3-081-017-11 (2) US Video Cassette Recorder Operating Instructions For customers in the USA Many solutions to common problems and service information can be found at www.sony.com/vcrhelp or contact Sony VCR service at 1 (800) VHSSONY. To register your purchase of this product, visit: www.sony.com/productregistration For all other Sony product questions, please call Sony Customer Information Services Company at 1-800-222-SONY (7669).
WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
Important Safeguards For your protection, please read these safety instructions completely before operating the appliance, and keep this manual for future reference. Carefully observe all warnings, precautions and instructions on the appliance, or the one described in the operating instructions and adhere to them. Use Power sources This set should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the marking label.
• Never place the set in a confined space, such as a bookcase, or built-in cabinet, unless proper ventilation is provided. • Do not place the set near or over a radiator or heat register, or where it is exposed to direct sunlight. Service Damage Requiring Service Unplug the set from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the following conditions: • When the power cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
Table of contents 6 7 10 17 18 23 27 Getting Started Getting Started Step 1 : Unpacking Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander Step 3 : Hookups Step 4 : Selecting a language Step 5 : Setting the clock Step 6 : Presetting channels Step 7 : Setting up the VCR Plus+® system (SLV-N700 only) Basic Operations 30 Playing a tape 33 Recording TV programs 36 Recording TV programs using the VCR Plus+® system (SLV-N700 only) 39 Setting the timer manually 42 Locking the VCR (Child Lock) Additional Operations 43 Pl
Getting Started Step 1 : Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Size AA (R6) batteries • 75-ohm coaxial cable with F-type connectors Check your model name The instructions in this manual are for the 2 models: SLV-N700 and SLV-N500. Check your model name by looking at the rear panel of your VCR. SLV-N700 is the model used for illustration purposes. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example, “SLV-N700 only.
Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander Inserting the batteries Getting Started Insert two size AA (R6) batteries by matching the + and – on the batteries to the diagram inside the battery compartment. Insert the negative (–) end first, then push in and down until the positive (+) end clicks into position. Using the remote commander You can use this remote commander to operate this VCR and a Sony TV. Buttons on the remote commander marked with a dot (•) can be used to operate your Sony TV.
Controlling other TVs with the remote commander The remote commander is preprogramed to control non-Sony TVs. If your TV is listed in the following table, set the appropriate manufacturer’s code number. 1 Set •TV / VIDEO at the top of the remote commander to •TV. down ?/1, and enter your TV’s code number using the number buttons. 2 Hold Then release ?/1. Now you can use the ?/1, VOL +/–, CH +/–, and TV/VIDEO buttons to control your TV.
Setting up the remote commander Getting Started Notes • If you enter a new code number, the code number previously entered will be erased. • If the TV uses a different remote control system from the one programed to work with the VCR, you cannot control your TV with the remote commander. • When you replace the batteries of the remote commander, the code number may change. Set the appropriate code number every time you replace the batteries.
Step 3 : Hookups Selecting the best hookup option There are many ways in which your VCR can be hooked up. To hook up your VCR so that it works best for you, first scan through the table below. Then use the accompanying diagrams and procedures on the following pages to set up your VCR. If your TV has audio/video inputs, refer to page 11 for audio/video (A/V) hookup. Then follow one of the hookups below. If your TV does not have A/V inputs, perform directly one of the hookups below.
Audio/video (A/V) hookup If you are not planning to use your VCR to record programs, you finished setting up the VCR after you have made the connections shown on this page. If you want to record regular or cable TV programs, complete these connections first, and then go to the following pages for antenna or cable hookups. Getting Started If your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, you will get a better picture and sound if you hook up your VCR using these connections.
Hookup 1 (Plug and Play) Antenna hookup Make the following connections if you are using an antenna (if you do not have cable TV). A Use this hookup if you are using: • VHF/UHF antenna (you get channels 2–13 and channels 14 and higher) • UHF-only antenna (you get channels 14 and higher) • Separate VHF and UHF antennas Rear of TV VHF/UHF or VCR A Match the type of connector on your TV: A, B, or C.
