Video Cassette Recorder
(160-0617)                 Connections                Faxback Doc. # 38138


This section describes the connections necessary to begin using your VCR.

Before you begin making the connections, plug in the VCR.  Its clock
flashes.  You can operate the VCR manually without setting the clock, but
if you want to set the clock before you proceed, see "Preparation," Faxback
Doc. # 38139.

    Caution:

    In areas of high humidity or if you move the VCR from a cold area to a
    warm one, it is necessary to plug in the VCR and allow it to warm up
    1 to 2 hours before you operate it.  This allows complete evaporation
    of any moisture inside the VCR that could damage the VCR.
    See "Care and Maintenance," Faxback Doc. # 38142.

BASIC VCR CONNECTIONS

These steps show the most basic connections necessary to begin using your
VCR.

1.  Disconnect the antenna or cable wires from your TV's antenna
    terminals.

2.  Connect the antenna or cable wires to the VCR's combined VHF/UHF INPUT
    terminal.

    If you have separate VHF and UHF antennas, use a signal combiner
    (not supplied) between the antenna cables and the VCR's VHF/UHF INPUT
    terminal.

    Your local Radio Shack store sells the necessary transformer and
    combiner.

3.  Connect the single-connector end of the supplied 75-ohm cable to the
    VCR's VHF/UHF OUTPUT terminal.

4.  Connect the other end of the cable to the TV's antenna terminal(s).

a.  If your TV has separate terminals for VHF and UHF connect the cable's
    300-ohm UHF output to the TV's UHF terminals; connect the cable's
    75-ohm or 300-ohm VHF output to the TV's VHF terminal(s)-do not use
    both VHF outputs.

b.  If your TV has a combined VHF/UHF antenna terminal, connect the
    cable's 75-ohm combined VHF/UHF output to the TV's terminal.

CONNECTING CABLE TV

There are two basic questions to consider when you connect your VCR to a
cable system:

    Are you receiving any scrambled channels?

    Does the cable system provide more than 40 channels?

    If the answer to both of these questions is "no," use Connection A.

    If the answer to either to either of these questions is "yes," use
    Connection B.

    Note:

    Some states have laws that restrict direct connection of cable wires
    (connections that do not go through the cable box).  Check the laws in
    your area before you make any connections.

    Note to cable TV system installer:

    This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer's
    attention to Article 820-22 of the National Electrical Code.  This
    article provides guidelines for proper grounding and particularly
    specifies that the cable ground be connected to the grounding system
    of the building, as close to cable entry as practical.

Connection A

With Connection A, you can watch one channel while you record another.
To do this, press [TV/VCR] so that VCR does not appear on the display.
Of course, you can watch the channel you record.

If your TV does not have a cable-compatible tuner, you must connect the
cable box between the VCR and the TV.

    Note:

    Because the cable wire connects directly to the VCR, set [TV/CATV] on
    the VCR to CATV so that CATV appears on the VCR's display.

Connection B

With Connection B, you can record from any cable channel you subscribe
to while you watch any channel you can select using the TV tuner.  These
connections require a 75-ohm splitter and a high-isolation A/B switch,
both available at your local Radio Shack store.

Use the cable box to select the channel you want to record.  Then, use the
A/B switch to view the non-scrambled channels you can directly tune on
your TV, or the channel you select using the cable box.

Because the output of the cable box is a regular VHF channel
(usually 3 or 4), set [TV/CATV] to TV so that CATV disappears from the
display.

    Notes:

    The tuner does not unscramble premium cable channels.

    If you have a second cable box, you can record a scrambled channel
    while you watch a different scrambled channel.

CONNECTING A TV MONITOR

TV monitors have only separate audio and video inputs.  However, most
monitors sold for home use are combination receiver/monitors that have
antenna connection terminals and separate audio/video inputs.  All Radio
Shack monitors are the combination type.

If you have a combination receiver/monitor, we suggest the following
connections to play back and monitor a recording.

Direct audio/video connections usually result in better picture and sound
for tape playback.  Set the TV's TV/video switch to the video mode to
watch video tapes or channels you select using the VCR's tuner.

To view VHF/UHF signals, complete the VHF/UHF connections described in
"Basic VCR Connections" and set the TV's TV/video switch to TV.

    Note:

    Use video-quality shielded cables with RCA-type connectors.  Do not
    use standard audio cables.

CONNECTING STEREO HI-FI

Stereo signals from the VCR's tuner or from a stereo hi-fi recording are
sent to the VCR's AUDIO OUTPUT jacks.  If you want to connect your current
stereo system to the AUDIO OUTPUT jacks, refer to the drawing below.

The settings of the MTS switch and the remote control's [AUDIO OUT]
button affect the VCR's stereo output.

CONNECTING A VIDEO PROCESSOR

You can connect a video processor to your VCR to improve tape playback
quality and help maintain quality when you dub (copy) tapes.  Connect the
processor between the VCR's AUDIO/VIDEO OUTPUT jacks and the TV's
audio/video input terminals.

Most processors use separate audio and video signals.  With a regular TV
(not a monitor), you need an RF modulator (available at your local
Radio Shack store).

Some processors have a built-in RF modulator.

(br/km-02/25/1997)

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