AVE RT-195- G Operation Manual

RT-195- G

MOBILE VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER

USER GUIDE

(NTSC & PAL)

OPERATION MANUAL

VHS

CAUTION!

RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK!

DO NOT OPEN!

CAUTION! TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUA L IFIED PERSONNEL .

WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE!

WA RNING!

THIS EQUIPMENT GENERATES, USES, AND CAN RADIATE RADIO FREQUENCY AND IF
NOT INSTALLED AND USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL, MAY
CAUSE INTERFERENCE T O RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. IT HA S B EEN TESTED A ND FOUND
TO COMPLY WITH THE LIMITS FOR A CLASS A COMPUTING DEVICE PURSUANT TO
SUBPART J OF PART 15 FCC RULES, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE REASONABLE
PROTECTION AGAINST SUCH INTERFERENCE WHEN OPERATED IN A COMMERCIAL
ENVIRONMENT.
OPERATION OF THIS EQUIPMENT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IS LIKELY TO CAUSE
INTERFERENCE IN WHICH CASE THE USER AT HIS OWN EXPENSE WILL BE REQUIRED
TO T AKE WHATEVER MEASURES MAY BE REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE INTERFERENCE.

TransAmerican International, Inc.

Copyright (c)1999

4

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................. 6

2. FEATURES...................................................................................................................... 7

3. SPECIFICATIONS ........................................................................................................... 8

4. ACCESSORIES ............................................................................................................... 9

5. MENU LEGEND............................................................................................................. 10

6. FRONT PANEL.............................................................................................................. 11

7. BACK PANEL................................................................................................................ 13

8. REMOTE CONTROL ..................................................................................................... 15

9. WIRED REMOTE ........................................................................................................... 17

10. BASIC OPERATION.................................................................................................... 19

11. PROGRAMMING ......................................................................................................... 20

11.1 RT-195-G On-screen Programming ........................................................................ 2 0

12 FUNCTION SETTINGS................................................................................................. 21

12.1 Time/Date ..................................................................................................................21

12.2 Titler .................................................................................................................... ...... 21

12.3 RECORD SETTING ................................................................................................... 22

Recycle Record ................................................................................................................ 22

Power-Up Record ............................................................................................................. 22

Alarm Record Dwell ......................................................................................................... 22

Alarm-In Mode .................................................................................................................. 23

Tape Speed ....................................................................................................................... 24

Maximum Recording/Playback Time .............................................................................. 2 4

12.4 DISPLAY SETTING ................................................................................................... 25

Display Format ................................................................................................................. 25

Horizontal Position........................................................................................................... 25

Vertical Position ...............................................................................................................25

Gray Scale......................................................................................................................... 25

VCR Status........................................................................................................................ 26

AVE’s LIMITED EQUIPMENT WARRANTY for The RT-195 NTSC or PAL Models .... 28

5

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing an AVE Event Recorder. You have made a wise investment
by choosing the latest addition to our Mobile VCR product line. This RT-195-G is an eco­nomical, 12VDC event recorder with interactive on-screen programming. All on screen pro­gramming is entered via the wireless IR or wired remote control included with the VCR. This
eliminates push-button programming for VCRs mounted in permanent enclosures or hard to
reach areas. An unobstructed line of sight to the front of VCR is all that is necessary for all
programming. An on-screen Alarm counter allows instant verification of alarm occurrence
since the last reset. The EOT output is also available for notifying the user when the tape
needs replacement.

6

2. FEATURES

• EOT End of Tape Output

• Alarm Input Programmable (Normally Open or Normally Closed)

• Time and Date On-Screen

• 12 hr/24hr Mode (Standard AM/PM and European time)

• Universal Date Format Programmable (DD/MM/YY, MM/DD/YY or YY/MM/DD)

• 20 Character Title

• Recycle Record On/Off

• Power up Record On/Off

• The RT-195 can record

• NTSC: T-120 - SP 2 Hrs / EP 6 Hrs T-160 - SP 4 Hrs / EP 8 Hrs

• PAL: E-180 - SP 3 Hrs / LP 6 Hrs E-240 - SP 4 Hrs / LP 8 Hrs

• Alarm Dwell Record 15 Sec. - 60 Min.

• Display Settings:

• Horizontal Position

• Vertical Position

• Character Gray Scale

• Character Gray Border

• VCR Status On-Screen Display Programmable On/Off

• IR Remote or Wired Remote On Screen programing

• Tape Speed Selection (SP/EP) in NTSC and (SP/LP) in PAL.

