HOW TO: Configuring Classroom Zenith VCRs and TVs

Approximately half the classrooms are configured with wall-mounted Zenith TVs and VCRs. As more funding becomes available, we hope to install TV/VCRs in all classrooms. The remote controls are assigned to the classrooms and it is each Department's responsibility to make sure remotes are passed along to the next incoming teacher. If teachers are not able to pass along the remotes, they should return them to their Dept. Chair or designated representative. These Zenith TVs are also supplied with an S-Video port which allows the teacher to plug in an S-Video cable (supplied by the Dept.) from the teacher's computer to the TV monitor and display student or teacher work.

Configuring the Zenith VCR and TV

The newly installed TV and VCRs may not default to the coax signal from the VCR, especially if people have played around with the TV settings. You can reset the TV and VCR to the correct settings with the following steps. You will need the TV remote and the VCR remote. Since both units are Zenith, however, the TV remote runs many of the VCR functions too.

NOTE: Each Dept. will be in responsible for collecting and distributing remotes as teachers change tracks. If cables or other parts are lost or damaged, Depts. will be responsible for replacing these items.

1. Take the VCR remote. Turn on the VCR (model VRE 4222) and turn on the VCR mode by pressing the tv\vcr button on the top half, left side of the remote. The green VCR light should display in the lower left of the VCR window.
2. Check the setting on the back of the VCR and make sure the channel out selection is set to CH. 3. The coax cable should be connected to the lower coax jack, labeled VHS\UHF\CATV. There is only one coax jack on the TV for the cable to plug into.
3. Take the TV remote (dark grey usually and larger than the Zenith VCR remote). Power on the TV (the TV remote will turn on and off both the VCR and TV). Press the TV\VCR Source button on the lower right half of the remote. Cycle through Video 1, Video 2, CH. 3 or 4. If the selection defaults to CH.4, use the channel-changer button to select CH. 3.
4. Now you can also operate most of the VCR functions from the TV remote. Insert a VHS tape into the VCR. Press Play on the remote. You should see the image on the TV monitor now. If not, repeat steps 1-3 again.
5. You have the Stop and Pause buttons on the TV remote that you can now use to control the VHS tape for your class.
6. Please make sure you are presenting appropriate and relevant videos in your classroom according to the Acceptable Use Policy. Set a good example so that we can continue to install more classroom TV/VCRs around campus in coming years.
7. The TVs and VCRs are covered under a warranty for repairs. Call Brad (or another available rep.) at Wards Furniture, PH: (562) 591-2314 to report repair issuses.

Configuring the Zenith TV and Teacher Computer

NOTE: Some Department chairs and Coordinators did not coordinate their TV purchases before hand. Therefore, many school TVs were purchase without S-Video ports and can not use this computer display system without the purchase of  an additional TV display adapter. Departments are responsible for purchasing any such equipment.

1. Departments must first purchase their S-Video cables for each classroom. Check the distance from the teacher computer to the TV and order to correct length. More information is available on the Dept. Chair resources section on each Department web page.
2. Check and make sure that the teacher computer has the S-Video port on the video card, next to the standard video monitor port. If  you have any doubt, email jefferson-hs@lausd.k12.ca.us with a request and we will check and see if the computer has the correct video card.
3. Plug in the S-Video cable into the front of the Zenith TV and into the PC video card in the available S-Video ports.