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Hitachi VT-FX616A VCR User Manual

1. 2 Read This First 3 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS 4 Getting Started 7 Simple Hookups 7 Getting Started Controls 12 Quick Tour of the Controls 12 Getting Started Initial Setup 16 Setup for First Time Operation 16 Getting Started Video Tapes 22 About Videocassette Tapes 22 Basic Operations Playback
2. 24 Viewing a Videocassette 24 Basic Operations Recording 28 Recording a Program 28 Basic Operations VCR Plus Recording 33 Easy Delayed Recording with the VCR Plus System 33 Basic Operations Index Plus 36 Index Plus System 36 Advanced Operations 52 Controlling Your TV with the VCR s Remote 52 Advanced Operations Cable Box Hookups 54 Hooking Up to a Cable Box 54 Advanced Operations Stereo System
3. 55 Integrating Your Stereo System 55 Advanced Operations Second VCR 56 Integrating a Second VCR 56 Advanced Operations Camcorder 57 VCR Care and Servicing 58 Routine Cleaning 58 Care and Servicing Problems 58 If the VCR Doesn t Work Right 58 FOR YOUR SAFETY POWER SUPPLY AC 120V 60 Hz ONLY The POWER switch turns the VCR on and off leaving the clock timer unaffected If the unit is to be left unattended for a long period it is recommended that the unit be completely switched off and unplugged Illustrated below is the label on the back of your unit 3 This symbol warns the user that uninsulated voltage within the unit may have sufficient magnitude to cause el
4. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 lt gt _ means a space 43 Press DISPLAY to move the character box to the next digit on the right Repeat steps and to edit the title Press 100 ENT B Erasing titles or entries Press CLEAR Press CLEAR once again 44 BLANK will appear in place of the erased entry or title if it has a recording time of 3 minutes or longer in the SP mode Press INDEX for regular TV viewing Using the Tape Library function 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Press MENU The following screen will appear 3 Press 7 A NUMBER SEARCH Enter a TAPE NUMBER when you want to know what recordings are made on the tape with the corresponding number B TITLE SEARCH Enter a program title when you want to know which tape includes the program with that title C DELETE If the library becomes full or all data of a tape becomes unnecessary you can delete unnecessary 45 tape numbers from the library D ADD PR TAPE You can assign a tape number to a generally available prerecorded tape to manage your tape library E RESTORE If the tape data is erased due to a power failure etc use this option to restore the data A NUMBER SEARCH Press 1 The following screen will appear Enter a tape number to search for the tape you want For example press 0 0 and 2 to search for tape number 2 Press MENU several times for regular TV viewing B TITLE S
5. 3 STEREO MONO Press 3 to control how the audio signal is recorded and sent to the TV Options are lt STEREO gt and lt MONO gt 4 SAP Press 4 when you are ready to record a second audio program Options are lt OFF gt and lt ON gt 5 CABLE BOX SET Press 5 to set up your cable box if you receive all channels through a cable box 6 AUTO CHANNEL Press 6 to automatically program the VCR to receive all the channels that come SET in on your antenna or cable 7 ADD ERASE Press 7 to bring up a screen that lets you add new channels or limit the channels CHANNEL to the ones you most often watch Note Option 5 CABLE BOX SET is not enabled unless CATV1 or CATV2 has been selected in option 1 CHANNEL setting More About Channel Selections Your VCR is capable of receiving 68 broadcast TV channels VHF 2 13 UHF 14 69 and 125 cable channels CATV 1 125 When you press 6 on the Initial Setup screen the tuner automatically cycles through all available channels in your area and places them in memory This takes 2 3 minutes You can watch the progress on your VCR s display when the channel numbers stop changing programming is complete In some areas channels cannot be switched when CATV1 is selected Then select CATV2 in your Initial Setup screen For convenience the TV channel numbers should match those programmed into the VCR If your TV has automatic channel programming set it on the same mode ANT CATV1 or CATV2 and let
6. You may already have one on your TV 1 Remove the antenna line from the back of your TV if it is already connected there or take it from where it comes in on the wall 2 Considering the three pictures below determine which adapter you will need to hook it into your VCR If you have Use this adapter Single 300 ohm flat wire Separate UHF and VHF antenna wires both 300 ohm flat wire 300 ohm flat UHF and 75 ohm round VHF If you have rabbit ears an antenna on top of your TV you will need an additional adapter and 11 75 ohm extension to make your leads reach from the antenna to the VCR This connection will work only if you have a strong clear picture on the TV indicating a strong signal Connect the antenna to the adapter and use the cable extension to go from the adapter to the VCR Use the supplied 75 ohm cable to connect the VCR to the TV Now continue with the hookup 1 Using whichever adapter you have fit your antenna with attach that connector to the IN FROM ANT jack on the back of the VCR 2 Using the 75 ohm cable supplied with your VCR connect either end to the OUT TO TV jack on the back of the VCR 3 Use a second adapter to attach the other end of the 75 ohm connector back into the TV where you first disconnected the antenna Capabilities With this hookup you should now be able to perform all basic functions provided by this equipment 5 Attach the TV and VCR to the Power Supply Plug in the TV an
7. Cable with a Cable Box or Cable with a Cable Box and Splitter Setup Use this setup procedure if you receive all channels through a cable box CABLE BOX SET tells the VCR how to record or to view programs from the cable box If your cable box can be controlled by a remote the VCR may be able to tune it to the channel you want to record or to view Before you begin you need to know the output channel number for your cable box Usually this is either 03 or 04 but it could be 02 through 13 Consult your cable company if you re not sure 1 Connect the Cable Box VCR and TV See page 69 2 Press MENU then press 5 to select INITIAL SETUP MENU 3 Press 1 to select CATV2 with the ANT CATV1 CATV2 setting then press 5 to select CABLE BOX SET menu 4 Press 2 to answer YES to the question Is a cable box being used with the VCR for all channels You will then see this screen 34 5 Turn on your cable box and tune it to channel 02 6 Enter the output channel of your cable box by pressing a number on the remote For example press 0 3 for channel 3 7 Press MENU to enter the output channel of your cable box You will then see this screen 8 Press MENU to display the CABLE BOX TYPE message on the TV screen 9 Enter your cable box type from the chart below by pressing two numbers 10 Press MENU to enter your cable box type The VCR will change the cable box from channel 02 to channel 09 when you enter the correct code for your cable box
8. you need 57 A video cord with a single jack on each end and An audio cord with two jacks on each end or A three way cord that has both audio and video jacks Study the back of VCR2 VT FX616A to find the three color coded jacks that are labeled IN The yellow jack is for video red and white are for audio Locate similar jacks on VCR1 Then with the power off Connect VIDEO OUT on VCR2 to the yellow VIDEO IN on VCR1 Connect the AUDIO OUT jacks left and right on VCR2 to the AUDIO IN jacks left and right on VCR1 Be sure to match left to left white and right to right red Second VCR Hookup Copying from One VCR to Another Dubbing Consider VCR1 the recording VCR and VCR2 VT FX616A the playback VCR You will play a tape on VCR2 and record it on VCR1 To begin copying Insert the videotape you wish to record in VCR2 Insert a blank or erasable tape with the safety tab intact into VCR1 Press AVX on VCR1 the LINE indicator will display Press REC on VCR1 and press PLAY on VCR2 To monitor the picture as you record VCR1 must be connected to your TV follow instructions in the other VCR s manual Press the VCR TV button on the remote The VCR indicator will light on VCR1 s display and you can view the picture being recorded Advanced Operations Camcorder Copying Tapes From A Camcorder If you would like to copy a video tape shot in your camcorder onto your VCR here s how to do it Connect the camcorder s AV outpu
9. 11 Cable box tuned to channel 9 Press number 2 on the remote Your cable box and VCR are now set for VCR Plus program recording In most cases you can use the number buttons on the remote to change the channels on your cable box The VCR channel will not change but the cable box will change channels Cable box did not tune to channel 9 Press number 1 on the remote and enter a different code from the chart If these codes do not work Try repositioning the cable box on top of the VCR and reentering the codes 35 Try entering all code numbers 00 61 Press CLEAR on remote to change incorrect entries If none of the codes work press MENU several times to quit The VCR will not control your cable box However the output channel of the cable box has been set Turn on the cable box and leave it tuned to the channel you want to record some time before the recording is to begin Using the VCR Plus System to Record a Program Now that your channels are set up you can take advantage of this quick and easy method of delayed recording You will use the on screen Easy Guide System following the basic procedure for delayed recording outlined on page 40 See the section on Recording a Program for recording tips and programming priorities You set up the delayed recording using the on screen Easy Guide System 1 Press MENU then press 1 to select VCR PLUS RECORDING and bring up this screen 2 Use the number buttons to enter the Plu
10. If OFF is specified the Standard Time is displayed throughout the year AUTO DST is set to OFF at the factory 3 Press the number buttons on the remote control to set the current time two digits for the hour and two for the minutes Then press 1 or 2 for AM or PM respectively For example if it is now 2 15 PM press 0 2 1 and 5 for hours and minutes and press 2 for PM Continue pressing buttons to set the date For example if today is July 8 1996 press 0 7 0 8 9 and 6 to get 07 08 96 When you re done press MENU twice to return to regular viewing Tips The item to be changed will blink on the screen as you go The clock uses the 12 hour system You set it for AM or PM An illogical time like 13 for the hour or 20 for the month will not be accepted A question mark displays instead of the illogical number If you press the wrong digit exit the screen by pressing MENU and recall the screen to enter the correct setup The day of the week is set automatically Getting Started Video Tapes About Videocassette Tapes Types The best thing you can do for your VCR is use the best quality tapes available This VCR uses VHS tapes only which are the most common type Look for the VHS mark on new or prerecorded tapes you buy Tapes are marked either T 120 or T 160 which signifies how many minutes of programming they can hold at standard recording speed SP To get the best quality picture record at standard speed But i
