V-tech V.Smile User manual

User’s Manual

Dear Parent,

At VTech , we know that every year, children are asking to play video games

at younger and younger ages. At the same time, we understand the hesitation

of most parents to expose their children to the inappropriate content of many

popular video games. How can you feel condent in allowing your children

to play these games, and still educate and entertain them in a healthy, age-

appropriate manner?

Our solution to this on-going debate is the V.SmileTM TV Learning System

- a unique video game system created especially for children aged 3 to 8.

The V.SmileTM TV Learning System combines a kid-friendly design, age-ap-

propriate curriculum, entertaining graphics, and fun game play into a unique

experience that your child will love and you can support. The V.SmileTM TV

Learning System engages your child with three modes of play: the Learning

Adventure - an exciting exploratory journey in which learning concepts are

seamlessly integrated, the Learning Zone - a series of games designed to focus

on specic school skills in a fun, engaging way, and the Sing Along - a collec-

tion of songs for children to sing using the system’s attached microphone. All

of these educational modes offer your child hours of learning fun.

As part of the V.SmileTM TV Learning System, VTech offers a library of

game SmartridgesTM based on popular children’s characters that engage and

encourage your child to play while learning. The library is organized into

three levels of educational play - Early Learners (ages 3-5), Junior Thinkers

(ages 4-6) and Master Minds (ages 6-8) - so that the educational content of

the system grows with your child.

At VTech , we are proud to provide you with a much-needed solution to the

video game dilemma, as well as another innovative way for your child to learn

while having fun. We thank you for trusting VTech with the important job of

helping your child explore a new world of learning!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at VTech

To learn more about the V.SmileTM TV Learning System, and other VTech

toys, visit www.vtechkids.com

A Healthy, Balanced “TV Diet”

By Dr. Helen Boehm

Television was long considered the “uninvited” guest in American

households. However, today many realistic and caring parents are

partnering with television to create electronic classrooms -- right in their

own living rooms. They are no longer asking if children should watch TV

but, rather, which programs and on-screen activities should be part of their

children’s TV intake.

The same balanced and structured approach to developing healthy eating

habits translates to watching less, different and better television! This “TV

diet” gives families a menu for regulating children’s viewing, choosing

“healthy” program content and reducing the quantity and potency of

television consumed.

So, what does a healthy, balanced “TV diet” look like?

A well-balanced diet is best…

Consider a healthy mixture of age-appropriate programming and activities

that educate, engage and entertain! A variety of viewing and interactive

experiences can turn a TV screen into an electronic classroom for learning

and fun.

Trim the fat…

It is important to reduce children’s sedentary behavior and eliminate

unhealthy programs that contain violent, aggressive or disrespectful

behaviors.

Move out of the candy store…

Parents are children’s ﬁrst teachers and their most powerful role models.

It is difﬁcult to improve children’s viewing when parents are modeling other

TV viewing behaviors. Consider adapting your own TV habits as a healthy

example for your child.

Plan menus and season to taste…

Whenever possible, eliminate channel surﬁng and encourage the viewing

of speciﬁc, pre-selected shows. The PG-TV ratings help parents make

more informed selections that take into account the content and age-

PARENT’S TV TIPS

appropriateness of programs. For example, Y-7 shows are designed

for children 7 and older who can distinguish between fact and fantasy. A

TV-Y7-FV rating indicates that “fantasy violence” is present in an episode

of an animated program.

Control couch potatoes…

Children beneﬁt from participation in movement, ﬁtness activities and

sports. These bodily actions are not only important for a child’s physical

growth and development but also to monitor their emotional stability, social

skills and obesity. Limit sedentary screen time and blend physical and

mental pursuits, like active on-screen games and video activities, into the

TV mix.

Starvation diets don’t work…

Many parents have found that restricting all TV time is an impractical

long-term strategy. It is possible, however, to set realistic limits that are

welcomed by both parent and child! Make viewing a choice and not a habit.

Eliminate some TV time by setting a few basic rules, such as restricting

television during meals or before the day’s homework is completed.

News fast…

The realism of TV news can be overwhelming and scary for young children

and reinforces their profound safety concerns. Exposure to TV news

images, particularly without a context for scenes of terrible suffering, can

cause vivid and long lasting fears.

Food for thought…

Whenever possible, connect viewing with learning. Many programs and

characters are based on books and many on-screen subjects -- from

geography to sports -- can inspire a lifelong interest in reading. Choose

age-appropriate video activities that encourage interaction and challenge

critical thinking.

Dr. Helen Boehm is the author of The Right Toys, Fearless Parenting and

many magazine articles on parenting and responsible children’s media.

A distinguished psychologist and nationally known authority on children’s

development, play, and media, Dr. Boehm headed Public Responsibility

and Network Standards at MTV/Nickelodeon and was Vice President of

the Fox Children’s Network.

PARENT’S TV TIPS

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the

VTech®

V.Smile™ TV Learning System!

The V.Smile™ TV Learning System is a unique video gaming system

created especially for younger players. With V.Smile™, children can take

off on wonderful journeys to a variety of places such as an amusement

park, a cartoon world, or even a magical fairy tale land. As they explore

these worlds, children absorb learning concepts through creative gaming

and adventure play. Each game universe features child-directed play and

hidden surprises, so that the adventure is never the same twice!

ON/RESTART Button

Joystick Port-

Player 1

Joystick Port-

Player 2

Smartridge™ Storage

Compartment

OFF Button

Smartridge™

Battery Compartment

Manual

Joystick

Smartridge™ Slot

INTRODUCTION

User’s Manual

Microphone

Microphone Holder

AV Cable

Microphone

ON/OFF button

Microphone LED

INSTRUCTIONS

INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE

• V.Smile™ TV Learning System main unit

• One joystick

• One microphone holder

• One Smartridge™

• One user’s manual

WARNING: All packing materials such as tape, plastic sheets, wire ties

and tags are not part of this toy and should be discarded for

your child’s safety.

GETTING STARTED

BATTERY INSTALLATION

• Make sure the unit is turned OFF.

• Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the main

unit.

• Remove the battery cover.

• Insert 4 “AA” size batteries as illustrated.

• Replace the battery cover.

BATTERY NOTICE

• Install batteries correctly observing the polarity (+, -) signs to avoid

leakage.

• Do not mix old and new batteries.

• Do not mix batteries of different types: alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc)

or rechargeable (Ni-Cd or Ni-MH).

• Remove the batteries from the equipment when the unit will not be used

for an extended period of time.

• Always remove exhausted batteries from the equipment.

• Do not dispose of batteries in ﬁre.

• Do not attempt to recharge ordinary batteries.

• The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.

• Only batteries of the same and equivalent type as recommended are to

be used.

Notice: When the V.Smile™ is running on batteries, you may see this

icon appear on the screen . This indicates that battery power

is low, and you should replace the batteries soon. Battery time

remaining once the icon ﬁrst appears is approximately 10-30

INSTRUCTIONS

minutes, depending on the type of batteries in use. After that, the

console will show the screen below for 5 seconds, and then will

turn OFF automatically.

AC ADAPTOR

• Use a

VTech®

9V 300mA AC/DC adaptor or a standard AC/DC

adaptor with equivalent speciﬁcation.

• Make sure the unit is turned OFF.

• Plug the power jack into the 9V DC socket at the back of the unit.

• Plug the AC adaptor into a wall socket.

NOTE: The use of an adaptor will override the batteries. When the toy is

not going to be in use for an extended period of time, unplug the

adaptor.

Standard Guidelines for Adaptor Toys

• The toy is not intended for use by children under 3 years old.

• Only use the recommended adaptor with the toy.

• The transformer is not a toy.

• Never clean a plugged-in toy with liquid.

• Never use more than one adaptor.

• Do not leave the toy plugged-in for extended periods of time.

