Hitachi VT-M171A Owner'S Manual Download

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Care and Servicing (Problems)

Care

and

Servicing

(Problems)

OFTEN ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS

PROBLEM

THINGS TO CHECK

SOLUTION

No Power

Power cord plugged
in?

Connect the power
cord to AC outlet.

Delayed recording
does not work.

Program set to the
correct channel?

Reset the delayed
recording.

Program time and date
set correctly?

Reset the delayed
recording

VCR power turned off? Turn power off to

activate the timer.

Does not record when
you press REC and
PLAY at the same
time/

Safety tab removed
from the videocassette

Put cellophane tape
over the tab area, or
use a videocassette
with 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.

TV channel selector on
the proper channel.

Set TV to channel 3 or
4 as correct for your
area (Set TV or AUX
or VIDEO have a direct
video hookup.)

Is TV correctly tuned?

Fine tune the TV.

Static lines through the
picture?

Press 1 or 4 button to
adjust tracking.

“Noisy” picture despite
all previous
adjustments, even
when playing different
cassettes?

Have video heads
cleaned by a qualified
service technician.

No picture during
playback.

TV set to the correct
video viewing channel?

Set TV to channel 3 or
4.

TV cannot be operated

by the VCR’s remote.

Is VCR remote control
programmed for your
TV?

Follow instructions in
Advanced Operations
to program the remote
to send signals that
your TV can recognize.

(Not all TV brands are compatible.)

Summary of Contents for VT-M171A

Page 1: ...tuner Remote control for use with your VCR TV and cable converter All basic playback functions on the VCR On screen graphic programming guide Front Audio and Video Jacks HITACHI HOME HITACHI SALES HITACHI HSC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION CANADA INC AMERICA INC OF HAWAII INC 3300 Trans Canada Hwy 3890 Steve Reynolds Blvd 3219 Koapaka Street Pointe Claire Quebec Norcross GA 30093 Honolulu HI 96819 H9R1B1...

Page 2: ... Quick Tour of the Controls 19 Remote Control Buttons 20 When the Remote Doesn t Work Right 21 VCR Controls 21 Display Indicators 22 Meet Your On Screen Guide 22 Getting Started Initial Setup 24 Setup for First Time Operation 24 Initial Setup Options 24 Setting the Clock 25 More About Channel Selections 26 Getting Started Videotapes 28 About Videocassette Tapes 28 Types 28 Safety Tabs Prevent Eras...

Page 3: ...ng 47 Copying Tapes From A Camcorder 48 VCR Care and Servicing 49 Routine Cleaning 49 Periodic Maintenance 49 If the VCR Doesn t Work Right 49 Don t Attempt Repairs Yourself 49 Care and Servicing Problems 51 OFTEN ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS 51 PROBLEM 51 THINGS TO CHECK 51 SOLUTION 51 No Power 51 Power cord plugged in 51 Connect the power cord to AC outlet 51 Delayed recording does not work 51 Program s...

Page 4: ...deo hookup 51 Is TV correctly tuned 51 Fine tune the TV 51 Static lines through the picture 51 Press 1 or 4 button to adjust tracking 51 Noisy picture despite all previous adjustments even when playing different cassettes 51 Have video heads cleaned by a qualified service technician 51 No picture during playback 51 TV set to the correct video viewing channel 51 Set TV to channel 3 or 4 51 Hitachi ...

Page 5: ... 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 pr...

Page 6: ...and we want to help you make the most of 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 ...

Page 7: ...READ THIS FIRST 7 To play a tape 25 To record a program 30 Problem chart 46 Instructions in Spanish 49 ...

Page 8: ... Remote Control Buttons 15 When the Remote Doesn t Work Right 16 VCR Controls 17 Display Indicators 17 Meet Your On Screen Guide 18 Setup for First Time Operation 19 Initial Setup Options 19 Setting the Clock 21 More About Channel Selections 22 About Videocassette Tapes 23 Types 23 Safety Tabs Prevent Erasure 23 Loading and Ejecting 24 Tape Storage 24 Basic Operations 25 Viewing a Videocassette 25...

Page 9: ...to a Cable Box 38 A Step by Step Approach 38 Remote Control of the Cable Converter 41 Integrating a Second VCR 42 Hookup 42 To Control Both VCRs with the Remote Control 43 Copying from One VCR to Another Dubbing 43 Copying Tapes from a Camcorder 44 VCR Care and Servicing 45 Routine Cleaning 45 Periodic Maintenance 45 If the VCR Doesn t Work Right 45 Don t Attempt Repairs Yourself 45 Often Encounte...

Page 10: ...nd 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 t...

