Eventide VR204HF Operating instructions

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Digital Audio Logging System
Eventide
Model VR204
BUSY TAPE STATUS
EJECT
REC PLAY/PAUSE REW FF STOP/EJECT
CHANNEL STATUS TAPE ALMOST FULL/FULL
A B C D
MUTE
Broadcast Quality Audio
DDS-3 Tape Technology
Installation and Operation Guide
for the
Eventide VR204HF
Hi-Fi Broadcast Logging Recorder
and the
Eventide VR204HF-PB
Hi-Fi Broadcast Logging Player
(A supplement to the VR204 Installation & Operation Manual)
current rev 2: preliminary date: 03 August 1998
original rev 1: preliminary date: 31 July 1998
eventide doc#: 141030
Eventide Inc.
One Alsan Way, Little Ferry, NJ 07643
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
http://www.eventide.com

(BLANK)

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic page
Table of Contents .............................................................. i
About This Manual ............................................................v
Part 1 - General Description of the VR204HF .....................................1
What is the VR204HF? .........................................................1
What options are available? ......................................................1
Can I play tapes recorded in other Eventide loggers? ..................................1
Part 2 - Operation & Configuration User Interface Screens ..........................3
Before You Begin .............................................................3
Power-Up Screen Sequence ......................................................3
Boot-Up Screen .........................................................3
No Tape In Drive Screen ..................................................3
Insert Tape Screen .......................................................3
Tape Loaded Successfully Screen ...........................................4
Write-Protected Tape Loaded Successfully Screen ..............................4
New or Unformatted Tape Loaded Successfully Screen ..........................4
Eject Tape Screen ........................................................4
Main Menu Screens ............................................................4
Main Menu - No Tape In Drive .............................................4
Main Menu - Tape In Drive, write-protected ...................................5
Main Menu - Tape In Drive, not write-protected ................................5
Main Menu Choices - [Resume], [PrepTape], [GoTo], [Disk] ...........................6
Main Menu Choice - [Controls] Controls ...........................................7
[Volume] ..............................................................7
[Labels] ...............................................................7
[Security] ..............................................................7
[Channel] ..............................................................7
[Single] ..........................................................7
[Multiple] for hi-fi tapes ............................................8
[Multiple] for non-hi-fi tapes .........................................8
[Monitor] ..............................................................9
[Mode] ..........................................................9
Mode Example - Digital Loopback ...................................10
Mode Example - Enable Digital Loopback for Channels A,C,D (1,3,4) .......10
Mode Example - Selecting Confidence Mode Monitoring .................10
Mode Example - Confidence Mode, Enable Channels ....................11
Main Menu Choice - System Information ..........................................12
[Quit] ...............................................................12
[DrvInfo] .............................................................12
[SysLogs] .............................................................12
[Internal] .............................................................12
[Bandwidth] .....................................................12
[Descrip] .......................................................12

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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[UnitNum] ......................................................12
Main Menu Choice - Configuration Menu .........................................13
[Quit] ...............................................................13
[Clock] ...............................................................13
[Relay] ...............................................................13
[RecTimers] ...........................................................13
[Label] ...............................................................13
[Descriptors] ..........................................................13
[Inpt/Outpt] ...........................................................13
[Quit] .........................................................13
[RecEnable] .....................................................13
[InputGain] ......................................................14
[Done] ...................................................14
[Channel] .................................................14
[Decrease] ................................................14
[Increase] .................................................14
Clipping Indicator ..........................................14
Example - Input Clipping Indicator .............................15
[OutputAttn] .....................................................15
[Done] ...................................................15
[Channel] .................................................15
[Decrease] ................................................15
[Increase] .................................................15
[Record] ..............................................................16
[BANDWIDTH] .................................................16
[REC OVER] ....................................................16
[C3ECC] .......................................................16
[TIME TRACK] ..................................................16
[REC VERIFY] ..................................................16
Main Menu Choice - [TapeInfo] Tape Information ...................................18
TapeInfo Screen for a hi-fi format tape ......................................18
TapeInfo Screen for a standard format tape ...................................18
[Quit] ...............................................................18
[Descrip] .............................................................18
[Position] .............................................................18
[Rewrites] .............................................................18
[Bandwidth] ...........................................................18
Example - Bandwidth Screen ..............................................19
[Quit] ..........................................................19
[Sampling] ............................................................19
Example - Sampling Screen ...............................................19
[Quit] ..........................................................19
Part 3 - Recording and Playback ...............................................21
Compatibility ...............................................................21
Recording ...............................................................21
Standard format record warning screen ......................................21
Playback ...............................................................21
Reconfigure for hi-fi screen ...............................................22
Play/Pause with Reconfigure for hi-fi screen sequence ..........................22

