DOCUMENT RESUME ED 264 846 IR 011 930 TITLE Set up and Operation of Video Cassette Recordersor "...How Do I Work This Thing???" INSTITUTION Alaska State Dept. of Education, Juneau. PUB DATE [85] NOTE 17p. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055) Reports - Descriptive (141) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Broadcast Reception Equipment; Broadcast Television; Cable Television; *Communications Satellites; Equipment Maintenance; *Equipment Utilization; Resource Materials; State Programs; *Videotape Cassettes; *Videotape Recorders IDENTIFIERS *Learn Alaska Network ABZTRACT Designed to assist Alaskans in making optimumuse of the LearnAlaska TV transmitter network, this booklet provides instructions for the operation and maintenance ofvideocassette recorders (VCRs). After a brief introduction, which listsstate film library addresses for orderingan accompanying videocassette entitled "Set Up & Operation for VCRs and Monitors," the document isdivided into seven major sections: (1)a brief history and explanation of how the LeaLAlaska signal is transmitted into communities,including suggestions for improving reception; (2) directions forconnecting a videotape recorder to a television with cable,a converter, and a UHF antenna (illustrations provided); (3)a list of videotape recorder functions with corresponding definitions; (4) directionsfor loading and unloading a videocassette; (5) instructionsfor recording a program off the LearnAlaska channel; (6) troubleshooting tips; and (7) suggestions for preventing equipment problems.A diagram which illustrates the component parts of the LearnAlaskatelecommunications network is included. (JE) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRSare the best that can be made from the original document. *******************************************-4************************** ff4. U.& DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION orPT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORM I luN CENTER 'MC' )16,, The document has been repo otruLect 'pawed frorri the person a organvanon onginatino It Nina hanges NIVO beer Made nnp, nye reproduc non poetry Pants of view or °peensstated on this doeu aeon do not necessanly represent official Postbon or poky Jr- PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ',.. ,,,',' r k`'' 't4 " ' "'4,4, , `_:. , ,, ,,,, .l', ''' 1 '' r',"';',:,;,, r''''''',`,,4::.,,V :,,,- ,r;',''''' '''' ,, f 4:''', "3- ,'''''-',,..4: TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Ordering Videocassette: "Set Up/OperationVCRs" 1 State Film Library Addresses 1 LearnAlaska Signal in Your Community 2-3 Connecting the VCR to the TV 4-6 VCR Basic Operations 7 Loading/Unloading a Videocassette 8 Recording off the LearnAlaska Network 9-10 Trouble,ihooting 11-12 Preventing Equipment Problems 13 3 -i- Videocassette recorders (VCRs) are very easy to operate. Most home stereos are more complicated than VCRs. The following is a general overview of the basic hook-up, functions and operation of videocassette recorders. If, after reading this booklet, you still have questions or are unsure of how to operate your videocassette recorder (they all differ slightly), we recommend that you consult the instruction manual for your equipment. In addition to this booklet, a 27-minute videocassette is available through the State Film Library entitled "Set Up & Operation for VCRs and Monitors." To obtain this program, send a blank videocassette (your format) to one of the State Film Libraries.Order #ASL 85171. You may keep the copy you receive. This program is also available on loan through the State Film Library. ANCHORAGE FILM LIBRARY JUNEAU FILM LIBRARY 650 International Airport RD. Pouch G Anchorage, Alaska 99502 Juneau, Alaska 99811 -3.- 4 LEARNALASKA Signal In Your Community A question frequently asked of the LearnAlaska personnel is an explanation of how the broadcast television signal is received and distributed in the local community. In some aspects, all of the planned 250 instructional television sites in the State receive the signal in the same basic way--via satellite distribution. In almost all cases (there are some exceptions especially when cable companies are in a community) the signal is broadcast in the community only via a low power television transmitter. The television signal is beamed to the entire State at thesaute time and is received in the local community by a satellite receiver dish. The LEARNALASKA television signal is received