VHS Hi Fi VCR/4hd Mod 46
(160-0616) Connections Faxback Doc. # 38181
CONTROL LOCATIONS
The VCR's controls are located along the bottom edge of the front panel,
inside the control compartment.
Some controls appear only in the control compartment, and some appear
only on the remote control; however, most controls appear in both
locations. If a control appears in both places, this manual does not
make special note of its location. If a control appears in only one
location, the manual specifies that location.
GETTING STARTED
This section shows the most basic connections and procedures that you
need to use with your VCR. We urge you to carefully read the entire
owner's manual so that you can get acquainted with all your VCR's
features.
When you first plug in your VCR, its clock flashes. You can operate
the VCR without setting the clock, but if you prefer to set the clock,
see "Setting the Clock" before you proceed.
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 let
it warm up for 1 to 2 hours before you operate it. This allows
complete evaporation of any moisture inside the VCR that could
activate the DEW sensor and prevent operation. See "Special
Functions," Faxback Doc. # 38186.
CONNECTING YOUR VCR
Follow these steps to connect your VCR to your TV.
1. Disconnect the antenna or cable wires from your TV's antenna
terminals.
2. Connect the antenna or cable wires to your VCR's combined VHF/UHF/
CATV IN FROM ANT terminal.
NOTES: If you have cable service, see "Connecting Cable TV."
If you have 300-ohm antenna wire, use a 300-to-75 ohm
matching transformer (not supplied) to connect the wire
to the VCR's VHF/UHF/CATV IN FROM ANT terminal.
If you have separate VHF and UHF antennas, use a signal
combiner (not supplied) between the antenna cables and the
VCR's VHF's/UHF/CATV IN FROM ANT terminal.
Your local Radio Shack store sells the necessary transformer and combiner.
3. Connect one end of the supplied 75-ohm cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF/
CATV OUT TO TV terminal.
4. Connect the other end of the cable to the TV's antenna terminal(s).
a. If your TV has a combined VHF/UHF antenna terminal, connect the
cable directly to that terminal.
b. If your TV has separate terminals for VHF and UHF, connect the
cable to a signal splitter (available at your local Radio Shack
store), and connect the splitter's outputs to your TV's antenna
terminals.
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 have more channels than the VCR can tune (87
channels for the Model 46)?
If the answer to both of these questions is "no" use Connection A.
If the answer to either of these questions is "yes," use Connection B.
CAUTION: Some states have laws that restrict direct connections to cable
wires (connections that do not go through the cable box). Check
with your cable company about the laws in your area before you
make any connections.
NOTE to the cable TV system installer: This reminder is provided to call
the cable TV system installer's attention to Article 820-22 of the
National Electrical Code. This article provides guidelines for proper
grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground be connected
to the grounding system of the building, as close to cable entry as
practical.
With Connection A, you can watch one channel while you record another.
To do this, press [TV/VCR] to clear VCR from the VCR's 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 the
tuner mode to CATV.
With Connections B, you can record from any cable channel you subscribe
to while you watch any channel that you select using the TV's tuner.
This connections requires a 75-ohm splitter and a high-isolation A/B
switch, both available at your local Radio Shack store.
Because the output of the cable box is a regular VHF channel (usually 3
or 4), set the tuner mode to TV.
Use the cable box to select the channel you want to record. Then, use
the A/B switch to view non-scrambled channels that you can directly tune
on your TV, or the channel that you select using the cable box.
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 TV MONITORS
TV monitors have only 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 your recording.
Direct audio/video connections usually result in better picture and
sound for tape playback. Set the TV/video switch on your receiver/
monitor to the video mode to watch video tapes or channels you select
using the VCR's tuner.
NOTE: Use video-quality shielded cables with RCA-type connectors. Do
not use standard audio cables.
Of course, if you have a combination receiver/monitor, you should
also make VHF/UHF connections to view those signals. (See
"Connecting Your VCR.") Set the VCR's TV/VCR switch to TV
to view VCR/UHF signals.
CONNECTING STEREO HI-FI
Stereo signals from the VCR's tuner or from a stereo recording are sent
to the VCR's AUDIO OUT jacks. If you want to connect your current stereo
system to the AUDIO OUT jacks, refer to the drawing below.
The settings of the remote control's [SAP ON/OFF], [SIMUL], and [OUTPUT
SELECT] buttons affect the VCR's audio output. See "Controlling VCR
inputs & Outputs."
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 VIDEO/AUDIO OUT jacks and the TV
terminals.
Some processors use separate audio and video signals. With a regular
TV (not a monitor), you need an RF modulator. Some processors have a
built-in RF modulator.
CONTROLLING VCR INPUTS & OUTPUTS
The OUTPUT CHANNEL switch works with the [TV/VCR], [SAP ON/OFF], and
[OUTPUT SELECT] buttons to control the input and output signals of your
VCR.