Hookup 1 : VCR setup Plug the VCR into the AC outlet. The VCR automatically presets the VCR’s clock and TV channels when the VCR is plugged into the AC outlet. Getting Started AC power cord to AC outlet The VCR starts presetting the clock and channels. When Auto preset is completed, the current time appears in the display window. You have now completed VCR setup. To change the on-screen display language to French or Spanish, see “Step 4 : Selecting a language” on page 17.
Hookup 2 (Plug and Play) You have no cable box, or a cable box with only a few scrambled channels Recommended use Use this hookup if you do not have a cable box. Also use this hookup if your cable system scrambles only a few channels. What you can do with this hookup • Record any unscrambled channel by selecting the channel on the VCR What you cannot do • Record scrambled channels that require a cable box VCR Rear of TV VHF/UHF Wall IN OUT or A Match the type of connector on your TV: A, B, or C.
Hookup 2 : VCR setup Plug the VCR into the AC outlet. The VCR automatically presets the VCR’s clock and TV channels when the VCR is plugged into the AC outlet. Getting Started AC power cord to AC outlet The VCR starts presetting the clock and channels. When Auto preset is completed, the current time appears in the display window. You have now completed VCR setup. To change the on-screen display language to French or Spanish, see “Step 4 : Selecting a language” on page 17.
Hookup 3 Connecting a cable box with many scrambled channels Recommended use Use this hookup if your cable system scrambles all or most channels. What you can do with this hookup • Record any channel by selecting the channel on the cable box What you cannot do • Record with the cable box turned off • Record one channel while watching another channel Cable box Wall Rear of TV VHF/UHF IN A OUT or Match the type of connector on your TV: A, B, or C.
Step 4 : Selecting a language Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the “VCR Output CH” to “3CH” or “4CH” in ADVANCED OPTIONS menu (page 52). If both are used, set the “VCR Output CH” to either channel. If your TV is connected to the VCR using A/V connections, set the TV to video input. • Press TV/VIDEO to display the VCR indicator in the VCR’s display window. 1 MENU Getting Started You can change the on-screen display language. MENU M/m/, Press MENU.
Step 5 : Setting the clock Using the Auto Clock Set feature Some TV and cable channels transmit time signals with their broadcasts. Your VCR can pick up this time signal to automatically set the clock. MENU The Auto Clock Set feature works only if a channel in your area is broadcasting a time signal. If broadcasters in your area are not yet sending time signals, set the time manually (page 21). M/m/
3 Press M/m to select AUTO, then press OK. CLOCK SET OK PLAY OK Press M/m to select the item you want. Then press
Notes • The clock cannot be set automatically if you do not receive a channel that carries a time signal in your area. If so, set the clock manually (page 21). • If there are only a few channels in your area that carry time signals, setting the clock automatically may take up to about 20 minutes. If nothing happens even after you wait about 20 minutes, set the clock manually (page 21). • If you made Hookup 3, make sure you leave the cable box on.
Using Manual Clock Set Getting Started Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the “VCR Output CH” to “3CH” or “4CH” in ADVANCED OPTIONS menu (page 52). If both are used, set the “VCR Output CH” to either channel. If your TV is connected to the VCR using A/V connections, set the TV to video input. • Press TV/VIDEO to display the VCR indicator in the VCR’s display window. MENU M/m/, OK 1 MENU Press MENU.
4 Press M/m to set the month. CLOCK SET PLAY DATE YEAR TIME 9 / 0 1 2 0 0 3 MON 12 : 0 0 AM OK Select End 5 PLAY Press , to flash the day and press M/m to set the day. The day of the week is set automatically. Press OK or MENU to start the clock. OK MENU 22 : Bb : OK Set the year, hour, and minutes in the same way as the day.
