MOD-42 Cable Ready Stereo VCR
(160-0612) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 41001

Getting Started

This section outlines the most basic connections and procedures necessary
to begin using your VCR. We urge you to read the owner's manual completely,
so that you can get acquainted with all the Model 42 features.

When the unit is first plugged in, the clock flashes. You can operate the
VCR manually without setting the clock. Or, if you prefer, see "Setting the
Clock" below before proceeding.

CAUTION: In areas of high humidity, or after moving the VCR from a cold
area to a warm one, plug in the VCR and allow it to warm up for
1 or 2 hours before operating it. This allows complete evapor-
ation of any moisture that could activate the dew sensor and pre-
vent operation. See "DEW Sensor" on Faxback Doc. # 41007.

Basic Connections

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

2. Connect the antenna or cables wires to the VHF and UHF IN terminals on
the VCR. See "Connections for Cable TV" below for more information on
cable TV connections.

NOTES: The UHF terminals are not used for cable TV or some antennas.

If you have 300-Ohm antenna wire, use the supplied 300-to-75
Ohm adapter (or a suitable VHF/UHF splitter) to complete the
connections to the VCR input terminals.

3. Connect the single-connector end of the supplied 75-to-300/75 Ohm cable
to the VHF OUT terminal of the VCR.

4. Connect the appropriate part of the other end of the cable (either 75-or
300-Ohm) to the VHF antenna terminal of the TV.

NOTE: Use either the 75-or 300-Ohm connector. Do NOT use both.

5. If you are receiving UHF signals, connect the supplied 300-Ohm wire
between the UHF OUT terminals on the VCR and the UHF antenna terminals
on the TV.

Preparation For Use

Setting the Clock

The clock must be set accurately to assure proper automatic timer recording.
We suggest that you use a TV or radio station as your time source.

The clock setting controls are located in the control compartment on the
lower edge of the VCR front panel.

In the following example, the clock is set to 10:30 AM on Monday.

1. Plug the VCR power cord into a standard AC outlet (120 volts, 60 Hz).
The display flashes [Su AM 12:00].

2. Press CLOCK SET. Only the day indicator flashes.

3. Press FWD or REV until the desired day indicator lights - MO, for
example.

4. Press SET so that the hour digits flash. Then, press FWD or REV until
the desired hour is displayed - AM 10:00, for example.

The Model 42 uses a 12-hour AM/PM CLOCK. Be sure AM or PM is set
correctly.

5. Press SET so the minutes digits flash. Then, press FWD or REV until
the desired minute is displayed - AM 10:00, for example.

6. Press SET. The colon between the hour and minutes digits flashes,
indicating that the clock is running.

Although seconds are not indicated, they begin counting at 00 when you
press SET after setting the minutes. Use this feature to set the clock
as accurately as possible.

If the display shows abnormal readings, or no readings, unplug the power
cord for a few seconds - then plug it back in.

Video Cassette Handling

1. Press POWER on so that the POWER indicator lights.

2. Insert the cassette into the cassette compartment with the side label
up and the spine label facing out.

3. Push in gently on the center of the cassette spine until the VCR draws
the cassette in completely. The tape-in indicator (----) lights steadily
when the tape is in.

NOTE: Occasionally the tape gets wound tightly. It might not load properly
and will eject automatically. You can loosen the tape by pressing
the brake-release plunger located on the bottom-center of the cass-
ette. Press the plunger using the tip of a pen or pencil.

Removing a Cassette

1. Press the EJECT button.

2. When the tape-in indicator (----) goes off, remove the cassette from
the compartment.

CAUTIONS: Never insert anything except a VHS video cassette into the
cassette compartment.

Eject and store the cassette before turning off the VCR unless
you are making an automatic timer recording.

Cassette Storage

Always store video cassettes in their protective boxes and in a cool, dry,
dust-free environment.

Use video cassette racks that hold the cassettes on end, not on their sides
- this prevents improper setting of the spool of tape.

Erase Protection Tab

Video cassettes have an erase protection feature to prevent accidental
erasure of a tape. If the erase tab is broken off, the VCR will not record
on the tape.

If you want to record on a tape that has the tab removed, put a piece of
heavy plastic tape over the tab hole.

Connections for Cable TV

There are two basic things to consider when connecting your VCR to a cable
system.

Are you receiving any scrambled channels?

Does the system use more channels than the VCR can tune (40 channels, for
the Model 42)?

If your cable system does not scramble any channels (or you do not sub-
scribe to any scrambled channels) and the system uses 40 or fewer
channels, use connection A, on Faxback Doc. # 41040.

If you are receiving scrambled channels or the system uses more than 40
channels, use connection B, on Faxback Doc. # 41040.

CAUTION: Some cities and states have laws restricting direct connections
to cable wires (connections that don't go through the cable box).
Check the laws in your area before making any connections.

Connection A

With these connections, you can watch one channel while recording another
by setting the TV/VCR switch to the TV position. Of course, you can watch
the channel you are recording.

If your TV does not have a cable-ready tuner, the cable box must be used
between the VCR and the TV.

Connections B

With these connections, you can watch any non-scrambled channel tunable by
the TV while recording any available channel. Use the cable box to select
the channel to be recorded. Use the A/B switch to choose viewing of the non-
scrambled channels that your TV can tune or viewing of the channel selected
by the cable box.

If you are recording a scrambled channel using these connections, you can-
not watch a different scrambled channel. A second cable box is needed to do
this.

NOTE: Set the VCR's tuner to the output channel of the cable box (channel
3 or 4) when using these connections.

Note to CATV system installer: This reminder is provided to call the CATV
system installer's attention to Article 820-22 of the National Electrical
Code 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.

Connections for TV Monitors

TV monitors are units that have only separate audio and video inputs. Most
"monitors" sold today are actually combinations of receiver/monitors that
have antenna connections in addition to separate audio/video inputs. All
Radio Shack monitors are the combination type.

If you have a monitor, we suggest the connections below for playback and
monitoring of recordings. Direct audio/video connections usually result
in better picture and sound. (See Faxback Doc. # 41041.)

NOTE: Use video-quality shielded cables with RCA-type connectors (Cat. No.
15-1537). Do not use standard audio cables.

Of course, if you have a combination monitor, make antenna/cable
connections also, to allow recording and viewing of those signals.

Connections for Stereo Hi-Fi Playback

Stereo signals from the VCR tuner or from stereo hi-fi tape playback are
available only from the AUDIO OUT jacks.

To hear the stereo sound, you must connect the jacks to the tape-in or AUX-
in jacks of your stereo system or to the audio inputs of a stereo TV.

The settings of the TUNER MODE switch and L/L + R/R switch also effect the
stereo output of the VCR. See "Controlling VCR inputs and Outputs" on Faxback Doc. # 41002.

You can also listen to hi-fi stereo through the PHONES jack. See Faxback
Doc. # 41007.

Placement of Video Processors

You can use any of the available video processors with your Model 42 VCR.
They improve the quality of playback and help maintain quality when copying
tapes. See "Recording from One VCR to Another" on Faxback Doc. # 41006.

Connect the processors between the VCR AUDIO/VIDEO OUT jacks and the TV.
Some processors only use separate audio/video signals. With a regular TV
(not a monitor), you need a processor with a built-in RF modulator (Cat.
No. 15-1272). Or use a separate RF modulator (Cat. No. 15-1273). (See
Faxback Doc. # 41041.)

(LB/EB 8/5/97)