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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Playback While Recording ......................................................22
Playback while record warning screen .......................................23
Part 4 - Recommended Tapes ..................................................25
Part 5 - Connecting the VR204HF and VR204HF-PB ..............................27
Connections ...............................................................27
Balanced Audio Input and Output ................................................27
Speaker Output ...............................................................28
Headphone Output ............................................................28
Line Out ...............................................................28
Part 6 - Technical Specifications ...............................................29
Illustrations
Fig 1.1 The VR204HF Front Panel ................................................1
Fig 1.2 The VR204HF Rear Panel ................................................2
Fig 5.1 Pinout, Hi-Fi Audio Connector ...........................................27
------

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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NOTES:

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ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This manual is a supplement to the standard VR204 Installation and Operation Manual, the
VR204 Quick Reference Guide, and the VP204 Operating Manual.
The purpose of this supplement is to detail features that are unique to the VR204HF Hi-Fi
Broadcast Logging Recorder. Because the basic operation of the VR204HF is similar to the
standard VR204 unit, you should review the "Installation and Operation of the Eventide VR204
Digital Audio Logging System" manual for information about features not specifically addressed
in this supplement.
A very brief overview of the VR204HF series of hi-fi logging recorders is given in PART 1 -
General Description of the VR204HF.
The differences between the hi-fi VR204HF and the telephone/audio VR204 form a front panel
setup and use perspective are covered in Part 2 - Operation & Configuration User Interface
Screens.
Specific details regarding recording and playback are given in Part 3 - Recording and
Playback. Also covered in Part 3 are compatibility issues regarding hi-fi format tapes versus
standard format tapes.
Part 4 - Recommended Tapes provides a list of tapes that Eventide recommends for use in
Eventide Logging Recorders.
The only specific hardware connection difference between the VR204HF recorders and the
standard VR204 is in the hi-fi audio inputs and outputs. This is covered in Part 5 - Connecting
the VR204HF and VR204HF-PB.
Technical Specifications are detailed in Part 6 - Technical Specifications.

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NOTES

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0
Prev Soft Keys Next
Digital Audio Logging System
Eventide
Model VR204
BUSY TAPE STATUS
EJECT
REC PLAY/PAUSE REW FF STOP/EJECT
CHANNEL STATUS TAPE ALMOST FULL/FULL
A B C D
MUTE
Broadcast Quality Audio
DDS-3 Tape Technology
VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
[ 1 ]
Figure 1.1 The VR204HF Front Panel
PART 1 -
General Description of the VR204HF
What is the VR204HF?
The Eventide VR204HF is a 4-channel high-fidelity ("hi-fi") Broadcast Logging Recorder. It is
capable of recording as much as 200 channel hours of hi-fi audio (20Hz-14KHz) onto a single
DDS-3 DAT tape. Longer recording times are possible by selecting reduced bandwidth. The
unit's hi-fi audio connections are balanced and designed to handle +24dBu (max) signals. The
VR204HF also includes a variety of features, such as Record Timers, to allow unattended
operation. An internal 2GB hard disk is used for record bufferring and instant recall of data.
What options are available?
The VR204HF is available with three different input options--- dc-coupled (standard,
VR204HF), transformer-coupled (VR204HF-X), and ac-coupled (VR204HF-AC). A Playback
only version, the VR204HF-PB, is also available. To avoid confusion in the manual, the hi-fi
recorders will be referred to as "VR204HF"--- regardless of the input configuration, while the
play only unit will be specified as VR204HF-PB. The non-hi-fi 4-channel telephone or audio
recorders will be referred to as "VR204."
Can I play tapes recorded in other Eventide loggers?
Yes and no. Early VR204HF production units do not have the ability to playback non-hi-fi tapes.
VR204HF Recorders with serial number 20010493, or newer, are capable of playing both hi-fi
and standard telephone/audio tapes recorded on any of Eventide's logging recorders---VR204,
VR240, VR320.
All VR204HF-PB (Playback Only) units are capable of playing hi-fi and standard
telephone/audio tapes from any Eventide logging recorder.