11. Related Information 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Press the i button on the remote control when I is displayed on the TV screen Even if i is not pressed program related information may appear automatically on the TV screen iYou can print some types of program related information using a video printer 1 Connect the VCR and printer Use a printer that is specified for use with the printer adapter 49 2 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 3 Press i 4 Press 100 ENT 5 Press 1 to print the program related information Displaying a program title and simply programming a timed recording while viewing a TV program guide 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Press TITLE The received program title is displayed If the program title cannot be received will appear 3 Press TITLE again 50 Press 2 for example to view the next page of the TV program guide 4 Press the select or button to select the program you want to record Basic Operations Index Plus cont pg 64 5 Press 9 51 6 Press 1 to program the timer for a one time program in this example 7 Press MENU The timer has been programmed for a one time program Cautions and Reference for the Index Plus System When the LIBRARY memory becomes full If your tape library becomes full you cannot store the data on subsequent recordings in the memory Th
12. When you set the option to HIFI hi fi tapes will play in high fidelity and non hi fi tapes will play in linear mode Stereo vs Mono Sound When you select the STEREO option your VCR records in stereo any station that broadcasts stereo sound When a TV channel broadcasts in stereo you ll see a stereo indicator on the TV screen STEREO is the normal factory setting because it works for both stereo and mono broadcasts It is also necessary for recording a second audio program SAP When you select MONO sound is recorded as mono even when a channel broadcasts in stereo Use the MONO setting when the stereo signal is not strong enough for quality reception for example when there is signal drift or noise Hi Fi Sound Hi Fi sound is the same quality as that of a compact disc player Its dynamic range of over 90dB will record either stereo or monaural broadcasts with the highest quality possible Linear sound on the other hand will record monaural sound using the same format as a non hi fi VCR Stereo programs are recorded in hi fi on both the left and right channels and also recorded on the linear track as monaural Channel Caption Station Identifier When your VCR is receiving a channel caption signal that is being transmitted by a local broadcasting station together with a TV program a station identifier is displayed on the TV screen 19 Pre loading Program Data When presetting channels is finished perform the procedure to pr
13. forward or reverse motion Try using the shuttle to explore backwards and forwards through your next video 27 If noise bars appear on the TV screen during SLOW STILL mode first set the VCR to SLOW mode and then press the 1 or 4 button to minimize the noise bars The noise bars are then eliminated automatically in the STILL mode If you turn the dial in the STOP mode you can fast forward or rewind the tape The tape continues to be wound even after you release the dial To Find Specific Sections on a Tape Visual Search This function lets you search backward and forward through the videotape while viewing it Using the buttons on the VCR Press PLAY and then REW to search in reverse Press PLAY and then F FWD to search ahead Press PLAY again to return to normal playback Searching with the Time Counter During playback and recording a counter keeps track of how many hours minutes and seconds the tape has run When you first start playback the counter shows briefly in the TV screen s upper right corner When you want to check the counter during playback there are several ways to do it Pressing DISPLAY will cycle you through the three options Press DISPLAY just once to see the counter mode time date and tape speed on the screen for 5 seconds Before the 5 seconds are up press DISPLAY a second time to see just the counter It will stay on the screen Press DISPLAY a third time to see the counter on the VCR display as well Pr
14. it reprogram to match the VCR Once channels are preset you can use the up and down CHANNEL buttons to move through the active channels Or you can press the number buttons to move quickly between channels that are far apart 18 Removing Channels You may not want to keep all the stations the auto programmer selects since you may prefer to have only a few favorite channels in the tuner s memory Or you may want to delete from memory a weak or unused channel that the tuner picked up Erased channels cannot be selected by the up and down CHANNEL buttons but can still be selected by using the numbered buttons 0 to 9 and 100 ENT Adding Channels Occasionally the auto programming may skip an active channel because the antenna was pointed in the wrong direction or the channel had a weak signal or was off the air at the time of programming Or you may change your mind about a channel you removed from memory To Add or Erase Channels Press MENU then press 5 to bring up the Initial Setup screen Item 7 lets you add or delete channels Use the number buttons to enter the channel you want to change then press STOP to delete it or press PLAY to add it Choosing a Mode for Audio Playback Choose between hi fi and linear modes depending on your needs HIFI is the preferred setting because it works for all tapes whether they were recorded in hi fi or linear modes If the audio sounds distorted or unusual or there is no audio try the LINEAR option
15. or blanks out try playing different cassettes to see whether you get the same picture problems If the picture problems persist the heads may need to be cleaned professionally Consult your VCR dealer for the name of trained service technician near you Periodic Maintenance Your Hitachi VCR is a precision electro mechanical device which requires professional maintenance after a period of normal use Usually no maintenance other than head cleaning is required during the warranty period unless the VCR is used either heavily or infrequently Defective parts are covered during the warranty period but normal maintenance is your responsibility Consult your VCR service center to find out what they recommend as normal maintenance based on your location how you use the VCR and the age of the machine Care and Servicing Problems If the VCR Doesn t Work Right 59 Many operational problems are easily remedied by reviewing the instructions in this manual and trying out some different controls and settings The chart on page 79 covers the more common problems that new VCR owners encounter Don t Attempt Repairs Yourself Do not remove the cover or the back of the VCR this will void the warranty and endanger your safety The exposed uninsulated voltage in this unit may be high enough to cause electrical shock It is dangerous to make contact with any inside part and none of these parts are intended to be serviced by an untrained user To be
16. press REC on the remote control or REC IRT on the VCR Recording will start unless the cassette is protected with the safety tab If this tab has been removed the VCR will eject the tape to prevent recording over what is there Recording Tips To Watch the Same Program While Recording To view what you are recording press VCR TV so that the VCR is selected the VCR indicator will light up on the VCR s display You ll want to do this the first few times anyway to be sure you re recording what you think you are To Watch One Program While Recording Another Once you have set the VCR for recording press VCR TV Now you will be viewing through your TV only Switch channels using your TV controls or the VCR remote if it s programmed to control your television see Advanced Operations The recording will continue as set on the VCR If a preset timed recording starts up while you are watching the TV you ll hear the cassette as it clicks on and see the recording indicator light up on the VCR display You can check on the recording by pressing VCR TV again This will switch you back to viewing through the VCR you ll see the program you are recording To Skip Commercials When a commercial comes on that you don t want to record simply press PAUSE on the remote control The VCR will stop recording Press PAUSE again to continue recording when you see the commercial is over If you stay in PAUSE mode for more than 5 minutes the VCR automatically swi
17. recording possible in 39 minutes in the currently set recording mode speed END This indicates the end of the displayed directory Recording Time Indicates how long the recording was made in minutes in the SP mode Recording date Recording start time Recording title entry These are displayed when the data on the program title could not be received If the clock has not been set 00 00 00 12 00A is displayed Operating Guide Press INDEX to return to regular TV viewing Searching for the program you want to view 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Insert a tape recorded by this VCR or a tape containing directory information The following screen will appear When a tape is already in the VCR press INDEX on the remote control the directory screen will appear Directory 3 Press the select or button on the remote control to move the cursor to the program title you want to view For example move it to YESTERDAY 4 Press PLAY This screen appears and the VCR plays the program automatically 40 If STOP is pressed in place of PLAY the tape stops automatically after the program is found Searching for a blank not recorded section of tape and cautions when recording 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Insert a tape recorded by this VCR The following screens will appear When a tape is already in the VCR press INDEX on the remote control the directory screen
18. safe refer service problems to qualified service personnel Technical Specifications Format VHS Video Signal System NTSC color EIA standard Record Playback System Video 4 Heads Audio VHS Hi Fi stereo record playback system Tape Speed 33 35 mm sec SP 16 67 mm sec LP playback only 11 12 mm sec EP RF Input UHF VHF 75 ohm Tuner USA 181 channel tuning ability 125 cable channels Type Auto programming frequency synthesis Power Input AC120V 60Hz Power Consumption 22W nominal Cabinet Size 14 15 16 W x 3 11 16 H x 12 5 8 D 38 0 cm W x 9 3 cm H x 32 0 cm D Weight 9 9 lbs 4 5 kg Storage Temperature 4 F to 131 F Operating Temperature 41 F to 104 F Accessories 1 coaxial cable Part No 5861682 1 remote control unit Part No HL10155 2 AA batteries Check your cable company s compatibility requirements For more information about how to obtain these accessories please call TOLL FREE 1 800 448 2244 for your nearest Hitachi Authorized Parts Distributor in the continental United States For ALASKA and HAWAII please contact the nearest Hitachi Regional office Design and specifications subject to change without notice Often Encountered Problems Problem Things to Check Solution No Power Power cord plugged in Connect the power cord to AC outlet Delayed Program set to the correct Reset the delayed recording recording does channel If using the VCR Plus syste