Page 11: ...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 ...

Page 12: ...nna 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...

Page 13: ... 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 ...

Page 14: ...re 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 Operations Any other devices you want to include in the system 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...

Page 15: ...up now Otherwise continue with Step 4 which will let you record off TV channels 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 you have any sort of cable box see the hookup options in Advanced Operations page 38 Simple Antenna Cable 75 Ohm Hookup This is an easy hookup that you can use if your cable or ...

Page 16: ... ohm connection Refer below 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 not provided with VCR to make the 75 ohm round wire ...

Page 17: ... 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 lower 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 upper jack on the back of the VCR 3 Use a...

Page 18: ...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 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 Y...

Page 19: ...e remote control but there are some controls on the VCR that will come in handy too When you re familiar with these basic controls proceed to Initial Setup page 19 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 th...

Page 20: ...r marking and searching for specific tape locations LAST CHANNEL TO CONTROL TV Switches to the channel you watched previously during the current viewing session CHANNEL Top button switches to the next higher channel bottom button switches to the next lower channel For these to operate you must have preset your channels REC Starts recording on the station the VCR is set to Press REC and PLAY at the...

Page 21: ...the remote works now you know that it s set to VCR2 To reset it to VCR1 refer to the on screen Initial Setup options 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 If you are recording on the VCR but want to watch a different channel on the TV...

Page 22: ...y Guide Menu 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 HELLO I AM HITACHI S EASY GUIDE SYSTEM SELECT LANGUAGE 1 ENGLISH 2 FRANCAIS 3 ESPAÑOL TO START PRESS GUIDE You may view all the on screen instructions in English French or Spanish When you first set up your V...

Page 23: ...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 Menu simply press GUIDE 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 a...

Page 24: ... press 1 to bring up the Initial Setup screen INITIAL SETUP 1 ANTENNA CABLE ANT 2 AUTO CHANNEL SETTING 3 ADD OR ERASE CHANNEL 4 VCR CODING VCR1 5 MOVIE RETURN ON TO END PRESS GUIDE At the screen are the default settings on your VCR The default settings are the ones that are preset at the factory They come up on the VCR every time the power goes out for more than 5 seconds for example during a stor...

Page 25: ...nels or limit the channels to the ones you most often watch 4 VCR CODING Press 4 to enable the remote control to control a second VCR Options are VCR1 and VCR2 5 MOVIE RETURN Press 5 to select whether you want prerecorded movies safety tab removed to play automatically when loaded and then rewind eject and turn off the power when the movie is over and no prerecorded signals exist Options are ON an...

Page 26: ...CATV 1 125 When you press 2 on the 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 the VCR s display when the channel numbers stop changing programming is complete Only when the power goes out for more than 5 seconds do you need to preset the channels again In some areas channels ...

Page 27: ... mind about a channel you removed from memory To Add or Erase Channels Press GUIDE twice then press 1 to bring up the Initial Setup screen Item 3 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 Caution After a Power Failure If a power failure lasting for more than 5 seconds occurs reset the clock an...

Page 28: ...acities at Different Speeds TYPES RECORDING TIME 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 You 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 t...

Page 29: ...removed To remove the cassette simply press the STOP EJECT button on the VCR If the tape is playing press STOP EJECT on the VCR 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 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...

Page 30: ...g the number buttons on the TV s remote control 3 Press PLAY to start the tape 4 Press STOP to end play If the safety tab has been removed the tape automatically begins to play when you insert it 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 t...

Page 31: ...ly rewinds and comes to the beginning of the tape or memory stop position If your videocassette has the safety tab removed and you set the MOVIE RETURN function to ON during initial setup the VCR will stop and automatically rewind the videocassette eject it and turn off the power when it reaches the end of the tape or a blank section of tape which lasts for more than 30 seconds This function works...

Page 32: ...al noise bands on the screen in EP mode But noise in SP mode can not be minimized by tracking 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 playback at a normal speed press PLAY To stop the tape press STOP 2 You may see intermittently appearance of blue back screen To Find Specific Sections on a Tape Visual S...

Page 33: ...tice the counter remains on the screen At the point that you want to go back to press CLEAR on the remote control This resets the counter to 0 00 00 Press STOP when you are done recording or playing back the tape Press DISPLAY again and M will display below the counter on the TV screen This indicates that the counter s memory function is engaged The counter also appears on the VCR s display Now wh...

Page 34: ...indexing system is based on the VHS Standard Indexing System VISS The new system may not recognize index marks on tapes recorded on older VCRs If the VCR is in PLAY mode press STOP Press INDEX on the remote control This brings up Set Go To Time Index screen Press REW or F FWD to begin the index search The tape rewinds or fast forwards until an index mark is detected When the VCR finds an index mar...

Page 35: ...est 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 press REC and PLAY on the remote control at the same time or REC IRT on the VCR Start recording at...

Page 36: ...REC and PLAY on the remote control at the same time to resume recording To Leave Index Marks on the Tape This feature is useful when you are recording several programs on the same tape It helps you quickly find the beginnings of the shows during playback page 29 You create the index mark every time you begin recording by pressing REC and PLAY at the same time or REC IRT To leave an index mark betw...

Page 37: ...imed recording setup will work Types of Delayed Recordings 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 yo...

Page 38: ...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 w...

Page 39: ...e screen settings for Program 1 Keep pressing 6 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 your VCR are set up to re...

Page 40: ...Basic Operations Recording 40 starting time To avoid recording only bits and pieces of different overlapping shows review your programming and delete those shows that are not essential ...

Page 41: ...t 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 T...

Page 42: ... 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 VCR1 to operate your VCR with the remote again Be aware that not all of your TV s functions may wo...

Page 43: ...estions as a guide Does the TV receive the same number of channels as before the installation Does the VCR record all channels Do the VCR and TV remote control functions work Can I record on one pay channel while watching another Do I receive my pay channels and do all special cable features work If any function does not work or works in an unexpected way hook up everything the way it was when you...

Page 44: ...er jack 3 Connect the other end of the 75 ohm cable to the TV in the same place where you removed the cable line Note You will end up with an extra cable that originally went from the cable box to the TV Check all the TV and VCR functions If you don t get all the functions you want proceed with Option 3 Option 3 Some Channels Scrambled This hookup requires three coaxial jumpers with connectors a 1...

Page 45: ... Option 4 Option 4 If none of the preceding hookups work check with your cable company You may need to purchase a video switching system from your local electronics or video retailer This will easily handle most hookup problems Remote Control of the Cable Converter If you have a cable converter you will probably want to program your VCR s remote control so you can easily change channels The proces...

Page 46: ...Hookups 46 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 VCR1 to operate your VCR with the remote again ...

Page 47: ...u ve hooked up is also a Hitachi you can set your remote to operate both VCRs Press GUIDE twice then press 1 to bring up the Initial Setup screen The default setting on the Initial Setup Screen is VCR1 for when you have only one VCR running Press 4 to set VCR CODE to VCR2 Press the VCR2 button on the remote before pressing GUIDE twice to exit the on screen program With this setting the remote cont...

Page 48: ... it Connect the camcorder s AV output cable to your VCR See diagram below Copying Tapes From A Camcorder Hookup Illustration Press the AVX button on the VCRs remote control so that the L Line indicator appears in the VCR display L2 Front A V IN L1 Rear A V IN Press REC IRT on the VCR to start recording Press PLAY on your camcorder to start copying your tape ...

Page 49: ...ce 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 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 the facing page covers the more ...

Page 50: ...nd 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 safe refer service problems to qualified service personnel ...

Page 51: ... connections between VCR and TV Review hookup directions and make correct firm connections Poor picture quality noise during playback TV channel selector on the proper channel Set TV to channel 3 or 4 as correct for your area Set TV or AUX or VIDEO have a direct video hookup Is TV correctly tuned Fine tune the TV Static lines through the picture Press 1 or 4 button to adjust tracking Noisy picture...

Page 52: ...king Eject the cassette if you are done viewing Otherwise no action is necessary Hitachi Service Hotline Authorized Hitachi service facilities are available throughout the US and Canada For the location nearest you call the Hitachi Service Hotline at one of these numbers In the continental U S A DIAL TOLL FREE 7 days a week 24 hours a day 800 HITACHI 1 800 448 2244 You must state your zip code whe...

Page 53: ...p 75ohm unbalanced Video Output 1 Vp p 75ohm unbalanced Audio Input 316mV rms 7 8dB 50 kohm Audio Output 316mV rms 7 8dB 1 5 kohm Video Recording S N Better than 45dB SP better than 40dB EP Horizontal Resolution 240 lines SP 220 lines LP playback only 230 lines EP Audio Response 50Hz 10kHZ SP 100Hz 6kHZ EP Audio S N Better than 43dB SP better than 40dB EP Power Input AC120V 60Hz Power Consumption ...

Page 54: ... to change without notice 1 This sentence appears only in the VT M171A 2 This sentence appears only in the VT M171A 3 This sentence appears only in the VT M171A 4 The number of video heads is the difference between the two models ...

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Hitachi VT-M171A, Owner'S Manual

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