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VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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Figure 1.2 The VR204HF Rear Panel
--

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PART 2 -
Operation & Configuration User Interface Screens
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Please refer to VR204 Install & Operate Manual for information regarding ac power
requirements and connections.
This section of the manual details the differences in the menu operations of the VR204HF versus
the standard VR204. When VR204HF menu items function identically to the VR204, it is
indicated with "Same as VR204," refer to the VR204 Install and Operate Manual for further
information.
POWER-UP SCREEN SEQUENCE
After the VR204HF has been properly connected to a source of ac power, and the unit turned on,
the display shows the "boot-up" screen:
----------------------------------------
Eventide VR204HF HIFI LOGGING RECORDER
System Start V6.00
----------------------------------------
The unit will then perform a series of self-diagnostic tests. The results of each test will be shown
briefly on the display. Once power-up testing is complete, then the unit will display the MAIN
Menu screen...
... if no tape is in the drive, the display will show---
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DRIVE: Not Ready
Controls SysInfo Disk Config
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When insert a tape---
----------------------------------------
DRIVE: Loading Tape
Controls SysInfo Disk Config
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When a tape has loaded successfully---

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DRIVE: Ready
< Controls GoTo Disk Resume >
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When a write-protected tape has loaded successfully---
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DRIVE: Ready, write-protected
< Controls GoTo Disk SysInfo >
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When a new or unformatted tape has loaded succesfully---
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DRIVE: Tape unreadable
< Controls GoTo Disk Resume >
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When eject a tape---
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DRIVE: Ejecting
Controls SysInfo Disk Config
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MAIN MENU SCREENS
After the power-on tests have been completed, the VR204HF screen shows the Main Menu. The
Main Menu screen choices, or position of the choices, varies depending on whether a tape is
loaded or not and whether it is write protected. Expect to see the following Main Menu screens
for the indicated conditions.
MAIN MENU - No Tape In Drive
----------------------------------------
DRIVE: Not Ready
Controls SysInfo Disk Config
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MAIN MENU - Tape In Drive, write-protected
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DRIVE: Ready, write-protected

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< Controls GoTo Disk SysInfo >
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Press "<" or ">" ( [PREV] or [NEXT] keys) to access additional menu items---
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DRIVE: Ready, write-protected
< TapeInfo Config >
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MAIN MENU - Tape In Drive, not write-protected
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DRIVE: Ready
< Controls GoTo Disk Resume >
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Press "<" or ">" ( [PREV] or [NEXT] keys) to access additional menu items---
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DRIVE: Ready
< SysInfo TapeInfo Config PrepTape >
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VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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MAIN MENU CHOICES - [RESUME], [PREPTAPE], [GOTO], [DISK]
[Resume] - Same as VR204
DRIVE: Resume Recording? [Record] [Cancel]
[PrepTape] - Same as VR204
PREPARE TAPE: [Format] [MakeIndex] [Quit]
[GoTo] - Same as VR204
GO TO: [Time/Date] [Chan#] [Mem#] [Quit]
[Disk] - Same as VR204 (Toggles between Drive/Disk and related menu choices.)
[Disk] adds the following disk related choices to the Main Menu:
[SaveMsg] - Same as VR204
[TimeAdj] - Same as VR204
[Playback] - Same as Vr204
[StopRec] - Same as VR204