19. will appear Directory 3 Press the select or button on the remote control to move the cursor to BLANK 4 Press STOP This screen appears and the tape automatically stops at the start of the no signal recorded section 41 When making a recording on a new blank tape it is recommended for tape management that you note the tape number which is displayed on the screen after PLEASE WAIT appears When recording select the channel and recording mode speed then press REC Recordings should be made from the start of a new blank so no signal recorded sections are not left between programs If the recording time is less than 1 minute and 30 seconds in the SP mode the data on the program cannot be stored in memory Editing program titles and erasing titles or entries 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Insert a recorded tape The following screens will appear When a tape is already in the VCR press INDEX on the remote control the directory screen will appear Directory 3 Press the select or button on the remote control to select an entry in which you want to edit a title or select a title or entry you want to erase 42 4 A Editing a title Press 100 ENT Press CLEAR to move the character box to the left end Press the select or button to select a character you want to enter for the title Characters available A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z _ amp
20. 1 VT FX616A Owner s Manual Your Complete Guide to Videocassette Viewing and Recording Using these quality features VHS hi fidelity sound in playback Automatic tape head cleaning Up to 8 delayed recording programs Auto tracking for improved picture in playback Frequency synthesizer quartz tuner Illuminated remote control for use with your VCR and TV On screen programming guide Multi channel TV sound MTS VCR Plus programming system for easy timed recording VCR Plus C3 and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation The VCR Plus system is manufactured under license from Gemstar Development Corporation With the VCR Plus C3 system this video cassette recorder can automatically select the appropriate channel on your compatible cable box or satellite receiver C3 and VCR Plus C3 are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation Index Plus System INDEX Plus is a trademark of Gemstar Development Corporation The INDEX Plus system is manufactured under license from VCR Index Systems BV Hitachi Home Electronics America Inc HITACHI HSC CANADA INC 3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd Norcross GA 30093 3300 Trans Canada Highway Pointe Claire Tel 770 279 5600 Quebec H9R 1B1 CANADA Tel 514 697 9150 HITACHI SALES CORPORATION OF HAWAII INC 3219 Koapaka Street Honolulu Hawaii 96819 Tel 808 836 3621 QR14271 Hitachi Ltd 1995 Printed in Japan 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR YOUR SAFETY
21. 3 SLOW 4 TRACKING 6 SLOW 9 FRAME ADVANCE The above functions always work when you are viewing a videocassette even if the display as shown is not displayed Rewinding the Tape When you are done watching a video you can rewind the tape automatically or manually If the video cassette reaches the end of the tape the VCR will stop and automatically rewind the video cassette If you press POWER while the tape is rewinding the power will shut off automatically after the tape has completely rewound Manual Rewind Press STOP and REW The VCR rewinds the tape all the way to the beginning then stops Press STOP EJECT on the VCR to release the tape Special Playback Effects Still Playback Pause Press PAUSE to still the tape during play The picture will freeze You may see some minor noise or interference on the screen This is normal After 5 minutes in PAUSE mode the VCR automatically switches to STOP mode to protect the 26 tape If noise bars appear on the TV screen during PAUSE mode first set the VCR to SLOW mode and then press the 1 or 4 button on the remote control to minimize the noise bars If the screen jitters during PAUSE press either 1 or 4 button to minimize it To resume play press PLAY or PAUSE again Frame Advance While in PAUSE mode during playback press 9 button to view the video one frame at a time Press PAUSE to resume play Skip Playback While playing back your tape you can skip forward
22. EARCH Press 2 The following screen will appear Press the select or button to select a character then press DISPLAY to enter the title of 46 the program you want Up to 40 characters can be input to search for a title Press 100 ENT The following screen will appear You can view the selected title and the titles with the same first letter and subsequent letters after the selected title in the alphabetical order Press MENU several times for regular TV viewing C DELETE Press 3 This screen will appear Enter the number of the tape the data on which you want to delete For example press 0 0 and 1 to delete data for tape number 1 47 Check to see whether you can deltet the tape data or not Press CLEAR The data for tape number 1 has been erased Repeat steps to delete data for other tape numbers Press MENU several times for regular TV viewing D ADD PR TAPE Insert the prerecorded tape with directory information on which you want to put a number into the VCR Press MENU then press 7 Press 4 The tape number which will be put on automatically is displayed Press MENU for regular TV viewing E RESTORE Insert the tape recorded last into the VCR Press MENU then press 7 Press 5 The following screen will appear 48 Press 2 to restore the tape data Press 1 if the data is not to be restored and to return to regular TV viewing The data will be restored Displaying and using Program
23. TOP EJECT button on the VCR If the tape is playing press STOP EJECT once to stop the tape and a second time to eject it Now you can take the cassette out and put it away Tape Storage 24 Store your videocassettes in their jackets and in an upright position like books in a bookshelf away from any magnetic sources Resist the temptation to leave them lying flat on top of the VCR Tapes will last longer and so will your VCR if you store them properly Remember dust dirt and liquids are enemies of your tapes and VCR To avoid aggravation later apply the labels that come with new tapes On them write notes to yourself about what you recorded Basic Operations Playback Practice starting and stopping a video you ve rented play it through see how it automatically rewinds Get a blank tape and try recording a TV show Then you ll know how to use the VCR when you need to or where in the manual to find the instructions you forgot Let s go Viewing a Videocassette To Play Back a Recorded Tape 1 Insert the cassette arrow side forward into the slot at the front of the VCR The power comes on automatically and the tape indicator lights on the display When a cassette without its safety tab is inserted playback starts automatically 2 Turn on the TV and select the video channel 3 or 4 Or if you are hooked up with a direct audio video cable set the TV to AUX or VIDEO When a tape is inserted the Index Plus funct
24. ation see pages 61 and 62 8 Displaying a program title and simply programming a timed recording while viewing a TV program guide see pages 63 and 64 Displays on the TV screen when a tape is inserted When you want to record or play back and insert a tape into the VCR the following displays will appear on the TV screen A When a blank tape or a tape recorded by another VCR is inserted B When a tape that has previously been recorded by this VCR is inserted Directory C When a generally available prerecorded tape which has directory information showing what programs are recorded on it is inserted Directory 38 When a tape is inserted this VCR automatically surveys the data on the tape type and on what programs are recorded PLEASE WAIT is displayed during the survey You cannot operate the VCR for recording and playback while PLEASE WAIT is displayed Interpreting a tape directory 1 Turn the TV on and select the video channel 3 or 4 2 Insert a tape recorded by this VCR or a tape containing directory information When a tape is already in the VCR press INDEX on the remote control Directory When the tape is inserted the directory screen appears automatically Directory TAPE NUMBER The tape control number When a tape on which a directory is registered is used the title of the tape is displayed Cursor Program title BLANK Indicates a no signal recorded section The time shows the length of
25. by pressing the 9 button The tape will search ahead for about a minute and then resume playing Slow Motion To slow the playback speed to exactly the pace you want press PLAY then press 3 or 6 button Press 6 to slow down press 3 to speed up The more times you press the slower or faster the slow motion Use the 1 or 4 button to minimize any visual noise bands on the screen After 5 minutes in slow motion playback the VCR will stop the tape automatically to prevent damage to the tape and the VCR To return to playlback at a normal speed press PLAY To stop the tape press STOP Using the Shuttle and Jog Controls on the remote control The shuttle feature lets you control all the playback functions play pause slow motion double speed and search using one convenient dial The log feature lets you control the frame by frame picture using one convenient dial If the jog or shuttle dial is operated when the key function buttons are illuminated the illumination goes off How to use the jog dial You can use the jog dial for only one minute after the shuttle dial is operated or the PAUSE button is pressed to set the VCR to the still play mode Every time the jog dial is brought to where a slight click is felt the picture moves one frame Release your hand for still play pause How to use the shuttle dial Turn the shuttle dial during playback or still playback pause As you turn the dial you get different playback speeds and
