JVC SR-VS20U Program and Menu button not responding

Your VCR does not have a digital tuner. If using an antenna or basic cable, you must decode the digital signal through the D/A converter first, then send the signal via the RF cable (Screw -on ) or Audio/Video RCA to the VCR. You will have to manually press record. My guess is that you were used to programming and leaving it. So, if you are/were using your VCR as a tuner to schedule recordings, it is no longer a valid option. If you have a cable or satellite box with a DVR, this is the way to go. I am not sure if anyone offers a VCR with a digital tuner. Google and discover. Unfortunately all those hours (years in some cases) we spent learning how to program our VCRs is now in vain.

If no menu, unplug, and let it set a few minutes. Replug and the on-screen menu should appear. Reset the set-up (date, etc). I had the same experience as one of the other posters with JVC customer service telling me the menu button on the remote was malfunctioning, and I should purchase a new remote from them.
After you input your programming, be sure to hit the Timer button on your remote. If you want to change tapes or playback, you will need to hit the Timer button again (take it off Timer) for access to your VCR. Be sure to reset it to Timer afterwards, or you will not be able to record.

press stop button twice then go into menu ckick on finalize disk!

There were several screens that were unavailable and there seemed to be no obvious solution so I treated it like a PC and rebooted the unit. In terms of this unit, it meant unplugging the unit for an hour and then plugging it back in. All functionality is now available once again.

I guess you are using the cable TV feed looped through the VCR to the TV set.

Make sure you did not confuse the in and out loop of the VCR.

In the VCR menu, or on the remote there is usually a button called TV/VCR (Video). Make sure it is in the TV mode to watch the cable. In the VCR (Video) mode, the TV must be on the VCR's designated channel to watch the VCR, and the VCR tuner is used to watch the cable channels.


Jerry G.

It took me a week to find the right instructions and codes on how to do this so I am posting it everywhere I can to help out folks with the same remote. Pay close attention to the instructions, for instance when programming the remote for TV use make sure you hold the TV button down while you enter the code and then press OK, You also have to hold the TV button down while you use the volume and channel controls or it will just change the VCR channel.
===========================================


A
Turn on TV

Turn on the TV using the Power button on the TV or its Remote.

B
Set TV brand code

A
Press and hold TV.
B
Press MBR SET.
C
Press the Number keys to enter your TV.s brand code.
D
Press OK, and release TV. The TV should turn off.


C
Operate TV

While holding down TV, press one of the following buttons:
POWER 1, TV/VCR, TV CH+/., ^(TV Muting), TV VOL+/.,
and the Number keys.

.
For some brands, you must press ENTER after having pressed the
Number keys to enter a channel number.
TV BRAND CODE TV BRAND CODE
JVC 01, 03
SONY 07
HITACHI 10
SAMSUNG 12
MAGNAVOX 02
SANYO 13
MITSUBISHI 03
SEARS 13
PANASONIC 04, 11
TOSHIBA 08
RCA 05
ZENITH 09
SHARP 06

Cable Box or DBS Receiver Brand Setting

A
Turn on cable box or DBS receiver

Turn on the cable box or DBS receiver using the Power button on
the unit or its Remote.

B
Enter brand code

A
Press and hold CABLE/DBS.
B
Press MBR SET.
C
Press the Number keys to enter your cable box.s (or DBS


receiver.s) brand code.
D
Press OK, and release CABLE/DBS.

C
Operate cable box or DBS receiver

While holding down CABLE/DBS, press one of the following
buttons: POWER 1, TV CH+/., and the Number keys.

.
For some brands, you must press ENTER after having pressed the
Number keys to enter a channel number.
.
To change the cable box.s (or DBS receiver.s) channels, press TV
CH+/–
or the Number keys. (The CH+/–
button can be used to
change the VCR.s channels only.)