This is important when you record or when you select a program to watch
using the VCR's tuner. Be sure you understand the function of each
control and how the control's affect each other.
SETTING THE OUTPUT CHANNEL SWITCH
During tape playback, the tape's signal are sent from the VCR's VHF/UHF/
CATV OUT TO TV terminal to the TV on the channel you select using the
OUTPUT CHANNEL switch (Channel 3 or 4). The tape's signals are also sent
to the VCR's VIDEO/AUDIO OUT jacks.
If a tape is not playing and you press [TV/VCR] so that VCR appears on the
VCR's display, the VHF/UHF/CATV signals are sent from the VCR's VHF/UHF/
CATV OUT TO TV terminal to Channel 3 or 4 on your TV. The same signals
are sent to the VCR's VIDEO/AUDIO OUT jacks.
The OUTPUT CHANNEL switch has no effect if the VCR is off or if the
VCR is on and VCR is off the display.
SELECTING THE INPUT MODE
There are three combinations of input signals to record and send to the
VIDEO/AUDIO OUT jacks. The input selection affects the VHF/UHF/CATV
OUT TO TV signals only when you press [TV/VCR] so that VCR appears on the
VCR's display. The VCR displays the selection as follows:
Input Mode Display Video Source Audio Source
Tuner Channel Display Tuner Channel Tuner Channel
Simulcast SIMUL + Channel Tuner Channel Audio Input
Display
Audio/Video Aux Video Input Audio Input
To select an external video/audio device as the input source (connected
to the VCR's VIDEO/AUDIO IN jacks), use CHANNEL [UP ARROW] or [DOWN
ARROW] to tune one position higher than the highest programmed channel
or one position lower than lowest programmed channel. Or, enter 00 using
the remote control's number buttons. Aux appears on the channel display.
To exit the video/audio mode, select another channel.
To select the simulcast mode, press [SIMUL] on the remote control so that
SIMUL appears on the display. Press [SIMUL] again to return to the tuner
mode. See "Recording," Faxback Doc. # 38185.
USING THE SAP ON/OFF BUTTON
Some MTS broadcasts provide a special audio program (SAP) along with the
MTS Stereo audio signal. The SAP provides alternative audio such as
dialogue in another language or tutorial programming.
Use the [SAP ON/OFF] button to select the audio signal that you want
to record or listen to when you receive MTS stereo signals. The [SAP
ON/OFF] button has no effect on Aux, SIMUL, or mono broadcast signals.
The following chart shows what is recorded or heard on the left and right
channels for the off and on settings.
* SAP - Special Audio Program
Button Setting Type of Broadcast Tuner Selected Regular Track
Audio
L ch R ch
MTS Stereo L R L + R
SAP OFF Main + SAP MAIN MAIN MAIN
MTS Stereo + SAP L R L & R
MTS Stereo L R L + R
SAP ON Main + SAP SAP SAP SAP
MTS Stereo + SAP SAP SAP SAP
The [OUTPUT SELECT] button affects the sound that you hear during
recording or playback. See "How the tuner Works" for more information
about MTS and SAP signal reception.
When you play back a tape that was recorded using regular stereo signals
(not hi-fi) or when you select a regular track using [OUTPUT SELECT],
you hear only monaural signals.
If you record an SAP broadcast, you can hear only the monaural SAP
signal.
USING THE OUTPUT SELECT BUTTON
To select the sound you hear during recording or playback, press the
remote control's [OUTPUT SELECT] button.
Press [OUTPUT SELECT] to manually select the regular audio track on
tapes that have both hi-fi and regular tracks. If you select the
regular audio track position, the hi-fi indicator goes off.
NOTE: The [OUTPUT SELECT] button has no effect on recording.
If you play back a tape recorded on a non-hi-fi VCR, the hi-fi indicator
does not light and the sound does not change, even if you press
[OUTPUT SELECT].
If you play back a tape recorded on your VCR on a non-hi-fi VCR, you hear
only the regular audio track.
HOW THE TUNER WORKS
The VCR's 169-channel PLL tuner is active when you turn on the VCR and set
the tuner to the tuner or the simulcast [SIMUL] mode.
The tuner has two functions:
It lets you select what the VCR records.
It lets you select the VCR's output when VCR appears on the VCR's
display (when the VCR is neither playing nor recording a tape).
The tuner has no affect on recording or VCR output if you set the VCR
to the aux (auxiliary) mode or if the VCR's power is off.
SELECTING THE TUNER BAND
Depending on the setting of [TV MODE] in the VCR's control compartment,
the tuner can receive VHF/UHF channels (2-83) or cable channels (1-99)
from one of three different types of cable systems - CATV (Standard),
HRC, or IRC.
