RCA Color TV
(160-2083/2085) Connections Faxback Doc. # 40420
Compatible Components
A wide variety of compatible RCA Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs),
camcorders, and audio components are available. Check with your RCA
dealer for details.
Other brands of components can also be connected to your TV. Refer to the
components owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended hookup
instructions.
Stacking Arrangements
If you are connecting several components and plan to use a component rack,
follow these general rules when arranging your components.
If the components are arranged horizontally, allow at least an inch or two
of space between them so air can circulate freely. This will also provide
some space between the audio devices to minimize interference.
If components are arranged vertically on shelves, place the Stereo Amplifier
at the top so that heated air rising from it will not pass around the
other components.
Do not block the ventilation holes in the components. If components are
placed on rugs or deep-pile mats, the ventilation holes in the bottoms may
be blocked and overheating could result.
Some VCRs may cause interference in TVs. When placing a VCR under your TV,
try to keep at least 18 inches between the bottom of the TV and the top of
the VCR. If interference is present when the VCR is used on top of the TV
or at the 18 inch distance below the set, move the VCR beside the TV. If
moving the VCR does not solve the interference problem, try plugging the
VCR into a different wall socket.
Plugging in Power Cords
Do not plug any power cord into a wall outlet until you are finished making
connections.
Many components have "convenience outlets" on their back panels so you can
plug power cords from other components into a "convenience outlet" instead
of a wall outlet. Usually these outlets will be labeled either switched or
unswitched.
If the outlet is labeled "switched", that means power to the outlet will
be switched off when the component's power button is switched off.
If the outlet is labeled "unswitched", that means power will always be
available at that outlet, even when the component is turned off.
Depending on the size of your system, you may prefer to use an extension
cord or a "multiple adapter" to get enough outlets for all your components.
The power cords on your RCA components are "polarized" (one blade is wider
than the other). Be sure the extension cord or multiple adapter is also
polarized. The plug should fit in the outlet only one way.
Turning Off Power Before Connecting Components
Always turn off power to all components before you connect or disconnect
any cables. This will protect your components from possible electrical
surges that could damage your equipment. This is a good practice for all
your audio and video components - TV's, VCRs, audio systems, computers,
etc.
Positioning Cables to Avoid Hum
The possibility of picking up hum (interference noise) in the audio/video
cables will be reduced if you keep them away from the back of the TV.
Route the cables to the sides of the TV's back panel instead of straight
down the middle.
All cable plugs should be firmly seated in the jacks where they connect
to the equipment. If a plug is not connected firmly, audio hum or smeared
video may result. If your antenna cable is flat twin-lead cable, try to
keep it away from the audio/video cables as much as possible. Excess flat,
twin-lead cable should be cut off instead of coiled behind the TV. Round
coaxial, antenna cable is usually shielded and can be coiled or placed
next to audio/video cables without causing interference.
Positioning Speakers to Avoid Interference
Placing external speakers with unshielded magnets too close to the TV may
result in the speaker magnets affecting the quality of the picture. Such
speakers should be located at least eight inches away.
If unshielded speakers are too close to the TV, colored streaks will appear
along the sides of the picture. If this happens, turn off the TV for
several minutes while moving the speakers farther away. Then turn the TV
back on.
MONITOR PANEL
EXTERNAL SPEAKERS Terminals - permit direct connection of auxiliary
speakers.
CABLE/ANTENNA Connector - used when attaching either a home antenna or a
cable-TV system to your TV.
SPEAKER Switch - when you connect additional speakers to the EXTERNAL
SPEAKERS terminals on the TV, this switch lets you optimize
the sound for the speaker location you choose.
If you place the speakers on each side of the TV, put
switch in EXT position. If the left side of the switch
is labeled EXT, the internal audio from the TV's speakers
will be muted.
If you place the speakers behind the viewer (at the back
of the room), put switch in INT/EXT SURR position. This
maintains normal volume level of the TV's internal
speakers and a surround signal to rear speakers.
IMPORTANT: Always place switch in INT/EXT SURR position if no external
speakers are used (or if external speakers are ever
disconnected).
