Easy Home Video Editor (150-1963) Connections Faxback Doc. # 34337 Step 2 Connect your equipment to the Easy Editor Step 2.1: Insert Batteries Or Connect AC Adaptor. Insert batteries. Note that batteries are optional-they are only needed for portable use. The Easy Editor's permanent memory will retain all information without batteries, even when the unit is unplugged. Remove the battery door. Insert the first two in the "+" end. Insert the third in the "_" end. Then insert the last battery in the resulting gap and replace the battery door. Always use new batteries- never mix old and new batteries. Because batteries can leak, they should be removed if they won't be used for several months. Or, use an AC adaptor. Use only the supplied adaptor. An incorrect adaptor can damage the unit. Press POWER and the light comes on. The unit turns itself off if left alone, with no video coming in, for 6 minutes. Note that connecting an AC adaptor disconnects the batteries (to prolong their life). The AC adaptor must be unplugged from the Easy Editor unit for the batteries to work. Step 2.2: Connect Your Equipment. Connect your television, VCR, and camcorder to the Easy Editor as described in the Instructions pamphlet. Step 2.3: More Information on VCR Input Switches. This is an important step and the most common cause of problems! Normally, your VCR records a television channel. When you use the Easy Editor, you want it to record your camcorder footage instead. To do this, you need to set a switch that determines whether the VCR records a television channel, using its tuner, or records whatever's connected to its VIDEO and AUDIO inputs. VCRs use different methods for switching the input. You need to determine which method your VCR uses. One way to determine how your VCR works is to consult its manual. Find the section that describes how to copy or duplicate tapes and follow the directions. It should show you how a second VCR is connected using the separate AUDIO and VIDEO connections, not the CABLE/ANTENNA connection. A second way is to call the manufacturer or the dealer that sold you the VCR. The question you want to ask is, "I have a camcorder connected to the VCR's AUDIO and VIDEO inputs. How do I make it record the camcorder signal, instead of recording the tuner?" You might also be able to tell by looking at the VCR and its remote control Look for a switch labeled "INPUT" or "INPUT SELECT." (The Instructions pamphlet shows some typical controls,) It's often behind a door and it might only be on the remote control. It switches between "TUNER" and "LINE" (The "LINE" setting might be called "AUX" or "EXT" or "A/V.") Switch it to "LINE." Some VCRs have no input switch - they switch the input auto- matically when a cable is plugged into the video input; or they use a special channel, such as "A1" or "99." Step 2.4: Camcorder Switches. If the camcorder has a MASTER/SLAVE switch, set it to SLAVE. Many camcorders have a switch that determines whether it acts as a cam- corder or as a tape player. The switch is often marked "VTR" and "CAMERA." Set the switch as you would to play tapes. The camcorder manual should describe this. If the camcorder has an EDIT switch, turn it ON. This disables video processing circuits that can reduce the quality of video copies. Step 2.5: Audio. Note that audio is connected directly from the camcorder to the VCR. Audio is not connected to the Easy Editor. If the camcorder or VCR has stereo sound, there are two audio connections, labeled L and R. If both are stereo, use two cables and connect both (L to L and R to R). If only one is stereo, use a Y-connector to connect L and R together. A "Y-connector" is used to combine two stereo audio channels. Step 2.6: Advanced Connections. Other equipment If you have video titling or processing equipment, connect this equipment between the camcorder and the Easy Editor. That is, connect the camcorder VIDEO OUT to the processor's VIDEO IN; connect the processor's VIDEO OUT to the Easy Editor's IN. If you have both, connect the camcorder to the processor, the processor to the titler, and the titler to the Easy Editor. Connect auxiliary equipment between the camcorder and the Easy Editor, never between the Easy Editor and the VCR. Connections for advanced use. This figure shows a title generator. If you are using a title generator with a "GPI trigger," you might be able to automatically trigger titles at any point in a production (see Step 7.6) To do this, you need a special trigger cable to connect the Easy Editor's TRIGGER CONTROL jack to the titler's GPI-compatible CONTROL jack. Contact the maker of the title generator for details. Audio mixer If you have an audio mixer, connect it between the camcorder and the VCR (camcorder audio out to mixer input: mixer out to VCR audio in). Step 2.7: Testing the Connections and Troubleshooting. Try each of the following steps and confirm that the indicated action occurs. If it doesn't, refer to the Troubleshooting Section (on Faxback Doc. # 34345). Turn on the camcorder, VCR, television, and the Easy Editor. The light on the Easy Editor should come on. Play a tape in the VCR. You should see the tape play on the television Play a camcorder tape. When the VCR is stopped, you should see the camcorder tape play on the television. While the camcorder tape plays, press ON-SCREEN DISPLAY several times. You should see a "thumb," superimposed over the camcorder video, appear and disappear. If you have a controllable camcorder, use the Easy Editor controls (PLAY [SYMBOL], etc.) to control the camcorder. The camcorder should respond. Step 3 "Learning" your VCR Step 3.1: Start with the Instructions Pamphlet. Follow the steps in "Set Up the Easy Editor" in the Instructions pamphlet. The following steps cover special situations that differ from the Instructions. Control-L jack (Cat. No. CMC16-2334) or a Panasonic-type 5-pin jack (Cat. Step 3.2: How to Tell If the VCR is in Record-Pause. You need to see when the VCR goes into record-pause (a mode in which it's ready to record but the tape is not moving). VCRs differ, but most have RECORD and PAUSE indicators on their front panel or on the television screen. If the record and pause indicators are both on, the VCR is in record- pause; if only the record indicator is on, the VCR is probably recording. If you're uncertain, follow the instructions in the VCR manual to put the VCR in record-pause. Watch the VCR's front panel as you go in and out of record-pause to see what's displayed. (BR/EB 8/2/96)