Step 6 : Presetting channels Getting Started This VCR is capable of receiving VHF channels 2 to 13, UHF channels 14 to 69 and unscrambled CATV channels 1 to 125. First, we recommend that you preset the receivable channels in your area using automatic presetting methods. Then, if there are any unwanted channels, disable them manually. If you have already decided which channels you wish to preset, set them directly using manual presetting methods (page 25).
3 Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Ant/Cable.” PLAY OK 4 PLAY • To preset cable TV channels: Press
Presetting/disabling channels manually 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Getting Started Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. When using a cable box, turn it on. • Set the “VCR Output CH” to “3CH” or “4CH” in ADVANCED OPTIONS menu (page 52). If both are used, set the “VCR Output CH” to either channel. If your TV is connected to the VCR using A/V connections, set the TV to video input. • Press TV/VIDEO to display the VCR indicator in the VCR’s display window.
3 Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Channel add/erase,” then press OK. PLAY OK 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 • To preset a channel: 1 Press the number buttons to enter the channel number, then press ENTER. 2 Press ,, then press OK or MENU. Channel to be preset CHANNEL ADD / ERASE [ Select channel: and PLAY End press press : OK [ b ] to [ B ] to 1] ADD ERASE Quit : MENU OK MENU • CH • To disable a channel: 1 Press CH +/– to select the channel number. 2 Press <, then press OK or MENU.
Step 7 : Setting up the VCR Plus+® system (SLV-N700 only) To set the guide channels, use the Channel Line-up Chart to check that the guide channel numbers match the TV channel your VCR receives. For example, if HBO is listed in the Channel Line-up Chart as channel 33, and your VCR receives HBO on channel 5, you need to coordinate these numbers using the following procedure. If the guide and TV channel numbers are the same, you can skip this procedure. 5:30 14 MOVIE Musical (2hrs.) 33044 2 SPORT Golf (1hr.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU M/m/
3 PLAY Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Guide channel setup,” then press OK. GUIDE CHANNEL SETUP [GUIDE CH] v OK [TV CH] 4 PLAY OK 5 PLAY OK : Vv : MENU The upper row shows VCR Plus+ guide channels and the lower row shows TV channels or cable box out put channels. Press
Basic Operations Playing a tape ?/1 Z EJECT CLEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DISPLAY 0 REPLAY X PAUSE COMMERCIAL SKIP H PLAY M FF x STOP m REW 30 1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. 2 Insert a tape. Playing a tape The VCR turns on and starts playing automatically if you insert a tape with its safety tab removed.
3 Press H PLAY. PLAY OK The display window shows the playback time and playback direction. When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically. Hour Minute Additional tasks To Press Stop play x STOP X PAUSE X PAUSE or H PLAY Fast-forward the tape M FF during stop Rewind the tape m REW during stop Eject the tape Z EJECT To play a recently watched scene You can immediately rewind and playback the scene you want to watch again. During playback, press REPLAY.
To use the time counter Press CLEAR at the point on the tape that you want to find later. The counter in the display window resets to “00:00” or “0:00.” To search for the counter 0:00:00 point automatically, see “To search for the counter 0:00:00 point” on page 50. To display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLAY. Notes • Tapes recorded in the LP mode on other VCRs can be played back on this VCR but the picture quality cannot be guaranteed.
Recording TV programs TV/VIDEO COUNTER/ REMAIN DISPLAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ENTER SP/EP CH +/– INPUT SELECT z REC Basic Operations 0 x STOP 1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. 2 Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. To record from a cable box, turn it on.
3 • CH 4 SP / EP 5 REC Press CH +/– to select the channel or line input video source you want to record. Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or EP. EP (Extended Play) provides recording time three times as long as SP (Standard Play). However, SP produces better picture and audio quality. Press z REC to start recording. “REC” appears in the display window. To stop recording Press x STOP. To check the remaining tape length Press DISPLAY.
