Apple Setting Up Your Computer User Manual

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

1

1

Setting Up Your Computer

The illustration on the next page shows all the equipment you need to set up your computer
and begin using it. (Your monitor and keyboard may look slightly different.)

Before following the setup instructions in this chapter, Apple suggests that you read
“A r ranging Your Office” in the appendix for tips on adjusting your work furniture so that
you’re comfortable when using the computer.

1

1

Monitor power cord

(sometimes built into the monitor)

Computer power cord

Monitor cable

(sometimes built into the monitor)

Keyboard

Mouse

Keyboard cable

(sometimes built

into the keyboard

as shown here)

Monitor

Power Macintosh computer

Apple PlainTalk Microphone (optional)

Positioning and Plugging In the Computer

Set the switch to show “115” for AC voltages in
the 100–120 V range. Set the switch to show
“230” for AC voltages in the 200–240 V range.

Check to see that the voltage switch on the back
of your computer is properly set before you plug
it in. If you need to change the setting, insert a
small screwdriver in this slot and slide the switch.

Place your computer on a sturdy, flat surface near a grounded wall outlet. Your computer is
designed to be placed on the floor to conserve desk space, but you can place it on any stable,
flat surface.

Before you plug your Macintosh into a wall socket, carefully read all the setup instructions in
this chapter. Then, before you connect any other equipment to your Macintosh, follow the
instructions in this section to plug it in. The plug grounds the computer and protects it from
electrical damage while you set up. When you are ready to begin setting up, follow these steps:

1 Make sure the voltage switch on the back of the computer is set for the kind of voltage

system to which you will be connecting.

The voltage switch must be set correctly to avoid damaging your computer. An adhesive label
showing how to set the voltage may partly cover the voltage switch and power socket.
Remove the label. If you don’t know the voltage used in the country you’re in, look at the
table “Voltage Switch Settings for Different Locations” on the next page.

Setting Up Your Computer 3

Voltage switch settings for different locations

Power cord plug

Power cord socket

Country Switch setting

Bermuda, Canada, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Puerto Rico, 115
Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, United States, Venezuela

Bahrain, Brazil, France, Indonesia, Italy, Lebanon, Peru, South Korea, Spain

1

115 or 230

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, China (People’s Republic), Czechoslovakia, 230
Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary,
Iceland, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta,
Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman,
Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia
and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Singapore, South Africa,
Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Yemen, Yugoslavia

1

These countries employ more than one type of power source voltage. Ask your local power provider which switch setting to
use for your city or region.

2 Plug the socket end of the computer’s power cord into the recessed power socket (marked

with the symbol ≤) on the back of the computer.

4 Chapter 1

3 Plug the other end of the power cord into a three-hole grounded outlet or power strip.

Important Make sure you can easily reach the plug to disconnect the computer in an

emergency. The only way to completely disconnect power from the computer is by unplugging
one end of the power cord from the outlet or power strip or from the back of the computer.

Warning Be sure to set the voltage switch on the back of your computer for the

voltage system to which you’re connecting.

This equipment is intended to be electrically grounded. Your Macintosh is equipped
with a three-wire grounding plug—a plug that has a third (grounding) pin. This plug
will fit only a grounded AC outlet. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert
the plug into the outlet, contact a licensed electrician to replace the outlet with a
properly grounded outlet. Do not defeat the purpose of the grounding plug!

Connecting a Monitor

You can connect many types of monitors to your Macintosh computer. This section contains
instructions for connecting most monitor types. (Also look at the instructions that came with
the monitor.)

Note: If you are connecting an Apple monitor that has built-in speakers or a microphone,
you may need to install monitor software after you have set up and turned on your
computer. Otherwise, you may not be able to use all the monitor’s features. See the
instructions that came with the monitor for more information. Also check the Read Me file
on the computer’s hard disk for any additional instructions regarding the installation of
monitor software.

To connect the monitor, follow these steps:

1 Place the monitor near the computer.

For more detailed information about positioning and handling your computer equipment,
consult “Arranging Your Office” in the appendix.

Setting Up Your Computer 5

2 Connect the monitor power cord to the monitor.

Monitor cable

™

Monitor port

Monitor power cordMonitor power socket

Some monitors already have the cord attached.

