Video Cassettes - RCA 390 Owner's Manual

Video Cassettes
RCA recommends that RCA cassettes be used with this
unit. The tape in RCA cassettes is of high-quality formula-
tion, intended for use with multi-speed VHS video cas-
sette 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 tapes that have been dam-
aged or mishandled can contaminate the VCR heads.
This can cause a snowy picture or a missing picture dur-
ing 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 clean-
ing tape (RCA Stock No. AVO09). It is available from your
dealer and many electronic supply stores.
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
Co4mte_ Counter Counter
Time Reading Resdlng Reading
1 hour 2080 (end) 1120 760
2 hours 2080 (end) 1460
3 hours 2080 (end)
T-120 CASSETTE (VK250)
SPEED SP LP SLP
Counter Counter Count_
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)
1"-160 CASSETTE (VK330)
SPEED SP LP SLP
Counter Counter Count_
Time Reading Realdlng 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)
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.
Safety tab To prevent erasure, To record again, cover
break off the tab the hole with vinyl
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). Your
VCR's special effects (search, stop action, slow
motion, and frame advance) are dealgned for optimum
performance at the SLP speed.
Cassette Care and Storage
Follow these directions for continued high-quality per-
formance 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. All dust is abrasive
and it will cause excessive wear of both the tape and
the VCR's recording/playback heads.
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