7

3. SPECIFICATIONS

Description Specification

Video Input 1 P-P 75 ohm Terminated
Video Output 1 V P-P into 75 ohm Terminated, 2 V P-P

unterminatted
Horizontal Resolution 220 lines B&W and Color
Video S/N 42 dB
Audio Output -5 dBm
Audio S/N 38 dB
Audio Response 150Hz-8Khz
Operation Temperature -5 Deg °C to 40 Deg °C
Power Draw 0.7 Amp
Voltage 12 to 14 VDC
Dimensions 250W X 94H X 260D mm
Accessories IR wireless remote, Wired Remote, Car Cord,

batteries, 12VDC Adapter

Alarm Input Hi-Z or High Impedance

Normally Open Mode - closure to ground trig

gers alarm mode. Normally Closed Mode must

be shorted and when opened triggers alarm.
EOT End of Tape Output Open Collector, Normally Open

Imax=20ma@ 12 VDC max

8

4. ACCESSORIES

(1) RT-195-G vcr

(2). Remote control

(3). 2 AAA Battried

(4). 110 VAC Adapter to 12 VDC

(5). Wired Remote control

9

5. MENU LEGEND

Set Time / Date

Time/Date

T/D Display ON [OFF]
Time Format 12 Hour [24 Hour]
Date Format MM/DD/YY [DD/MM/YY, YY/MM/DD]
Set Time/Date
Reset Time/Date
Exit

Titler

Record Setting

Recording Setting

Recycle Rec OFF [ON]
Power-up Record OFF [ON]
Alarm Rec Dwell 1 min
Alarm-In mode NO[NC]
Tape Speed EP [SP]
Exit

Display Setting

Display Format BOTTOM [TOP]
Horizontal Position
Vertical Position
Gray Scale/Background
VCR Status ON [OFF]
Exit

Exit

Screen Setting

10

6. FRONT PANEL

CASSETTE COMPARTMENT

Insert the VHS cassette into this compartment to load the tape.

POWER

DONOT USE THIS BUTTON. VCR power is controlled by the display microprocessor.

The VCR will automatically power up when 12 VDC is applied. A red light on this button
iindicate that VCR’s power is ON.

STOP/EJECT

To stop the tape or eject a stopped tape. A green light on this button indicate that cas­sette is in the VCR.

REC/SPEED

This button can also be used to start recording manually.
A dim Red light indicate that the VCR speed is on SP mode. Green light indicate that

VCR is in LP/EP mode. Orange light indicate that the VCR is recording in LP mode and a
dark red light indicate that the VCR is recording in SP mode. See programming section to
set the speed of VCR.

11

SENSOR

This sensor receives the infrared signal from the remote control.

REWIND

Use this button to rewind the tape in the stop mode or to perform a reverse picture search
in the play mode. A green light indicate that the VCR is rewinding the tape.

PLAY

Use this button to start the play back mode. A green light on this button indicate that the
VCR is in the Play back mode.

FAST FORWARD

Use this button to fast forward the tape from stop mode or to perform a forward picture
search during play back. A green light on this button indicate that VCR is fast forwarding
the tape.

AUTO REPEAT

When the tape ends and auto repeat is on then the VCR automatically starts rewinding the
tape and start replay. A red light on this button indicate that AUTO REPEAT is ON. The
tape will auto rewind and play again indefinitely while in this mode.

12

7. BACK PANEL

Power

The RT-195 G takes 12-14 VDC adaptor that connects to the rear of the VCR via the DC
coax jack.

Audio Output

Connect the Audio output of the VCR to the audio input of the monitor.

Video Output

Connect Video output of the VCR to the Video input of the monitor.

Audio Input

Connect audio output from the audio services to the Audio input of the VCR.

Video Input

Connect video output of the camera or other video source to video input of the VCR.

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Pin Out for DB-9Pin Out for DB-9 Female

P3-Pin Terminal Block

GND
IR RMT IN
PWR OUT

12 VDC SW

RESET
PROG3 IN

PROG 2 IN

PROG 1 IN
REC OUT

EOT

GND

ALM REC

14

8. REMOTE CONTROL

POWER

Don’t use this button. VCR power is controlled
by the internal microprocessor. The VCR will
automatically power up when 12 VDC is applied
to the VCR.

REC

Use combination of these two buttons pressed
simultanously to manually start recording.

PAUSE/STILL

Press during the recording to pause recording.
Press during the playback to freeze picture.

Caution: If this button is held for 6 seconds then
it will master reset the VCR and clear all the
programming to factory deafult.

SP/EP

Don’t use this button. Recording speed can
only be set in the on-screen programming mode.

STOP

Press this button to stop a running tape. Alter­natively press and hold that button for 3 to 5
seconds to access in the programming mode.

15

PLAY

Press this button to start the play back mode.

REW

To rewind the tape during the stop mode and to reverse picture search in play back mode.

