Getting Started
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Be sure your chosen location allows for proper ventilation, stability, and protection from heat and moisture
(see Important Safeguards).
Place the VCR near your TV but not on top of it. For convenience in using the remote control, locate them no
more than three feet apart.
If you have an external cable or antenna, place the TV and VCR where you have ample cable to hook them
up. If necessary, you can purchase a cable extension and connector.
If you plan to route your VCR audio through your stereo speakers for better sound reproduction, place the
VCR near the stereo receiver, or have enough long audio cables to make the connections. (But keep in mind
that the electronic signal weakens the further it has to travel.)
2 Decide Which Hookup Method to Use
To make your VCR function, you'll deal with two basic hookups:
1.
The audio and video signal:
If all you want to do is view a prerecorded videotape on the VCR, this three-line
hookup is the only one you need.
2.
The radio frequency (RF) signal
from a cable or antenna: Make this hookup if you also want to record
programs, or if you have no audio/video connectors on your TV.
We will show you the simplest hookups first and then present several variations to suit specific needs. Be
aware that you may need to purchase additional connectors to make the desired hookup. These are available
at video stores and electronic hardware stores.
Choose which hookup method to use based on:
Your TV's capabilities
The type of antenna or cable system you have (for cable box hookup, see Advanced Operations)
Any other devices you want to include in the system (stereo, second VCR, etc.)
We will guide you through the process. But first, turn the TV and the VCR around so you are looking at their
backs. Note the various input and output receptacles, their shapes, and how they are labeled. Then read
through the rest of this hookup section before proceeding to an actual hookup.
DO NOT TURN ON THE POWER YET. FOR YOUR SAFETY, LEAVE YOUR TV AND VCR UNPLUGGED
WHILE HOOKING THEM UP.
3 Hook Up the Audio/Video Signal
If your TV is a fairly recent model, you probably have both audio and video jacks. Look on the back of your TV
for three jacks - possibly color-coded yellow, white, and red. They will be labeled something like IN (L and R),
AUDIO IN, or VIDEO IN. (If you are not sure, look at the back of your VCR - you will see two sets of these
jacks.)
If you have no jacks like these on your TV, skip this step and proceed to Step 4.
TV with Audio and Video Jacks
If you do find
all three jacks
on your TV, you need to purchase a three-line audio/video cable with bell (RCA)
connectors, like this:
If you find a video jack and
only one audio jack,
your TV is probably monaural. You can purchase a two-line
audio/video cable, but the three-line is handy in case you get a stereo TV later.
Connect the yellow VIDEO OUT jack on the VCR to the VIDEO IN jack on the TV.
This direct video input will give you the best picture. It will also let you play videos in a "picture in picture"
