selected features.
  • Page 15 Press the CABLE button to set remote to control a compatible cable box or RCA DSS satellite receiver (if connected). Some buttons may not work with the cable box or RCA DSS satellite receiver. For the RCA DSS satellite receiver, you will want to test the other remote buttons to see which ones work with the satellite receiver.

  • Page 16: Controlling A Vcr

    Using the Remote Control Controlling a VCR The VCR’s remote controls two compatible RCA, ProScan or GE VCRs with the VCR1 and VCR2•LD buttons. Most compatible VCRs automatically respond to VCR1 without being programmed. If you own two compatible VCRs, test them to see if VCR1 turns on both VCRs. If it does, then you may want to program this VCR to respond to the VCR2•LD button on the remote.

  • Page 17: Controlling A Tv

    Using the Remote Control Controlling a TV The VCR‘s remote is preprogrammed to control the basic functions of a compatible RCA, ProScan, or GE TV. The remote can also be set up to control other manufacturer‘s brands. To program the remote for another manufacturer’s TV, enter the code that corresponds to your brand.

  • Page 18: Receiver

    Controlling a Cable Box or an RCA DSS™ Satellite Receiver* The CABLE button on the VCR’s remote is preprogrammed to control either a compatible RCA cable box or an RCA DSS satellite receiver. If the cable box is another manufacturer’s brand and it has its own remote, then you may be able to program the VCR’s remote to control the cable box.

  • Page 19: Controlling An Rca Auxiliary Component

    Using the Remote Control Controlling an RCA Auxiliary Component The remote that came packed with your VCR can control only compatible RCA audio components, such as a radio, CD player, tape player or turntable. The remote must be programmed for the specific component the remote is to control.

  • Page 20: Playing A Tape

    5. Press STOP on the VCR or remote. 6. Press REW. The VCR automatically rewinds 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.

  • Page 21: Using The Playback Features

    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.

  • Page 22: Display Button

    3. Press PAUSE or PLAY to resume normal playback. 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.

  • Page 23: Time Counter

    1. Insert the prerecorded tape. 2. Press DISPLAY twice to display only the time counter on the TV screen. 3. Press F.FWD on the VCR or FF on the remote to fast forward the tape until the time counter reads 0:30:00. 4. Press STOP.

  • Page 24: Time Search

    VCR to search. Press CLEAR on the remote to correct an entry. 4. Press F.FWD on the VCR or FF on the remote or REW to go to the time counter reading you entered. 5. Press STOP to stop go-to searching.

  • Page 25: Blank Search

    Playing a Tape Using the Playback Features 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 four times to display the BLANK SEARCH menu on the TV screen.

  • Page 26: Auto Repeat

    3. Press DISPLAY twice to bring up the time counter, then press CLEAR to reset it to 0:00:00. 4. Press MENU•PROG on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen. 5. Press 5 to display the SETUP OPTIONS menu.

  • Page 27: Recording A Program

    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. 2. Press VCR1 (VCR2•LD) to set remote to control VCR.

  • Page 28: Recording Features

    Recording a Program Recording Features Recording Speeds Pressing the SPEED button on the VCR or remote selects a recording speed (SP, LP, or SLP). The speed you select appears on the TV screen. Cassette SP (Standard Play) gives the best quality recording. That is why most prerecorded, rental tapes are recorded in SP.

  • Page 29: Express Recording (Xpr)

    Recording a Program 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. POWER EJECT VIDEO IN AUDIO IN TV•VCR SPEED Operating Instructions 1.

  • Page 30: Recording While You're Away

    Sat./Cable Box Setup allows the VCR to record programs from the cable box or satellite receiver. If your cable box or satellite receiver can be controlled by a remote, the VCR may be able to tune it to the channel you want to record during VCR Plus+ and timer recordings.
  • Page 31 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. Press MENU•PROG on the remote to display the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen.

  • Page 32: Vcr Plus+ Recording

    • If you receive all channels through a cable box or satellite receiver, complete setup on page 28. • If you do not use a cable box for all channels, have a cable box that can be controlled by the VCR or use an antenna, complete VCR Plus+ Setup on page 29.