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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MAIN MENU CHOICE - [Controls] CONTROLS
[Controls] - Same response with/without a tape loaded.
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CONTROLS:
< Volume Channel Monitor Quit >
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Pressing " <" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT] keys) gives these additional choices---
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CONTROLS:
< Labels Security Quit >
----------------------------------------
All choices and operation for Volume, Labels, and Security are identical the standard (non-hi-fi)
VR204 unit. The VR204HF has new choices and/or operation for Channel and Monitor.
[Volume] - Same as VR204
[Labels] - Same as VR204
[Security] - Same as VR204
[Channel]
----------------------------------------
CHANNEL SELECTION:
Single Multiple Quit
----------------------------------------
[Single]
----------------------------------------
DRIVE: CH 01: {channel descriptor} >
ChanDown ChanUp Quit
----------------------------------------
Single allows you to step through the various available channels--- from 1 to 8. Although the
VR204HF can only record on channels 1 through 4, it allows you to select upto channel 8
because it can play-back 8-channel hi-fi tapes recorded on Eventide VR240/VR320 Hi-Fi
Recorders. (When a non hi-fi tape from any standard Eventide Logging Recorder, including the
VR320's 32-channel (non-hi-fi) tapes, is loaded, you can select channels from 1 to 32.)
The [PREV] and [NEXT] keys are used to scroll through the characters of the indicated channel's
descriptor. The "<" and ">" arrow symbols at the end and/or beginning of the descriptor area
indicate that the descriptor text extends beyond that shown on the display.
[Multiple] for hi-fi tapes
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SELECT CHANNEL: A=01 B=02
< Decrease Increase Save Quit >
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The "<" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT]) keys move the underline cursor. This shows which
"channel" is being selected.
[Quit] - Exit back to previous "Channel Selection" Menu.
[Decrease] - Decreases the channel number selected (underlined).
[Increase] - Increases the channel number selected (underlined).
NOTE: The numeric keypad may be used to directly enter the channel numbers. The
cursor automatically advances to the next character after each number is pressed.
[Save] - Assigns the"new" channels to the outputs-- "A" goes to output 1, "B" to output 2.
After input channel numbers and press [Save], the Channel Allocation screen is displayed to
show the newly assigned values---
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*** CHANNEL ALLOCATION ***
A=03 B=04
----------------------------------------
After displaying the "Channel Allocation" screen for a few seconds, the unit returns to the
"Channel Selection" menu screen.
For hi-fi tapes, legal values are from 01-08. If [Save] is pressed while an illegal channel value is
shown for either "A" or "B", the channel will be cleared to 00 (or forced to 01 if its "A").
----------------------------------------
*** CHANNEL ALLOCATION ***
A=01 B=00
----------------------------------------
[Multiple] for non-hi-fi tapes
For standard, non-hi-fi tapes, the [Multiple] screen allows four channels to be selected and the
acceptable channel values are from 01 to 32. (Non-hi-fi tapes can have up to 32 channels.)
----------------------------------------
SELECT CHANNEL: A=01 B=02 C=12 D=29
< Decrease Increase Save Quit >
----------------------------------------
Pressing [Save] shows the Channel Allocation screen
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*** CHANNEL ALLOCATION ***
A=01 B=02 C=12 D=29
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VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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[Monitor]
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MONITORING: (Digital Loopback)
< A:off B:off C:off D:off >
----------------------------------------
Monitor in the VR204HF has two modes of operation--- Digital Loopback and Confidence. The
current monitor mode is shown on the top line of the display, either "(Digital Loopback)" or,
"(Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)." In this screen, you can turn the channel monitors on/off by
pressing the coresponding softkey.
Pressing "<" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT] keys) reveals the Mode and Quit choices.
----------------------------------------
MONITORING: (Digital Loopback)
< Mode Quit >
----------------------------------------
Pressing "Mode" toggles between the two monitoring modes--- Digital Loopback and
Confidence.
Pressing "<" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT] keys) returns you to the on/off choices.
Quit returns to the CONTROLS: (selection) screen.
[Mode]
Selects between Digital Loopback
----------------------------------------
MONITORING: (Digital Loopback)
< Mode Quit >
----------------------------------------
and Confidence monitoring modes.
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MONITORING: (Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)
< Mode Quit >
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Example - Digital Loopback
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MONITORING: (Digital Loopback)
< A:off B:off C:off D:off >
----------------------------------------
When in Digital Loopback, any combination of inputs (or all four) may be selected for "live"

VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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monitoring of the incoming audio. In Digital LoopBack monitoring, the incoming audio samples
are immediately sent to the audio outputs. The effects of the bandwidth selection (sample rate)
will be heard in the monitored audio. Pressing the softkey under each of the channel indicators
toggles that channel's monitor on/off.
Example - Enable Digital LoopBack Monitoring for Channels A, C, D (1, 3, 4)
----------------------------------------
MONITORING: (Digital Loopback)
< A:on B:off C:on D:on >
----------------------------------------
Press "<" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT] keys) to return to the Mode and Quit choices.
Example - Selecting Confidence Mode Monitoring
Press "Mode" to toggle the monitoring mode between Digital Loopback and Confidence.
----------------------------------------
MONITORING: (Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)
< Mode Quit >
----------------------------------------
Confidence Monitoring allows you to hear the full effects of both the recording and playback
processing on the audio signals being monitored. On the recording side, this includes the effects
of the bandwidth selection (sampling rate) and the effects of the digital data compression
algorithm. On the playback side, it is the effects of the data expansion algorithm. Because this is
a very complex data processing task, Confidence Monitoring is limited to two channels.
To select the channels---
Press "<" or ">" ([PREV] or [NEXT] keys) to return to the on/off choices screen.
----------------------------------------
MONITORING: (Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)
< A:off B:off C:off D:off >
----------------------------------------
Selecting CONFIDENCE automatically sets all channel monitors to "off."
Enable the desired channels by pressing the corresponding softkeys. Because Confidence only
allows two channel monitors to be on, trying to enable a third channel monitor turns OFF the first
two because it assumes that you want to select a new "pair" of channels to monitor. (It's a lot
quicker to just enable two new channels than to first have to turn off the original choices, then
enable the new choices!)
Example - Confidence Mode, Enable Channels
Channels A & B (1 & 2) are enabled---
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VR204HF/VR204HF-PB Operator Manual Supplement >Preliminary< rv2 03 August 1998
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MONITORING: (Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)
< A:on B:on C:off D:off >
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Now, enable Channel C (3)---
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MONITORING: (Confidence, 2 Channels MAX)
< A:off B:off C:on D:off >
----------------------------------------
Notice that Channels A & B (1 & 2) have been turned off.
The VR204HF will not allow more than two channels to be enabled during Confidence
Monitoring.

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MAIN MENU CHOICE - [SysInfo] SYSTEM INFORMATION
[SysInfo]
----------------------------------------
SYSTEM INFORMATION:
Internal DrvInfo SysLogs Quit
----------------------------------------
The System Information screen provides the same choices as the standard VR204. There is a
slight difference in operation under the Internal screen.
[Quit] - Return to previous (Main) menu
[DrvInfo] - Same as VR204
[SysLogs] - Same as VR204
[Internal]
----------------------------------------
INTERNAL SYSTEM INFORMATION:
Bandwidth Descrip UnitNum Quit
----------------------------------------
Because the VR204HF allows the user to select the audio "bandwidth," the present setting for
bandwidth is made available under the Internal System Information screen. (On the standard
VR204, this was the "Sampling" choice--- the sampling rate in kbps.)
[Bandwidth]
Shows unit's current Bandwidth setting. (14 KHZ, 7 KHZ, or 3.5 KHZ)
----------------------------------------
BANDWIDTH SETTING: 14 KHZ
Quit
----------------------------------------
NOTE: The BANDWIDTH value does not indicate the tape bandwidth or sample rate.
[Descrip] - Same as VR204
[UnitNum] - Same as VR204