Alpine VPE-V180A User Manual
ALPINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
Tokyo office: 1-1-8 Nishi Gotanda,
Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8501, Japan
Tel.: (03) 3494-1101
ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF AMERICA, INC.
19145 Gramercy Place, Torrance,
California 90501, U.S.A.
Tel.: 1-800-ALPINE-1 (1-800-257-4631)
ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 203, 7300 Warden Ave. Markham,
Ontario L3R 9Z6, Canada
Tel.: 1-800-ALPINE-1 (1-800-257-4631)
ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
6-8 Fiveways Boulevarde Keysborough,
Victoria 3173, Australia
Tel.: (03) 9769-0000
ALPINE ELECTRONICS GmbH
Kreuzerkamp 7-11
40878 Ratingen, Germany
Tel.: 02102-45 50
ALPINE ITALIA S.p.A.
Via C. Colombo 8, 20090 Trezzano Sul
Naviglio MI, Italy
Tel.: 02-48 40 16 24
ALPINE ELECTRONICS FRANCE S.A.R.L.
(RCS PONTOISE B 338 101 280)
98,Rue De La Belle Etoile, Z.I. Paris Nord II
B.P. 50016 F-95945, Roissy,
Charrles De Gaulle Cedex, France
Tel.: 01-48 63 89 89
ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF U.K., LTD.
13 Tanners Drive, Blakelands,
Milton Keynes MK14 5BU, U.K.
Tel.: 01908-61 15 56
ALPINE ELECTRONICS DE ESPAÑA, S.A.
Portal De Gamarra 36, Pabellon 32
01013 Vitoria (Alav a)-Apdo. 133, Spain
Tel.: 34-45-283588
SERIAL NUMBER/NUMÉRO DE
SÉRIE/NUMERO DE SERIE:
INSTALLATION DATE/DATE D’INSTALLATION/FECHA DE
INSTALACION:
INSTALLATION
TECHNICIAN/INSTALLATEUR/INSTALADOR:
PLACE OF PURCHASE/LIEU
D’ACHAT/LUGAR DE ADQUISICION:
Printed in Singapore
288E9261
VPE-V180A
MOBILE VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER
• OWNER’S MANUAL
Please read this manual to maximize your enjoyment
of the outstanding performance and feature capabilities of the equipment, then retain the manual for
future reference.
• MODE D’EMPLOI
Veuillez lire ce mode d’emploi pour tirer pleinement
profit des excellentes performances et fonctions de
cet appareil, et conservez-le pour toute référence
future.
• MANUAL DE OPERACION
Lea este manual, por favor, para disfrutar al maximo
de las excepcionales prestaciones y posibilidades
functionales que ofrece el equipo, luego guarde el
manual para usarlo como referencia en el futuro.
Points to Observe for Proper Product Installation and Usage
• Read this manual carefully before installing and using this system safely.
We cannot be responsible for problems resulting from failure to observe
the instructions in this manual.
• This manual uses various pictorial displays to show how to use this product safely and to avoid harm to yourself and others and damage to your
property. Here is what these pictorial displays mean.
Understanding them is important for reading this manual.
Warning
Installation Precautions
MAKE THE CORRECT CONNECTIONS
Failure to make the proper connections may result in fire or product damage.
USE ONLY IN CARS WITH A 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GROUND
Use only in cars with a 12 volts negative (-) ground. (Check with your dealer
if you are not sure.) Failure to do so may result in fire, etc.
BEFORE WIRING, DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL
Before doing any electrical wiring, disconnect the cable from the negative (-)
terminal of the battery. Failure to do so may result in electric shock or injury
due to electrical shorts.
DO NOT ALLOW CABLES TO BECOME ENTANGLED IN SURROUNDING OBJECTS
Arrange wiring and cables in compliance with the manual to prevent obstructions when driving. Cables or wiring that obstructs or hangs up on places
such as the steering wheel, gear lever, brake pedals can be extremely hazardous.
