VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER HR-J643U (Hi-Fi) HR-J443U (Monaural) TV, CABLE / DBS operation – Press and hold TV CABLE/DBS button, then press POWER, CH 5/∞, TV/VCR, 0 – 9 , ENTER POWER TV CABLE/DBS A/B TV/VCR 1 2 3 MBR SET 4 5 6 DISPLAY 7 TIMER 8 DAILY 9 WEEKLY ENTER 0 AUX SP/EP OSD CANCEL C.MEMORY C.RESET/CH.
EN Dear Customer, Thank you for purchasing the JVC VHS video cassette recorder. Before use, please read the safety information and precautions contained in the following pages to ensure safe use of your new VCR. CAUTIONS CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN 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.
EN IMPORTANT PRODUCT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Electrical energy can perform many useful functions. But improper use can result in potential electrical shock or fire hazards. This product has been engineered and manufactured to assure your personal safety. In order not to defeat the built-in safeguards, observe the following basic rules for its installation, use and servicing. ATTENTION: 3 5. Ventilation Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for ventilation.
EN USE SERVICING 1. Accessories 1. Servicing To avoid personal injury: • Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table. It may fall, causing serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. • Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended by the manufacturer or sold with the product. • Use a mounting accessory recommended by the manufacturer and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any mounting of the product.
CONTENTS I NSTALLING YOUR NEW VCR EN 6 Basic Connections ..................................6 I NITIAL SETTINGS 7 Plug & Play .................................................. 7 Language ..................................................... 8 Clock ............................................................ 9 Preparation ................................................................9 Semi-Auto ................................................................10 Manual ..............................
EN INSTALLING YOUR NEW VCR Basic Connections ANT. IN (Antenna or Cable input) Antenna or Cable 1 2 Coaxial Cable 3 Flat Feeder Matching Transformer (Not supplied) AC Power Cord Back of VCR AC Outlet Audio Cable (not supplied) RF OUT Video Cable (not supplied) RF Cable (supplied) 75 ohm terminal Back of VCR TV VIDEO CH3 CH4 4 NOTES: ● The VCR channel is the channel on the TV which will display the audio and video signals from the VCR.
INITIAL SETTINGS EN Plug & Play Auto Clock Set/Auto Tuner Set The Plug & Play function sets the clock and tuner channels automatically when power is first connected to the VCR. The antenna cable must be connected for the Plug & Play function. The time and date can be set automatically from clock setting data that is transmitted by one of the regular TV broadcast channels. We call this TV channel the “Host Channel” and it is a PBS channel in your area.
EN INITIAL SETTINGS (cont.) This VCR offers you the choice to view on-screen messages in English, Spanish or French (not including messages superimposed on the TV picture). Select the desired language using this procedure. The default setting is "ENGLISH". Language POWER Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode). 2 5/8 OK MENU CH 5 ∞ q 2 POWER 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 1 2 6 3 4 9 0 CH5∞ 1 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU OK ¡ 8 ¢ SHUTTLE PLUS %fi 5 TURN ON THE VCR Press POWER.
EN 9 Perform clock setting only if the clock has not been set correctly by the Plug & Play function. Access the Override Auto Clock Set screen to choose the Auto, Semi-Auto or Manual clock setting procedure. Each procedure starts from step 5. *Auto need only be selected if Semi-Auto or Manual had previously been selected. Clock Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode). Preparation POWER 1 2 5/8 6 2 OK MENU CH q 2 3 TURN ON THE VCR Press POWER.
EN INITIAL SETTINGS (cont.) Semi-Auto 5 2 5/8 6 OK MENU CH q 2 6 SELECT MODE At the Override Auto Clock Set screen, move the highlight bar (arrow) to “SEMI-AUTO CLOCK SET” by pressing CH▲▼ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
EN 8 SELECT TIME ZONE You can select the zone TIME ZONE SELECT automatically or manually =AUTO by pressing CH▲▼ or MANUAL SHUTTLE PLUS % fi. If an incorrect time is displayed you may be receiving the clock setting data of a PBS PRESS (5,∞) TO SELECT channel from an adjacent PRESS (MENU) TO END time zone or from an incorrect PBS channel from a cable TV system. If you selected "AUTO" in step 7 select "MANUAL" and select the correct time zone manually.
