Set the clock on my Panasonic NV-J11 HQ VCR

Hey there - I've got the exact same model VCR; although I've lost the manual as well, I've been using it for so long that I

can usually remember it all from heart:

To set the clock

1. Open the flip-down lid, push [CLOCK] button.
For each of the steps below, use the white-labeled [+] and [-] tracking buttons to increase/decrease each number.
2. Two digits should be blinking - this is the year (last two digits only) - adjust and push [NEXT] when done.
3. Two digits, with a "D" next to them should now be flashing - this is the month (1=January thru 12=December), adjust and push [NEXT] when done.
4. Two digits, with a "M" next to them should now be flashing - this is the day-of-month (1..31), adjust and push [NEXT] when done.
5. The time should now be displayed, with hours flashing - adjust and push [NEXT] when done.
6. The minutes of the time should now be flashing - adjust. When you push [NEXT], this will complete the date-setting and start the seconds-of-the-minute off at zero - handy for synchronising to an external time source (I recommend using the

Teletext broadcast clock if available - you'll usually find your recordings will start right-on time when you do this, depending on your TV station).
7. If you make an error at any step above, push [CLOCK] to exit clock-setting mode and start again.

Depending on your model of VCR - the clock may either persist through power failures (backup battery) or may have to be reset next time power is lost. Mine doesn't seem to have a backup battery.

To program the VCR for timer-recording: There are two modes, Timer Record (start and finish recording at arbitrary times in the future), and OTR ("One Touch Recording", start recording right now and finish at a set time in the future).

*** Timer recording ***
There are eight programme slots (numbered 1-8 on the display), each programme slot has an individual channel and start/finish time associated with it. Programmes can be scheduled up to 1 month in the future.

Push [PROG/CHECK] to cycle through each slot (after the eighth slot, it will return back to normal operating mode).

When you want to set a programme, push [PROG/CHECK] until you find an empty slot (date/time will be all dashes). Then do the following:

1. Channel should be flashing - set this using white-labeled [+]/[-] tracking buttons and push [NEXT] when done.
2. Date should be flashing (defaults to today), use [+]/[-] to adjust starting date and push [NEXT] when done.
3. Set the starting time ("ON" should be lit next to time) (defaults to now), use [+]/[-] to adjust starting time and push [NEXT] when done.
4. Set the finishing time ("OFF" should be lit next to time) (defaults to starting time), use [+]/[-] to adjust and push [NEXT] to complete the setting of this programme. After this, you'll be returned to the start of setting the next programme (the unit will also beep five times to confirm you have a valid programme set).

If you make an error (or you need to clear a programme slot that already has a programme set), hold down the [-] and [+] buttons for three seconds until the starting time/date becomes all dashes.

When you're done with setting your programme(s), keep pressing [PROG/CHECK] until you exit into normal operating mode, then push the [TIMER REC] button to activate the timer; this will put the VCR into timer standby mode, and the orange clock icon should be lit solidly on the display. There should also be a number (1..8) lit for each programme that has been set, but is still yet to run. Make sure you have the tape inserted and positioned in the right place when you do this.

After timer standby mode is activated, you can then push [PROG/CHECK] to review the individual programme slots; each push of [PROG/CHECK] will cycle through each slot (the display will time out in 10-15 secs).

To get out of timer standby mode (either when after the programmes have run or if you've made an error), push [TIMER REC] again - this will return you to normal operating mode (where you can fix errors if need be). Programmes that have run to completion should be automatically be cleared.


*** OTR (One Touch Recording) ***

This will start the tape recording immediately (good for when you have an unexpected distraction or sudden change of plans) and have it stop at a later preset time. The OTR mode only has one programme slot, unlike timer record.

1. Insert tape, have it positioned where you want to record from. Set the channel to the one you want to record from.
2. Open the flip-down lid, look at the bottom-right corner of the array of buttons inside.
3. Push the green-labeled [OTR +] button; this will start the tape recording instantly (the red "OTR" indicator should be lit on the display).
4. The stop time should also be displayed - use the [OTR -] and [OTR +] to adjust the stop time. When you're done, that's all you need to do (you can adjust it any time later).

To abort OTR mode (ie. if you start it by mistake, or want to stop the recording early), push the main [VTR] button to stop the recording. Yes, that's right - turn the whole thing off, it'll leave you in standby mode.



Hope this helps!


-- Bryan R.

S anyone have a copy of the manual for the Panasonic NV-J11 HQ VCR