DO NOT SPLICE INTO ELECTRICAL CABLES
Never cut away the cables insulation to supply power to other equipment.
Doing so will exceed the current carrying capacity of the wire and result in
fire or electric shock.
DO NOT INSTALL IN LOCATIONS WHICH MIGHT HINDER VEHICLE OPERATION
Do not install in locations which might create hazards for the vehicle occupants or hinder vehicle operation (such as the steering wheel or gear shift)
by obstructing forward vision or hampering movement etc.
• Meaning of displays
Warning
Caution
DO NOT DAMAGE PIPE OR WIRING WHEN DRILLING HOLES
When drilling holes in the chassis for installation, take precautions so as not
to contact, damage or obstruct pipes, fuel lines, tanks or electrical wiring.
Failure to take such precautions may result in fire.
DO NOT USE BOLTS OR NUTS IN THE BRAKE OR STEERING SYSTEMS
TO MAKE GROUND CONNECTIONS
Never use safety-related parts such as bolts or nuts in the brake or steering
systems, or tanks to make wiring installations or ground connections. Using
such parts could disable control of the vehicle and cause fire etc.
KEEP SMALL OBJECTS SUCH AS BATTERIES OUT OF THE REACH OF
CHILDREN
Swallowing them may result in serious injury. If swallowed, consult a physician immediately.Installation
This symbol means important instructions. Failure to do
heed them can result in serious injury or death.
This symbol means important instructions. Failure to heed
them can result in injury or property damages.
Important Safety Tips
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE OR ALTER
Attempts to disassemble or alter may lead to accident, fire or electric shock.
DO NOT WATCH VIDEO WHILE DRIVING
Watching the video may distract the driver from looking ahead of the vehicle
and cause an accident.
DO NOT OPERATE THE PRODUCT WHILE DRIVING
Operating the product may distract the driver from looking ahead of the
vehicle and cause an accident. Always stop the vehicle in a safe location
before operating the product.
English
E-1
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM1
English
KEEP THE VOLUME AT A LEVEL WHERE YOU CAN STILL HEAR OUTSIDE NOISE WHILE DRIVING
Failure to do so may result in an accident.
Caution
Installation Precautions
HAVE THE WIRING AND INSTALLATION DONE BY EXPERT
The wiring and installation of this unit requires special technical skill and
experience. To ensure safety, always contact the dealer where you purchased
this unit to have the work done.
USE SPECIFIED ACCESSORY PARTS AND INSTALL THEM SECURELY
Be sure to use only the specified accessory parts. Use of other than designated parts may damage this unit internally or may not securely install the
unit in place causing parts to become loose resulting in hazards or product
failure.
DO NOT INSTALL IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH MOISTURE OR DUST
Avoid installing the unit in locations with high incidence of moisture or dust.
Moisture or dust that penetrates into this unit may result in product failure.
ARRANGE THE WIRING SO IT IS NOT CRIMPED OR PINCHED
Route the cables and wiring so as not be crimped by moving parts like the
seat rail or make contact with sharp or pointed edges which might damage
the wiring.
Features
■ 4 Head Hi-Fi Stereo Mobile Video Cassette Recorder.
■ Cassette door with a protection shutter.
■ Vibration proof design/high reliability, and can be used in either a vertical
or horizontal position.
Accessories
Confirm that the following accessories are included.
■ Mounting kit
• Bracket (2 pcs.)
• Velcro (2 pairs)
• Screw kit
(M5 ✕ 8.......4 pcs.)
(M5 ✕ 15.....4 pcs.)
■ DC power cable
■ AV cable
■ Remote control unit
■ Battery
■ External Remote Eye (including Velcro)
■ Remote Control Input Wire
Note
Do not leave the Remote Control on the dashboard or seat where exposed to
direct sunlight and becomes extremely hot. Be sure to keep it in the glove box
when it is not in use.