26. d VCR power cords to the wall outlet or an appropriate extension cord or surge protector See Important Safeguards for further precautions page 6 6 Install Batteries in the Remote Control The remote control requires two fresh AA batteries On the back of the remote a plastic cover slides off in the direction shown by the arrow Remove this cover and install the batteries matching the plus end of each battery with the plus mark on the remote 7 Set the RF or Video Channel Switch When the VCR is on its video signal can come into your TV on either channel 3 or channel 4 12 You need to select the appropriate channel Turn the power on to both the TV and the VCR and look for a switch on the back of the VCR Set the switch to 3 or 4 whichever is not a commercial channel in your area Your basic hookup is now complete When you re ready to try hooking up a second VCR or a video camera for a complete home entertainment system see Advanced Operations Now turn the TV and VCR back around facing you and begin your quick tour of the controls page 15 Getting Started Controls Quick Tour of the Controls Study these pictures carefully to learn about the buttons and controls that you ll need for everyday operation Various controls are explained throughout this manual as they are needed but now is a good time to get familiar with their locations Most of the time you ll be directing the VCR from the remote control but there a
27. e following screen may appear depending on the zip code you have keyed in the area where you live 4 Select the number corresponding to the channel you usually use In this example 2 is selected and the following screen appears When pre loading is finished the following screen appears 21 5 Press MENU when you have finished pre loading 6 Press a number button to select the channel you usually view 7 Press PLAY The selected channel appears on the TV screen 8 Press MENU to finish the pre loading procedure 9 Turn off your VCR overnight to receive program data The TV program guide of the channel you have selected will be stored in memory the next day for viewing and recording You can select your favorite channel from 25 channels To erase the selected channel use a number button to select the channel and press STOP Setting the Clock This is easy to do and important for your later timed recordings You ll need to set the clock when first hooking up your VCR and any time the power goes out more than 1 hour When you first plug in the VCR or after a power outage the clock display will read 1 Press MENU then press 6 to bring up the CLOCK SET screen 22 2 Press 100 ENT to specify whether AUTO DST is to be ON or OFF If ON is specified the DST is set automatically The time advanced from the Standard Time by one hour is displayed from the first Sunday of April through the last Sunday of October
28. e following screen will appear at the end of the recording Delete data for tape numbers that have become redundant See page 59 Dubbing 52 Index Plus does not operate with tapes on which only audio is recorded or dubbed from a CDV compact disc video Contents of data stored in memory when pause is engaged during recording The program number does not change even if pause is engaged during recording If the channel is changed after pause is instructed the program number will change Directory when a new recording is made on a recorded tape Example 1 If you record program D on the tape where programs A and B were recorded by this VCR for the same duration of time as program A In other words Program D will overwrite Program A Program A is entirely erased Example 2 If you record program D using this VCR on a tape on which programs A B and C were recorded by another VCR Program C remains unerased but BLANK is displayed Advanced Operations This section explains how to use the VCR s remote control to operate your TV It also shows you how to hook up a cable box and how to connect a stereo or a second VCR for a complete home entertainment system Controlling Your TV with the VCR s Remote Compatibility The remote control is designed to be compatible with many televisions but will not work with every one made If your TV does not respond the way it should when you program it as explained below this remote may be
29. e load program data There are some preset channels which broadcast a TV program guide listing all active channels in your area as well as broadcasting actual TV programs Pre loading is the procedure to search for such a channel host channel and store the data on TV programs in your VCR s memory When program data has been pre loaded you can use the Index Plus feature to display the titles of the recorded programs on the TV screen 1 Press MENU The menu screen appears 2 Press 4 This screen appears 3 Use the number buttons to enter your local zip code In this example zip code 90001 has been entered Then press 100 ENT The VCR searches for a channel which is broadcasting a TV program guide and stores the data on programs automatically The VCR s clock is also set and the current time appears in the VCR s display If the current time is not displayed but this screen appears set the clock referring to page 27 After setting the clock is finished perform the procedure to pre load program data again 20 It takes up to 45 minutes to pre load program data Do not switch TV screen off until pre loading is finished If the TV screen is switched mid way program data cannot be pre loaded If a host channel is not detected ERROR appears on the TV screen Press MENU when ERROR appears The screen FAVORITE CH in step 5 will appear The following screen appears when pre loading is finished Before pre loading is finished th
30. e technician to perform safety checks recommended by the manufacturer to determine that the video product is in safe operating condition Getting Started Relax Using a VCR is very straightforward This sections explains how to hookup the VCR quick tour of the controls set up for first time operation using on screen menus and videocassette tapes Enjoy getting to know all about your Hitachi VCR Let s get started Simple Hookups 1 Decide Where to Put Your VCR Be sure your chosen location allows for proper ventilation stability and protection from heat and moisture see Important Safeguards Place the VCR near your TV but not on top of it For convenience in using the remote control locate them no more than three feet apart If you have an external cable or antenna place the TV and VCR where you have ample cable to hook them up If necessary you can purchase a cable extension and connector If you plan to route your VCR audio through your stereo speakers for better sound reproduction place the VCR near the stereo receiver or have enough long audio cables to make the connections But keep in mind that the electronic signal weakens the further it has to travel 2 Decide Which Hookup Method to Use To make your VCR function you ll deal with two basic hookups 1 The audio and video signal If all you want to do is view a prerecorded videotape on the VCR this three line hookup is the only one you need 2 The radio frequency RF s
31. ecording or playing Press PAUSE again or PLAY to resume LIGHT Illuminates key function buttons for a few seconds SHUTTLE DIAL Controls the videocassette s forward and reverse motion with one convenient dial 14 JOG DIAL Moves the tape forward and reverse one frame at a time LAST CHANNEL Switches to the TV channel you watched previously during the current viewing session F FWD Fast forwards the videotape STOP Stops a videocassette from playing recording pausing rewinding or anything it is doing i Used to display program related information on the TV screen TITLE When pressed once the program title and station name of the received channel are displayed When pressed again data on programs which the received channel plans to broadcast program guide is displayed 0 to 9 Number buttons used in on screen programming Can also be used to change channels Simply press 2 or 3 digits for the channel you want such as 0 and 6 for channel 6 or 100 ENT and 2 and 4 for channel 124 AVX Used for recording from an auxillary input such as a stereo system INDEX Used to display the Index Plus directory Select Used to select the titles or entries without titles from the directory VCR CAM camcorder TV Device buttons let you set the remote to control one of the three devices CHANNEL Top button switches to the next higher channel bottom button switches to the next lower channel For these to operate
32. ectric shock Therefore it is dangerous to make any kind of contact with any inside part of this unit This symbol alerts the user that important literature concerning the operation and maintenance of this unit has been included Therefore it should be read carefully in order to avoid any problems CAUTION TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL WARNING Many television programs and films are copyrighted In certain circumstances copyright law may apply to private in home videotaping of copyrighted materials WARNING TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE CAUTION TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT FULLY INSERT Caution to the user Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user s authority to operate the equipment Note to CATV system installer This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer s attention to Article 820 40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for proper grounding and in particular specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical Read This First Thank you for buying a Hitachi product You ve chosen the best VCR for you and we want to help you make the most o
33. ed recording setup will work Types of Delayed Recordings 31 ONE TIME Records one show at a particular date and time DAILY Records a show at the same time every day of the week Monday through Friday WEEKLY Records a show at the same day and time every week Your VCR can record up to 8 programs at different days and times or up to 8 programs on the same day Before You Begin Assemble the information you need for timed recording Be sure that the clock is set to the correct time Date and day of the program Starting time Ending time Channel to be recorded Blank or erasable videocassette safety tab intact Delayed Recording Steps You set up the delayed recording using the on screen Easy Guide System Press the MENU then press 2 for DELAYED RECORDING Press number buttons 1 2 or 3 for ONE TIME DAILY or WEEKLY RECORDING Follow the flashing instructions on screen to complete the programming Remember to press 0 before single digit channel numbers times and dates for example 0 and 6 for channel 6 After you enter the channel and time the VCR automatically shows the current date or the next date whichever is most logical Leave the date as it comes up or enter new digits for the month and day You can correct any item entered as you go by pressing the CLEAR button repeatedly until the digit to be corrected flashes on the screen Then punch in the correct number Illogical times and dates won t be accepted If you wa