SELECT OUT Jacks - provide fixed-level audio and video output from whatever
is displayed on the TV screen. Provide audio and video
signals suitable for recording. Can be used for several
applications such as:
VCR editing with two or three VCRs
recording TV programs onto a camcorder
recording cable-TV programs onto a VCR that is not
cable-ready
recording audio onto an audio cassette tape recorder
Notes: Remember that whatever you want to record must be displayed on the
TV screen during recording.
Video signals from the S-VIDEO connector can not be recorded from
the SELECT OUT VIDEO jack. To record from an S-VHS component
connected to the S-VIDEO connector, you must also connect the video
cable to the VIDEO INPUT 1 jack and then select channel 91 on the
TV screen.
On-screen displays such as menus and status displays can not be
recorded from this jack.
INPUT 2 Jacks - provide for direct connection of video devices (like VCRs)
or compatible home computers and TV games with video/audio
outputs. To see the signals from a device that is
connected to the INPUT 2 jacks, tune your TV to channel 92.
INPUT 1 Jacks - provide for direct connection of video devices (like VCRs)
or compatible home computers and TV games with video/audio
outputs. To see the signals from a device that is connected
to the INPUT 1 jacks, tune your TV to channel 91.
S-VIDEO Connector - provides for direct S-VHS video connection from S-VHS
VCR or camcorder's audio jack(s) to the TV's INPUT 1
LEFT and/or R/MONO audio jacks. This is necessary
because S-Video cables only carry the super video
(picture), not the audio signal.
Signals from S-VHS devices connected to the TV's S-VIDEO
connector and INPUT 1 audio jack(s) can be viewed by
pressing the TV button followed by 9 then 0 on the
remote control - (or by scanning to TV channel 90 if
you have added "90" to channel memory).
Note: If you want to use the SELECT OUT jacks, remember to also connect the
S-VHS component's regular video cable to the VIDEO INPUT 1 jack, and
then tune to channel 91.
HI FI OUT Jacks - feed volume-controlled stereo audio out from whatever is
displayed on the TV screen. Allow connection of audio
amplifier and lets you adjust sound level with TV's
remote.
Home Antenna Connections
Follow one of the steps below to connect an indoor or outdoor antenna to
your TV (only if you do not have a cable-TV system).
A. If the antenna cable coming from your home antenna is a 75-ohm round
coaxial cable that carries only VHF (channel 2-13), only UHF (channels
14-69), or VHF and UHF channels, connect it to your set like this:
Incoming Cable from Home Antenna - VHF or UHF Only or VHF/UHF Combo -
Back of TV
OR
B. If the antenna cable coming from your home antenna is a 300-ohm flat
twin lead that carries only VHF (channels 2-13), only UHF (channels
14-69), or VHF and UHF channels, connect it to your set like this:
Incoming Cable from Home Antenna - VHF or UHF Only or VHF/UHF Combo -
Antenna Adapter - Push on Back of TV
OR
C. If the antenna cables coming from your home antenna(s) are a 75-ohm
round coaxial cable that carries VHF (channels 2-13) and a 300-ohm flat
twin lead cable for UHF (channels 14-69), connect them to your set like
this: Incoming Cables from Home Antenna(s) - UHF and VHF - Antenna
Mixer - Push on Back of TV
OR
D. If the antenna wires coming from your home antenna(s) are two 300-ohm
flat twin-lead cables, connect them to your set like this: Incoming
Cables from Home Antenna(s) - UHF and VHF - Antenna Mixer - Push on
Back of TV
Note: Be sure to connect the UHF antenna cable to the UHF screws on the
antenna mixer and the VHF antenna cable to the screws marked VHF.
Cable-TV Connections
Follow one of these steps to connect a cable-TV system to your TV instead
of a home antenna. Since cable-TV systems vary, you may wish to consult
your local cable-TV company for additional information.
A. Follow this diagram if your cable company does not require a converter
decoder box (no scrambled channels): Incoming Cable- Back of TV.
B. Follow this diagram if your cable company requires a converter/decoder
box that can be controlled by remote control. Most brands of remote
controllable boxes can be controlled by the remote that came packed
with your TV. Incoming Cable - Converter/Decoder Box - Back of TV.
Remember to tune your TV to the output channel of the converter box
(usually 2, 3, or 4) when selecting channels via the converter box.
C. Follow this diagram if your cable company requires a converter/decoder
box that cannot be controlled by remote control: Incoming Cable - 2-way
splitter - three coaxial cables - Converter/Decoder Box - A/B switch -
Back of TV.