Video Cassette Tape
Only video cassette tapes marked with can be used in this VCR.
Important Safety Tips
USE THIS PRODUCT FOR MOBILE 12V APPLICATIONS
This product is for car use only. Other uses may result in electric shock,
injury or product failure.
HALT USE IMMEDIATELY IF A PROBLEM OCCURS
Failure to do so may cause injury or damages to the product. Return it to
your authorized Alpine dealer or the nearest Alpine Service Station for repairing.
E-2
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM2
Notes
• When bringing a tape suddenly from the cold outdoors into the warm temperature inside the car, moisture may occur on the tape. Wait for several hours
until the tape is adjusted to the car temperature before using it as it may
cause damage.
• Do not leave a tape in the place such as on the dashboard or by the rear
window which is exposed to the direct sunlight and becomes extremely hot.
Installation
Before installation
• To prevent short circuits, remove the key from
the ignition and disconnect the battery’s (-) terminal.
• The installation angle should be within 90° when
mounted horizontally.
• Do not try to mount the VCR using Velcro only.
• If this unit is mounted on its side or upside down,
it could cause damage to the unit.
• In case of problems when installing your VCR,
please contact your authorized ALPINE dealer.
Installation Location
Do not use or place this unit in the following locations. Doing so could cause damage to the unit.
• Places which are extremely cold.
• Locations exposed to direct sunlight (such as on
the rear Deck or the dashboard), or other places
where the temperature becomes abnormally
high, such as directly in the path of hot air from
the heater vent.
• Places where Internal Remote Eye of the unit is
exposed to direct sunlight, as the unit may not
function properly or not function at all when using the Remote Control.
• Places where the unit is likely to be trampled
when people are moving around in the vehicle,
such as a walk-through.
• Places where strong radio waves or magnetic
fields are generated. Valuable recordings may be
damaged from the effects of magnetic fields.
Installation procedure
❐ When mounting horizontally
(in the console/luggage compartment, etc.)
Set the unit horizontally.
Self tapping screw M5 ✕ 15
Bracket
Screw M5 ✕ 8
(Under rear deck installation)
Screw M5 ✕ 8
❐ When mounting vertically
(in the luggage compartment, etc.)
Set the unit vertically.
1. Mount the bracket.
Bracket
Screw M5 ✕ 8
2. Affix the velcro.
Mount on the luggage
compartment wall, etc.
Velcro
(Hard surface side)
Affix the velcro after cleaning off all dirt.
Peel off the backing paper, then affix the velcro.
Velcro
(Soft surface side)
3. Fasten the unit in place.
Self tapping screw
M5 ✕ 15
Self tapping screw
M5 ✕ 15
English
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM3
Self tapping screw M5 ✕ 15
Tip
Use Velcro to prevent the unit from swaying due
to vehicle vibrations. Affix the velcro to the position where the unit is mounted to the vehicle body.
E-3
Connections
English
Connecting the Power Cord
❐ Connecting directly to the vehicle’s power
supply
Disconnection
Black
Ground Wire.
Red
Switched 12V where power goes
on when the ignition key is turned
to the ACC position.
Fuse
Replacing the Fuse
This unit is equipped with a 5A (Ampere) fuse connected to the DC power cable.
If the fuse blows as soon as it has been replaced,
please consult with the retailer where you purchased the unit. Furthermore, do not use a fuse
with a higher rating than 5A under any circumstances.
Yellow
Constant 12V source (unswitched)
Fuse
Connection with a Monitor
This unit can be connected to any Video Monitor,
sold separately.
Connect the VIDEO/AUDIO OUT terminal to the
mobile monitor’s Video Input terminal.
Mobile Color TV System
TUNER
UNIT
AV Cable (Supplied)
Second TV , etc.
OUT
IN
RIGHT
AUDIO
LEFT
VIDEO
VIDEO Cable
(Not supplied)
Connecting other devices
❐ External Remote Eye
When the unit is mounted in the trunk or luggage
compartment, etc., in a location where it is difficult to operate using the remote control, use the
accessory External Remote Eye.