3 Plug the power cord into a grounded electrical socket or the back of the computer.

Check the information that came with the monitor to find out if it must be plugged into the
back of your computer or into a grounded wall outlet.

Warning The monitor power socket on the back of the computer uses the same

voltage level as the electrical outlet to which the computer is connected. To protect
your monitor, be sure to use the appropriate adapter or voltage converter, if one is
necessary.

4 Attach the monitor cable to the monitor; then attach the monitor cable to the monitor port

on the back panel of the computer.

Some monitors already have the cable attached.

6 Chapter 1

Connecting the Mouse and the Keyboard to the Computer

This cable plugs into the Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port, marked with the V icon, on the back
of the computer. You may also be able to connect the cable to an ADB port on the monitor.

Plug the mouse cable into the recessed port
on the keyboard. The flat part of the plug
should be pointing down, as shown here.

1 Plug the mouse cable into the keyboard.

The mouse and keyboard cables connect via ADB ports, which are marked with the icon V.
The plugs at the ends of the cables also have the icons. Align the icons on the port and the
plug before you insert the plug.

The position of the port and the icon on your keyboard may be different from those pictured
here. Some keyboards, like the one shown here, have only one ADB port, which is recessed
on the back. Other keyboards have two ADB ports: one on each side of the keyboard. If you
have the second kind of keyboard, plug in the mouse on the side that makes it most
comfortable for you to use. Most right-handed people prefer to use the mouse with their
right hand and plug the mouse into the right ADB port.

2 If your keyboard has a second ADB port, plug the keyboard cable into it.

The keyboard cable has ADB plugs at both ends. Plug either end of the cable into the free
ADB port.

If your keyboard has a built-in cable (like the one pictured above), skip this step.

Setting Up Your Computer 7

3 If the front or side of your monitor has a port marked with the V icon, plug the keyboard

To adjust the angle of the keyboard, lower the feet until they snap into position.

cable into this port. Otherwise, plug the keyboard cable into the port marked with the V
icon on the back of the computer.

4 If you plugged your keyboard into the monitor in step 3, connect an ADB cable between the

monitor and the computer. (Otherwise, skip to step 5.) Monitors may include one of two
types of ADB cables:

m A separate ADB cable that you connect between the ports marked with the V icon on the

back of the monitor and on the computer.

m An ADB connector on the monitor cable that you connect to the port marked with the V

icon on the back of the computer.

For more information about ADB connections between the monitor and the computer, see
the manual that came with your monitor.

5 Adjust the keyboard for your comfort.

Some keyboards, like the one pictured here, have feet underneath that you can snap into
position. Other keyboards have a bar on the back that slides to change the angle.

8 Chapter 1

Connecting a Modem

Modem port icon

Modem port (Mini DIN-9)

Modem port icon

Optional internal modem port (RJ-11)

Some Macintosh models come with an internal modem already installed in the computer. If
your computer did not come with an internal modem, you can attach an external modem.

Important When connecting a modem, make sure you connect the modem to an analog

phone line—the kind used typically in homes.

If your computer came with an internal modem, you only need a telephone cable to connect
it to a phone line. Plug one end of the telephone cable into the internal modem port (W)
provided on the back of the computer by the modem and the other end into the telephone
jack in the wall.

You connect an external modem to the modem (W) port on the back of the computer.

Before you attach an external modem, read any instructions that came with it. These may
include instructions for installing the modem’s software.

Important Disconnect your modem from the phone jack during lightning storms. This will

prevent a destructive voltage overload from damaging the modem.

Setting Up Your Computer 9

Turning the Computer On

To turn on the computer for the first time, follow these steps:

1 Tu rn on your monitor.

See the information that came with your monitor for the location of the power switch. On
newer Apple monitors, the power switch is located on the front.

You may not see the monitor power come on until you turn on the computer in the next
step.

By the way: Depending on the type of monitor you have, you may only need to turn it on
once. Some monitors turn off automatically when you shut down the computer and turn on
automatically when you start up the computer. You turn other monitors on or off separately.

2 Tu rn on your computer by pressing the Power key.

The Power key is marked with a triangle on your keyboard.

You should hear a tone from the computer as it starts up. If you don’t, press the Power key
again and hold down the key a little longer.

10 Chapter 1

As the computer starts up, a series of messages appear on the screen.

When the computer starts up, go to the section “What’s Next?” for more instructions.

If the computer does not start up, go to the next section, “Problems Turning Your Computer On?”

Problems Turning Your Computer On?

If you don’t see anything on your screen or you think your computer did not start up
properly, check these items to see if you can identify the problem:

m Is the computer plugged into a power source? If it is plugged into a power strip, is the

power strip turned on?

m Are the keyboard and mouse cables connected correctly? If your keyboard is attached to

the monitor, does an ADB cable connect the monitor to the computer?

Warning Don’t connect or disconnect this cable while the computer is on. You could

damage your equipment. To turn off your computer, press the power button on the
front of the computer.

m Is the computer turned on? The power-on light on the front panel of the computer

should be on.

m Is the monitor power cord plugged in?
m Is the monitor cable—the one connected to the monitor port (™) on your computer—

attached firmly to both the monitor and computer?

m Is the monitor turned on? (Check the power-on light on the front of the monitor.)
m Is the brightness control on the monitor adjusted correctly? (On most monitors, the

brightness control is marked with the symbol ¤.)

m Is the computer asleep? A blinking green light on the computer’s front panel means that it

has gone into “sleep,” a low-power mode designed to save energy. To wake the computer,
press the Power key (marked with a π) on the keyboard. It may take a moment or two for
the computer to wake up. (Unless you change the settings, the computer goes to sleep if
it is not used for 30 minutes.)

m If you see a blinking question mark on the monitor screen or hear an unusual “breaking

glass” sound when you turn on the computer, see the Emergency Handbook for help.

Setting Up Your Computer 11

What’s Next?

For more information about working with your computer’s hardware, refer to the following
chapters in this manual.

m To learn more about the basics of your computer’s hardware, such as how to use your

built-in CD-ROM and floppy disk drives, how to connect external devices such as a printer,
and how to attach a security device to protect against theft, go to Chapter 2.

m To learn how to connect your computer to a computer network, see Chapter 2.
m To learn how to install expansion cards or add memory to your computer, see Chapter 3.

If you want to turn off your computer for now, go to the next section, “Turning the Computer Off.”

Turning the Computer Off

To turn your computer off, follow these instructions:

1 Press the Power key (π) on your keyboard.

The following dialog box appears on the screen:

12 Chapter 1

2 Press the Return key on the keyboard (or click the Shut Down button in the dialog box).

If any applications are still open, a message asks if you want to save your work before the
computer shuts down.

To turn the computer on again, just press the Power key on the keyboard.

Note: You can also turn off the computer by choosing Shut Down from the Special menu.

Important Do not use the power button on the front of the computer to turn the

computer off unless there is a problem that prevents it from being turned off with the Power
key or the Shut Down command. (You could lose unsaved work.) To make sure your work is
saved, use the Power key.

CHAPTER

CHAPTER

1

12

Using Your Macintosh
and Connecting Additional Equipment

This chapter tells you about the disk drives built into your computer and how you can
expand your computer system by connecting other equipment to it or by connecting it to a
computer network. The illustrations on the next two pages show the built-in drives and
connectors for additional equipment.

This chapter describes how to connect the following types of additional equipment:

m audio devices, such as a microphone, headphones, or speakers
m video devices, such as a video camera or videocassette recorder ( VCR)
m external SCSI devices, such as a hard disk or a removable media drive
m a printer
m a second monitor
m additional ADB input devices, such as a trackball or a graphics tablet
m network cables and adapters
m security equipment to protect your Macintosh

Important Each device you add should be compatible with your computer and must not

exceed the maximum power allowance for that device. Turn off the computer before
connecting a SCSI or ADB device. For more information, consult an Apple-authorized dealer,
the manufacturer of the equipment you add, or the Technical Information booklet that
came with your computer.

For instructions on installing internal equipment, see Chapter 3, “Installing PCI Cards,
Memory, and Internal Storage Devices.”

13

Microphone

(optional)

Monitor

Keyboard Mouse

Floppy disk drive

CD-ROM drive



Expansion bay

Zip drive

(optional)

Power button /

Power-on light

CCD-ROM drive

Open/Close button

Speaker

Power key

π

Your Computer’s Components and Front Panel Controls

14 Chapter 2

Floppy disk drive

Works with high-density and double-sided 3.5" floppy disks

CD-ROM drive

Works with CD-ROM discs and plays standard audio and Photo CDs

CD-ROM drive Open/Close button

C

Opens and closes the CD-ROM drive tray

Zip drive (optional) or expansion bay 1

Works with Zip disks. If a Zip drive is not present, then this is an expansion bay for an additional

3.5" or 5.25" internal storage device that is up to 1.625" (41.3 mm) high.

Expansion bay 2

Behind the front panel there is an expansion bay for an additional 3.5" or 5.25" internal storage
device that is up to 1.625" (41.3 mm) high.

Power button/Power-on light

Turns your computer off in emergencies when you can’t use the Power key on the keyboard or
the Shut Down command in the Special menu. A green light indicates that the computer is on.
The light blinks when the computer is asleep.

Monitor

Your monitor may look different. An Apple display is shown here.

Power key

π

Turns your computer on and off

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 15

Internal hard disk drive

Lockable cover latch

Sound input port

SCSI port

Apple Desktop Bus

(ADB) port

Sound output port

Internal modem card

(optional)

Monitor power socket

Security lock port

External modem port

Printer port

g

Ethernet port (10Base-T)

G

W

W

[

™

≤

Monitor port

V

≈

-

F

Access covers for
expansion slots (3)

Power socket

Sound input port

Sound output port

Optional AV ports

≈

-

S-video ports
(OUT and IN)

æÆ

Composite video ports
(OUT and IN)

-

Audio input ports
(left & right)

-

Audio output ports
(left & right)

˜Â

Your Computer’s Ports and Connectors

16 Chapter 2

Standard ports and connectors (available on all models)

SCSI port

g

Connects your Macintosh to SCSI equipment such as external hard disk drives and scanners

Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port

V

Connects your Macintosh to an input device, such as a keyboard or a trackball

Ethernet port (10Base-T)

G

Connects your Macintosh to a high-speed 10Base-T Ethernet network

Printer port

[

Connects your Macintosh to a printer or LocalTalk network

External modem port

W

Connects an external modem cable or LocalTalk cable to your Macintosh

Monitor port

™

Connects your Macintosh to a monitor

Access covers for expansion slots (3)

Your Macintosh supports up to three peripheral component interconnect (PCI) cards.

Internal hard disk drive

Large-capacity permanent device for storing software, documents, and other files

Security lock port and lockable cover latch

F

You can attach a security lock to your Macintosh and to its cover to secure the internal
components. See your computer products retailer for security lock devices that work with
your computer.

Sound output port

-

Connects your Macintosh to headphones, externally powered (amplified) speakers, or other
audio output equipment

Sound input port

≈

Connects your Macintosh to an Apple PlainTalk microphone or other audio input equipment

Optional ports and connectors (available on some models)

S-video ports (IN and OUT)

æÆ

Connects your Macintosh to VCRs, video cameras, or other video equipment that uses an
S-video connector

Audio input ports (left & right)

-

Connects your Macintosh to the RCA-type audio output ports of video or audio equipment,
such as VCRs and tape decks

Composite video ports (IN and OUT)

˜Â

Connects your Macintosh to most VCRs, laserdisc players, video cameras, and other video
equipment

Audio output ports (left & right)

-

Connects your Macintosh to the RCA-type audio input ports of video or audio equipment,
such as VCRs and tape decks

Internal modem port

W

Connects a telephone cable to the optional internal modem

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 17

Using the Computer’s Built-in Drives

Follow these instructions to work with the computer’s built-in CD-ROM drive, floppy disk
drive, and optional Zip drive.

Using the CD-ROM Drive

To use your CD-ROM drive, follow these instructions.

Inserting a CD-ROM Disc

1 Press the Open/Close button next to the CD-ROM drive.

2 Place a CD-ROM disc in the tray, with the disc label facing up.

Make sure that the disc lies flat in the tray.

If you are using a small (8 cm) disc, center the disc in the tray’s inner ring.

3 Gently push the tray in, or press the Open/Close button, to close the tray.

In a moment an icon for the CD-ROM disc appears on your screen.

Ejecting a CD-ROM Disc

Apple recommends that you eject your CD-ROM disc before you shut down the computer.

To eject a CD, follow these instructions.

1 Quit all the application programs running from the CD.

18 Chapter 2

2 Select the disc’s icon and drag it to the Trash.

The CD tray opens.

3 Remove the disc and gently close the tray.

You can also eject a CD-ROM disc from the drive by selecting the CD’s icon, opening the File
menu, and choosing the Put Away command or by opening the Special menu and choosing
the Eject command.

If these methods don’t work, see Mac OS Help, available in the Help menu.

If problems arise while using your CD-ROM drive, the Emergency Handbook that came with
your computer contains solutions.

Using the Floppy Disk Drive and Optional Zip Drive

You can use the floppy disk drive and the optional Zip drive to back up important data and to
transfer files between computers. The floppy disk drive accepts only 3.5-inch floppy disks.
Although the floppy disks and Zip disks are different, you work with them in the same way.
Be sure to use the right kind of disk in each drive.

Important Never force a Zip disk into or out of the drive. Never use ordinary 3.5-inch

floppy disks or floppy disk cleaning disks in the Zip drive. They will damage the drive.

For information on using the floppy disk drive, see Mac OS Help (available in the Help
menu). The appendix of this manual has information on handling floppy disks and Zip disks.
If you are unable to eject a disk, see the Emergency Handbook that came with the computer.

For more information on using the optional Zip drive and disks, see the Iomega folder in the
Apple Extras folder on your computer’s hard disk.

Connecting Audio Equipment

Your Macintosh can play and record stereo sound from a variety of sources. Your computer
has sound input and output ports (also known as “jacks”) like those found on most
Macintosh models. Some models also have RCA-type audio input and output ports.

The Sound Input and Output Ports

Your Macintosh can receive stereo sound from a sound input device—also called a sound
source—such as a microphone, tape deck, or audio CD player.

You attach sound input devices to the sound input port, which is marked with an icon of a
microphone (≈).

Your computer comes with a built-in speaker. You can attach another sound output device,
such as amplified speakers or headphones.

You attach sound output devices to the sound output port, which is marked with an icon of
headphones (f) or a speaker (-).

The illustration of the back of the computer in the beginning of this chapter shows where
these ports are.

Note: Depending on the computer configuration you purchased, your computer’s back
panel may have additional ports alongside the sound input and sound output ports.

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 19

The sound input and output ports accept 3.5-mm connectors. There are two types:

-

Audio output ports (left & right)

Connect your Macintosh to the RCA-type
Audio In ports of video or audio equipment
such as VCRs and tape decks

Audio input ports (left & right)

Connect your Macintosh to the RCA-type
Audio Out ports of video or audio
equipment such as VCRs and tape decks

-

-

Sound output port

Connect your Macintosh to headphones,
externally powered (amplified) speakers or
other audio equipment using a 3.5-mm
miniplug connector

Sound input port

Connect your Macintosh to an Apple
PlainTalk microphone or other audio input
equipment using a 3.5-mm miniplug connector

≈

Extended miniplugStereo miniplug

m The stereo miniplug is found most often on stereo equipment; it works in both the sound

input and sound output ports.

m The extended miniplug, which is slightly longer and is found on voice-quality

microphones (such as the Apple PlainTalk Microphone), works only in the computer’s
sound input port (≈). (Even though it will fit into the sound output port, it won’t work there.)

If your equipment has a different connector from those shown here, you can purchase an
adapter at an electronics supply store.

The Optional Left and Right RCA-Type Audio Ports

Some models of this Macintosh also have ports that accept left and right input and output
through RCA-type connectors. These connectors are found on devices like videocassette
recorders (VCRs) and tape decks. The RCA-type ports are color-coded: red for right, and
white for left. (The yellow ports are for connecting video equipment.)

20 Chapter 2

The left and right RCA-type ports accept this type of connector:

RCA plugs RCA plugs

Stereo miniplugRCA plugs

Stereo miniplugStereo miniplug

RCA-type plug

If your equipment has a different type of connector, you can purchase an adapter at an
electronics supply store.

Connecting Most Audio Equipment

To connect most audio equipment, follow the steps below. For specific instructions on
connecting a microphone, skip to the next section, “Connecting and Using a Microphone.”

1 Make sure that the audio equipment has a cable with a stereo miniplug connector.

You can use a cable that looks like one of these:

If your computer has the optional RCA-type audio ports, you can also use a cable like this one
that has two RCA plugs at each end:

2 Shut down the computer, turn off the audio equipment, and place the equipment near

the computer.

3 Attach cables to the audio equipment following the instructions that came with the equipment.

Some equipment (such as most headphones) comes with cables already attached.

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 21

4 If your audio equipment is a sound input device, such as a tape deck, audio CD player, or

Audio

output ports

(left and right)

Audio In ports (left and right)

-

Tape deck

Audio In port

Sound

output

port

-

Externally

powered
speakers

VCR, attach it to the sound input port (≈) or to the optional RCA-type left and right audio
input ports (-).

5 If your audio equipment is a sound output device, such as headphones or amplified

speakers, attach it to the sound output port (-) or to the optional RCA-type left and right
audio output ports (-).

The illustration below shows two typical cable arrangements, one for amplified speakers
connected with stereo miniplug connectors, and one for a tape deck connected with RCA­type connectors.

22 Chapter 2

In the first example, the two speakers are joined to each other by standard speaker wires.
Some speaker pairs have two cables (one per speaker), which must be joined by a dual-plug
adapter before they can be attached to the computer’s sound output port.

6 Tu rn on the computer and the audio equipment.

If your monitor has sound controls, use them to adjust the sound. You may also need to
adjust the settings in the Monitors & Sound control panel. Open the Monitors & Sound
control panel and click the Sound button.

Connecting and Using a Microphone

You can use the Apple PlainTalk Microphone that comes with some Macintosh computers (or
a compatible line-level microphone) to give spoken commands to your Macintosh and to
record your voice or other sounds. (The illustration of your computer in Chapter 1 shows
the Apple PlainTalk microphone.)

Note: Do not use the Apple Omni microphone (the round microphone supplied with some
older Macintosh models) or the attenuated RCA adapter provided with some Macintosh computers.

If your monitor has a built-in microphone that you want to use, see the information that
came with the monitor to connect the microphone.

To connect and position an external microphone, follow these steps:

1 Shut down the computer and plug the microphone’s connector into the sound input port

(≈) on the back of the computer.

2 Place an Apple PlainTalk Microphone at the top center of the monitor, so that the

microphone’s Apple (K) icon faces you.

If you’re using a different microphone, position it according to these guidelines:

m The microphone should be between 1 and 3 feet away from you.
m The microphone should be directly in front of you to minimize the effect of background noises.

3 Tu rn on the computer.

4 Open the Monitors & Sound control panel, click the Sound button, and make sure that the

microphone is the selected sound input source.
Click the button labeled h for help.

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 23

Connecting Video Equipment

S-video connector

RCA-type connector

S-video input port

Connects your Macintosh to the S-video
Out port of VCRs, laserdisc players, video
cameras, or other video input equipment
that uses an S-video connector

æ

S-video output port

Connects your Macintosh to the S-video In port
of VCRs, or other video recording or video display
equipment that uses an S-video connector

Æ

Composite video input port

Connects your Macintosh to the
RCA-type Video Out port of most
VCRs, laserdisc players, video cameras,
and other video input equipment

˜

Composite video output port

Connects your Macintosh to the RCA-type
Video In port of most VCRs, or other video
recording or video display equipment

Â

Some models of this Macintosh have ports for connecting video equipment so that you can
view TV and other video images on your computer monitor and store the images on your
hard disk. You can also view the Macintosh desktop on a television screen attached to the
computer and record images from the desktop to a videocassette recorder (VCR).