34. ent operation use of VCR TV button is not required 1 Connect as shown This connection requires additional accessories which are not provided 2 Plug in power cords of VCR TV and cable box You will tune the TV to its video input to watch the VCR All pay channels are viewed through the VCR Illustration of Hookup Advanced Operations Stereo System Integrating Your Stereo System There are several reasons to consider hooking up your stereo system with your TV and VCR If your TV does not have stereo you can get stereo quality from your VCR by hooking it to your stereo receiver 56 Even if your TV does have stereo you can get better sound by taking advantage of your stereo s better speakers You can record stereo audio on your VCR for longer play times or use the VCR as an extra tape deck for dubbing Hookup Stereo System Hookup To make this hookup you need to be familiar with the options on your stereo system Look at the back of your receiver Probably you have AUDIO IN and OUT jacks for a second tape deck labeled Tape 1 and 2 or AUX 1 and 2 Consult your stereo owner s manual for further information You will need two audio cables the kind with two color coded plugs on each end for left and right audio channels With the power off Connect the right red and left white AUDIO OUT on the VCR to the right and left AUDIO IN on the stereo system Connect the left and right AUDIO OUT on the stereo to the rig
35. eone has legal rights governing the reproduction and distribution of this material In certain circumstances copyright law may apply to private in home taping of copyrighted materials In most cases it is okay to record for personal use as long as you do not sell the material You must act responsibly in this are check into the matter if you are unsure Basic Recording Steps 1 Load the videocassette into the VCR The power comes on automatically when the tape is fully inserted 2 Turn on the TV and select the video channel 3 or 4 Or if you are hooked up with a direct audio video cable set the TV to AUX or VIDEO When a tape is inserted the Index Plus function may operate and the following screen may appear example 29 When some tapes which were rewound midway are inserted they may be rewound to the start of the tape automatically See page 49 for the on screen displays that appear when a tape is inserted Press INDEX to return to the regular TV screen 3 Press DISPLAY then press 5 when the SP EP message appears on the TV screen to select SP standard play for the best picture quality or EP extended play for longest recording time on a single tape An indicator on the VCR s display shows which speed is active 4 Set the VCR to the channel you want to record from Use the up and down CHANNEL buttons to flip through the channels or use the number buttons to go directly to the channel you want 5 To begin recording
36. ess DISPLAY a fourth time to end the on screen display The linear time counter operates only if there is something recorded on the tape The counter changes to 0 00 00 when the tape is ejected Marking with the Time Counter If there is one part of the video that you know you are going to want to return to you can set the time counter to memorize that spot Begin in either STOP or PLAY mode 28 Press DISPLAY twice to show the counter on the TV screen Begin recording or playing back a tape Notice the counter remains on the screen At the point that you want to go back to press CLEAR This resets the counter to 0 00 00 Press STOP when you are done recording or playing back the tape Press DISPLAY again and an M will display below the counter on the TV screen This indicates that the counter s memory function is engaged Now when you rewind the tape it will automatically stop at the spot where you cleared the counter Notice it moves just past the marker and then back to it Press PLAY to watch the tape from that preselected spot Press DISPLAY to take the counter display off The spot is still in memory until you set a new one or until the tape is ejected Basic Operations Recording Recording a Program Before You Record The VCR must be hooked up properly for recording See the Simple Hookups at the beginning of this manual Copyright Infringement Warning Most television programs and films are copyrighted This means that som
37. f you want to get more on a tape and are less concerned about the quality set the VCR for extended play EP Tape Capacities at Different Speeds TYPES RECORDING TIME 23 SP EP T 120 120 min 360 min T 160 160 min 480 min You may have noticed that there is also an LP speed Your Hitachi VCR does not record at this speed but it can play cassettes that were recorded in LP mode No special setting is required for playback Safety Tabs Prevent Erasure A safety tab is located on the front left edge of every videotape next to the label Break this tab off if you want to keep a special tape from being erased accidentally Notice this tab is already removed on prerecorded tapes you buy or rent Poke a screwdriver or similar tip into the space behind the tab to break it off Don t worry you can change your mind and record on this tape even after the tab is broken off simply cover the hole with cellophane tape Loading and Ejecting When you load a videocassette into the VCR there is only one right way Most tapes show you the way with a little arrow on the top side which should go in first Push the videocassette gently into the slot on the front of the VCR You will feel the VCR take it in When the cassette is all the way in the VCR powers up automatically and a TAPE IN indicator shows on the display It may also start playing immediately if the safety tab has been removed To remove the cassette simply press the S
38. f your purchase Please take time to become familiar with this manual and how it is set up Keep it handy for future reference too To guide you we ve concluded Must read sections containing important cautions for your family s safety as well as the basic facts you need to use the VCR These sections are highlighted like this in the table of contents Information on the advanced features of your Hitachi VCR We hope you ll take time to learn about these functions since we ve designed them for you But you can use the VCR without reading these sections We want this manual to be a tool for you so we provide two ways to find the information you need A quick index to the basic functions of the VCR which you will use often this page A detailed table of contents directing you to specific information quickly page 4 Get to know your VCR by using this manual and get to know Hitachi We appreciate your business 4 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS In addition to the careful attention devoted to quality standards in the manufacture of your video product safety is a major factor in the design of every instrument But safety is your responsibility too This page lists important information that will help to assure your enjoyment and proper use of a Video Cassette Recorder and accessory equipment Please read it carefully before operating your video product and keep it in a handy place for future reference INSTALLATION 1 Read and Follow Instructi
39. hows today s date so no changes are needed on that line Press 5 to switch to SP because you want the best quality picture for this recording Everything is as you want it so press MENU to set the program in memory Insert a videocassette and power off the VCR Check for the delayed recording indicator on the VCR s display Prepare to admire yourself on the evening news If using a cable box the VCR can control turn on the cable box before the time the recording is to begin If using a cable box the VCR cannot control turn on the cable box and tune it to the channel you want to record before the time the recording is to begin Reviewing What You Have Programmed You can look back over any of the recordings you have preset and if you need to clear out any of the programs Normal programs will clear automatically once recording is complete but daily and weekly settings must be cleared out manually Press MENU then press 3 for the PROGRAM REVIEW option This brings up the screen settings for the first program Keep pressing 3 to cycle through all the programs you have preset To remove a program press CLEAR The screen will display the next program if there are more or it will switch back to the main menu Programming Priorities When you have set up several timed recordings it may occur that some of their times overlap For example this can happen if you are set up to record shows on a daily or weekly basis and a special show comes on
40. ht and left AUDIO IN on the VCR The AUDIO IN left on the front of the VCR handles the left channel or monaural sound If you connect an audio source only to AUDIO IN left both left and right hi fi tracks will record an audio signal as monaural Recording from Your Stereo System With the hookup just shown you can use your VCR to record a custom program of selections from your stereo library The videotape recording will give you excellent stereo quality and a long running tape In this case no video will be recorded so you can do the whole thing without turning on the TV Assemble the selections you want to record on the stereo and insert a blank VHS cassette into the VCR Be sure that HIFI is selected in the Initial Setup screen of the Easy Guide System Press DISPLAY then press 5 on the remote control to select SP or EP The EP setting gives you reasonable audio quality and a longer tape program Press AVX on the remote control to turn the LINE L1 indicator on Press REC IRT on the VCR and start the stereo system audio source Tape CD etc To stop recording press STOP To play back the recording rewind the tape and press PLAY Advanced Operations Second VCR Integrating a Second VCR With another VCR hooked up you can copy videotapes as needed and you can get fancy with multimedia programming For this discussion we refer to the model VT FX616A Hitachi as VCR2 and the other unit as VCR1 Hookup To hook up a second VCR
41. icate the recording time on the display You can set the recording time length which increases by intervals of 30 minutes one hour one and half hours two hours three hours and four hours i e 0 30 1 00 1 30 2 00 3 00 4 00 by continually pressing the REC IRT button While you are recording the time remaining is shown in the display At the end of your recording the display will read 0 00 recording will then automatically stop and the VCR will turn itself off To stop recording while in the IRT mode press the POWER button and then press the STOP button this can be done either on the VCR or with the remote control within 10 seconds Setting the VCR to Record Later With the delayed recording feature you can set this VCR so that it automatically comes on and records programs whenever you like without your being around You can record a program one time only or you can automatically record a show every weekday or every week at the same time You can preset as many as 8 timed recordings at once Recording is even easier when you have set up your channels for the VCR Plus system Learn the basics of delayed recording in this section Then read about VCR Plus system beginning on page 43 We suggest you try all the different ways of programming the VCR when you have some leisure time so you can learn how it works That way when an important show is going to be on that you really want to record you ll be confident that your tim