Affix this device to the dashboard or other location which is appropriate for operation using the
Remote Control.
❐ Remote Control Input Wire
When connecting to the CVA-1005 or TME-M750A
monitors, it is possible to use the supplied remote
control input wire to pass the signal from the monitor to the VPE-V180A.
Dashboard, etc.
Remote control input wire
Note: Use one method only to pass remote control signal.
Velcro (Hard surface side)
External Remote Eye
Peel off the backing
paper, then affix the
velcro.
Mount on the dashboard, etc.
Notes
• Use this unit with the vehicle’s engine running. If
it is used with the engine stopped, the vehicle’s
battery will run down and it may become impossible to start the engine.
• Be sure that the unit is turned Off before turning
the vehicle’s ignition key to the Off position. If it is
running when the ignition key is turned off, it could
cause the tape or unit to be damaged.
• If power is removed from the unit while it is operating (during playback, fast forward, rewind, etc.),
it could result in damage. Please be sure to eject
the tape from the unit before disconnecting power.
• To prevent damage to your tapes, always be sure
to press the Stop button before turning the
vehicle’s ignition key OFF.
E-4
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM4
Identification of Controls
English
Front Panel
POWER button
To turn the VCR on/off.
Internal Remote Eye
Receives signals to operate the
VCR from the remote control.
EJECT button
REW button
PLAY button
FF button
STOP button
Rear Panel
Protection shutter
INDICATORS
• POWER/MOISTURE indicator
Lights up when power on. Blinks when abnormal temperature or moisture is detected.
• SP indicator
Lights up when SP tape speed is selected.
• REC indicator
Lights up when recording. Blinks when in the recording
pause mode.
VIDEO/AUDIO OUT terminal
VIDEO/AUDIO IN terminal
REC button
PAUSE button
SP/EP button
Cassette compartment
Insert the tape here.
Remote Control
POWER button
INDEX button
RESET button
AUDIO button
MENU button
DISPLAY button
TRA CKING/SELECT buttons
ENTER button
REC buttons
SP/EP button
: REW button
: PLAY button
: FF button
: PAUSE button
: STOP button
: SLOW button
Inserting the batteries
Insert two R03/LR03 (size AAA) batteries by matching the + and - on the batteries to the diagram
inside the battery compartment.
Using the remote control
VIDEO OUT 2
terminal
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM5
EXTERNAL REMOTE EYE
INPUT
DC IN jack
E-5
Basic Operations
English
Playing a tape
1. Open the protection shutter.
Protection shutter
2. Insert the tape into the cassette compart-
ment with the label side facing up.
When the tape has been loaded, close the protection shutter.
The unit turns on and starts playing automatically if you insert a tape with its safety tab removed.
3. Press (PLAY).
4. To stop playback, press (STOP).
5. To eject the tape, open the protection shut-
(Auto Power On/Auto Play)
At the end of the tape, it will rewind and then
turn off automatically. (
Auto Rewind)
ter, then press (EJECT).
Playing/searching at various speeds
To Operation
Search forward Press (FF) during playback
Search backward Press (REW) during playback
Fast-forward Press (FF) dur ing stop
Rewind Press (REW) during stop
Slow motion Press (SLOW) during playback.
Stop Press (STOP)
Tips
• To resume normal playback, press (PLAY).
• During Fast-forward/Rewind, press (FF)/
(REW) to change to search.
• During search, press (FF)/ (REW) to
change to Fast-forward/Rewind.
• Each press of (SLOW) in the slow playback
mode changes the slow speed by 2 steps.
To Operation
Still picture Press
Frame advance Press
(PAUSE)
Press again to resume playback
(PLAY) during still picture.
Hold the button down to play one frame
each second. Press
resume playback
(PAUSE) to
Adjusting the picture
Adjusting the tracking
Although the unit automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape and blinks on the monitor screen, distortion may occur if the tape was
recorded poorly. If so, manually adjust the tracking.