EN INITIAL SETTINGS (cont.) Set Receivable Channels Tuner Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode). 1 POWER 2 2 5/8 6 3 POWER 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 4 ACCESS MAIN MENU SCREEN Press MENU. ACCESS TUNER SET SCREEN Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "TUNER SET" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK. CH 1 3 ¶ 7 4 Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "AUTO CHANNEL SET" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
EN 13 INFORMATION The VCR detects the band (TV or CATV) and selects the correct band automatically during Auto Channel Set. If necessary, you can check the setting at the Band screen. 2 2 ● At the Tuner Set screen, move the highlight bar (arrow) to "BAND" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS % fi, then press OK.
EN INITIAL SETTINGS (cont.) Add Or Delete A Channel 2 5/8 2 3 OK MENU 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 1 6 CH q 2 9 AD 0 D CH 1 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU OK ¡ 4 8 ¢ SHUTTLE PLUS Access by performing steps 2 and 3 of the Tuner procedure on page 12. ● To add a channel, go to step 2. ● To delete a channel, skip to step 4. ACCESS AFC SCREEN Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "AFC" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
SIMPLE PLAYBACK AND RECORDING Simple Playback 1 FF AY PL 5/8 6 STOP/EJECT RE W q 2 15 LOAD A CASSETTE Make sure the window side is up, the rear label side is facing you and the arrow on the front of the cassette is pointing towards the VCR. Don’t apply too much pressure when inserting. ● The VCR’s power comes on automatically. ● The counter is automatically reset to "0H 00M 00S". ● If the cassette's record safety tab has been removed, playback begins automatically.
EN SIMPLE PLAYBACK AND RECORDING (cont.) Simple Recording 1 2 PLAY Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode). RE C 2 5/8 6 ST O P/ PAUSE EJ CH EC T q 2 CR /V TV 1 2 3 4 5 6 EN 8 5 0 SP/EP AY PL CH 3 ¶ 7 ¡ 8 4 SELECT RECORDING CHANNEL Press CH5∞. Or press the appropriate NUMBER keys, then press ENTER. (The channel changes after a few seconds whether you press ENTER or not.
PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES 17 Still Picture/Frame-ByFrame Playback Playback Features FF 1 PL AY 5/8 REW q 2 6 PAUSE 2 CH EN 2 PAUSE DURING PLAYBACK Press PAUSE. If there is vertical jitter, use the CH 5 or ∞ button to correct the picture. ACTIVATE FRAME-BYFRAME PLAYBACK Press PAUSE repeatedly to advance one frame at a time. OR Press SHUTTLE PLUS ™ or £ repeatedly to advance one frame at a time.
EN PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES (cont.) FF REW Manual Tracking 2 CH q Once playback begins, the VCR’s automatic tracking function is engaged. If noise appears in the picture, you can override this and make the adjustment manually. 2 5/8 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 3 9 0 CH REW 1 3 ¶ 7 4 ¡ 8 FF ENGAGE MANUAL TRACKING MODE During playback, press the CH5 and ∞ buttons on the VCR's front panel simultaneously to cancel the automatic tracking mode and enable manual tracking adjust.
EN 19 Video Stabilizer You can correct vertical vibration when playing back unstable EP recordings that were made on another VCR. When this function is set to "ON", vertical vibration will be automatically corrected. *The default setting is "OFF". 2 OK MENU CH q 2 5/8 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 0 CH 1 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU OK 3 ACCESS MAIN MENU SCREEN Press MENU.
EN PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES (cont.) Superimpose This function, switchable between ON and OFF, determines whether or not operational indicators will appear on screen. 2 5/8 1 6 OK MENU CH q 2 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 O 8 SD 7 3 9 0 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU Press MENU. ACCESS FUNCTION SET SCREEN Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "FUNCTION SET" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
EN 21 Select The Soundtrack (HR-J643U Only) Your VCR can record two soundtracks simultaneously (Normal and Hi-Fi) and play back the selected one, or both together. 2 OK MENU CH q 2 5/8 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 3 9 CH 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU ¡ 8 ¢ SHUTTLE PLUS Press MENU during playback or when VCR is in stop mode. ACCESS FUNCTION SET SCREEN Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "FUNCTION SET" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
EN PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES (cont.) FF Index Search Index codes are placed on the tape at the start of each recording. You can find and automatically play back from the start of any recording using the Index Search function. PL AY 2 2 REW q 5/8 6 1 2 START SEARCH While the tape is stopped, press SHUTTLE PLUS ™ or £.