42. ignal from a cable or antenna Make this hookup if you also want to record programs or if you have no audio video connectors on your TV We will show you the simplest hookups first and then present several variations to suit specific needs Be aware that you may need to purchase additional connectors to make the desired hookup These are available at video stores and electronic hardware stores Choose which hookup method to use based on Your TV s capabilities The type of antenna or cable system you have for cable box hookup see Advanced 8 Operations Any other devices you want to include in the system stereo second VCR etc We will guide you through the process But first turn the TV and the VCR around so you are looking at their backs Note the various input and output receptacles their shapes and how they are labeled Then read through the rest of this hookup section before proceeding to an actual hookup DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER YET FOR YOUR SAFETY LEAVE YOUR TV AND VCR UNPLUGGED WHILE HOOKING THEM UP 3 Hook Up the Audio Video Signal If your TV is a fairly recent model you probably have both audio and video jacks Look on the back of your TV for three jacks possibly color coded yellow white and red They will be labeled something like IN L and R AUDIO IN or VIDEO IN If you are not sure look at the back of your VCR you will see two sets of these jacks If you have no jacks like these on your TV skip this ste
43. incapable of operating it Once you have programmed the remote you won t have to do it again until you change the batteries 53 This Hitachi remote control can be used with your TV as well as the VCR as long as your TV comes with a remote control This feature comes in handy you don t have to juggle two remotes The remote control is compatible with the fifteen makers of TV s listed below but don t be alarmed if yours is not on our list You may still be able to program the remote for your TV Every TV that comes with a remote control is set up to detect certain infrared signals You need to program the VCR s remote control to send signals that your TV will recognize and respond to Here s what to do Programming the Remote Control Turn the television on any channel is okay Aim the VCR s remote control at your TV set Hold down the TV button not the VCR TV button while you press the number corresponding to your brand of television as shown in the chart page 68 For example if you have an RCA television press TV and 0 at the same time If this button combination sends a signal that matches with your TV the channel will change on the TV and you ll know the remote is set to control the television If that button combination does not change the TV channel go through the whole list of button combinations one by one until you find the one that does change your TV channel Also if your brand of TV is not listed in the chart t
44. ion may operate and the following screen may appear example When some tapes which were rewound midway are inserted they may be rewound to the start of the tape automatically See page 49 for the on screen displays that appear when a tape is inserted Press INDEX to return to the regular TV screen 3 Press PLAY to start the tape 4 Press STOP to end play Direct Video Input to the TV Normally you would select channel 3 or 4 on the TV to receive a signal from the VCR You can get an even better picture if your TV has an auxiliary video input feature and if the TV and VCR 25 have a direct video to video hookup If this is the case do not select channel 3 or 4 Instead Press the AUX or VIDEO button on the TV s remote control to select the proper input channel for playback To Fine Tune the Picture Auto Tracking Pressing PLAY starts the auto tracking feature which adjusts the tuning to eliminate static lines that may appear on the screen Manual Tracking Scratched tapes or poorly recorded tapes may require additional picture adjustment You can do this with the remote control Press either 1 or 4 button until picture becomes clear After operating the tracking manually eject the tape and reinsert it to reactivate auto tracking If you press the DISPLAY button when viewing a videocassette the display as shown appears for several seconds so you can see the functions of the number buttons on the remote control 1 TRACKING
45. le and connection Cable Box Position Position a remote controllable cable box on top of the VCR as shown slanted position 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 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 VCR TV button to watch the VCR 2 Connect as shown This connection may require additional accessories which are not provided 55 3 Plug in power cords of VCR TV and cable box Check all the TV and VCR functions B Advanced Hookup Cable box to unscramble all channels Use this hookup for slightly improved picture quality and more convenient operation use of VCR TV button is not required 1 Connect as shown This connection requires additional accessories which are not provided 2 Plug in power cords of VCR TV and cable box You will tune the TV to its video input to watch the VCR Illustration of Hookup If your cable box has audio video output jacks you can also connect the audio video output of the cable box and the audio video input of the VCR With this connection press the AVX button to select L1 as the input channel for the VCR to receive audio video signal from the cable box see page 44 C Advanced Hookup Cable box to unscramble only pay channels Use this hookup for slightly improved picture quality and more conveni
46. m not work check the channel setup 60 Program time and date set Reset the delayed recording correctly VCR power turned off Turn power off to activate the timer Safety tab removed from Put cellophane tape over the the videocassette tab area or use a videocas sette with the safety tab intact Clock set to Set the time then program delayed recording Does not record Safety tab removed from Put cellophane tape over the when you press the videocassette tab area or use a videocas REC sette with the safety tab intact TV program Loose or inappropriate Review hookup directions cannot be connections between VCR and make correct firm con viewed or and TV nections recorded continued Problem Things to Check Solution Poor picture TV channel selector on the Set TV to channel 3 or 4 as quality noise proper channel correct for your area Set TV during play to AUX or VIDEO if you have a back direct video hookup Is TV correctly tuned Fine tune the TV Static lines through the picture Press CHANNEL up or down button to adjust tracking Noisy picture despite all Have video heads cleaned previous adjustments even by a qualified service tech when playing different cas nician settes No picture dur TV set to the correct video Set TV to channel 3 or 4 ing playback viewing channel TV cannot be Is VCR remote control pro Follow instructions in operated by g
47. nt to record from an external equipment press AVX button to select LINE1 or LINE2 instead of the channel number When everything is set as you want even though some items may still be flashing press MENU to program your settings into memory To preset additional recordings repeat these steps Otherwise press MENU to return to the regular TV screen Don t forget to load a videocassette to record on Your delayed recording settings take effect when you turn off the power on the VCR When the power is off the delayed recording indicator will display on the VCR This tells you that the VCR will automatically record at the times and dates you have programmed To Stop a Delayed Recording in Progress Press POWER and then immediately within 10 seconds press the STOP button use buttons on the remote or VCR as you wish An Example Let s say you were interviewed today by a local TV reporter You re eager to see yourself on the evening news tonight The news comes on channel 8 at 6 o clock but you ve got a meeting 32 scheduled during that time Luckily you just purchased this Hitachi VCR Press Menu press 2 then press 1 to bring up the screen for One Time recording Now fill in the blanks Select channel 8 by pressing 0 and 8 on the remote control Enter the start time by pressing 0 6 0 and 0 for 6 o clock Then press 2 for PM Enter the end time half past six as 06 30 The VCR automatically selects PM for you The screen s
48. ons All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the video product is operated Follow all operating and use instructions 2 Retain Instruction The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference 3 Heed Warnings Comply with all warnings on the video product and in the operating instructions 4 Polarized Plug This video product is equipped with a polarized alternating current line plug a plug having one blade wider than the other This plug will fit into the power outlet only one way This is a safety feature If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet try reversing the plug If the plug should still fail to fit contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet To prevent electric shock do not use this polarized plug with an extension cord receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted without blade exposure If you need an extension use a polarized cord 5 Power Sources This video product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your home consult your video dealer or local power company For video products intended to operate from battery power or other sources refer to the operating instructions 6 Overloading Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock Overloaded AC outlets and exten
49. p and proceed to Step 4 TV with Audio and Video Jacks If you do find all three jacks on your TV you need to purchase a three line audio video cable with bell RCA connectors like this If you find a video jack and only one audio jack your TV is probably monaural You can purchase a two line audio video cable but the three line is handy in case you get a stereo TV later Connect the yellow VIDEO OUT jack on the VCR to the VIDEO IN jack on the TV This direct video input will give you the best picture It will also let you play videos in a picture in picture feature if your TV has it Then connect the AUDIO OUT jacks red and white on the VCR to the AUDIO IN jacks on the TV left to left right to right This audio hookup will give you better sound than the RF signal hookup because the electronic signal won t have to go through a conversion process Plus your VCR has a stereo decoder which your TV might not For big speaker sound you can also use these jacks to connect the VCR to your stereo system page 72 Capabilities The audio and video signal connections are all you need to play back a prerecorded tape If you do not intend to record on your VCR from your antenna cable then you re all hooked up now Otherwise continue with Step 4 which will let you record off TV channels 9 4 Hook Up the RF Signal Look at the back of your TV for a connector that looks like one of these and follow the corresponding hookup option If yo