During Playback
• Press TRACKING/SELECT until the best
picture is obtained.
If you can not get a clear picture with manual
tracking, press (PLAY) for 2 seconds to re-
turn to auto tracking.
During Slow playback
• Press TRACKING/SELECT to move the
noise bars up and down.
During Still picture
• Press TRACKING/SELECT during still
picture to eliminate picture shake.
Note
The noise on the screen may not be completely removed depending on the tape used, especially when
the tape has been recorded on another VCR.
Eject button
E-6
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM6
Notes
• Do not insert hands or foreign objects in the cassette compartment. Be particularly careful when
infants are present.
• When the tape has been removed, close the protection shutter.
• If still picture and Slow playback mode continues
for 5 minutes or longer, this unit will automatically switch to playback mode to protect the tape
and video heads.
Recording
Recording (Connections with a Camera)
Cautions concerning recording while driving.
Recording while you are driving can cause disturbances and noise to be recorded with the image.
Depending on the strength of the vibrations applied to this unit, programs may be impossible to
record correctly.
To connect a camera to the VCR
When a camera is connected, video and audio can
be recorded and played back by this unit. However, depending on the model, it may not be possible to make the proper connections. Please read
the operating instructions supplied with your camera.
VIDEO
CAMERA
AV Cable (Supplied)
OUT
IN
RIGHT
AUDIO
LEFT
VIDEO
1. Connect the camera’s output terminals with this
2. Insert the tape into the VCR. Make sure its
3. Press REC simultaneously, then press
4. Press (PAUSE) at the scene you would like
• When recording is completed, press (STOP).
• To stop recording temporarily, press (PAUSE).
To Prevent Erasure of Valuable Recordings
Break the record protection tab and remove it.
When you desire to record over a tape again, place
a piece of tape over the hole where the tab was.
Tip
If the Record Pause mode continues for 10 minutes
or longer, this unit will automatically switch to the
Stop mode to protect the tape and video heads.
Note
According to Copyright Law, programs recorded by
you with your VCR cannot be used for any purpose
other than personal enjoyment without the permission of the copyright holder.
unit’s VIDEO/AUDIO IN terminal.
record protection tab is intact. Turn on the
power. Select the recording speed by pressing
SP/EP.
(PAUSE) to activate the record pause mode.
The REC indicator will blink.
to record.
Start recording.
Press again to resume recording.
English
CAUTION
Under certain conditions, a DVD player or an additional VCR connected to the VIDEO/AUDIO IN
terminals will not playback properly. Depending
on the video software used, the copy protection
or the effect of deteriorated recordings may cause
a blue background to be displayed with no video
image. This is not a malfunction, but the nature
of the copy protection circuitry.
If you regularly view, copy protected videos,
please connect your video playback device directly to a monitor rather than through this unit.
You may need to use a separate switching device
if your monitor does not provide multiple input
terminals. (For details, contact the Alpine dealer
where you purchased this unit.)
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM7
E-7
Special functions
English
Selecting a language
You can select the on-screen display language, for
English, French or Spanish.
1. Press MENU, then press TRACKING/SE-
LECT to move the cursor to LANGUAGE.
2. Press ENTER to select the desired language.
3. Press MENU to return to normal monitor
screen.
TAPE SELECT T-120
AUDIO INPUT STEREO
LANGUAGE ENGLISH
REC INHIBIT NO
Changing menu options
Press ENTER to select the desired setting.
(Initial settings are indicated in bold print.)
Menu option Set this option to
TAPE SELECT T-120 ~ T -200 to accur ately calculate the re-
AUDIO INPUT • STEREO to listen to external stereo au-
REC INHIBIT • YES to deactivate the REC buttons. Pre-
MENU
maining tape time.
Make sure the setting corresponds with the
type of tape being used.
dio equipment.
• L/MONO to listen to external monaural audio equipment.
Make sure you connect the AUDIO IN
LEFT terminal on the rear panel.
vents accidental recording.
• NO to activate the REC buttons.
On Screen Display (OSD)
Operations can be confirmed by the display output to the monitor screen. As each operation button is pressed, the content of the operation is displayed on the monitor screen for a few seconds.
• Press DISPLAY to call the On Screen Display.
Press again to change the counter to tape remain. To turn it off, press once more.
Tape speed
Tape
0:00:00 SP L R
counter
Tape
remain
REM 2:30
:PLAY
:REC PAUSE
:STOP
:EJECT
To use the tape counter
At the point on the tape that you want to find later,
press RESET. The counter in the monitor screen
resets to “0:00:00”. Search for the point afterwards by referring to the counter.
Note
The tape remaining display is only an approximation.
Depending on the tape used, the tape remaining display takes time and the correct amount remaining
may not be displayed.
indicator
Stereo
indicator
:FF/FORWARD SEARCH
:REW/REVERSE SEARCH
:REC
To select various sound modes during playback
Press AUDIO to select the desired sound.
To listen to On-screen display
Stereo L R
Left channel L
Right channel R
Monaural - (No indication)
Monaural MONO (When you set to “L/MONO”
in the AUDIO INPUT item on the
MENU screen)
E-8
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM8
Special functions - Continued
Index Search Function
You can easily locate the desired program using
the index signal registered on the tape.
An index signal is automatically registered when a
recording starts, or press INDEX at a desired point
during recording.
Index Scan
This function plays back the tape for about 5 seconds at each index signal.
1. Press INDEX during playback or stop mode.
2. Press (REW) or (FF) to search in the
reverse or forward direction.
3. Press (PLAY) when the desired program is
found. Normal playback starts.
Index Search
This function fast-forwards or rewinds the tape to
the point at which the selected index signal is registered, and starts playback from there.
1. Press INDEX during playback or stop mode.
2. Press TRACKING/SELECT correspond-
ing to the direction where your desired program
is located. Each time the button is pressed, the
number decreases or increases respectively.
3. Press (REW) or (FF) to search in the
reverse or forward direction. When the point is
found, playback will start automatically
Auto operation function
Auto Repeat
When the tape ends, it rewinds and plays automatically. Then the function repeats while the auto
repeat mode is activated.
• Press (PLAY) during playback.
The indicator appears on the monitor screen.
Press again to cancel this feature.
Auto play after rewinding
• Press (PLAY) for more than 3 seconds during
rewinding to start playback automatically after
rewinding.
The indicator appears on the monitor screen.
Press (STOP) to cancel this feature.
Auto Power-off after rewinding
• Press POWER during rewinding to turn off auto-
matically after rewinding.
The indicator appears on the monitor screen.
Press (STOP) to cancel this feature.
English
Additional Information
Moisture indicator
The MOISTURE indicator and an on-screen message will inform you if the unit reaches abnormal
temperature or condensation levels. As a result,
the unit will not operate until it dries out sufficiently.
When the MOISTURE indicator blinks, leave the
unit on for approximately a few hours to allow it to
dry out completely.
Note
Be sure to wait for the MOISTURE indicator to stop
blinking before turning the unit off. If the unit is
turned off before the indicator stops blinking, the
next time it is turned on, the indicator will blink again
for several minutes.
In areas where the interior of the vehicle becomes
extremely hot or cold, allow the temperature to return to a comfortable level before operating the VCR.
Do not leave tapes in your vehicle or in the VCR as
extreme temperature will damage the cassette.
Tip
• An index signal is not registered when the VCR
is in the recording pause mode and recording
restarts.
• You can set up index numbers to a maximum of
±99.
• Index search function is cancelled when the
(PLAY) or (STOP) is pressed.
VPE-V180A_English 4/25/00, 2:02 PM9
E-9
Loading...