Turn on the VCR, and press [TV MODE] to select VHF/UHF channels or cable
channels. Each time you press [TV MODE], the TV mode changes in the
following order: CH (TV Broadcast) -> CATV (Standard) -> CATV HRC ->
-> CATV IRC -> CH (TV Broadcast)
If you do not know which type cable system you have, call your cable
company or select the setting that gives the best reception.
PROGRAMMING THE TUNER MEMORY
You can program the tuner's memory so that when you press CHANNEL [UP
ARROW] or [DOWN ARROW], the VCR scans the active channels in your area.
You can directly select channels that are not in the tuner's memory using
the remote control's number buttons.
NOTE: Be sure to set the tuner band before you program the tuner's
memory. You can enter channels from only one tuner band. See
"Selecting the Tuner Band."
You can find the tuner programming controls in the VCR's control
compartment.
1. Press [PRESET]. CH and Add appear on the VCR's display and CH
flashes.
2. Press [AUTO CH PROG]. Auto appears on the VCR's display and the
tuner scans the band you select. In about 2 minutes, all active
channels in that band are stored in the tuner's memory.
The VCR automatically exits the programming mode and CH stops
flashing.
3. Press CHANNEL [UP ARROW] or [DOWN ARROW] to check the memory's
contents.
If the tuner stores a channel that you do not want, tune to that
channel and press [PRESET]. Then, press [ADD/ERASE]. The VCR
displays ERASE to show that the unwanted channel is erased from
the tuner's memory. Press [PRESET] again to exit the programming
mode.
4. If you want to program a channel that automatic programming missed,
enter the desired channel number using the remote control's number
buttons. Then, press [PRESET] and [ADD/ERASE]. The VCR displays
ADD to show that the channel is added to memory. Press [PRESET]
again to exit the programming mode.
NOTE: If the AC cord is unplugged or a power failure occurs for more
than a few seconds, the tuner loses the information in memory.
Re-program the tuner memory if necessary.
CHANNEL SELECTION
There are two methods of channel selections - manual scan and direct.
To manually scan for a channel, press CHANNEL [UP ARROW] or [DOWN ARROW].
The tuner automatically advances to the next programmed channel in the
direction of the button's arrow.
If you press CHANNEL [UP ARROW] when the tuner is at the top of its range,
the tuner returns to the bottom of the range. If you press CHANNEL [DOWN
ARROW] when the tuner is at the bottom of its range, the tuner returns
to the top of its range.
To directly select a channel, press the remote control's number buttons
for the desired channel. You must precede one-digit channel numbers with
a zero (01, 02, 03, and so on).
With direct selection, you can choose any channel in the tuner's range,
even if there is no broadcast present. (The tuner does not unscramble
cable channels.)
CABLE CHANNEL DESIGNATIONS
Your VCR can receive up to 99 cable channels. The VCR displays the
channels as 1-99.
Channels 2-13 are the same for VHF and cable TV, and cable companies
usually number them as they appear on the display.
However, cable companies often designate other cable channels with
letters or letter-number combinations. The following chart shows
common cable channel designations.
Alternate Channel VCR Tuner
Designation Display
Mid-Band Channels
A 14
B 15
C 16
D 17
E 18
F 19
G 20
H 21
I 22
Super-Band Channels
J 23
K 24
L 25
M 26
N 27
O 28
P 29
Q 30
R 31
S 32
T 33
U 34
V 35
W 36
Hyper-Band Channels
W + 1 or AA 37
W + 2 or BB 38
W + 3 or CC 39
W + 4 or DD 40
W + 5 or EE 41
W + 6 or FF 42
W + 7 or GG 43
W + 8 or HH 44
W + 9 or II 45
W + 10 or JJ 46
W + 11 or KK 47
LL 48
MM 49
NN 50
OO 51
PP 52
QQ 53
RR 54
SS 55
TT 56
UU 57
VV 58
WW 59
XX 60
YY 61
ZZ 62
AAA 63
BBB 64
CCC 65
66 66
Symbol Symbol
94 94
VHF Low-Band Channels
4A or A8 01
5A or A7 05
6A or A6 06
Mid Low-Band Channels
A-5 95
A-4 96
A-3 97
A-2 98
A-1 99
For more information, contact your cable company. You still might
have to experiment to determine the proper cable designations for your
cable system.
STEREO AND SAP BROADCAST RECEPTION
The MTS (multi-channel television sound) decoder built into your VCR's
tuner automatically shows when the VCR receives stereo or SAP signals.
BROADCAST STEREO appears on the VCR's display when the VCR receives
a stereo signal.
BROADCAST SAP appears on the VCR's display when the VCR receives SAP
signal with a memo main signal.
BROADCAST STEREO SAP appears on the VCR's display when the receives an
SAP signal with a stereo signal.
However, the [SAP ON/OFF] button controls what you hear or record. See
"Controlling VCR Inputs & Outputs."
(LB/km-02/28/1997)
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