50. rammed for your TV Advanced Operations to the VCR s program the remote to send remote control signals that your TV 61 can rec ognize Not all TV brands are compatible Is remote control set to Press the TV device button control the TV then press the button corre sponding to the TV function you want Mechanical Has a loaded cassette Nothing is wrong The tape sounds during been stopped more than 5 protection mechanism is the STOP mode minutes working Eject the cassette if you are done viewing Otherwise no action is necessary Cannot store data Is the recording time too short Data is not stored in memory on recorded programs when the recording time is less in memory than 1 minute and 30 seconds in the SP mode Is LIBRARY memory full Delete unnecessary tape data Cannot locate the Is a tape recorded by another You cannot search for a program beginning of a program VCR being used you want to view from the tape recorded by another VCR Hitachi Service Hotline Authorized Hitachi service facilities are available throughout the US Call the following Hitachi Service Hotline In the continental U S A DIAL TOLL FREE 7 days a week 24 hours a day 1 800 HITACHI 1 800 448 2244 You must state your zip code when calling iThis is the only mention of the G Link connector on the back of the VCR in this manual We currently have no info on what sort of signal it uses compatibility etc
51. rding settings take effect when you turn off the power on the VCR Caution on VCR Plus Recording After entering a VCR Plus number check the information displayed with the PROGRAM REVIEW if there is are any unnecessary program s please cancel or correct it them Basic Operations Index Plus Index Plus System This VCR can display information on the TV programs broadcast by TV stations and data on the recorded programs titles channels recording lengths times etc on the TV screen You can obtain various types of information on TV programs from these displays and also use them for recording playback and tape management The Index Plus system makes it possible to utilize these functions Before using the Index Plus system perform the procedure to pre load program data See 37 page 24 The Index Plus system stores tape data in memory If the data is erased due to a memory defect etc the registered data will not be recoverable Quick Index of Index Plus Operation 1 Displays on the TV screen when a tape is inserted see page 49 2 Interpreting a tape directory see pages 50 and 51 3 Searching for a program you want to view see page 52 4 Searching for a blank not recorded section of tape and cautions when recording see page 53 5 Editing program titles and erasing titles or entries see pages 54 55 and 56 6 Using the Tape Library function see pages 57 60 7 Displaying and using Program Related Inform
52. re some controls on the VCR that will come in handy too When you re familiar with these basic controls proceed to Initial Setup page 20 We ll show you how to program your local channels and set the clock to make your VCR fully functional How the Remote Control Works Pressing a button on the remote control transmits an invisible beam of light infrared to a receiver at the right front of the VCR When using the remote aim the front end toward the VCR and make sure nothing such as a coffee table or your dog is blocking the path of the infrared beam 13 About the Illuminated Buttons Try pressing the remote control s white buttons one at a time As you press one of the three device buttons lights up VCR CAM or TV This helps you keep track of which device you are controlling at the moment Remote Control Buttons Remote Control Illustration POWER Turns the VCR on and off MENU Brings up an on screen setup and programming guide the Easy Guide System VCR TV Switches between viewing through the VCR and not viewing through the VCR CLEAR Used in on screen programming and indexing DISPLAY Used in on screen programming and indexing VOLUME Increase or decrease the audio volume MUTE Turns off the audio until you press MUTE again REC Starts recording on the station the VCR is set to REW Rewinds the videotape PLAY Starts playing a loaded videocassette PAUSE Temporarily stops the cassette from r
53. re to an antenna discharge unit size of grounding conductors location of antenna discharge unit connection to grounding electrodes and requirements for the grounding electrode See example below EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING 13 Power Lines An outside antenna system should not be located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light or power circuits or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits When installing an outside antenna system extreme care should be taken to keep from touching or approaching such power lines or circuits as contact with them might be fatal Installing an outdoor antenna can be hazardous and should be left to a professional antenna installer USE 14 Cleaning Unplug this video product from the wall outlet before cleaning Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners Use a damp cloth for cleaning 15 Object and Liquid Entry Never push objects of any kind into this video product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock Never spill liquid of any kind on the video product 16 Lightning For added protection for this video product during a lightning storm or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods of time unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system This will prevent damage to the video product due to lightning and power line surges SERVICE 17 Ser
54. ry all the number buttons One of them may work for you If the TV channel still doesn t change after going through all the button combinations listed it is likely that you will not be able to program this remote control for your TV TV Brands Press TV and This Number Hitachi 1 Zenith 2 Sony 3 Magnavox 4 Sanyo 5 Gold Star 1 6 Toshiba 7 Gold Star 2 8 Panasonic 2 9 RCA 0 Panasonic 1 CHANNEL up arrow Mitsubishi CHANNEL down arrow JVC 100 ENT 54 Sharp 1 LAST CH Sharp 2 DISPLAY Controlling the TV Once programmed the VCR s remote control is ready to control the TV First press TV to change to the TV function mode then press the button of the TV function that you want For example press TV and the CHANNEL up arrow and the TV station will change to the next higher station Press VCR to operate your VCR with the remote again Be aware that not all of your TV s functions may work even though the remote control is correctly programmed Advanced Operations Cable Box Hookups Hooking Up to a Cable Box The cable box brings all the advantages of pay cable but finding a satisfactory hookup can be challenging To sort out what to do we suggest a step by step approach to installation Before you begin take a close look at the back of your TV to see where cables are currently connected You may need to reconnect them that way later As an aid to memory use masking tape to label each cab
55. sCode of the program you want to record This code can be up to eight digits If you enter a wrong digit press CLEAR and enter the correct one 3 If you accidentally enter a nonexistent PlusCode number the VCR gives you an error message that disappears from the screen in about 10 seconds 4 If you have entered the correct PlusCode number press MENU to store the PlusCode in the VCR s memory This brings up another screen 36 5 Press number buttons 1 2 or 3 to select ONE TIME DAILY or WEEKLY RECORDING Important Programming does not take effect unless you select one of these options 6 When the next screen comes up choose between standard or extended tape speed by pressing the 5 button This is also a good time to check the channel number it should be the one on which you usually watch the program at home If not you need to check your VCR Plus channel setup 7 Review the screen to be sure everything is set as you want then press MENU to complete your programming or continue with additional programs When you have set up all the timed recordings you want Don t forget to load a videocassette with the safety tab still attached to record on If using a cable box the VCR can control turn on the cable box before the time the recording is to begin If using a cable box the VCR cannot control turn on the cable box and tune it to the channel you want to record before the time the recording is to begin Important Your timed reco
56. sion cords are dangerous and so are frayed power cords damaged or cracked wire insulation and broken plugs They may result in a shock or fire hazard Periodically examine the cord and have it replaced by your service technician if appearance indicates damage or deteriorated insulation 5 7 Power Cord Protection Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them paying particular attention to cords at plugs convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the appliance 8 Ventilation Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the video product and to protect it from overheating These openings must not be blocked or covered The openings should never be blocked by placing the video product on a bed sofa rug or other similar surface This video product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register This video product should not be placed in a built in installation such as a bookcase or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the video product manufacturer s instructions have been followed 9 Attachments Do not use attachments unless recommended by the video product manufacturer as they may cause hazards Caution Maintain electrical safety Powerline operated equipment or accessories connected to this unit should bear the UL listing mark or CSA certification mark on the acces
57. sory itself and should not have been modified so as to defeat the safety features This will help avoid any potential hazard from electric shock or fire If in doubt contact qualified service personnel 10 Water and Moisture Do not use this video product near water for example near a bath tub wash bowl kitchen sink or laundry tub in a wet basement or near a swimming pool and the like 11 Accessories Do not place this video product on an unstable card stand tripod bracket or table The video product may fall causing serious injury to a child or adult and serious damage to the appliance Use only with a cart stand tripod bracket or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the video product Any mounting of the product should follow the manufacturer s instructions and should use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer 11A An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care Quick stops excessive force and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn 12 Outdoor Antenna Grounding If an outside antenna or cable system is connected to the video product be sure the antenna or cable system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage surges and built up static charges Section 810 of the National Electrical Code ANSI NFPA No 70 provides information with respect to proper grounding of the mast and 6 supporting structure grounding of the lead in wi