To watch another TV program while recording 1 Press TV/VIDEO to turn off the VCR indicator in the display window. your TV is connected to the VCR using A/V connections, set the TV to the 2 IfTV’s antenna input; if not, skip this step. Select another channel on the TV. 3 To save a recording To prevent accidental erasure, break off the safety tab as illustrated. To record on the tape again, cover the tab hole with adhesive tape.
Recording TV programs using the VCR Plus+® system (SLV-N700 only) Just enter the PlusCode number listed in the TV program guide. The date, time and channel number of that program are set automatically. You can preset up to eight programs together with manual timer settings at one time. Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • Turn on the VCR and the TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on. • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
2 Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Enter code.” PLAY OK 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Press the number buttons to enter the PlusCode number. If you make a mistake, press < and re-enter the correct number. VCR Plus+ Enter code with [0~9] Mode Speed Select End : Vv : OK V [ONCE] [AUTO] Quit : MENU PLAY OK 4 Basic Operations Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Mode.
8 Press OK to confirm the setting. PLAY To enter another setting, repeat steps 1 to 7. OK 9 MENU 10 Press MENU to exit the menu. Press ?/1 to turn off the VCR. The TIMER indicator appears in the display window and the VCR stands by for recording. When using a cable box, leave it on. To stop recording To stop the VCR while recording, press x STOP.
Setting the timer manually If the VCR Plus+ system is not available in your area, follow the instructions below to set the timer to record programs. You can preset up to eight programs together with the VCR plus+ system at one time. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Basic Operations Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • Turn on the VCR and the TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on. • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
2 PLAY Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Timer set/check,” then press OK. OK 3 CH –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– Select End START – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– : Bb : OK STOP – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– – : –– DATE SPD ––– -––– -––– -––– -––– -––– -––– -––– -Set : Vv Quit : MENU If necessary, press M/m to move the cursor (B) to the row that is to be set.
Daily/weekly recording In step 4 above, press m to select the recording pattern. Each time you press m, the indication changes as shown below. Press M to change the indication in reverse order. MO~FR t SUN’S t MON’S t ..... t SAT’S t 1 month later t (dates count down) t the current date To use the VCR after setting the timer To use the VCR before a timer recording begins, just press ?/1. The TIMER indicator disappears from the display window and the VCR switches on.
Locking the VCR (Child Lock) After you have set the timer, you can lock all of the buttons on the VCR so that the settings are not canceled by mistake. ?/1 POWER x STOP To lock the VCR When the VCR is turned on, hold down ?/1 POWER on the VCR until “LOC” appears in the display window. The VCR turns off and the TIMER indicator remains lit if there is a timer setting. The VCR will not work except for timer recordings.
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds ×2 y SLOW H PLAY M FF TRACKING +/– m REW Operation View the picture during fastforward or rewind During fast-forward, hold down M FF. During rewind, hold down m REW. Play at high speed • During playback, briefly press M FF or m REW. The tape continues to play at high speed. • During playback, hold down M FF or m REW. When you release the button, normal playback resumes. Play at twice the normal speed During playback, press ×2.
Tips • Adjust the picture using the TRACKING +/– buttons if: – Streaks appear while playing in slow motion. – The picture shakes during pause. • The VCR turns on and starts playback automatically by pressing H PLAY on the VCR with the VCR power turned off. Notes • The sound is muted during these operations. • Tapes recorded in the LP mode on other VCRs can be played back on this VCR but the picture quality cannot be guaranteed. • The picture may show noise when playing at high speed in reverse.
Quick Timer Recording After you have started recording, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. z REC Additional Operations recording, press z REC. 1 While The TIMER indicator appears in the display window. z REC repeatedly to set the duration time. 2 Press Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes. 0:30 1:00 3:30 4:00 Normal recording The tape counter decreases minute by minute to 0:00, then the VCR stops recording and turns off automatically.
