Optimus Model 59 4-Head VCR (160-0629) Connections Faxback Doc. # 33477 There are many different TV types and ways to connect them to your VCR. This section describes the most common set ups. Before using your VCR for the first time, read through this entire section to determine which connections best meet your needs. Then follow the directions for completing the connections. NOTES: If your audio/video system doesn't match any of the examples provided, contact your local Radio Shack store for assistance. You can connect many different types of audio/video systems such as a stereo receiver/amplifier, a satellite receiver, or a combination of a cable system and outside antenna to your VCR. These connections might require additional supplies that are available from your local Radio Shack store. Disconnect power from the VCR and TV when making connections. Do not connect the VCR's power cord until you complete all other connections. IF YOUR TV HAS AUDIO/VIDEO (A/V) INPUT JACKS If your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, you can connect your VCR to the TV so you can watch and play video tapes. This connection does not allow you to record VHF/UHF signals. To both record and view VHF/UHF signals, you must also complete one of the VHF/UHF connections described in "If You Are Using an Antenna Only", below or "If you Have Cable" , below. If your TV does not have audio/video jacks, proceed directly to "If You Are Using an Antenna Only", below or "If You Have Cable", below. Use video quality shielded cables with phono-type connectors (such as Cat. No. 15-1538, not supplied) to connect the VCR's AUDIO/VIDEO OUT jacks to your TV's input jacks. NOTE: Do not use standard audio cables for this connection. Set the TV's TV/VIDEO switch to VIDEO to watch a tape. IF YOU ARE USING AN ANTENNA ONLY If you are using an antenna (not cable), follow the instructions below for connecting the VCR to a single VHF/UHF terminal, or for connecting to separate VHF/UHF terminals, depending on your TV. If you have cable, proceed directly to "If You Have Cable", below. Either of the following connections allows you to: Record and watch a channel you select with the VCR's tuner. Watch a channel you select with the TV's tuner. Record a channel you select with the VCR's tuner while watching another channel selected with the TV's tuner. NOTE: If you have 300-Ohm antenna wire, use a 300-to-75-Ohm matching transformer (such as Cat. No. 15-5253, not supplied) to connect the wire to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. Single TV VHF/UHF Terminal 1. Connect the antenna's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. 2. Connect one end of the supplied 75-Ohm coaxial cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal. 3. Connect the other end of the cable to the TV's VHF/UHF antenna terminal. Separate TV VHF/UHF Terminals NOTES: Unless your antenna is VHF-only (you receive Channels 2-13 only) or UHF only (you receive channels 14-69 only), you need a band- splitter (such as Cat. No. 15-1252, not supplied) to connect your VCR to separate TV VHF/UHF terminals. Depending on your TV, you might need additional connectors and cables. 1. Connect the antenna's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. 2. Connect one end of the supplied 75-Ohm coaxial cable to the VCR's VHF/ UHF CATV OUT terminal. 3. If necessary, connect the other end of the cable to the band splitter. NOTE: If your antenna is VHF-only or UHF-only, connect the VCR's VHF/ UHF CATV OUT terminal to the TV's VHF or UHF terminal only. 4. Connect the band splitter's UHF output to the TV's UHF terminals, and connect the 75-Ohm VHF output to the TV's VHF terminal. IF YOU HAVE CABLE You can connect a cable system and/or other devices such as a cable box, satellite receiver, or a combination of devices (such as a cable system and antenna) to your VCR. NOTES: Some states have laws restricting direct connections to cable wires (connections that do not go through a cable box). Check the laws in your area before you make connections. If your audio/video system doesn't match any of the examples provided, contact your local Radio Shack store for assistance. Note to the cable TV system installer: This reminder is to call the CATV system installer's attention to Section 820-40 of the National Electrical Code, which 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. Without a Cable Box If you have cable but do not have a cable box, and your TV can receive cable broadcasts, this connection allows you to: Record and watch any unscrambled channel directly. Record one channel selected with the VCR's tuner while you watch another selected with the TV's tuner. It does not allow you to record scrambled channels. 