Model 27 AC-DC Video Cassette Player (160-0419) Preparation Faxback Doc. # 18257 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 - connections 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 top and bottom ventilation holes. For example, do not set the VCP on carpet. Place the VCP on a flat surface, away from strong vibrations or magnetic fields. Do not set 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 your TV/monitor does not have separate audio and video input jacks, use the connections described in "Connecting a Standard TV," below. If you TV/monitor has separate audio and video input jacks, use the connections described in "Connecting a TV/Monitor," below. If you want to connect a VCR to the VCP for copying tapes, use the connections described in "Connecting a VCR," below. NOTES: A "standard TV" can receive broadcast TV signals from an antenna or cable system, and can be turned to different channels to view the broadcasts. Some standard TVs are equipped with only a 75-Ohm cable/antenna jack, while others might have separate audio and video input jacks. A "TV/monitor" can receive signals from other video equipment (such as your VCP), but unlike a standard TV, it cannot receive (tune in) TV broadcast signals. A TV/monitor typically has separate audio and video input jacks. 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. 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 terminals on the supplied 300-to75-Ohm adapter. Then connect the adapter's 75-Ohm plug 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 the TV'S VHF antenna terminal (or the splitter's input terminal). Connecting a TV/Monitor Follow these instructions to connect your VCP to either a TV monitor or a standard TV that has 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 video-quality shielded cables (not supplied). CAUTION: You must use video-quality cable for this type of connection. Do not use standard audio cable. Your local Radio Shack store sells the proper type of cable. Connecting a VCR Follow these instructions to connect your VCP to a VCR so you can copy video tapes. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION; Most material performed in public, such as concerts, plays, and movies, or distributed on prerecorded video tapes is copyrighted. The unauthorized recording or duplication of copyrighted material is a violation of the copyright laws of most countries and such duplication may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Note, however, that in the United States, it is not a violation of U.S. copyright laws for a consumer to record a broadcast television program for private (in-home) viewing. Connect the VCP's AUDIO AND VIDEO OUT jacks to the VCR's audio and video input jacks using video-quality shielded cables (not supplied). NOTES: You must use video-quality cable for this type of connection. Do not use standard audio cable. Your local Radio Shack store sells this type of cable. If your TV has separate audio/video input jacks, you can connect the VCR's audio/video output jacks to your TV's input jacks using another video-quality shielded cable. This lets you watch a tape while you copy it (see "Copying a Video Tape", Faxback Doc.# 18256, Operation). Connecting A Video Processor To improve the quality of copied tape, you can connect a video processor (not supplied), such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1962, to the VCP. SETTING THE CHANNEL SWITCH CHANNEL, located on the back of the VCP, determine on which channel (3 or 4) a standard TV receives the VCP's signal. Set it 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 a TV monitor, nor does it affect a standard TV's operation when the VCP is turned off or not playing a tape. CONNECTING POWER Using the supplied adapters, you can power your VCP from either a standard AC outlet or from 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,") below. Using AC Power The supplied AC adapter lets you power the VCP from a standard AC outlet. 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. CAUTIONS: The supplied AC adapter provides 14 volts DC power and delivers 850 milliamps. 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 recorder before you plug it into the AC outlet. Always unplug the AC adapter from the outlet before you unplug it from the recorder. 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 plug (5.5 x 2.1 mm depth/diameter). The vehicle must have a 12-volt DC, negative-ground electrical system. Most vehicles have this type of system, but we recommend that you contact the vehicle's dealer if you are unsure. Using the adapter and VCP with any other electrical system or TV could damage the adapter, the VCP, the TV, and/or the vehicle's electrical system. 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 the 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 one 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. DEW PROTECTION SYSTEM Your VCP's dew protection system helps prevent damage caused by moisture that can form on the VCP's tape heads, such as when you move the VCP from a cold area to a warm one. When the system senses moisture on the VCP's tape heads, such as when you move the VCP from a cold area to a warm one. When the system senses moisture on the tape head(s), DEW 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 DEW turns on, disconnect the VCP's power for about 2 hours, then plug it back in. If DEW turns off, you can proceed with normal operation of your VCP. If DEW turns on again, try unplugging it again, or take it to your local Radio Shack 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 Radio Shack Cat. No. 23-558. 1. To remove the battery compartment cover, slide 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. Caution: Use only fresh batteries of the required size and type. 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. (PH 11/6/95)