Model 31 AC/DC VCP
(160-0423)                 Preparation                Faxback Doc. # 38534


ACCESSORIES

Your VCP includes the following connection accessories.  Be sure to unpack
all of them before you throw away the packing material.

300-to-75-ohm Adapter - connects a 300-ohm antenna wire to the VCP's ANT.IN
                        terminal.

75-ohm Coaxial Cable  - connects the VCP's RF.OUT terminal to your TV's 
                        75-ohm antenna terminal.

VCP/TV DC Power Cord  - lets you power the VCP and a portable TV (not
                        supplied) from your vehicle's cigarette lighter
                        socket.

AC Adapter            - lets you power the VCP from a standard AC outlet.

CHOOSING A LOCATION

For safe and effective operation of your VCP, consider the following when
you choose an installation location.

   Place the VCP away from direct sunlight and heat sources, such as
   radiators and heat vents.

   Do not place the VCP in a dusty or humid area.

   Do not block the VCP's ventilation holes.  For example, do not push the
   back of the VCP against a padded surface.

   Place the VCP on a flat surface, away from strong vibrations or magnetic
   fields.

   Do not put anything on top of the VCP.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

You can connect your VCP to a TV/monitor, a VCR (video cassette recorder),
or both.  To help you make the right connections:

   If connecting a TV, use the connections described in "Connecting a
   Standard TV."

   A "standard TV" can receive broadcast TV signals from an antenna or cable
   system, and can be tuned to different channels to view the broadcasts.
   It does not have separate audio and video input jacks.

   If connecting a monitor or TV/monitor, use the connections described in
   "Connecting a TV/Monitor."  (An additional audio/video cable is 
   required.)

   A "TV/Monitor" is like a standard TV, but it also has separate audio and
   video input jacks.  Using the separate audio and video input jacks 
   results in a better quality picture and sound.

   If you want to connect a VCR to the VCP for copying tapes, use the
   connections described in "Connecting a VCR."  (An additional audio/video
   cable is required.)

Note to the CATV System Installer:

This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer's attention to
article 820-40 of the NEC that 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.


Connecting a Standard TV

Follow these steps to connect the VCP to a standard TV that has a 75-ohm
cable jack (but does not have separate audio and video input jacks).

1.  Make sure the TV is off, then disconnect the antenna or cable wire from
    your TV's VHF antenna terminal and connect it to the VCP's ANT.IN
    terminal.

    Notes:

    If your antenna has a 300-ohm wire, connect the wire to the 300-ohm
    screw terminals on the supplied 300-to-75-ohm adapter.  Then connect 
    the adapter's 75-ohm connector to the VCP's ANT.IN terminal.

    If you have a VHF/UHF splitter connected to your TV, disconnect the
    antenna wire from the splitter's input terminal and leave the splitter
    connected to the TV.

    If you have a separate UHF antenna, leave the UHF antenna wire 
    connected to the TV.

2.  Using the supplied 75-ohm coaxial cable, connect the VCP's RF.OUT
    terminal to TV's VHF antenna terminal (or the splitter's input 
    terminal).

Connecting a TV/Monitor

To connect your VCP to a TV/monitor's separate audio and video input jacks,
connect the VCP's AUDIO and VIDEO OUT jacks to the TV/monitor's audio and
video input jacks using a video-quality shielded cable (not supplied).

Caution:  You must use a video-quality cable for this type of connection.
          Do not use a standard audio cable.  Your local RadioShack store
          sells the proper type of cable.

Connecting a VCR

To connect your VCP to a VCR so you can copy video tapes, connect the VCP's
AUDIO and VIDEO OUT jacks to the VCR's audio and video input jacks using a
video-quality shielded cable (not supplied).  Then see "Copying a Video
Tape" to find out how to copy a tape.

Notes:

   You must use a video-quality cable for this type of connection.  Do not
   use a standard audio cable.  Your local RadioShack store sells the 
   correct type of cable.

   You can connect the VCR's audio/video output jacks to your TV's input
   jacks using another video-quality shielded cable, or to the antenna
   output jack using 75-ohm cable.  This lets you watch a tape while you
   copy it (see "Copying a Video Tape").

SETTING THE CHANNEL SWITCH

CHANNEL, on the back of the VCP, determines on which channel (3 or 4) a
standard TV receives the VCP's signal.  Set CHANNEL to 3 for channel 3, or
4 for channel 4.