by the satellite dish which is aimed at the Aurora satellite. The signal travels from the satellite dish to a receiver ina building located near the satellite dish.From that receiver, a signal is carried via cables to a low power TV transmitter. The State of Alaska was the first to own and operate low power TV transmitters. The LEARNALASKA Network was the world's first and largest low power TV transmitter network in existence. In most communities the low power TV transmitter is of the VHF type (channel 2 thru 13). In some communities UHF transmitters (channel 14 thru 83) are located. Almost all communities have their own LPTV transmitter. In a few cases, two or three communities may be receiving the signal fromone transmitter. For example, the community of Anderson receives the LEARNALASKA Network on channel 55 from a transmitter which is located in Nenana. Another example is where Kenai and Soldotna receive the LEARNALASKA signal on channel 23 from a transmitter which is located on top of Sterling Mountain. With few exceptions, these transmitters can reach a distance of approximately 3 to 5 miles. In all cases these transmitters, whether UHF or VHF, require the television set be connected to an antenna and most likely an outdoor antenna will be required. Because of the low wattage of the transmitters numerous household appliancescan cause interference when an individual uses just the indoor type of "rabbit ear" antenna. In some communities where the State operated entertainment TVP Project has been in existence for some time, residents have purchased outdoor antenna and signal boosters tomore adequately receive the entertainment channel signal. These signal boosters or amplifiers, while helping to receiveone channel, can actually be causing interference in receivingthe other channel. In situations where a combination UHF/VHF antenna is used and a booster has been applied to the VHF cabling from the antenna, an additic' 11 booster must be usedon the UHF cable in order to properly : .ceive a UHF channel. In general, when aligning outdoor antennas residents should aim the antenna in the same direction as the white satellite receiver dish that is located in the community. If there is a local cable company, radio or TV station, there may be more than one satellite receiver dish in the community. It is important to determine which of the satellite dishes are operated by Alascom or the State of Alaska. If citizens are uncertain as to where the transmitter is located in their community, anyone can call the toll free Zenith 3800 number at the LEARNALASKA Network Operations Center and request that information. P Srml. 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C'emmoDutArt, THE TV sitaoy. 04 .1,5 1144160.40 gy rt.x.,r0+t-t,4.sa 1310 ta tie5 aN eNbooa A.UfENSIA IS - - PC44, PPe, Ivory. C Mr* '514.1.150. /1416M AWINLIA rot n-ECI"," HAr 04,,,,,,,,sw0de O, CAatH '5Tht101-15 W.11450Kles- 4,0.0 Peei,s-not Comookt.wrio 1V Sitiorit. COD FSPIA,Ply IN dati, uUATIA.K.; E C.U.p NI- CAL, geOf.of Th6 tV tv'AaThottte TRAtArtittfa IWNIES f u.,014 r46 004.-P t v Oro 4,r04-in.&xi r-nwn..mtoGy 5A1CO-11%, fUtOvr"Crett Ty 1-12N4514,Tr m'oe",,A 1.31tuAlwracy The 14 Prpearmoltall to ME 5tRitatuvO1N4 Comuurty ON A lfAuiviRr rV 0+Ar.o./EL Graphic by Bob Frampton, Department off dministration,Telecommunications Services. 7 BEST COPYAVAILABLE CONNECTING THE RECORDER TO THE TV IF YOU RECEIVE LEARNALASKA ON CABLE: 1. Plug in the power cords on the TV and the VCR. 2. Connect the end of the cable to "VHF IN" on the back of the VCR. (See Below) 3. Connect a patchcord from the VCR "VHF OUT" terminal to the TV "VHF ANTENNA IN" terminal. NOTE: If the set contains only screw-type VHF antenna terminals, a MATCHING TRANSFORMER must be used. (See Below) NOT USED Connect to "VHF IN" terminal of recorder TV MATCHING TRANSFORMER (75 ohm -0300 ohm) This is supplied with most VCRs or can be From VCR purchased at a To VHF VHF OUT hardware store, or at terminals on TV terminal stores that sell VCRs 0 e Matching 1 transformer IF YOU HAVE CABLE WITH A CONVERTER: 1. Plug in the power cords on the TV and VCR. 2. Connect one end of a cord (a patchcord, usually provided with the VCR) to the converter's "SIGNAL OUT" or "LINE OUT" terminal. The output terminal on your converter may not be labeled quite this way. 3. Connect the other end of the patch cord to the TV "VHF ANTENNA IN" terminal. If the TV set contains only screw-type VHF antenna terminals, a MATCHING TRANSFORMER must be used.