RCA VPT 385 - Manual (Page 11)

Video Cassettes
RCA recommends that RCA cassettes be used with this
unit. The tape in RCA cassettes is of high-quality
formulation, intended for use with multi-speed VHS
video cassette recorders. It has been manufactured to
RCA’s critical specifications for excellent performance
with RCA VCR’s. Use of tape not meeting these
specifications could considerably reduce the
performance of your VCR.
Use of poor quality tapes or tape« that have been
damaged or mishandled can contaminate the VCR
heads. This can cause a snowy picture or a missing
picture during playback. Because RCA has no control
over the type of tape purchased or rented by consumers,
head cleaning is not covered by RCA’s warranty. It is
considered normal maintenance.
Playing a new RCA tape for approximately 30 minutes
often will clean the VCR heads and improve your
picture. If a snowy picture or missing picture condition
persists, consider the use of a chemical non-abrasive
head cleaning tape (RCA Stock No. AV009). It is
available from your dealer and many electronic supply
stores. Be sure to follow the directions with the head
cleaning kit carefully. Improper use of a head cleaner
may damage your VCR.
Erase Protection
To prevent erasing a recording you want to keep, remove
the safety tab from the back of the cassette as shown in
the illustration. Recording is impossible when this tab is
removed. To record again on a cassette that has the tab
removed, simply cover the hole with vinyl tape.
Cassette Playing Times and Speeds
The playing times and counter readings below are
approximate. Also, it is assumed the counter is set to
0000 at the start of the tape.
T-60 CASSETTE (VK125)
SPEED SP LP SLP
Counter Counter Counter
Time Reading Reading Reading
1 hour 2080 (end) П20 760
2 hours 2080 (end) 1460
3 hours 2080 (end)
T-120 CASSETTE (VK250)
SPEED SP LP SLP
Counter Counter Counter
Time Reading Reading Reading
1 hour 3520 2100 1520
2 hours 5680 (end) 3520 2600
3 hours 4660 3520
4 hours 5680 (end) 4300
5 hours 5000
6 hours 5680 (end)
T-160 CASSETTE (VK330)
SPEED SP LP SLP
Counter Counter Counter
Time Reading Reading Reading
1 hour 3740 2160 1560
2 hours 6120 3740 2740
3 hours 5020 3740
4 hours 6120 4640
5 hours 5400
6 hours 6120
7 hours 6760
8 hours 7420 (end)
tape
Recording Speed
This information will help you decide which tape speed
to use when recording.
• SP: Standard Play uses the most tape. Video recorded
at this speed has the least “picture noise” (snow) in
normal playback. Pre-recorded tapes use SP for this
reason and also because all VHS recorders have this
speed.
• LP; Long Play uses one-half as much tape as SP. This
speed is provided primarily for playing tapes recorded
on older machines that do not have SLP.
• SLP: Super Long Play uses one-third as much tape as
SP. SLP has slightly more “picture noise” than LP in
normal playback (which may not be noticeable). Y our
V C R ’s special effects (search, stop action, slow m otion,
and fram e advance) are designed for optim um
perform ance at the SL P speed.
Cassette Care and Storage
Follow these directions for continued high-quality
performance from your cassettes.
• When you are finished with a cassette, rewind it and
remove it from the VCR.
• Never attempt to force open the cassette door.
• Store cassettes vertically in their protective boxes at
normal room temperatures. Avoid extreme heat and
humidity. Extreme heat can warp the cassette or cause
the tape to stretch excessively.
• Be especially careful to keep dust from entering the
cassette and the VCR mechanism. Ail dust is abrasive
and it will cause excessive wear of both the tape and
the VCR’s recording/playback heads.