Zenith A36B43W, A32B43W, A27B43 OPERATING GUIDE

machine numbers A27B43 A32B43 A36B43

operating guide / warranty

Thanks for

choosing Zenith!

hookup directory

index

your on-screen menus

page

50

page

20

page

3

WARNING:

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence
of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a
risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating
and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

WARNING:

TO PREVENT FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARDS, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS PRODUCT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

POWER CORD POLARIZATION:

CAUTION: To Prevent Electric Shock, Match wide blade of plug to wide slot, fully insert.
ATTENTION: Pour éviter les chocs électriques, introduire la lame la plus large de la fiche dans la borne

correspondante de la prise et pousser jusqu’au fond.

NOTE TO CABLE/TV INSTALLER:

This reminder is provided to call the cable TV system installer’s attention to Article 820-40 of the National Electric Code
(U.S.A.). The code provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be
connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of the cable entry as practical.

REGULATORY INFORMATION:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the

receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION:

Do not attempt to modify this product in any way without written authorization from Zenith Electronics Corporation.
Unauthorized modification could void the user’s authority to operate this product.

RECORD YOUR MODEL NUMBER
(Now, while you can see it)

The model and serial number of your new TV are located
on the back of the TV cabinet. For your future convenience,
we suggest that your record these numbers here:

MODEL NO.____________________________________
SERIAL NO.____________________________________

WARNING

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN

If you receive your TV channels from an antenna, go to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 6

If you are receiving cable directly from the wall or use a cable box, go to . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7

If you receive your TV channels froma an antenna and have a VCR, go to . . . . . . . . . . . .page 8

If you want to connect a VCR and have cable service or a cable box, go to . . . . . . . . . . . page 9

If you are using a Super-VHS VCR, go to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10

To hook up your entertainment machine to an external stereo, go to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 11

3376-O

INSTALLATION GETTING STARTED PAGE 3

This page will
help you
hook up your
Entertainment
Machine
properly.

Hook-Up Directory

IMPORTANT!! Use this page to decide where you need to begin your setup.

First, find the line below that best describes what you want to do, then go to that page
number.
Note: Design and Specifications are subject ot change without prior notice.

Antenna

Cable

VCR and Cable

Super VHS

External Stereo

INPUT HOOK-UP OPTIONS

AUDIO EQUIPMENT OPTIONS

For general information about the jacks on your Entertainment
Machine, see pages 4 and 5.

Antenna/VCR

INSTALLATION GETTING STARTEDPAGE 4

Your jack-pack

and its

various uses.

Connection Jacks

3376-O

Data Port

RF Connector
Antenna/Cable

Used to connect an
antenna or cable ser­vice to the television,
either directly or
through a cable box.

Right/Left Audio

Used for stereo sound
from various types of
equipment.

Video 1
Video 2

Connects the video
signals from any piece
of equipment.

S-Video 1
S-Video 2

A feature available
with some very
high-end equipment
that provides even
better picture quality.

Variable Audio Out

Used to connect a
stereo system.

Data Port

Reserved for future use.

Mini glossary

JACK A connection on the back of a TV, VCR, or any other A/V device. This includes the RF jack (Antenna/Cable) that is threaded with a place

for a small wire in the center, and the Audio/Video jacks that have a bigger opening and are color-coded.

SIGNAL Picture and sound traveling through cable, or on the air, to your television screen.

Using the Audio/Video
jacks provides the
best picture and
sound.

INSTALLATION GETTING STARTED PAGE 5

Hooking
up temporary
equipment
to your
Entertainment
Machine.

Front A/V Jacks

3376-O

S-VIDEO

VIDEO

RIGHT

LEFT

FRONT VIDEO INPUT

FRONT AUDIO INPUT

Typical

Front Audio/Video

Input Jacks Panel

There are four jacks on the front of
your Entertainment Machine that make
connecting Audio/Video devices like video
games and camcorders very simple.

The jacks are located behind a small door
below the buttons on the front panel.

The jacks are exactly like those found
on the jack pack on the back of your
Entertainment Machine. Which means
that any equipment that connects to those
types of jacks in the jack pack, can also be
connected in front.

To use the front jacks as the signal source,
use the Source menu as described on page

21. The jacks are labeled ”Front Video,” and
“Front S-Video.”

Left/Right Audio

Used for stereo sound
from various types of
equipment.

Video

Connects the video
signals from any
piece of equipment.

S-Video

A connection availale
for some very
high-end equipment
that provides even
better picture quality.

You can connect equipment to
either the Front Video jack or
Front S-Video jack, but not both at
the same time.

Mini glossary

A/V CABLES Audio/Video cables. Three cables bunched together—Right audio (red), Left audio (white), and Video (yellow). A/V cables are used

for stereo playback of videocassettes and for higher quality picture and sound from other A/V devices.

A/V DEVICE Any device that produces video or sound (VCR, DVD, cable box, or television).

Note: Not available on Model No. A27B43

See diagrams at right to hook up
your Entertainment Machine.

Remove the back of the remote
and put in three AAA batteries.

Plug in your TV. Do not plug it
into a switched outlet.

Go to page 13 to Auto Program
your Entertainment Machine.

3376-O

INSTALLATION STANDARDPAGE 6

Connect an

antenna

to your

Entertainment

Machine.

Hook Up Your Antenna to the TV

Mini glossary

75 OHM RF CABLE The wire that comes from an off-air antenna or cable service provider. Each end looks like a hex shaped nut with a wire

sticking through the middle, and it screws onto the threaded Antenna/Cable jack on the back of your TV.

300 TO 75 OHM ADAPTER A small device that connects a two-wire 300 ohm antenna to a 75 ohm RF jack. They are usually about an

inch long with two screws on one end and a round opening with a wire sticking out on the other end.

RF coaxial wire
(75ohm)

Antenna

TV back

TV back panel
(expanded view)

Antenna
/ Cable

TV back

Flat wire
(300 ohm)

Antenna

300/75 ohm
Adapter

TV back panel
(expanded view)

Antenna
/ Cable

If you have a 75 ohm RF cable,
then you don’t need any adapters!

Remember, when screwing RF
cables onto jacks, clockwise tight­ens, and counterclockwise loosens.

A 300 to 75 ohm adapter is not
included with your Zenith
Entertainment Machine.

120V
60Hz

1

2

3

4

back of remote

Flat-Wire Antenna to Adapter

Round Antenna Wire

See diagrams at right to hook up
your Entertainment Machine.

Remove the back of the remote
and put in three AAA batteries.

Plug in your TV. Do not plug it
into a switched outlet.

Go to page 13 to Auto Program
your Entertainment Machine.

3376-O

INSTALLATION STANDARD PAGE 7

Connect
cable to your
Entertainment
Machine.

Mini glossary

CABLE SERVICE The wire that supplies all your cable TV (CATV) stations.

Hook Up Your Cable (CATV) to the TV

Cable TV
wall jack

Cable TV
wall jack

Cable box

In

Out

RF coaxial wire (75ohm)

RF coaxial wire (75ohm)

3 4

output

switch

TV back panel
(expanded view)

Antenna
/ Cable

TV back

TV back panel
(expanded view)

Antenna
/ Cable

TV back

If you’re using a cable box, leave your
TV on channel 3 or 4 and use your
cable box to change channels.

Remember, when screwing RF cables
onto jacks, clockwise tightens, and
counterclockwise loosens.

If you’re using a cable box, Auto­Program (page 13) might only find the
channel your cable service is on
(usually channel 3 or 4). Don’t worry,
that’s all you need!

120V
60Hz

1
2

3

4

Without Cable Box

With Cable Box

back of remote

See diagrams at right to hook up
your Entertainment Machine.

Remove the back of the remote
and put in three AAA batteries.

Plug in your TV. Do not plug it
into a switched outlet.

Go to page 13 to Auto Program
your Entertainment Machine.

120V
60Hz

back of remote

3376-O

INSTALLATION STANDARDPAGE 8

Connect your

off-air

antenna and

VCR to your

Entertainment

Machine.

Hook Up Antenna and VCR to the TV

TV back panel
(expanded view)

TV back

RF coaxial wire
(75ohm)
not included
with TV

In

Out

Audio

R-L Out

Video

Out

3 4

VCR back

VCR back AV panel

In

Out

3 4

VCR back

VCR back AV panel

Flat wire
(300 ohm)

Antenna

300/75 ohm
Adapter

Round wire (75ohm)

Antenna

output

switch

output

switch

A/V cables
not included
with TV

A/V cables

not included
with TV

TV back panel
(expanded view)

TV back

RF coaxial wire
(75ohm)
not included
with TV

Audio

R-L Out

Video

Out

Remember, when screwing
RF cables onto jacks, clockwise
tightens, and counterclockwise
loosens.

Use Video sources for better
picture and sound.

No A/V cables are included with
your Zenith Entertainment
Machine.

Without A/V cables, VCRs will not
play videocassettes in stereo
sound.

1

2

3

4

Flat-Wire Antenna to Adapter and Audio/Video Cables

Round Cable to VCR and Audio/Video Cables

See diagrams at right to hook up
your Entertainment Machine.

Remove the back of the remote
and put in three AAA batteries.

Plug in your TV. Do not plug it
into a switched outlet.

Go to page 13 to Auto Program
your Entertainment Machine.

3376-O

INSTALLATION STANDARD PAGE 9

Connect
your VCR and
Cable to your
Entertainment
Machine.

Hook Up Your Cable (CATV) and VCR

Leave your VCR and your television
tuned to channel three and use
the cable box to change channels.

Remember, when screwing in RF
cables onto jacks, clockwise tight­ens, and counterclockwise loosens.

Use Video sources for better
picture and sound.

No A/V cables are included with
your Zenith Entertainment
Machine. Without A/V cables, VCRs
will not play videocassettes in
stereo sound.

TV back panel
(expanded view)

TV back

RF coaxial wire
(75ohm)
not included
with TV

TV back panel
(expanded view)

TV back

RF coaxial wire
(75ohm)
not included
with TV

Cable TV
wall jack

Cable TV
wall jack

Round wire (75ohm)

Round wire (75ohm)

Cable box

In

Out

In

Out

3 4

VCR back

VCR back AV panel

In

Out

3 4

VCR back

VCR back AV panel

A/V cables
not included
with TV

output
switch

output
switch

3 4

output
switch

A/V cables
not included
with TV

Audio

R-L Out

Video

Out

Audio

R-L Out

Video

Out

120V
60Hz

1

2

3

4

Cable Service and Audio/Video Cables

back of remote

Cable Service with a Cable Box and Audio/Video Cables

See diagrams at right to hook up
your Entertainment Machine.

Remove the back of the remote
and put in three AAA batteries.

Plug in your TV. Do not plug it
into a switched outlet.

Go to page 13 to Auto Program
your Entertainment Machine.

3376-O

INSTALLATION STANDARDPAGE 10

Connecting a

Super VHS VCR

to your

Entertainment

Machine.

Super VHS VCR

3374-O

Use S-Video or Video sources for
better picture and sound.

To use with PIP: go to the
Source Menu (page 21) and
choose the jack you’ve connected
your S-VHS VCR to (S-VHS 1, or
S-VHS 2) as the Main or PIP
source.

S-Video 1 and S-Video 2 are
input connectors.

TV back

In

Out

3 4

Super VHS VCR

Back AV panel

Cables
not included
with TV

Audio

R-L Out

S-Video

Out

Attach to
cable wall jack,
cable box, or
antenna

Ant

Super VHS VCR Connections and Audio/Video Cables

120V
60Hz

back of remote

1

2

3

4

3376-O

INSTALLATION STEREO SYSTEM PAGE 11

Get the
best sound
possible
from your
Entertainment
Machine.

Variable Audio Out Hook-ups

Audio cables

not included
with TV

TV back

R-L Audio

Input

Stereo

System

Locate the jacks marked Audio
Variable Out. These are for the
stereo system. Connect the
stereo system’s cables, accord­ing to their color (red is the
right channel, white the left)
to these jacks.

1

These cables should be included
with your stereo system.

Before you begin plugging in your stereo sys­tem, it’s a good idea to put it in its
approximate place first. That way you know
how much audio cable you have or will need.

Variable Audio Out to Stereo System using Right/Left Audio Cables

Mini glossary

AUDIO CABLES Two cables bunched together—Right audio (red), and Left audio (white). Audio cables are used for stereo play

back of videocassettes and for higher quality sound from other A/V devices.

OPERATION TRACKBALL MENU OPERATIONPAGE 12

Using the

Z-Trak to

operate the

on-screen

menus.

MBR Z-Trak TV Menu Operation

3376-O

v

o

l

u

m

e

mode

mute

flshbk

source

enter

menu

record

quit/

pause

rew

stop

f. fwd

play

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8
0

9

surf

power

tv

vcr

cable

aux 1

aux 2

pip

c

h

a

n

n

e

l

Timer Setup
Ch Labels
Source ID
Parental Ctl
Auto Dem o

To Set Timers

123

Special
Features

Sleep Timer
On Time
Off Time
On/Off Timer

:30

Timer
Menu

123

Press MODE repeatedly until the
TV indicator lights.

Point Z-Trak at Entertainment
Machine.

Press POWER to turn TV on.
Press trackball down and release,

to place selector arrow on TV
screen.

Rotate trackball to move selector
arrow around screen until menu
selection icons appear.

Move the selector arrow over the
menu option.

Press trackball down and release
to select option etc.

When finished, move selector
arrow off any menu and press
trackball down and release to
remove menus from view.

As shown to the right, when set­ting the clock or on the timer
menu: point on hours and click to
set, point on minutes and click to
set, point on AM or PM and click
to change.

1
2

3

4

5

6
7

8

Setting Clock/Timer using Trackball

Timer
Menu

Sleep Timer
On Time
Off Time
On/Off Timer

123

12 : 30 AM

INSTALLATION CHANNEL SEARCH PAGE 13

Automatically
finds available
channels in
your area.

Auto Program (Channel Search)

3376-O

Press MENU repeatedly until the
Setup Menu appears.

Use the UP/DOWN arrow keys, to
select Auto Program.

Press a LEFT/RIGHT arrow.
Use the UP/DOWN arrow keys, to

select Off Air Antenna, or if you
subscribe to cable service, select
Cable.
Note: The flashing option is the
one selected.

Press a LEFT/RIGHT arrow to
begin the channel search.

After channel search is done, use
Channel UP/DOWN or number key­pad to select channels.

1
2

3
4

5
6

1

6

When the screen tells you how
many channels it found, click
the Trakball for TV viewing.

To customize your channel selec­tion, see Channel Add/Del/Surf on
page 22.

3/5

2/4

power

cable

mode

aux 1

aux 2

vcr

tv

v

o

l

u

m

1

4

7

source

menu

record

mute

e

rew

pip

play

stop

surf

flshbk

l

e

n

n

a

h

c

2
5

3

6

8

9

0

enter

quit/

pause

f. fwd

REMOTE OPERATION MBR Z-TRAK KEY FUNCTIONS IN TV MODE

All the

keys on your

remote,

and what

they do in TV

mode.

TV Mode Functions

3376-O

v

o

l

u

m

e

mode

mute

flshbk

source

enter

menu

record

quit/

pause

rew

play

f. fwd

stop

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8
0

9

surf

power

tv

vcr

cable

aux 1

aux 2

pip

c

h

a

n

n

e

l

POWER

Turn your Entertainment Machine
and all other programmed equipment
on or off.

MODE LEFT/RIGHT

Adjust which mode your remote is

working in.

MODE INDICATOR LIGHTS

Illuminate to show which mode

your remote is in.

FLSHBK (FLASHBACK)

Return immediately to the last
channel viewed.

CHANNEL UP/DOWN

Scroll through your available
channels.

NUMBER KEYPAD

For direct channel selection and
programming functions.

ENTER

Push to accept menu choices or after
channel numbers for faster transfer.

PIP SNAPSHOT

1st push, freezes main picture in PIP inset.
2nd push, begins normal PIP operation.
3rd push, removes PIP inset.

QUIT

Leaves programming menus and
clears screen of displays. Swaps PIP and
Main audio sources with PIP on.

RECORD, PAUSE

Control the functions on your VCR.

REW, FFWD, PLAY, STOP

Control the functions on your VCR.

MUTE

Press once for Soft Mute,

and again for full Mute.

SURF

Use the regular channel selection or

your customized channel Surf list.

VOLUME LEFT/RIGHT

Increase/decrease the sound level

SOURCE

Push to switch between

available sources connected to

your Entertainment Machine.

MENU

Displays on-screen menus.

ARROW KEYS

Use to select and adjust
on-screen menu choices.

TRAKBALL

Clicking and rolling activates and
moves the on-screen selector arrow
(pointer). See page 12 for on-screen
menu operation. See page 38 for pro­gramming remote.

TRK 4000

Mini glossary

MODE The device that the remote control is currently controlling; TV, VCR, Cable Box, Aux 1, or Aux 2.

PAGE 14

124-219-01 221-1282

Note: You can still control your VCR in TV mode.

OPERATION TV FUNDAMENTALS PAGE 15

Using the
ten-button
front panel to
operate the
menus.

Front Panel

3376-O

To access the menus, press MENU
on the panel. Cycle through the
various menus by pressing MENU
repeatedly.

Press SELECT repeatedly to high­light and select the option you
want to modify.

Press either Right or Left on the
ADJUST key to modify the option
you have chosen.

Press ENTER to return to normal
TV viewing.

1

2

3

4

Refer to the various menu pages
on how to use the on-screen
menus.

The CHANNEL and VOLUME buttons
work just as they do on your
remote control.

Lost the remote? Call Zenith at
1-800-365-1690 to ask about
purchasing a new one.

4

ENTER ADJUST SELECT MENU VOLUME CHANNEL OFF-ON

1

2

3

REMOTE OPERATION MBR Z-TRAK TRACKBALL REMOTEPAGE 16

Learn the

easiest way

to get at

every option

on your

Entertainment

Machine!

Using Your Trakball Remote

3376-O

Make sure your Entertainment
Machine is on.

Just click the Trakball by
pressing gently with your
thumb, and an arrow-shaped
pointer will appear on-screen.

You can now move the pointer
anywhere on the screen by
rolling the Trakball with your
thumb. As you move it from
side to side, top to bottom,
different menus will instantly
appear.

You can use and adjust any of
these options by rolling the
pointer so the index finger is
touching the icon for the
menu or option you want.

Click the Trakball again,
and the option or menu is
selected.

When you’re finished, either
wait a few seconds and the
pointer will disappear, or
move the pointer so that it
isn’t touching any icons or
menus, and click again.

1
2

3

4

5

6

Ch 07-NBC

4:55

Mono

Ch

All Chan

Flashback

Surf

Volume

PIP

FREEZ

PIP

CHANGE

CC

123

Typical Icons Menu Selection Bar, which lets you access the Source menu
(see page 21), the Setup menu (see pages 13, 22-26), the Special Features
menu (see pages 27-31), the Audio menu (see page 32), the Video menu
(see page 33), and the Picture-in-picture menu (see page 34).

Source

Menu

Setup

Menu

Special

Features

Menu

Audio

Menu

Video
Menu

PIP

Menu

Channel/Time
Display

Z-Trak
Picture-in­Picture Menu

(see page 37).

Volume
Display
Click any­where on
bar to
adjust
sound

Channel
Selection
Display
Click to
change

Surfing
Display

The point-and-click interface
does everything buttons do,
just like your computer
mouse. Click words on-screen
instead of pressing the but­ton. Or click on items instead
of scrolling with the arrow
keys.

Mini glossary

POINTER The image of the selector arrow that appears on-screen and points to the option you want to work with.
ICON A small picture on your screen that represents a function or menu item.

3376-O

OPERATION TV FUNDAMENTALS

PAGE 17

Introducing
you to the
basics of your
Entertainment
Machine

Basic Television Operation

Pressing the Source key on the remote switches between the Video
inputs and Cable/Antenna input. The Time/Channel display will read
“Video” in place of a channel number if A/V inputs are selected as the
picture source.

Cable/Antenna Input: This setting allows you to change cable or
antenna channels and to view videocassettes on channel 3 (or 4)
in mono s o und.

Video Input: This setting allows stereo playback of videocassettes. The
television cannot change channels in the Video mode, but the VCR can.

To view the current input source, press ENTER on your remote.
The Time/Channel display should appear in the upper-right hand
corner of the screen. If the display reads ‘Video,’ then the
source is an A/V input. If the display reads a channel number,
then the source is Cable/Antenna.

Source

XDS Data Feature

Channel/Label or Video (Indicates Source)
Time
Audio Mode

PIP Channel & Label
(Musical Note Shows Source of sound)

XDS = Extended Data Service

Some public broadcasting stations are including on the signal
they provide additional information (data) about the program.
This data (see example) appears on your TV screen when you
press ENTER; if the broadcaster is adding XDS data.

Date

Channel/Time/Audio Display

(shown with PIP display, if PIP is on)

Title of Program

Length of Program (in hours and minutes)
Time Remaining (in hours and minutes)

Showing XDS Data

Select a channel. Press ENTER to display XDS data; if available.

XDS Channel Labels

XDS can provide a channel label automatically. For the pro­grams to display an XDS channel label, select the dashes
(- - - -) for that channel from the Channel Labels option in the
Special Features Menu.

Example of an XDS Data Display

Jan/30/98

Ch 25-MTV

7:55

Stereo

PIP Ch 30-ABC

NOVA

Length 00:44 Time Left 00:37

At this printing, XDS data is only being provided
by some public broadcasting stations; and as a
result, it is only available on some channels.

You must set the Clock in the Setup Menu
before the time will appear on the
Channel/Time Display or on the XDS display.