  • Page 33: Timer Recording With Tv On

    You can set a timer program with the TV on or the TV off. The timer program feature lets you program the VCR to record up to eight different programs within a one year period. Before setting the timer, make sure that: •...

  • Page 34: Timer Recording With Tv Off

    Recording a Program Recording While You’re Away (Timer Recording) Setting a Timer Recording With TV Off (Clock On VCR ) Use the PROGRAM XPR and the up or down buttons behind right front panel control door to enter the information.

  • Page 35: Timer Recording From The Vcr's Line Input

    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.

  • Page 36: Using Two Vcrs For Copying And Editing Tapes

    Operating Instructions (Refer to hookup on page 6.) Use one 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. Turn on the TV and VCRs.

  • Page 37: References

    MENU is on the TV screen. Used for a timer recording with the TV off. AUDIO IN Jack (L2) Receives audio signals from another component, like a VCR or camcorder when it is connected to this jack. CHANNEL• Up or Down TRACKING Selects next higher or lower channel in the VCR’s...

  • Page 38: Display Panel

    References Display Panel This VCR has a feature where you can change the brightness level of the fluorescent display panel. 1. Press MENU•PROG on the remote to see the VCR MAIN MENU on the TV screen. 2. Press 5 to display the SETUP OPTIONS menu.

  • Page 39: Back Panel

    Back Panel CH3 CH4 Switch Selects the channel to which you will tune the TV to see the VCR picture if you connect the VCR using one of the basic hookups. IN FROM ANTENNA Connector Receives a signal from an antenna or cable system when attached.

  • Page 40: Trouble Checks

    References Trouble Checks Sometimes problems can be easily solved by checking a few basic things. Check below before you call for help or take your VCR to an Authorized RCA VCR Servicenter. Trouble o power VCR does not respond to remote...
  • Page 41 • Time counter display appears in VCR’s display panel. Press DISPLAY on remote. • 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. • Check antenna connections.

  • Page 42: Limited Warranty

    Pay any Authorized RCA VCR Servicenter the labor charges to repair your VCR. • Pay any Authorized RCA VCR Servicenter for the new or, at our option, refurbished replacement parts required to repair your VCR. How you get service: •...

  • Page 43: Specifications

    Cleaning the VCR Use a soft cloth or dusting attachment of your vacuum cleaner to dust your VCR. Remove dust from the ventilation holes on the top, back, sides, and bottom of the cabinet. Plastic surfaces are easily scratched and can be marred by alcohol and various solvents.

  • Page 44: Index

    AUX (Auxiliary) Button...12,17 Back Panel ...37 Batteries, Inserting in Remote ...7 Buttons Cable Box ...13 Components...12 RCA DSS Satellite Receiver ...13 TV ...13 VCR ...12,13 CABLE Button ...12,13,16 Cable Box Function Buttons ...13 Cable Box, Programming Remote ...16 Cable System With Cable Box ...2,4,5,28 Cable System Without Cable Box...2,3...
  • Page 45 Problems, Solving ...38,39 Product Registration ...i PROGRAM XPR Button ...32,35 Programming Remote Cable Box ...16 RCA Audio Components...17 RCA DSS Satellite Receiver ...16 TV ...15 VCR ...14 PROGRAMS OVERLAP ...30,31 ProTect™ Plus Feature...23 RCA Digital Satellite System...16 REC Indicator ...25,36 Recording Basic...25...
  • Page 46 Time ...22 SEARCH Button ...12,13,21-23 Search, Picture ...19 Select a Cable Box Viewing Channel ...28 Sensor, Remote ...35 SET VCR CLOCK Menu ...11 Setting Up the VCR ...7-11 SLOW + and – Buttons ...12-13,19 Slow Motion...19 SLP Speed...26 Solving Problems ...38,39 SP Speed ...26...
  • Page 47 Notes...
  • Page 48 P.O. Box 0944 Indianapolis, IN 46206-0944 If your VCR needs service, please contact your dealer or the nearest Servicenter from the yellow pages. Please do not send any products to the Indianapolis address listed in this manual or on the carton.

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