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Getting Started - 10 -
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 this 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 three 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 a supplied three-line audio/video
cable with bell (RCA) connectors, like this: