Optimus Model 59 4-Head VCR
(160-0629) Connections Faxback Doc. # 33477
There are many different TV types and ways to connect them to your VCR.
This section describes the most common set ups.
Before using your VCR for the first time, read through this entire section
to determine which connections best meet your needs. Then follow the
directions for completing the connections.
NOTES: If your audio/video system doesn't match any of the examples
provided, contact your local Radio Shack store for assistance.
You can connect many different types of audio/video systems such
as a stereo receiver/amplifier, a satellite receiver, or a
combination of a cable system and outside antenna to your VCR.
These connections might require additional supplies that are
available from your local Radio Shack store.
Disconnect power from the VCR and TV when making connections. Do
not connect the VCR's power cord until you complete all other
connections.
IF YOUR TV HAS AUDIO/VIDEO (A/V) INPUT JACKS
If your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, you can connect your VCR to
the TV so you can watch and play video tapes. This connection does not
allow you to record VHF/UHF signals.
To both record and view VHF/UHF signals, you must also complete one of the
VHF/UHF connections described in "If You Are Using an Antenna Only", below
or "If you Have Cable" , below.
If your TV does not have audio/video jacks, proceed directly to "If You Are Using an Antenna Only", below or "If You Have Cable", below.
Use video quality shielded cables with phono-type connectors (such as Cat.
No. 15-1538, not supplied) to connect the VCR's AUDIO/VIDEO OUT jacks to
your TV's input jacks.
NOTE: Do not use standard audio cables for this connection.
Set the TV's TV/VIDEO switch to VIDEO to watch a tape.
IF YOU ARE USING AN ANTENNA ONLY
If you are using an antenna (not cable), follow the instructions below for
connecting the VCR to a single VHF/UHF terminal, or for connecting to
separate VHF/UHF terminals, depending on your TV. If you have cable,
proceed directly to "If You Have Cable", below.
Either of the following connections allows you to:
Record and watch a channel you select with the VCR's tuner.
Watch a channel you select with the TV's tuner.
Record a channel you select with the VCR's tuner while watching
another channel selected with the TV's tuner.
NOTE: If you have 300-Ohm antenna wire, use a 300-to-75-Ohm matching
transformer (such as Cat. No. 15-5253, not supplied) to connect the
wire to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal.
Single TV VHF/UHF Terminal
1. Connect the antenna's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal.
2. Connect one end of the supplied 75-Ohm coaxial cable to the VCR's
VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to the TV's VHF/UHF antenna
terminal.
Separate TV VHF/UHF Terminals
NOTES: Unless your antenna is VHF-only (you receive Channels 2-13 only)
or UHF only (you receive channels 14-69 only), you need a band-
splitter (such as Cat. No. 15-1252, not supplied) to connect your
VCR to separate TV VHF/UHF terminals.
Depending on your TV, you might need additional connectors and
cables.
1. Connect the antenna's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal.
2. Connect one end of the supplied 75-Ohm coaxial cable to the VCR's VHF/
UHF CATV OUT terminal.
3. If necessary, connect the other end of the cable to the band splitter.
NOTE: If your antenna is VHF-only or UHF-only, connect the VCR's VHF/
UHF CATV OUT terminal to the TV's VHF or UHF terminal only.
4. Connect the band splitter's UHF output to the TV's UHF terminals, and
connect the 75-Ohm VHF output to the TV's VHF terminal.
IF YOU HAVE CABLE
You can connect a cable system and/or other devices such as a cable box,
satellite receiver, or a combination of devices (such as a cable system
and antenna) to your VCR.
NOTES: Some states have laws restricting direct connections to cable
wires (connections that do not go through a cable box). Check the
laws in your area before you make connections.
If your audio/video system doesn't match any of the examples
provided, contact your local Radio Shack store for assistance.
Note to the cable TV system installer:
This reminder is to call the CATV system installer's attention to Section
820-40 of the National Electrical Code, which provides guidelines for
proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall
be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the
point of cable entry as practical.
Without a Cable Box
If you have cable but do not have a cable box, and your TV can receive
cable broadcasts, this connection allows you to:
Record and watch any unscrambled channel directly.