Note: The optional accessories are available from your RCA dealer or
electronics supply store.
Camcorder Connections
S-VHS or Standard VHS Camcorder
(This connection allows you to play back tapes in the camcorder and watch
them on the TV.)
An S-VHS or standard camcorder can be connected directly to your TV. If
you have an S-VHS camcorder, connect the S-VHS video cable to the S-VIDEO
connector on your TV. If you have a standard VHS camcorder, connect the
video cable to the VIDEO INPUT 1 jack on the back of your TV. With either
video connection, attach the audio cable to the INPUT 1 R/MONO audio jack.
Notes: When the adapter's S-VHS Cable is connected to the S-VIDEO connector
the video plug does not have to be connected. However, you may
prefer to plug it in anyway to keep it out of the way. The S-VHS
video will automatically override the VIDEO INPUT 1 signal when you
select Channel 90. Be sure to connect the video cable, however,
for picture-in-picture viewing or if you plan to use the SELECT OUT
jacks for recording. When recording from the SELECT OUT jacks, tune
to channel 91 to see the signal from the camcorder. When displaying
picture-in-picture, the TV automatically minimizes any annoying
differences in tint between the small and large picture by
electronically coupling the S-VIDEO input to the VIDEO 1 input.
Operation: If the camcorder is connected to the VIDEO INPUT 1 jack (instead
of the S-VIDEO connector), select channel 91 on the TV to view
whatever the camcorder is playing.
If the camcorder is connected to the S-VIDEO connector and
INPUT 1 audio jack, select channel 90 on the TV to view
whatever the camcorder is playing.
S-VHS or Standard VHS Camcorder
(This connection allows you to record onto the camcorder whatever is
currently being displayed on the TV screen.)
This connection will let you record onto the camcorder whatever is being
displayed on the screen such as a TV program. You'll also be able to
record signals from a VCR (or similar device) that is connected to the
TV's INPUT 1 or 2 jacks.
The TV must remain turned on during recording. If you change channels on
the TV, the channel change will be recorded on the camcorder tape unless
you pause the camcorder during recording.
You may also want to use this connection to dub or edit VCR tapes with two
or three camcorders (or VCRs). By connecting one camcorder (or VCR) to the
INPUT 1 jacks and another camcorder (or VCR) to the INPUT 2 jacks, you'll
be able to selectively edit and record whatever is playing on the TV screen
onto a third camcorder (or VCR) connected to the SELECT OUT jacks.
If you connect a surveillance system to your monitor, you'll be able to
record what the camera is displaying on the TV screen by connecting a
camcorder (or VCR) to the SELECT OUT jacks.
To see the signal from a device connected to the INPUT 1 jacks, select
channel 91. Select channel 92 to see the signal from a device connected
to the INPUT 2 jacks.
Note: Signals from the S-VIDEO connector do not come thru the SELECT OUT
jacks. To record from an S-VHS component, remember to also connect
its regular video cable to the VIDEO INPUT 1 jack and then tune the
TV to channel 91.
Component Connections
Computers and Other Equipment with Audio/Video Outputs
Your TV can also be used as a display device for many video games and home
computers. If your game or computer has a normal NTSC (American Standard)
VIDEO output, it can be connected directly to either the INPUT 1 or INPUT 2
jacks on the TV.
If the computer or other device has monaural audio output (only one AUDIO
OUT jack instead of L and R), connect it to the TV's R/MONO jack. This will
enable the TV to reproduce the sound through both the left and right
speakers.
To View Signals From Computer
If you connected the computer to the TV's INPUT 1 jacks, select channel 91
on the TV so you can see whatever signal is coming from the computer.
If you connected the computer to the TV's INPUT 2 jacks select channel 92
on the TV so you can see whatever signal is coming from the computer.
Amplifier or Cassette Tape Deck
If your stereo amplifier is not part of a "system" that has its own remote,
connect it to the TV. Note: If the stereo amplifier is part of a system
that has its own remote, you may choose to connect it to the TV using the
SELECT OUT jacks.
With this connection, you'll be able to change and mute volume with the
TV's remote control. You'll also be able to remotely control bass and
treble functions.