Notes:

   If possible, set CHANNEL to a channel on which you do not receive regular
   television broadcasts.

   The CHANNEL setting has no effect on the audio and video outputs, nor
   does it affect a standard TV's operation when the VCP is not playing a
   tape.

CONNECTING POWER

Using the supplied adapters, you can power your VCP from either a standard
AC outlet or your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket.

Cautions:

   If you use the VCP in areas of high humidity or move it from a cold area
   to a warm one, allow it to warm up for about 2 hours before you plug it
   in and operate it.  This allows any damaging moisture to completely
   evaporate.

   If moisture has formed inside the VCP, it might not operate after you
   connect power (see "Dew Protection System").

Using AC Power

The supplied AC adapter lets you power the VCP from a standard AC outlet.

Cautions:

   The supplied AC adapter provides 14 volts DC power and delivers 850 
   milliamps and has a plug that properly fits the VCP's DC IN 12V jack.
   Using an adapter that does not meet these specifications could damage
   the VCP, your TV/monitor, or the adapter.

   When you unplug the AC adapter, grasp the adapter's plug, not its cord.

   Always plug the AC adapter into the VCP before you plug it into the AC
   outlet.  Always unplug the AC adapter from the outlet before you unplug
   it from the VCP.

To use AC power, connect the AC adapter's barrel plug to the VCP's DC IN 
12V jack, then plug the AC adapter's power cord into a standard AC outlet.

Using Vehicle Battery Power

The supplied DC adapter lets you power your VCP and a portable TV (not
supplied) from your vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket.

Cautions:

   The TV you use must have a DC 12-volt jack (with the center tip set to
   positive) that accepts the adapter's 5.5 mm outer diameter/2.1 mm inner
   diameter plug.

   Before plugging the power cord's cigarette-lighter plug into your 
   vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket, be sure the knurled ring at the 
   plug's tip is screwed firmly onto the plug.

   Always plug the DC adapter into the VCP and TV before you plug it into
   the cigarette-lighter socket.  Always unplug the DC adapter from the
   cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it from the VCP and TV.

   The VCP continues to draw a small amount of current from the vehicle's
   battery even after you turn it off, so be sure to disconnect the DC
   adapter from cigarette-lighter socket when you are not using the VCP and
   TV, to prevent your vehicle's battery from being drained.

The DC power cord has two barrel plugs on one end and a cigarette-lighter
plug on the other end.  To connect DC power, plug one of the adapter's
barrel plugs into the VCP's DC IN 12V jack, and plug the other into the 
TV's DC 12-volt jack.  Then connect the cigarette-lighter plug into the 
vehicle's cigarette-lighter socket.

Note:  If the DC adapter does not provide power, check the fuse.  See
       "Care and Maintenance," Faxback Doc. # 38537.

DEW PROTECTION SYSTEM

Your VCP's dew protection system helps prevent damage caused by moisture
that can form on the VCP's tape heads.  When the system senses moisture on
the tape head(s), the DEW indicator turns on and the VCP does not let you
play a tape.

Caution:  To avoid damaging the VCP mechanism, do not try to load a tape
          while the DEW indicator is on.

If the DEW indicator turns on, disconnect the VCP's power for about 2 hours,
then plug it back in.  If the DEW indicator does not light, you can proceed
with normal operation.  If the DEW indicator turns on again, try unplugging
the VCP for another 2 hours, or take it to your local RadioShack store for
assistance.

INSTALLING THE REMOTE CONTROL'S BATTERIES

The remote control requires two AAA batteries (not supplied) for power.  
For the best performance and longest battery life, we recommend alkaline
batteries, such as RadioShack Cat. No. 23-558.

1.  Remove the battery compartment cover by sliding it in the direction of
    the arrow.

2.  Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity
    symbols (+ and -) marked inside the compartment.

Cautions:

   Use only fresh batteries of the required size and type.

   Do not mix old and new batteries, different types of batteries (standard,
   alkaline, or rechargeable), or rechargeable batteries of different 
   capacities.

3.  Replace the cover.

Notes:

   If you will not be using the remote control for a month or more, remove
   the batteries.

   You can use the remote control up to a distance of about 23 feet (7 
   meters) in front of the VCP.  If it does not operate properly within
   this distance, replace the batteries.

Warning:  Always dispose of old batteries promptly and properly.

(km-03/24/1997)

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