EN 23 FF POWER Repeat Playback PL AY 2 2 REW 1 START REPEAT Press and hold PLAY (until "PLAY" blinks on the front display panel) during playback, then release. SP VCR PLAY H q 5/8 M S 6 ST PAUSE O P ● The entire tape is played back 20 times. POWER 2 3 4 5 6 O 9 M DISPLAY EM 8 7 To stop, press STOP at any time. NOTE: Pressing PLAY, REW, FF, PAUSE or SHUTTLE PLUS ™ or £ also stops Repeat Playback. Counter Reset 1 RY 1 2 STOP REPEAT C. 0 Press C.RESET.
EN PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES (cont.) Active Video Calibration checks the condition of the tape during recording and playback, and compensates for poor reproduction to provide the best quality recording and playback pictures. *The default setting for both recording and playback is "ON". Active Video Calibration Preparation 1 POWER Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode).
EN 25 PLAY Recording Perform steps 1 – 3 on page 16 ("Simple Recording") before continuing. 2 5/8 REC q 8 7 6 PAUSE 2 9 PLAY 0 1 3 ¶ 7 ¡ 8 PAUSE ¢ Playback The VCR assesses the quality of the tape once you start playback. Before beginning, perform steps 1 and 2 on page 15 ("Simple Playback") before continuing. 1 START PLAYBACK Press PLAY. ● The VCR adjusts the playback picture quality based on the quality of the tape in use.
EN PLAYBACK AND RECORDING FEATURES (cont.) Recording Features TV/VCR 1 2 3 4 5 6 O 8 SD 7 Record One Program While Watching Another 1 2 9 ENGAGE TV MODE During recording... ● Press TV/VCR. The VCR's VCR indicator goes out. (If you are using the RF connection (Z pg. 6) to view the output from your VCR, the TV broadcast being recorded disappears.) ● If you are using the AV connection ( Z pg. 6), to view the output from your VCR, change the TV's input mode from AV to TV.
EN 27 Stereo And SAP (Second Audio Program) (HR-J643U Only) 2 5/8 6 OK MENU CH q 2 Your VCR’s built-in MTS decoder enables reception of Multichannel TV Sound broadcasts. ● The ST indicator on the front display panel lights during stereo broadcast reception, and SAP lights during SAP program reception. ● Both indicators light when a stereo program is accompanied by SAP audio. To Record Stereo Programs . . . . . . simply follow the basic recording procedure.
EN TIMER RECORDING You can directly program the VCR’s timer to record up to 8 shows, as far as a year in advance. Remember, the clock must be set before you can program the timer (Z pg. 7 or 9). On-Screen Timer 1 Programming Turn on the TV and select the VCR channel 3 or 4 (or AV mode). 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 8 9 NUMBER "9" "8 " BE R N U M CH 1 3 ¶ 7 4 3 4 NUMBER 0 OK 5/8 OK MENU 1 7 MENU 2 CH q 2 ¡ 8 ¢ SHUTTLE PLUS 5 LOAD A CASSETTE Make sure the record safety tab is intact.
EN 5/8 6 7 Press MENU as many times as necessary. OK MENU 6 To change any of the settings, press OK or SHUTTLE PLUS until the item you want to change begins blinking. Then set as in step 5. 2 CH q MAKE CORRECTIONS 8 % fi 2 29 RETURN TO NORMAL SCREEN ● Press just once to access the Auto Timer screen (Z pg. 31). ENGAGE TIMER MODE Press TIMER. The VCR turns off automatically.
EN TIMER RECORDING (cont.) POWER Check And Cancel Programs 2 5/8 OK MENU CH q 2 1 6 2 3 POWER 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 4 9 0 DISENGAGE TIMER Press TIMER, then press POWER. ACCESS MAIN MENU SCREEN Press MENU. ACCESS PROGRAM SET SCREEN Press CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi to move the highlight bar (arrow) to "PROGRAM SET", then press OK. CHECK PROGRAM INFORMATION Press CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi to check the programs in succession. TIMER CH CANCEL 1 3 ¶ 7 4 MENU To Cancel A Program . .