Record one channel selected with the VCR's tuner while you watch
another selected with the TV's tuner.
It does not allow you to record scrambled channels.
1. Connect the cable system's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN
terminal.
2. Using the supplied 75-Ohm cable, connect the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT
terminal to the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate
VHF/UHF terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only.
Be sure the TV's tuner is set to CATV.
With a Cable Box
You can set up your VCR so it can control many types of cable boxes by
sending signals from its front panel directly to the cable box. These
signals tune your cable box, letting you select the cable channels you
want to view and record.
NOTE: "If You Have Cable" contains information to help you set up your
VCR and cable box so your VCR can control your cable box.
To help the VCR's signal reach the cable box, you should place the VCR and
cable box near each other, as shown in the following illustration.
NOTE: If the VCR faces a wall or other surface that is too far away or is
covered with signal-absorbing material (such as a curtain), the
signal from the VCR might not reach the cable box.
With a Cable Box and no A/B Switch
This connection allows you to record any channel (scrambled or
unscrambled) by selecting the channel on the cable box.
It does not allow you to:
Record with the cable box turned off.
Record one channel while you watch another.
NOTES: The VCR's tuner does not unscramble premium cable channels. You
must already receive those channels, and you must connect the VCR
to your cable box to record them.
If your cable box doesn't come with a 75-Ohm coaxial cable for
making connections, you need a 75-Ohm coaxial cable (such as Cat.
No. 15-1529, not supplied).
If you want to connect an A/B switch, proceed directly to "With a Cable
Box and an A/B Switch", below.
1. If necessary, connect the cable system's cable to the cable box's
input terminal.
2. Use the supplied 75-Ohm cable or the cable box's cable to connect the
cable box's output terminal to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal.
3. Use a 75-Ohm cable to connect the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal to
the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate VHF/UHF
terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only.
With a Cable Box and an A/B Switch
If you have a cable box and an A/B switch, this connection allows you to:
Record unscrambled channels directly with the A/B switch in the A
position.
Record scrambled channels through the cable box with the A/B switch in
the B position.
Record one channel selected with the VCR's tuner while you watch
another selected with the TV's tuner, with the A/B switch in the A
position.
NOTES: This connection requires a 75-Ohm hybrid splitter/combiner (such
as Cat. No. 15-1141, not supplied), a high-isolation A/B switch
(such as Cat. No. 15-1249, not supplied), and up to four
additional 75-Ohm coaxial cables (such as Cat. No. 15-1529, not
supplied). Your cable box usually comes with a 75-Ohm coaxial
cable for making connections.
You can connect any cables to any of the hybrid
splitter/combiner's terminals.
If you set your VCR to change channels on your cable box, use the steps
under "With a Cable Box and no A/B switch", above instead of these steps.
1. Connect the cable system's cable to the hybrid splitter/combiner.
2. Connect the supplied 75-Ohm cable between the hybrid splitter/combiner
and the cable box's input terminal.
3. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the hybrid splitter/combiner and
the A/B switch's A input terminal.
4. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the cable box's output terminal
and the A/B switch's B input terminal.
5. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the A/B switch's output terminal
and the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal.
6. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT
terminal and the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate
VHF/UHF terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only.
To view or record an unscrambled program, set the A/B switch to A.
To view or record a scrambled program, set the A/B switch to B.
CONNECTING HI-FI STEREO (MODEL 59 ONLY)
When the Model 59's tuner receives a stereo broadcast or when you play a
Hi-Fi stereo recording, stereo signals are sent to the Model 59's right
(R) and left (L) AUDIO OUT jacks. To hear a broadcast or recording in
stereo, connect the Model 59's AUDIO OUT jacks to your stereo receiver or
amplifier.
CONNECTING POWER
When you have completed all other connections, plug the VCR's power cord
into a standard AC outlet. - - | - - flashes on the display.
Note: When you plug in the VCR for the first time or after a power
failure, the VCR starts to search for a channel that has an Extended Data
Service (EDS) signal.
(IR-06/19/96)
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