6-419.fm Page 1 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM OWNER’S MANUAL Model 27 AC-DC Video Cassette Player Please read before using this equipment. Cat. No.
16-419.fm Page 2 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM FEATURES Your Optimus Model 27 AC-DC Video Cassette Player (VCP) is lightweight, easy to use, and has many convenient features. Its dual power options let you enjoy it almost anywhere — at home or the office, or even in your vehicle. The VCP’s compact size and front-loading design are especially ideal for vans, RVs or campers, and the supplied remote control lets you control it from a distance.
16-419.fm Page 3 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM Warning: To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose this product to rain or moisture. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN. ! CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
16-419.fm Page 4 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM CONTENTS PREPARATION ........................................................................................................ 5 Accessories ........................................................................................................ 5 Choosing a Location ........................................................................................... 5 Making Connections ..................................................................................
16-419.fm Page 5 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM PREPARATION ACCESSORIES AC Adapter — lets you power the VCP from a standard AC outlet. 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 — connects a 300-ohm antenna wire to the VCP’s ANT.IN terminal. CHOOSING A LOCATION For safe and effective operation of your VCP, consider the following when you choose an installation location.
16-419.fm Page 6 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM 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.” • If your TV/monitor has separate audio and video input jacks, use the connections described in “Connecting a TV/Monitor.
16-419.fm Page 7 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM 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-to-75-ohm adapter.
16-419.fm Page 8 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM 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.
16-419.fm Page 9 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM 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.
16-419.fm Page 10 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM Connecting a Video Processor To improve the quality of copied tapes, you can connect a video processor (not supplied), such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1962, to the VCP. Note: Most video processors are equipped with separate audio and video jacks. If your TV/monitor does not have separate audio/video input jacks, you must use a video processor with a built-in RF modulator or connect a separate RF modulator.
16-419.fm Page 11 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM SETTING THE CHANNEL SWITCH CHANNEL, located on the back of the VCP, determines 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. 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”).
16-419.fm Page 12 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM • 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. 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.
16-419.fm Page 13 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM Caution: To avoid damaging the VCP mechanism, do not try to load a tape while the DEW indicator is on. 2. Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside the compartment. 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.
16-419.fm Page 14 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM OPERATION USING THE REMOTE CONTROL The control buttons on the remote control are identical to those on the front of the VCP. To use the remote control, be sure that the front end of it is pointing with a clear path toward the front of the VCP, then press the desired button(s). sette door with the main label facing up and the spine label facing out. Then gently push on the center of the tape’s spine until the VCP pulls the tape all the way in.
16-419.fm Page 15 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM 5. To eject the tape, press EJECT. TAPE IN turns off and the VCP ejects the tape. The VCP automatically stops the tape when it reaches the end. To stop the tape at any time during fast-forwarding or rewinding, press STOP. Or, to stop fast-forwarding and rewinding and automatically begin play, press PLAY(x2). The tape stops, PLAY lights, then the tape begins to play. 6. Press POWER to turn off the VCP. The red POWER indicator turns off.
-419.fm Page 16 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM To use visual search, press PLAY(x2) to begin normal play, then press FAST-F to search forward or REW to search backward. The FAST-F or REW indicator lights steadily along with the PLAY indicator, and the tape begins to play either forward or backward at a faster speed. and the picture is of a lesser quality than during normal playback. • Tapes recorded at EP (extended play) speed provide the best picture during visual search and doublespeed playback.
16-419.fm Page 17 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM Auto Repeat Playback You can set the VCP to continuously play, rewind, then repeat a tape. To set the VCP for auto repeat playback, before or during normal playback, press AUTO REPEAT so the AUTO REPEAT indicator lights steadily. After about 5 minutes, the VCP automatically resumes normal playback. To resume normal playback sooner, press PLAY(x2).
16-419.fm Page 18 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM WATCHING BROADCAST TV To watch broadcast TV on a standard TV connected to the VCP, simply press POWER to turn off the VCP, then tune to the desired station on the TV. COPYING A VIDEO TAPE If you connected a VCR to the VCP, you can use your VCP to play back a video cassette tape while the VCR records it. Follow these steps to copy a video cassette tape. 1. Load a pre-recorded tape into the VCP. 2.
16-419.fm Page 19 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE If your VCP is not performing as it should, these suggestions might help. If you still cannot solve the problem, take the VCP to your local Radio Shack store for assistance. SYMPTOM No power. POSSIBLE CAUSES Power cord is not connected. Power is turned off. REMEDY Plug the AC adapter into an AC outlet or connect the DC adapter to your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket. Press POWER so its red indicator lights.
16-419.fm Page 20 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM CARE AND MAINTENANCE Your Optimus Model 27 AC-DC Video Cassette Player is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the VCP so you can enjoy it for years. Keep the VCP dry. If it gets wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits. Handle the VCP gently and carefully.
16-419.fm Page 21 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM CLEANING THE VIDEO HEADS Dirty video heads can cause the VCP’s picture to be blurred during playback, even when the video signal is clear. We recommend that you clean the heads only when such problems occur. For proper head cleaning, follow the instructions in a head-cleaning kit, such as Radio Shack Cat. No. 44-1203, or take the VCP to your local Radio Shack for regular servicing.
16-419.fm Page 22 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM Warning: To prevent a shock hazard when you replace the fuse, be sure the VCP is turned off and its power is disconnected. Follow these steps to replace the fuse. THE FCC WANTS YOU TO KNOW Your VCP might cause TV or radio interference even when it is operating properly. To determine whether your VCP is causing the interference, turn off your VCP. If the interference goes away, your VCP is causing the interference.
16-419.fm Page 23 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Television System .................................................................. .NTSC, US TV Standard Tape Width ........................................................................................................ 1/2 Inch Tape Speed....................................................................................SP 1.31 Inches/Sec LP 0.65 Inches/Sec EP 0.43 Inches/Sec RF Converter ..........................................
16-419.fm Page 24 Tuesday, July 20, 1999 11:16 AM RADIO SHACK LIMITED WARRANTY This product is warranted against defects for 90 days from date of purchase from Radio Shack company-owned stores and authorized Radio Shack franchisees and dealers. Within this period, we will repair it without charge for parts and labor. Simply bring your Radio Shack sales slip as proof of purchase date to any Radio Shack store. Warranty does not cover transportation costs.