EN 31 Auto Timer When the Auto Timer is set to ON the timer is automatically engaged when the VCR's power is turned off and automatically disengaged when the VCR is powered back on. 2 5/8 6 1 OK MENU CH q 2 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 3 ACCESS MAIN MENU SCREEN Press MENU. ACCESS FUNCTION SET SCREEN Move the highlight bar (arrow) to "FUNCTION SET" by pressing CH5∞ or SHUTTLE PLUS %fi, then press OK.
EN TIMER RECORDING (cont.) Instant Timer Recording (ITR) 2 2 q 5/8 This easy method lets you record for from 30 minutes to 6 hours (selectable in 30-min. increments), and shuts the VCR off after recording is finished. 1 2 3 START RECORDING Press REC on the front panel. ENGAGE ITR MODE Press REC again. REC blinks and 0:30 appears on the front display panel. SET RECORDING DURATION If you want to record for more than 30 minutes, press REC to extend the time.
EDITING EN You can use your VCR as the player and another VCR as the recorder. Edit To Another VCR Player 1 2 VIDEO OUT Audio/Video Cable (not supplied) Recorder AUDIO IN 3 4 Another VCR 5 PLAY VIDEO IN 2 q MAKE CONNECTIONS Connect an AV cable between your VCR's VIDEO OUT and AUDIO OUT connectors and another VCR’s VIDEO IN and AUDIO IN connectors. For HR-J643U owners...
EN EDITING (cont.) You can use a camcorder or another VCR as the player and your VCR as the recorder. Edit From A Camcorder Or 1 Another VCR Recorder Your VCR 2 q 2 5/8 6 2 AUDIO IN VIDEO IN Player AV cable (not supplied) VIDEO OUT Camcorder 3 4 or Player 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 M BE R "0 " 0 3 ¡ N U 1 ¶ 7 8 Connect an AV cable between the camcorder’s or the playback VCR's VIDEO OUT and AUDIO OUT connectors and your VCR’s VIDEO IN and AUDIO IN connectors.
SPECIAL FEATURES EN 35 TV Multi-Brand Remote Control The VCR's remote control can control several functions on JVC remote control TVs and on the brands of remote control TVs listed below. *The default setting is JVC code 01. POWER TV TV/VCR MBR SET 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 NUMBER 9 0 ENTER CH TV VOL +/– 1 3 ¶ 7 1 2 Turn the power on using the TV's remote control. SET TV BRAND CODE Refer to the chart below.
EN SPECIAL FEATURES (cont.) POWER CABLE/DBS MBR SET 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 NUMBER 9 Cable Box Multi-Brand Remote Control The VCR's remote control can control functions on the brands of cable boxes listed below. Some cable box brands have more than one code. If your cable box does not function with a specified code, try other codes. 0 EN TE R CH 1 3 ¶ 7 STOP 4 ¡ 8 ¢ 1 2 DBS Receiver Multi-Brand Remote Control 1 2 Turn the power on using the DBS receiver's remote control.
EN 37 A/B Control Two JVC VCRs POWER NUMBER "1" 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 M U N 8 7 BE R "2 0 " TIMER 1 3 ¶ 7 8 ¢ ST O P 4 ¡ Child Lock This feature allows you to prevent the operation of the VCR. 1 2 TURN VCR POWER ON Press POWER. ENGAGE CHILD LOCK Press and hold POWER on the remote control until the Child Lock indicator ("—") appears on the front display panel. ● Power turns OFF and the VCR cannot be turned on from the POWER button on the front panel.
EN TROUBLESHOOTING Before requesting service for a problem, use this chart and see if you can repair the trouble yourself. Small problems are often easily corrected, and this can save you the trouble of sending your VCR off for repair. POWER SYMPTOM POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. The power won’t come on. ● The power cord is disconnected. Connect the power cord. 2. The clock works, but the VCR’s power won’t come on. ● The TIMER mode is engaged with Auto Timer set to "OFF" ( Z pg. 31).
EN 39 TIMER RECORDING SYMPTOM 1. Timer recording won’t work. POSSIBLE CAUSE ● The clock and/or the timer have been set incorrectly. ● The timer is not engaged. ● The VCR has not been set up properly. CORRECTIVE ACTION Set the clock and/or timer correctly. Press TIMER and check to make sure that TIMER appears on the front display panel. Re-perform the set-up procedures. 2. On-screen timer programming won’t work. ● Timer recording is in progress.