Checking/changing/canceling timer settings Before you start… • Turn on the TV and set it to the video channel. ?/1 CLEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU M/m/
M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Timer set/check,” then press OK. 3 Press • If you want to change a setting, go on to the next step. 4 • If you do not need to change the settings, press MENU, then turn off the VCR to return to recording standby. Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to the setting you CH START STOP DATE SPD 35 8 : 00 9 : 00 9 / 3 0 SP want to change or cancel.
Recording stereo and bilingual programs Recording stereo programs When you receive a program broadcast in stereo, press AUDIO MONITOR to display STEREO on the TV screen. You can also select LEFT, RIGHT, or MONO. If there is noise in the stereo program, select MONO. The sound will be recorded in monaural (on both hi-fi and normal audio tracks) but with less noise. Recording bilingual programs Press AUDIO MONITOR to display “SAP” on the TV screen.
Searching using various functions The VCR automatically marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording begins. You can easily find a specific point using various search functions. SEARCH M/m/
To search for the counter 0:00:00 point To mark a point on the tape that you want to find later, reset the tape counter to “0:00:00.” The VCR automatically fast-forwards or rewinds to the 0:00:00 point on the tape counter. 1 Press SEARCH. M. 2 Press The VCR starts searching and automatically stops at the 0:00:00 point. Go to [ 0 : 0 0 : 0 0 ] 0 : 0 1 : 3 0 SP To search for a blank portion of the tape The VCR automatically searches for the beginning of a blank portion.
Adjusting the picture (tracking) Although the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape, distortion may occur if the recording is in poor condition. In this case, manually adjust the tracking. Press TRACKING +/– on the VCR to display the tracking meter. The distortion should disappear as you press one of the two tracking buttons. To resume automatic tracking adjustment, eject the tape and reinsert it.
Changing menu options 1 Press MENU. M/m to move the cursor (B) to “Advanced 2 Press options,” then press OK. ADVANCED OPTIONS [ T1 2 0 ] [ ON ] [ OFF ] [ OFF ] [ OFF ] [ 3CH ] Tape select: Auto play: Auto repeat: Auto power off: Power save: VCR Output CH: Select End : Vv : OK Set Quit : Bb : MENU 3 Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to the option to change. 4 Press
Setting the RF Output channel When connecting the VCR to the TV using only the antenna cable, you must set the “VCR Output CH” in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu so that the TV can receive the correct signal from the VCR. ?/1 TV/VIDEO TV 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 CH +/– CHANNEL +/– the “VCR Output CH” to “3CH” or “4CH” (see page 52 to set the channel), 1 Set whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the “VCR Output CH” to either channel. Press ?/1 to turn on the VCR.
Editing with another VCR How to connect to record on this VCR TV This VCR (Recorder) LINE-2 IN Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT Audio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flow Notes • Make sure you connect the plugs to jacks of the same color. • If the other VCR is a monaural type and connected to this VCR’s LINE-2 IN jacks, connect the audio plug to the AUDIO L (white) jack. The sound is recorded on both right and left channels.
Operation (when recording on this VCR) Before you start editing • Turn on the VCR and the TV and set it to the video channel. X PAUSE • Press INPUT SELECT or CHANNEL +/– to display “L1” or “L2” in the display window. • Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or EP. z REC a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other (playback) VCR. 1 Insert Search for the point to start playback and set it to playback pause. a tape into this (recording) VCR.
Additional Information Antenna information Attaching the external antenna connector When using a 300-ohm twin lead cable for a VHF/UHF antenna, use an antenna connector (not supplied) to connect the antenna to the VCR. 300-ohm twin lead cable Antenna connector (not supplied) 1 Loosen the screws on the antenna connector. 2 Wind the twin leads around the screws on the antenna connector. 3 Retighten the screws.
Troubleshooting Remedy The ?/1 switch does not function. • Connect the AC power cord securely. • Make sure the VCR is not locked. To unlock, hold down ?/1 POWER on the VCR until “LOC” disappears. The power is turned on but the VCR does not operate. • Moisture condensation has occurred. Turn the power off, unplug the AC power cord and leave the VCR to dry for over three hours. The clock has stopped and “--:--” appears in the display window.
Remedy • • • • • • • • Others Timer recording Symptom The timer does not operate. Check that the clock is set. Make sure a tape has been inserted. Check that the safety tab has not been removed. Make sure the tape is not at its end. Make sure a program has been set for timer recording. Make sure your timer settings are past the current time. Check that the cable box is turned on. The clock stops if the VCR is disconnected from the wall outlet for more than one minute. Reset the clock and timer.
Specifications System Timer section Format VHS NTSC standard Video recording system Rotary head helical scanning FM system Video heads Double azimuth four heads Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards Tape speed Clock Quartz locked Timer indication 12-hour cycle Timer setting 8 programs (max.) SP: 33.35 mm/s (1 3 8 inches/s) EP: 11.12 mm/s ( 7 16 inches/s) LP: 16.67 mm/s ( 11 16 inches/s), playback only Maximum recording/playback time 8 hrs. in EP mode (with T-160 tape) Rewind time Approx.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.
Display window A Tape indicator (34) B TIMER indicator (38) (40) C Hi-Fi indicator (48) D Time counter/clock/line/channel indicator (32) (34) (55) E VCR indicator (35) Additional Information continued Index to parts and controls 61
Rear panel SLV-N700 SLV-N500 A AC power cord (10) (13) (15) B LINE OUT AUDIO R/AUDIO L/VIDEO jacks (11) C LINE IN 1 AUDIO R/AUDIO L/VIDEO jacks (54) 62 Index to parts and controls D RF IN (FROM ANT.
A •TV / VIDEO switch (7) Remote commander B Z EJECT button (31) C TV/VIDEO button (8) (35) D CLEAR button (32) (47) E DISPLAY button (34) 1 2 3 F SP (Standard Play)/EP (Extended Play) button (34) 4 5 6 G INPUT SELECT button (35) (55) 7 8 9 H z REC (record) button (34) (45) 0 I y SLOW button (43) J MENU button (17) (39) (46) (52) * The H PLAY button has a tactile dot.
L ?/1 (power) switch (8) (38) (40) M COUNTER/REMAIN button (34) N AUDIO MONITOR button*1 (48) O VCR Plus+ button*2 (36) P Number buttons*1 (35) (37) Q ENTER button (35) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 R CH (channel) +/– buttons*1 (8) (34) S VOL (volume) +/– buttons (8) T SEARCH button (49) U REPLAY button (31) V ×2 button (43) W COMMERCIAL SKIP button (31) *1 The AUDIO MONITOR, number 5 and CH + buttons have a tactile dot.
Index A L S Adjusting picture 51 tracking 51 Advanced option 52 Antenna hookup 12 Audio track 48 Audio/video (A/V) hookup 11 Auto Clock Set 18 Auto Tape Speed 38 Language selecting 17 Locking the VCR 42 LP mode 35 Safety tab 35 SAP (Second Audio Program) 48 Searching at various speeds 43 for a blank portion 50 for the counter 0 point 50 Scan and Play 49 SP mode 34 Stereo 48 C M Monaural 48 Monitoring audio during playback 48 N Normal audio track 48 T P Picture adjustment 51 Playback 30 at various
Quick reference to using the VCR Hookup 1 Hookup 2 Hookup 3 To play a tape To play a tape To play a tape 1 Set the TV to channel 3 or 4 (or to video input, if you made A/V connections). 2 Insert a tape and press H PLAY. If there is no picture on your TV, press the VCR’s TV/VIDEO button until the VCR indicator appears in the display window. 1 If you made A/V connections, set the TV to video input. If you did not use A/V hookup: • Turn on the cable box. • Set the cable box to channel 3 or 4.