CABLE BOX BRAND CODE
ARCHER 01, 05, 17
CABLETENNA 01, 17
CABLEVIEW 15, 16, 17, 21, 25
CITIZEN 15, 16, 17, 21, 25
CURTIS 02
DIAMOND 01, 17
GC BRAND 15, 16, 17, 21, 25
GEMINI 15
GENERAL INSTRUMENTS 01, 04, 06, 11, 12, 15, 28
HAMLIN 10, 18, 23
JASCO 15
JERROLD 01, 04, 06, 11, 12, 15, 28
NOVAVISION 02
OAK 07
PANASONIC 13, 14
PULSER 15, 16, 17, 21, 25
RCA 13, 14
REGAL 10, 18, 23
REMBRANDT 01, 16, 17
SAMSUNG 05, 16, 24
SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA 02
SIGMA 07
SL MARX 05, 16, 17, 24, 25
SPRUCER 13, 14
STARGATE 05, 15, 16, 17, 21, 24, 25
TELEVIEW 05, 16, 24
TOCOM 01, 04, 16
UNIKA 01, 17
UNIVERSAL 16, 17, 25
VIDEOWAY 03, 09, 22
ZENITH 03, 09, 22
DBS RECEIVER BRAND CODE
JVC (DISH Network) 51
ECHOSTAR (DISH Network) 51
SONY (DSS) 41
RCA (DSS) 40

Changing Remote Control Code

This Remote is capable of transmitting two control codes; one set
to respond to A code control signals and another set to respond to
B code control signals. This Remote control is preset to send A
code signals because your VCR is initially set to respond to A code
signals. You can easily modify your VCR and the Remote to
respond to B code signals. When using two JVC VCRs, set two
VCRs and their Remotes to different codes, so that you can
operate these VCRs separately.

A
Set remote control code for Remote

A
Press and hold A/B.
B
Press the Number key .2..
C
Press OK, and release A/B.


.
The Remote now can transmit B code control signals.
B
Check remote control code for VCR

Press and hold 4
on the VCR for more than 5 seconds while the
VCR is turned off. The code currently set appears on the display
panel.

C
Change code for VCR

Press any key on the Remote. The VCR now responds to B code
control signals.

.
To set the Remote and the VCR back to A code control signals,
repeat the same procedure as shown above except pressing the
Number key .1”
in step B
of 1
1111.
To control two VCRs with the same Remote

You can control two JVC VCRs by switching the remote control
code for the Remote between A and B (.
step A
AAAA), keeping two
VCRs to different control codes.

.
To change only the remote control code for the Remote, DO
NOT perform steps B
BBBBand C
CCCC.
—

You will not know from looking at the VCR if it is in VCR mode or TV mode. This is more likely a TV issue of whether the TV is monitoring the VCR or not. Make sure you have the TV selected so that it is monitoring the VCR.
That VCR/TV button has caused more confusion for the average person than anything else.
Hope Ya Fix It!

You need the remote working to get at the on-screen setup menus. make sure the remote is set for the VCR (VCR button) and try the menu button. Are you sure this is the right remote for the VCR. May have to get a new remote. Make sure it is a universal that has a MENU button.

On some sets you can use the menu button to enter the menu and navigate to the page which shows what input is currently selected and change it there. If your set does not have that option, then you will need the remote to do it. I have found that on some universal remotes, the TV/VCR button switches the inputs on the TV when the remote is in the TV mode. If that button does not work on your remote for your set, and you have tried all possible codes for JVC TVs, then the only way to switch inputs is to invest a few dollars more and get an original remote from JVC or have the set repaired so that the input button on the TV functions again.

Up untill a few years ago they used to make a lot of universals with a "learning" function, that you aim the thing at a certain device untill it figures out the right code for it. I read that the technology was bought since so you dont see those quite as often in the market. ok, if yours is a learning uni, here's a tutorial on how to fix it, in general terms since it varies between remotes: If you cannot get the instructions - most "universal" remotes have a "code search" feature. Usually this involves hitting the "program", "select" or "function" button, then pressing the device button ("TV", "VCR", "AUX") then repeatedly pressing the "power" or "channel up" button until the set responds. The remote will cycle through each of the codes (01, 02, 03, 04) sending the "power" command for each. When you hit the right code - the set responds. When the set responds, stop and then press the "program" or "function" button to enter it (which button varies between mfgrs). If you count the number of presses - that should be the code (12 presses is "12" or "012" - or it could be 11 if the codes start at 00). If you do not have a "program" button (it might be hidden), then you may have to instead hold the function (TV, VCR, Cable) button down for a few seconds (until the light blinks). The usual manual sequence is: 0 1 2 It might also be: 0 1 2 If no program button: 0 1 2 Some remotes use a two digit code, some use three. It'll take quite a bit of trial and error without the manual. you can try getting the codes from the manufacturer, go to their site and see if you can figure anything out there... good luck