Vtech V.Smile Motion Active Learning System Pink User Manual - Page 1

User's Manual Parent Letter Dear Parent, A 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 parents responsibly allow their children to play these games, and still educate and entertain them in a healthy, age-appropriate manner? Our answer to this question is V-Motion™ Active Learning System! A big breakthrough for junior gamers, V-Motion™ takes educational video gaming to a whole new level with a motion-activated gaming system that engages both active minds and bodies. V-Motion™ plugs directly into the TV to provide kids with a high-tech gaming experience using thrilling, age-appropriate learning games and a motion-activated, intuitive wireless controller. The V-Motion™ Active Learning System engages children with two modes of play: the Learning Adventure - an exciting exploratory journey in which learning concepts are seamlessly integrated, and the Learning Zone - a series of games designed to focus on specific skills in a fun, engaging way. Each Smartridge™ game encourages active gaming while giving kids' minds a workout, too, as they learn basic math, reading, science, spelling and more. In addition to the action-packed Smartridge™ game play, the V-Motion™ includes the V.Link™ (USB drive) that connects kids to VTech®'s secure online site to unlock bonus games and track their scores against other gamers. At VTech®, we are proud to provide parents with a much-needed solution to the video game dilemma, as well as another innovative way for children 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, Julia Fitzgerald Vice President, Marketing Vtech Electronics, NA To learn more about the V-Motion™ Active Learning System™ and other VTech® toys, visit www.vtechkids.com Contents • PARENT'S TV TIPS 1 • Introduction 3 Included in this package 3 • Product Features 4 V-Motiontm Console V-Motiontm Wireless Controller • GETTING STARTED 5 Battery Installation 5 Battery Notice 5 AC Adaptor 6 Standard Guidelines for Adaptor Toys 6 Connecting to a TV 6 Connecting to a VCR 7 To Begin Play 7 V-Motiontm Console 7 Using the V-Motiontm Wireless Controller 8 How to Attach the Wrist Strap to the Controller Connecting to the Console - One-Player Mode Connecting to the Console - Two-Player Mode Connect V.SMILE® Accessories or Wired Controllers to V-Motiontm • V-Motiontm Play guidelines 9 For Best Results While Playing Games 9 Using the V-Motiontm Wireless Controller 10 Using the V.LinkTM 11 • CARE & MAINTENANCE 12 • TROUBLE SHOOTING 12 • TECHNICAL SUPPORT 15 • OTHER INFO 15 Disclaimer and Limitation of Liabilty PARENT'S TV TIPS 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-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. 1 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. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the VTech® V-Motiontm Active Learning System! The V-Motiontm Active Learning System is a brilliant breakthrough gaming console that combines wireless, motion-activated play, web connectivity and educational gaming into a system that plugs directly into your TV! Your child will love the wireless action-packed play that guides them through age-appropriate skill levels and developmental activities. 4 X 1.5V AA LR6/AM-3 3 X1.5V AAA AM 4 / batteries LR 03 batteries V-Motiontm Active Learning System Console Smartridge™ Manual Smartridge™ Wrist Strap uSB uSB Wireless Controller V.Link User's Manua l TM V.LinkTM Manual User's Manual User's Manual Included in This Package • V-Motiontm Active Learning System console and User's Manual • One Wireless Controller • One Wrist Strap • One V.Link™ and V.Link™ Manual • One Smartridge™ and Smartridge™ 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. 2 3 Product Features V-MOtIONtm Wireless Console • Storage Compartment Stores up to nine Smartridges™. • Smartridge™ Slot Insert a Smartridge™. The Smartridge™ should lock into place. • Wireless Controller Signal Receiver Light will turn on when it's receiving a signal from a wireless controller. • Wired Controller Port Pull down the rubber door and plug in a wired V.SMILE® controller or accessory (sold separately). • Battery Compartment Please see page 6. V-MOtIONtm Wireless Controller • 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. • EXIT Button Press this button to exit or pause a game. • Joystick • Direction Lights Lights turn on to indicate when the controller is moving up, down, left or right. • OFF/Player 1/Player 2 Switch Move this switch to turn the controller OFF or to assign Player 1 or Player 2 to the controller. Be sure to turn the controller OFF when it's not in use. Please see pages 8-11 for more information. • Wrist Strap Attachment Attach wrist strap here. Please see page 8 for more information. • Wrist Strap • AV Cable Connects to TV or VCR. Please see pages 6 & 7. • Power Jack Please see page 6. • OFF Button Press this button to turn the unit OFF. Always do this before removing a Smartridge™. • 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. • Microphone Port Connects to a microphone (sold separately). • V.Link™ Port Insert a V.Link™ to download your game scores. Please see page 11 for more V.Link™ information. • Motion Sensor Signal Light turns on when controller is connected to the V-Motiontm console. • 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 preform certain game actions. • Battery Compartment Please see page 5. The V-Motiontm wireless controller accommodates both right- and left-handed players. Turn the switch on the bottom of the controller, then turn the center part of the controller to your desired position. You will hear a click when the controller is locked into place. 4 Getting Started Battery Installation V-Motiontm Console • Make sure the unit is turned OFF. • Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the unit. • Remove the battery cover and insert 4 X 1.5V AA LR6/AM-3 batteries as indicated in the diagram. • Replace the battery cover and make sure it is secure. Notice: When the V-Motiontm 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 minutes, depending on the type of batteries in use. After that, the console will show the low battery icon for 5 seconds as indicated in the diagram, and then will turn OFF automatically. V-Motiontm Wireless Controller • Make sure the Wireless Controller is turned OFF. • Locate the battery cover on the bottom of the unit. • Remove the screw of the battery cover with a screwdriver or a coin, and insert 3 x 1.5V AAA AM4/LR03 batteries as indicated in the diagram. • Make sure battery cover is securely attached. Notice: When the V-Motiontm wireless controller's battery power is low, the direction lights will blink for 10-30 minutes, and then the controller will turn OFF automatically. VTech® recommendsUhseri'sgMhanuaql uality alkaline batteries for best performance. 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. 5 • The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. • Only batteries of the same and equivalent type as recommended are to be used. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND THE USE OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES. AC Adaptor • Use a VTech® 9V 300mA with equivalent specification. AC/DC adaptor or a standard AC/DC adaptor • 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 a TV NOTE: Before you connect the V-Motiontm Active 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 l that the batteries are installed correctly. If the batteries are not installed correctly, the V-Motiontm Active 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. Connect the V-Motiontm Active 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-Motiontm cable to the yellow video input terminal on your TV. Yellow White Red - Connect the white and red plugs on the V-Motiontm cable to the white and red audio input terminals on your TV. 6