1. Connect the cable system's cable to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. 2. Using the supplied 75-Ohm cable, connect the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal to the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate VHF/UHF terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only. Be sure the TV's tuner is set to CATV. With a Cable Box You can set up your VCR so it can control many types of cable boxes by sending signals from its front panel directly to the cable box. These signals tune your cable box, letting you select the cable channels you want to view and record. NOTE: "If You Have Cable" contains information to help you set up your VCR and cable box so your VCR can control your cable box. To help the VCR's signal reach the cable box, you should place the VCR and cable box near each other, as shown in the following illustration. NOTE: If the VCR faces a wall or other surface that is too far away or is covered with signal-absorbing material (such as a curtain), the signal from the VCR might not reach the cable box. With a Cable Box and no A/B Switch This connection allows you to record any channel (scrambled or unscrambled) by selecting the channel on the cable box. It does not allow you to: Record with the cable box turned off. Record one channel while you watch another. NOTES: The VCR's tuner does not unscramble premium cable channels. You must already receive those channels, and you must connect the VCR to your cable box to record them. If your cable box doesn't come with a 75-Ohm coaxial cable for making connections, you need a 75-Ohm coaxial cable (such as Cat. No. 15-1529, not supplied). If you want to connect an A/B switch, proceed directly to "With a Cable Box and an A/B Switch", below. 1. If necessary, connect the cable system's cable to the cable box's input terminal. 2. Use the supplied 75-Ohm cable or the cable box's cable to connect the cable box's output terminal to the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. 3. Use a 75-Ohm cable to connect the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal to the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate VHF/UHF terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only. With a Cable Box and an A/B Switch If you have a cable box and an A/B switch, this connection allows you to: Record unscrambled channels directly with the A/B switch in the A position. Record scrambled channels through the cable box with the A/B switch in the B position. Record one channel selected with the VCR's tuner while you watch another selected with the TV's tuner, with the A/B switch in the A position. NOTES: This connection requires a 75-Ohm hybrid splitter/combiner (such as Cat. No. 15-1141, not supplied), a high-isolation A/B switch (such as Cat. No. 15-1249, not supplied), and up to four additional 75-Ohm coaxial cables (such as Cat. No. 15-1529, not supplied). Your cable box usually comes with a 75-Ohm coaxial cable for making connections. You can connect any cables to any of the hybrid splitter/combiner's terminals. If you set your VCR to change channels on your cable box, use the steps under "With a Cable Box and no A/B switch", above instead of these steps. 1. Connect the cable system's cable to the hybrid splitter/combiner. 2. Connect the supplied 75-Ohm cable between the hybrid splitter/combiner and the cable box's input terminal. 3. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the hybrid splitter/combiner and the A/B switch's A input terminal. 4. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the cable box's output terminal and the A/B switch's B input terminal. 5. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the A/B switch's output terminal and the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV IN terminal. 6. Connect another 75-Ohm cable between the VCR's VHF/UHF CATV OUT terminal and the VHF/UHF terminal on your TV. If your TV has separate VHF/UHF terminals, connect the cable to the TV's VHF terminal only. To view or record an unscrambled program, set the A/B switch to A. To view or record a scrambled program, set the A/B switch to B. CONNECTING HI-FI STEREO (MODEL 59 ONLY) When the Model 59's tuner receives a stereo broadcast or when you play a Hi-Fi stereo recording, stereo signals are sent to the Model 59's right (R) and left (L) AUDIO OUT jacks. To hear a broadcast or recording in stereo, connect the Model 59's AUDIO OUT jacks to your stereo receiver or amplifier. CONNECTING POWER When you have completed all other connections, plug the VCR's power cord into a standard AC outlet. - - | - - flashes on the display. Note: When you plug in the VCR for the first time or after a power failure, the VCR starts to search for a channel that has an Extended Data Service (EDS) signal. (IR-06/19/96)