58. t cable to your VCR see diagram below Press the AVX button on the VCR s remote control so that the L2 Line indicator appears in 58 the VCR display Press REC IRT on the VCR to start recording Press PLAY on your camcorder to start copying your tape Information on Audio Hookup If your camcorder is only capable of monaural output one audio jack connect it to the AUDIO IN L input on the front of the VCR VCR Care and Servicing The VCR is fairly self servicing but you ll want to keep an eye on a few things as you go In addition you may sometimes have troubles with your VCR We offer some suggestions for care to prevent problems ways to troubleshoot and places to contact when you cannot solve the problems yourself Routine Cleaning Head Cleaning The heads are tiny mechanisms in the VCR that pick up the video signal as a videotape passes over them In time a residue of electromagnetic dust builds up on the heads because of contact with the tape This dust interferes with the signal being picked up Your Hitachi VCR automatically cleans the video heads whenever a cassette is loaded or ejected and when a cassette is already inside the VCR when you turn the power off It also self cleans during fast forward and reverse play You will hear a mechanical sound during auto head cleaning Even with the auto head cleaning system dirt can build up on the heads If the picture is blurry during playback or is occasionally interrupted
59. tches to STOP mode to protect the tape To Change the Channel Being Recorded Suppose you are recording one program and you remember that something else is on that you would rather record You can change the channel while in the recording mode 30 Press PAUSE to stop the recording temporarily This is necessary because the CHANNEL buttons won t work while you are in recording mode to keep you from accidentally switching the station while recording Change the channel to the one you prefer Press PAUSE to continue recording To Record a Second Audio Program SAP Some stations transmit a Second Audio Program such as in a second language If a station broadcasts in SAP the SA indicator will display on your TV screen You can set the VCR to record a second audio program by activating the SAP option through the Easy Guide System Press MENU then press 5 to bring up the Initial Setup screen Press 4 to set the SAP option to ON Make sure that STEREO MONO selection is set to STEREO When this is set the VCR records the second audio program Using the Instant Recording Timer IRT The Instant Recording Timer REC IRT button on the VCR will let you make a simplified timer recording without having to use the programming timer In order to set the IRT properly the clock must be set before starting Follow steps 1 through 5 on Basic Recording Steps on pages 36 and 37 After the recording has started press the REC IRT button again to ind
60. that you try to record during the same time slot Shows with Same Starting Time If the overlapping programs start at the same time the VCR records in order that they were programmed If the shows are all scheduled to start at 7 AM the VCR starts with the first program at 7 AM and switches to what remains of the second program when the first program is done recording and so on Shows with Different Starting Times If the programs start at different times the VCR records the show scheduled to start earliest records the entire show then moves on to the show with the next earliest starting time To avoid recording only bits and pieces of different overlapping shows review your 33 programming and delete those shows that are not essential Basic Operations VCR Plus Recording Easy Delayed Recording with the VCR Plus System About the VCR Plus System This handy feature makes timed recordings a snap You don t need to enter the specific channel date time or duration of a program All you enter is its PlusCode programming number a number of up to eight digits This special code is easy to find in your favorite TV program guide or daily newspaper Here s a sample page from TV Guide showing PlusCodes next to each program VCR Plus and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corp Before You Begin If you are receiving all channels through a cable box set up for the cable box before programming timed recordings
61. to watch or record from your TV you need to tell the VCR whether your TV uses cable or antenna input and let it program itself to receive your TV s channels It s also a good idea to set the clock so you can do timed recording later With your TV and VCR hooked up turn them both on and follow these steps using the remote control Initial Setup Options Press MENU then press 5 to bring up the Initial Setup screen The screen shows the default settings on your VCR The default settings are the ones that are preset at the factory Look at each item to see if it matches your own setup To change a setting press the button that has the same number as that item This will cycle you through several options 17 When everything is set up as you want press MENU again to back out of the Easy Guide System If you do not use the cable box you need to set items 1 and 6 the first time you set up your VCR If you receive all channels from the cable box you need to set item 1 and item 5 the first time you set your vcr see page 44 The rest of the items can be set later as needed Here is what the options mean 1 CHANNEL Press 1 to select the type of receiving setup you have lt ANT gt Internal or external antenna lt CATV1 gt Ordinary cable CATV2 gt Alternate cable if CATV1 doesn t give you the channels you expect 2 HIFI LINEAR Press 2 to control how the audio signal is processed by the VCR Options are lt HIFI gt and lt LINEAR gt
62. tors Watch for these signs and symbols that let you know that the VCR is responding to your instructions L R Hi Fi Tape Playing SLOW Reverse Slow Motion Play Cassette Loaded SRCH Forward Search Recording SRCH Reverse Search VCR Mode EP Extended Play REW Rewind SP Standard Play FFWD Fast Forward Programmed to Record Later PLAY Playback L1 or L2 Signal Being Received Through PLAY Reverse Playback Audio Video Input Jacks on Front or Back of Unit STILL Stop Motion Play Frame Advance SLOW Slow Motion Play Meet Your On Screen Guide 16 Your Hitachi VCR has as a special feature called the Easy Guide System This feature guides you through simple setup and programming tasks right on the TV screen With the TV and VCR turned on press MENU on the remote control You will see this screen Now you will do most of your programming and setup by pressing numbers on the remote control which correspond to options presented in this and other on screen menus Instructions are easy to follow and blinking spaces on the screen will show you where your input is needed When you want to leave the Easy Guide System simply press MENU several times This will back you out to the normal TV viewing screen If you don t press any button for a while the VCR will switch you back to an earlier screen or to regular TV viewing Getting Started Initial Setup Setup for First Time Operation Before you use your VCR
63. u have any sort of cable box see the hookup options in Advanced Operations page 69 Simple Antenna Cable 75 Ohm Hookup This is an easy hookup that you can use if your cable or antenna has a 75 ohm round wire connector You will need the 75 ohm cable supplied with your VCR It looks like this If you have been watching the TV in your home before getting the VCR you will already have a round wire attached to your TV Otherwise look for a cable connection coming in through the wall from outside If you find this connection remember to call your local cable company to start the service 1 If still hooked up to your TV unscrew the round wire from the 75 ohm connector on your television Otherwise take the wire that comes in from the wall 2 Screw this round wire into the IN FROM ANT jack on the back of your VCR 3 Using the 75 ohm cable supplied with your VCR slide on either end to the OUT TO TV jack on the back of the VCR 4 Connect the other end of the same cable onto the 75 ohm antenna input on your TV where you first disconnected the TV in step 1 10 Capabilities With this hookup you should now be able to perform all the basic functions provided by this equipment External or Internal 300 Ohm Antenna If you have either an external or internal rabbit ears antenna rather than cable you may have 300 ohm connectors like these In this case you will need special adapters to make the 75 ohm round wire connection shown below
64. vicing Do not attempt to service this video product yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel 18 Conditions Requiring Service Unplug this video product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions a When the power supply cord or plug is damaged b If liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the video product c If the video product has been exposed to rain or water d If the video product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions Improper adjustment of other 7 controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the video product to its normal operation e If the video product has been dropped or the cabinet has been damaged f When the video product exhibits a distinct change in performance this indicates a need for service 19 Replacement Parts When replacement parts are required have the service technician verify that the replacements he uses have the same safety characteristics as the original parts Use of replacements specified by the video product manufacturer can prevent fire electric shock or other hazards 20 Safety Check Upon completion of any service or repairs to this video product ask the servic
65. you must have preset your channels Refer to the camcorder s instruction manual for its operation When the Remote Doesn t Work Right Check out these possibilities Low Battery If the remote is not working even at close range try putting in two fresh AA batteries When replacing the batteries remove the old batteries and press the POWER button on the remote and hold it for about 10 seconds then insert two fresh batteries Objects in the Way There may be objects between the remote and the VCR for instance a stack of books on the coffee table your 2 year old child the dog Hold the remote so that it points at the VCR with nothing in the way If You Just Want to Watch TV For normal TV viewing you do not need to disconnect the VCR When the TV and VCR are already on press POWER on the remote control The VCR will shut off but the TV will stay on 15 If you are recording on the VCR but want to watch a different channel on the TV press the VCR TV button to switch back and forth between the TV channel and the recording channel VCR Controls POWER Turns VCR power on and off STOP EJECT Cancels any videotape action and when pressed a second time ejects tape PLAY Plays the loaded videotape DISPLAY Shows time channel and status indicators CHANNEL Up and down arrows for selecting channels REC IRT To begin recording F FWD Fast forwards the videotape REW Rewinds the videotape Display Indica

Hitachi VT-FX616A VCR User Manual

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