Your Macintosh can work with two major video formats:
m Composite video, which is used by most televisions, most VCRs, and laserdisc players.

Composite video devices plug into the computer’s RCA-type video ports (˜ and Â).

m S-video, which is a high-quality video format used by many video cameras, VCRs, and

televisions. S-video devices plug into the computer’s S-video ports (æ and Æ).

The illustration below shows the computer’s video input and output ports. (The RCA-type
ports are color-coded: yellow for composite video, red for right audio, and white for left audio.)

24 Chapter 2

The S-video input and output ports accept S-video connectors, and the composite video
input and output ports accept RCA-type connectors.

Note: The S-video input port is compatible with both seven-pin and four-pin S-video connectors.

Important The S-video connector is a round plug with several small metal pins, which

RCA plugs RCA plugs

RCA plugs RCA plugs

S-video plug

S-video plug

resembles other Macintosh connectors, such as those for a printer, modem, mouse, or
keyboard. Don’t confuse the connectors; they’re not interchangeable.

Depending on what kind of ports are available on your video equipment, you’ll need
different cables (available at an electronics supply store).

m If your equipment has an S-video Out port, you’ll need a video cable with S-video

connectors at each end, and two audio cables with RCA-type connectors at each end.
(The audio cables can be separate, or joined like the one in the illustration.)

m If your equipment has an RCA Video Out port, you’ll need one video cable with RCA-type

connectors (plugs) at each end, and two audio cables with RCA-type connectors at each
end. (The cables can be separate, or joined like the one in the illustration.)

Connecting Video Equipment for Input to the Computer

When you connect video equipment to the video input port on your computer, you can view
video on your monitor, capture video images, and hear the sound from the video equipment
through the computer’s speaker. The instructions that follow are for connecting a stereo VCR
and video camera, but you can use them as a model for connecting your computer to any
video equipment.

To connect a VCR or video camera for input, do the following:

1 Shut down the Macintosh and turn off the VCR or video camera.

2 Attach one end of the video cable to the Video Out port on the video equipment.

Follow the directions that came with the VCR or camera.

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 25

3 Plug the other end of the video cable into either the S-video input port (æ) or the yellow

Composite

video

input port

Audio

input ports

(left and right)

Triple RCA-plug cable
(available at most electronics supply stores)

VCR

˜

-

Video Out

port

Audio Out ports

(left and right)

S-video

input port

S-video Out

port

S-video cable

VCR

æ

Audio input ports

(left and right)

Audio Out ports

(left and right)

Dual RCA-plug cable
(available at most electronics supply stores)

-

RCA Video input port (˜) on the Macintosh.

If the S-video connector doesn’t slide easily into the port, check the pin alignment and try
again. Don’t use force, which could damage the computer or cable.

4 Plug the RCA-type connectors on the audio cables into the left and right RCA Audio Out ports

on the VCR or camera.

5 Plug the RCA-type connectors on the audio cables into the left and right RCA input ports (-)

on the computer.

If the cable is color-coded, the red connector is for the right port, and the black or white
connector is for the left port.

The next four illustrations show S-video connections and composite video connections for
both a VCR and a camera. Your finished connections should look like one of the following:

S-video connection for input from a VCR

26 Chapter 2

Composite video connection for input from a VCR

S-video connection for input from a camera

Composite

video

input port

Video Out port Audio Out ports

(left and right)

Triple RCA-plug cable
(available at most electronics supply stores)

˜

Audio

input ports

(left and right)

-

S-video

input port

S-video Out port

S-video cable

æ

Audio input ports (left and right)

Audio Out ports

(left and right)

-

Dual RCA-plug cable
(available at most electronics supply stores)

Composite video connection for input from a camera

6 Tu rn on the computer and the VCR or camera.

7 To hear or capture on your computer the audio coming into the RCA input ports, open the

Monitors & Sound control panel, click the Sound button, and make sure that the RCA input
ports are the selected sound input source.

Click the button labeled h for help.

You can now begin working with the video equipment connected to your computer. To learn
more about using the AV features of your computer to play or capture video on your
computer, open Mac OS Help (available in the Help menu) and look up “video” in the index.

Using Your Macintosh and Connecting Additional Equipment 27