CONNECTING TO A TV

NOTE: Before you connect the V.Smile™ TV Learning System to a TV,

check to make sure that the unit is working. Once you have turned

the unit ON, the power indicator light (ON/RESTART Button)

should glow. If the ON/RESTART Button does not glow, check to

see that the adaptor is connected correctly, or that the batteries

are installed correctly. If the batteries are not installed correctly,

the V.Smile™ TV Learning System will not function and damage

to the unit could result. Make sure that your TV and the unit are

turned OFF before you begin making connections.

INSTRUCTIONS

Connect the V.Smile™ TV Learning System to your TV or monitor by

plugging the colored cables on the unit into the matching color video and

audio input jacks on your TV set.

For TVs with stereo audio inputs:

- Connect the yellow plug on the V.Smile™ cable to

the yellow video input terminal on your TV.

- Connect the white and red plugs on the V.Smile™

cable to the white and red audio input terminals on

your TV.

For TVs with a mono audio input:

- Connect the yellow plug on the V.Smile™ cable to

the yellow video input terminal on your TV.

- Connect the white or red plug on the V.Smile™ cable

to the white or red audio input terminal on your TV.

CONNECTING TO A VCR

If there is no video IN and audio IN terminal on your TV set, you can connect

V.Smile™ to a VCR.

- Connect the yellow plug on the V.Smile™ cable to

the yellow video input terminal on your VCR.

- Connect the white and red plugs on the V.Smile™

cable to the white and red audio input terminals on

your VCR.

CONNECTING THE JOYSTICK

Plug the joystick into the PLAYER 1 joystick port located on the front panel

of the main unit.

INSTRUCTIONS

Yellow White Red

TO BEGIN PLAY

• Make sure the unit is turned OFF.

• Insert a Smartridge™ into the Smartridge™ slot on the front of the main

unit. The Smartridge™ should lock into place. Please use care when

removing the Smartridge™ from the slot.

• Turn on the TV.

• Set your TV input mode to accept input from the port to which V.Smile™ is

connected. In many cases this will involve setting the TV to “video” mode;

however, since all TVs vary, please refer to your TV or VCR manual for

further details.

• Turn the V.Smile™ TV Learning System on by pressing the ON/RESTART

Button.

PRODUCT FEATURES

ON/RESTART Button Press this button to turn the unit ON. If you

press the ON/RESTART Button while playing

a game, the game will start over from the

beginning.

OFF Button Press this button to turn the unit OFF. Always

do this before removing a Smartridge™.

Microphone Press the Microphone ON/OFF Button to turn

the Microphone ON. The indicator light on the

Microphone will light up. If you hear feedback

while using the Microphone, lower the volume

on the TV or move the Microphone away

from the TV. Press the Microphone ON/OFF

Button again to turn the Microphone OFF. The

Microphone will automatically turn off when the

V.Smile™ console is turned off.

Storage Compartment You can store up to eight Smartridges™, the

Microphone and the Microphone Holder inside

the storage compartment when they are not in

use.

Note : To prevent high frequency feedback when using the Microphone,

do not place the Microphone near any speakers, such as TV, radio

or stand-alone speakers.

INSTRUCTIONS

JOYSTICK FUNCTIONS

Writing Pad and Pen With the Pen on the Writing Pad, press the Pen’s

ENTER Button, then move the Pen to make a

choice, or to perform certain game actions.

ENTER Button Press this button to make a choice, or to perform

certain game actions.

4 Color Buttons Use these buttons to choose answers in certain

activities, or to perform certain game actions.

EXIT Button Press this button to exit or pause a game.

HELP Button Press this button to hear helpful hints in certain

games.

LEARNING ZONE Button Press this button to enter the Learning Zone

play mode.

The V.Smile™ joystick accommodates both right- and left-handed

players.

To switch the joystick to the left- or right-hand side of the buttons:

- Pull the knob on the underside of the joystick as shown, to release the

lock.

- Turn the joystick around to the other side until you hear a locking

sound.

INSTRUCTIONS / CARE & MAINTENANCE / WARNING

Color Buttons

HELP Button

EXIT / PAUSE

Button

LEARNING ZONE

Button

Joystick

ENTER Button

Writing Pad

Pen

Pen’s ENTER Button

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