EN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS PLAYBACK RECORDING Q. What happens if the end of the tape is reached during playback or search? A. The tape is automatically rewound to the beginning. Q. When I pause and then resume a recording, the end of the recording before the pause is overlapped by the new recording. Why does this happen? A. This is normal. It reduces distortion at the pause and resume points. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Q.
INDEX EN 41 List Of Terms This guide serves as a quick way to locate frequently used terms and on-screen display names. A O A/B Code ....................................................................37 Active Video Calibration ............................................. 24 Add Channel ...............................................................14 AFC .............................................................................14 Audio Monitor ....................................................
EN INDEX (cont.) FRONT VIEW 1 3 4 5 2 REW POWER PLAY 2 VIDEO (MONO) L – AUDIO – R SP AM MENU 6 VCR TIMER PM 7 1 Power On/Off Button (Z pg. 8) 2 Cassette Loading Slot 3 Rewind [REW] Button (Z pg. 15) 4 PLAY Button (Z pg. 15) 5 Fast-Forward [FF] Button (Z pg. 15) 6 VIDEO/AUDIO Input Connectors (Z pg. 34) * The HR-J443U has only one AUDIO input connector. 7 MENU Button (Z pg.
EN REAR VIEW 1 2 3 OUT ANT. IN R AUDIO L RF OUT VIDEO CH3 CH4 4 1 Power Cord ( Z pg. 6) 2 VIDEO/AUDIO Output Connectors (Z pg. 33) * The HR-J443U has only one AUDIO output connector. 5 3 ANT. IN Connector (Z pg. 6) 4 Channel 3/4 Switch (Z pg. 6) 5 RF OUT Connector (Z pg. 6) FRONT DISPLAY PANEL 1 2 3 4 6 5 SP AM VCR TIMER 9 0 PM 7 8 ST SAP H M ! 1 VCR Mode Indicator (Z pg. 26) 2 Tape Speed Indicators (Z pg. 16) 3 AM/PM Indicators (Z pg. 7) 4 Clock Display ( Z pg.
EN INDEX (cont.) REMOTE CONTROL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 ! @ # $ % ^ TV, CABLE / DBS operation – Press and hold TV CABLE/DBS button, then press POWER, CH 5/∞, TV/VCR, 0 – 9, ENTER TV CABLE/DBS A/B POWER TV/VCR 1 2 3 MBR SET 4 5 6 DISPLAY 7 TIMER ENTER 8 DAILY 9 WEEKLY 0 AUX SP/EP OSD CANCEL C.MEMORY C.RESET/CH.
SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Power requirement Power consumption Temperature Operating Storage Operating position Dimensions (W x H x D) : AC 120 V` , 60 Hz : 21 W (HR-J643U) : 19 W (HR-J443U) Recording/ Playback system : NTSC-type color signal and EIA monochrome signal, 525 lines/60 fields : DA-4 (Double Azimuth) head helical scan system : 45 dB : 240 lines Signal-to-noise ratio Horizontal resolution Frequency range Normal audio : 70 Hz to 10,000 Hz Hi-Fi audio (HR-J643U Only) : 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz Input/Outp
EN FOR SERVICING (Only in U.S.A.) HOW TO LOCATE YOUR JVC SERVICE CENTER TOLL FREE: 1-800-252-5722 Dear customer: In order to receive the most satisfaction from your purchase, read the instruction booklet before operating the unit. In the event that repair is necessary, or for the address nearest your location, please refer to the factory service center list below or within the Continental United States, call 1-800-252-5722 for your authorized servicer.
WARRANTY (Only in U.S.A.) EN LIMITED WARRANTY 47 CONSUMER VIDEO 1-90 JVC COMPANY OF AMERICA warrants this product and all parts thereof, except as set forth below ONLY TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER AT RETAIL to be FREE FROM DEFECTIVE MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP from the date of original retail purchase for the period as shown below.
HR-J643U/443U JVC COMPANY OF AMERICA DIVISION OF US JVC CORP. 41 Slater Drive, Elmwood Park, N.J. 07407 JVC CANADA INC. 21 Finchdene Square, Scarborough Ontario M1X 1A7 COPYRIGHT © 1997 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LTD.