FAST FORWARD

To Fast Forward the tape during the stop mode and forward picture search in the play back
mode. In programming mode use this button to access the menu selection.

TRACKING

Use (+) or (-) button to manually adjust the tracking of the picture. In the programming
mode use these buttons to move the cursor upward and downward.

16

9. WIRED REMOTE

REC

REW

PWR

UP DOWN

PLAY

SET

STOP

FF

RECPWR

RST

Wired remote can also use in place of IR remote to allow simple changing of display
setting as well as the on screen programing of the VCR. Follow the important programing
steps to change the display settings. The Rec,Stop, Rew, Play, FF, and PWR buttons do
the same function as describe in the front pannel control section of this manul.

Changing the Gray scale

Down Up Set Reset

1) Press and hold the Down button

2) Press and release the Reset button

3) Release the Down button

4) Press Down or Up to select the Gray scale

5) When choice is made, press and release the Reset button

17

Changing the Horizontal Position

Down Up Set Reset

1) Press and hold the Up button

2) Press and release the Reset button

3) Release the Up button

4) Press Down or Up to move the text block

5) When choice is made, press and release the Reset button

Changing the Vertical Position

Down Up Set Reset

1) Press and hold the Set button

2) Press and release the Reset button

3) Release the Set button

4) Press Down or Up to move the text block

5) When choice is made, press and release the Reset button

18

10. BASIC OPERATION

Insert Cassette

n Power up the VCR.
n Insert the tape in to the cassette compartment until VCR pulls cassette in.

WARNING : Do not force the tape in the mechanism or this will demage the VCR. If 12
VDC is not applied to the VCR it will not accept the tape.

Start Recording

n Alternatively, Press and release the REC/SPEED button on the front panel or on the

IR Remote control to start recording.

Stop Recording

n Press the Stop/ Eject button from the front panel or the Stop button of the IR Re­ mote control to stop recording.

Playback

n Press and release the Play button either from the front panel or from the IR Remote

control.

Ejecting the Tape

n Press the Stop/ Eject button once to stop the tape then press and Stop/Eject button

again to eject the tape.

19

11. PROGRAMMING

11.1 RT-195-G On-screen Programming

The RT-195-G can be programmed via the IR or wired remote control. You will need a composite
video source in and a monitor connected to be able to see the programming menu.

The programing menu can be access via both wired or IR remote control. Following table shows
the comparsion of accessing the programing menu using the IR remote and wired remote control.

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sserpdnanottub’NWOD’dna’PU’dloH

uneMnaiMces3rofnottub’POTS’dloH

.nottub’NWOD’dna’PU’

purosruCnottub’+’nottub’PU’

esaelernehtdnanottub’TSR’esaelerdna

nwodrosruCnottub’-’nottub’NWD’

noitponagnitceleSnottub’LLITS/ESUAP’nottub’TES’

To access the programming menu of the RT-195 VCR, press and hold the STOP button for
approximately 3 seconds. The following program menu will appear:

Set Time/Date
Titler
Record Setting
Display Setting
Exit

MANEUVERING INSIDE MENUS AND SUB-MENUS

Use the (+) or (-) buttons to move the arrow up or down the on screen-menu. To select press the

PAUSE/STILL button.

EXITING MENUS AND SUB-MENUS

Utilize the (-) or (+) buttons to select EXIT. Once the cursor is on EXIT press the PAUSE/STILL
button.

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12 FUNCTION SETTINGS

12.1 Time/Date

Access Main Menu, and select SET TIME/DATE. The following Sub-menu should appear:

Time/Date

T/D Display ON [OFF]
Time Format 12 Hour [24 Hour]
Date Format MM/DD/YY [DD/MM/YY, YY/MM/DD]
Set Time/Date
Reset Time/Date
Exit

Make your selection by using the (+) or (-) buttons. Press the PAUSE/ STILL button to
make the selection.

Time/Date Display

Time and date display can be toggled on/off by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL button.

Time Format

European or Standard AM/PM time is selected by pressing and releasing the PAUSE/STILL button.

Date Format

Date Format can be toggle through the selections by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL button.

Set Time/Date

Use the (+) or (-) buttons to increment or decrement numerical value. To save selection press and
release PAUSE/STILL button. To move to next selection press and release PAUSE/STILL button.
To return Back to sub-menu press and release STOP button.

Reset Time/Date

The time and date can be reset to the factory default by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL but­ton.

Exit

Press and releae the PAUSE/STILL button to go back to the main menu.

