FOR YOUR SAFETY -1- Video Deck VT-FX610A 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 On-screen programming guide Multi-channel TV sound (MTS) HITACHI HOME ELECTRONICS (AMERICA), INC. 3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd., Norcross, GA 30093 Tel.
FOR YOUR SAFETY -2TABLE OF CONTENTS = "Must Read" Sections for First Time Operation FOR YOUR SAFETY .............................................................................................................................3 IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS...............................................................................................................4 Read This First......................................................................................................................................
FOR YOUR SAFETY -3- Basic Recording Steps ....................................................................................................................23 Recording Tips..................................................................................................................................24 Using the Instant Recording Timer (IRT)......................................................................................24 Setting the VCR to Record Later ..........................................
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS -4- This symbol warns the user that uninsulated voltage within the unit may have sufficient magnitude to cause electric 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.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS -5- 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.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS -6- 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.
Read This First -7- 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.
Getting Started -8- 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.
Getting Started -9- 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 47).
Getting Started - 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. (You may already have one on your TV.) 1.
Getting Started - 11 - 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 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.
Getting Started (Controls) - 12 - 7 Switch the RF or Video Channel When the VCR is on, its video signal can come into your TV on either channel 3 or channel 4. You need to select the appropriate channel. If you already have a tape in the VCR, eject it. When the power is turned on, press POWER to turn it off. Press PLAY/STILL on the VCR to turn the power on again. Pressing the CHANNEL UP button on the VCR alternates between RFCH-03 (channel 3) and RFCH-04 (channel 4) in the VCR's display.
Getting Started (Controls) - 13 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. Remote Control Buttons Remote Control Illustration POWER Turns the VCR on and off.
Getting Started (Controls) - 14 - F.FWD Fast forwards the videotape. STOP Stops a videocassette from playing, recording, pausing, rewinding--or anything it is doing. PAUSE Temporarily stops the cassette from recording or playing. Press PAUSE again (or PLAY) to resume. 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.
Getting Started (Initial Setup) - 15 - Meet Your On-Screen Guide 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 GUIDE on the remote control. You will see this screen: You may view all the on-screen instructions in English, French, or Spanish. When you first set up your VCR, it will be set to English. Press number 8 or 9 for the other language options.
Getting Started (Initial Setup) - 16 - Setup for First-Time Operation Before you use your VCR 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.
Getting Started (Initial Setup) - 17 - 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.
Getting Started (Video Tapes) - 18 - 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).
Basic Operations (Playback) - 19 - 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.
Basic Operations (Playback) - 20 - 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. 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. 3. Press PLAY to start the tape. 4. Press STOP to end play.
Basic Operations (Playback) - 21 - minor noise or interference on the screen. This is normal. After 1 minute in PAUSE mode, the VCR automatically switches to STOP mode to protect the tape. If noise bars appear on the TV screen during PAUSE mode, first set the VCR to SLOW mode by using the SHUTTLE dial and then press the CHANNEL up or down button to minimize the noise bars. If the screen jitters during PAUSE, press the CHANNEL up or down button to minimize it. To resume play, press PLAY or PAUSE again.
Basic Operations (Playback) - 22 - Displaying the Tape Remaining Time This function displays the tape remaining time in hours and minutes. 1. Press DISPLAY to display the tape remaining time. Immediately after the tape is inserted, "- : - -" will appear. 2 minutes after playback or recording is started, the tape remaining time is displayed. 2. Press CLEAR repeatedly to switch the type of the tape used. The correct remaining time will appear.
Basic Operations (Recording) - 23 - If the VCR is in PLAY mode, press STOP. Press DISPLAY. This brings up the Index Screen. Press 7 for rewind or 9 for forward to begin the index search. The tape rewinds or fast-forwards until an index mark is detected. During this search, the word INDEX is displayed at the top left corner of your screen. When the VCR finds an index mark, it plays 15 seconds of the program that begins at that spot.
Basic Operations (Recording) - 24 - 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.
Basic Operations (Recording) - 25 - 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.
Advanced Operations - 26 - 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 shows 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.
Advanced Operations - 27 - 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 incapable of operating it. Once you have programmed the remote, you won't have to do it again until you change the batteries. 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.
Advanced Operations (Cable Box Hookups) - 28 - 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.
Advanced Operations (Cable Box Hookups) - 29 - Check all the TV and VCR functions. If you don't get all the functions you want, proceed with Option 2. Option 2--All Channels Unscrambled 1. Remove the cable company's line from the back of the cable box that goes to your TV. Connect it to the IN FROM ANT lower jack on the back of the VCR. 2. Using the 75 ohm coaxial cable supplied with the VCR, connect either end to the VCR's OUT TO TV upper jack. 3.
Advanced Operations (Stereo System) Cable Converters Jerrold 1 - 30 - Press CATV and This Number 1 Jerrold 2 2 Jerrold 3 3 Hamlin 4 Zenith 5 Scientific Atlanta 6 Pioneer 7 Philips 8 To operate the cable box once the remote is programmed for it: Press CATV and then the button of the function you want. Press VCR to operate your VCR with the remote again.
Advanced Operations (Second VCR) - 31 - 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.
VCR Care and Servicing - 32 - Connect the camcorder's AV output cable to your VCR. (see diagram below) Camcorder to VCR Hookup Illustration * It is not necessary to connect the S-VIDEO jack. Press the AVX button on the VCR's remote control so that the L2 (Line) indicator appears in the VCR display. Press REC/IRT on the VCR to start recording. Press PLAY on your camcorder to start copying your tape.
Care and Servicing (Problems) - 33 - If the VCR Doesn't Work Right 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 54 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.
Care and Servicing (Problems) - 34 delayed recording. Does not record when you press REC. Safety tab removed from the videocassette? Put cellophane tape over the tab area, or use a videocassette with the safety tab intact. TV program cannot be viewed or recorded. Loose or inappropriate connections between VCR and TV? Review hookup directions and make correct, firm connections. Poor picture quality ("noise") during playback.
Care and Servicing (Problems) QUEBEC 418-681-7719 MONTREAL 514-679-9150 TORONTO 416-821-4545 VANCOUVER 604-526-7881 - 35 -