Connection:
Connect the "L" and "R" HI FI OUT jacks to the corresponding input jacks
on the stereo amplifier (such as AUX, TUNER, or CD). Do not use the PHONO
inputs. If your amplifier is not stereo (mono), connect it to the TV's
R/MONO jack. Consult the amplifier's owner's manual for the manufacturer's
recommended hookup.
Operation: If desired, turn off TV's internal speakers. Adjust the
amplifier for normal listening. Then control sound with the
VOL and MUTE buttons on the TV's remote.
Audio Cassette Recorder or Amplifier
If your stereo amplifier is part of a "system" that has its own remote
control, connect it to the SELECT OUT jacks. The fixed level audio signal
present at these jacks is also ideal for connecting an audio cassette
recorder to record audio from the TV. This constant audio signal is not
affected by pressing the VOLUME buttons on the TV's front panel or the
TV's remote control.
Connection:
Connect SELECT OUT "L" and "R" to the corresponding input jacks on the
stereo amplifier or audio cassette recorder. If your amplifier is not
stereo (mono), connect it to the TV's R/MONO jack. Consult the equipment's
owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended hookup.
Operation: Select a TV channel and turn down the sound on the TV, or turn
off TV's internal speakers. Adjust sound with controls on the
amplifier or cassette recorder. If the amplifier or cassette
recorder is part of a "system" that has its own remote, use
the system's remote to adjust sound.
Speaker Connections
Caution: Do not connect external speakers to more than one audio source
at a time. You can connect a set of speakers to either the TV
or the Amplifier but not to both at the same time. If you
connect the same speakers to both the TV and the amplifier, you
will damage your equipment.
Connecting Speakers to Back of TV
If you connect an amplifier or receiver to your TV, connect the speakers
to the amplifier/receiver instead of the TV.
If you do not connect an amplifier or receiver to your TV, you can connect
external speakers to the TV to enhance the TV's sound.
To connect external speakers to the speaker terminals on the back of the
TV:
1. Remove the vinyl covering and twist the wire core.
2. Press and hold the lever down while inserting the wire cord into the
hole. Be sure to connect (+) to (+) and (-) to (-).
3. Release the lever.
Notes: After releasing the lever, pull gently on the wire and check that
it is connected securely to its terminal.
Do not allow the wire core to protrude from its terminal or contact
other wires or terminals. If the cores of two wires touch each
other, damage to components could result.
The speaker switch on the back of the TV allows you to use the external
speakers two ways:
To enhance the sound from the TV, place the speakers in the front of the
viewing area (usually beside the TV), and slide the speaker switch to EXT.
This provides full power to the external speakers for a "fuller" sound.
The internal audio from the TV's speakers will be turned off.
To obtain a "surround sound" effect, place the external speakers in the
rear of the viewing area, and slide the speaker switch to INT/EXT SURR.
This provides full power to the TV's internal speakers for the front sound
and a surround signal to the rear speakers.
Helpful Hints:
External speakers placed next to the TV will sound better the higher quality
they are.
Very efficient small "bookshelf" or "compact" speakers will give good
results for surround-sound use.
Surround effect can often be improved by experimenting with rear speaker
placement.
Surround-encoded movies (broadcast or tape) give the best surround effect,
but regular stereo and mono programs will also benefit.
Connecting Speakers to Back of Amplifier or Receiver
If you connect an Amplifier or Receiver to your TV, connect the speakers
to the Amplifier/Receiver instead of the TV. Sound from the TV will then
come through the Amplifier/Receiver and the TV's internal speakers. You
can turn off the TV's internal speakers with the SPEAKERS: ON/OFF function.
Check the owner's manual for your Amplifier/Receiver for a diagram showing
how to connect external speakers to the speaker terminals on the back your
Amplifier/Receiver.
Notes: After connecting speaker wire, pull it gently and check that it is
connected securely to its terminals.
Do not allow the wire core to protrude from its terminal or contact
other wires or terminal. If the cores of two wires touch each
other, damage to components could result.
IMPORTANT: When connecting the speaker wire, make sure you connect the (+)
terminal on the TV to the (+) terminal on the speaker. One side
of the speaker wire is usually marked with a white stripe to
help you connect (+) to (+) and (-) to (-). If the (+) and (-)
terminals are not matched properly, the speakers will not be
"in phase" causing reduction in low frequencies (bass).
(km-07/11/1997)
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