12.2 Titler

Programming a Title - The RT-195-G provides you with the option of displaying a 1 line by 20
character title. This will appear as one line of 20 solid blocks, with the first block flashing. Use the
(-) or (+) buttons to select the first character of your title. After your selection is displayed, press
and release the PAUSE/STILL button to advance to the next character position. Follow this proce­dure to complete the programming of your title. When you have programmed the last character of
your title, press and release the STOP button. This will return you to the main sub-menu.

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12.3 RECORD SETTING

Programming record function is initiated by accessing main menu then, the sub-menu for Record
Setting once selected the following sub-menu will appear:

Recording Setting

Recycle Rec OFF [ON]

Power-up Record OFF [ON]
Alarm Rec Dwell 1 min

[15s,30s,1m,2m,3m,4m,5m,10m,15m,30m,45m,60m]
Alarm-In Mode NO [NC]
Tape Speed EP [SP] NTSC / LP[SP] PAL
Exit

Recycle Record

This optional feature will automatically rewind the tape at EOT and start the VCR recording again.
The choices for this feature are: ON or OFF. The factory default is OFF. To turn this feature on,
from the main menu place the arrow in front of RECYCLE RECORD and press and release
PAUSE/STILL button. The cursor will flash. To change the selection, use the (-) or (+) button to
toggle between the choices, OFF or ON. After your selection is showing, press and release the
PAUSE/STILL button and the cursor stops flashing and you may continue programming other
features.

Power-Up Record

The POWER-UP REC option will allow the RT-195-G to go into the RECORD mode when power is
applied, considering, a blank tape is in the VCR. The choices for this feature are: ON or OFF. The
factory default is OFF. To turn this feature on, from the main menu place the arrow in front of
POWER-UP REC and press and release PAUSE/STILL button. The cursor will flash. To change
the selection, use the (-) or (+) button to toggle between the choices, OFF or ON. After your
selection is showing, press and release the PAUSE/STILL button and the cursor stops flashing and
you may continue programming other features.

Alarm Record Dwell

This selection allows the length of time the RT-195-G records for upon the acceptance of a valid
alarm signal. When the alarm is initiated or in the true condition, the RT-195 stays in the alarm
mode for the length of the alarm active. The following programmable dwell time settings starts
timing out when the alarm is removed or in the false condition. The dwell times can be toggle
through the selections by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL button. The dwell time selection
defaults to 1 minute and the possible selections are 15s, 30s,
1m,2m,3m,4m,5m,10m,15m,30m,45m and 60m.

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Alarm-In Mode

To utilize this function access the main menu and select Alarm-In Mode. The sense of the input
signal can be either Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC) by pressing and release PAUSE/
STILL button.The following diagram illustrates the connection as appeared on back of RT-195-G.
The Alarm pulse must be at least 200 mS to trigger the N/O (Normally Open) or N/C (Normally
Closed) input at the rear of the VCR.

Note: When connecting to PIR Motion sensors, do not set the alarm dwell for less than one miniute.
In busy motion areas, PIRs will constantly trigger the VCR. Event recorders are designed for
occasional alarm inputs not continuous. If this is your application a Time Lapse VCR is
recommended.

Alarm Input

Typical Circuit

Momentary
Push

Hi Z

Latching
Contact

GND

23

+12VDC

I max=20mA @12VDC

EOT

Typical Circuit

LED
1K
ohm

+12VDC

Relay

Tape Speed

The tape speeds can be toggle through the selections by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL
button.

Maximum Recording/Playback Time

Tape speed, SP (Standard Play) or EP (Extra Long Play) or SLP (Super Long Play)

TAPE TYPE SP EP/SLP

• T-120 2 Hrs. 6 Hrs.

• T-160 4 Hrs. 8 Hrs.

Note: Because the VCR unloads tape 5 minutes after it goes idle, it takes time to put it back to the
business for recording. To overcome this problem, the RT-195-G has a 4 minute timer to keep
track of the idle time. After the idle mode is detected, the controller starts a timer. If the timer times
out in the idle mode, the controller sends a record command and a stop command 0.25 seconds
later. In this way, the VCR is always loaded with tape.

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12.4 DISPLAY SETTING

This menu allows control of the Horizontal and Vertical position of the on-screen display and the
Gray scale level. To use this feature, first access the main menu and select Display Setting.
Once you have press and release the PAUSE/STILL button the following menu will appear:

Screen Setting

Display Format BOTTOM [TOP]

Horizontal Position
Vertical Position
Gray Scale/Background
Alarm Counter ON [OFF]
VCR Status ON [OFF]
Exit

Display Format

The display format allows you to quickly select whether you display the on-screen data at the top of
the screen or the bottom. When at the top the format will be:

<time><date><day><alarm counter><VCR status>
<20-character titler><cassette out message>

When the bottom display is selected the following is the format:

<20-character titler><cassette out message>
<time><date><day><alarm counter><VCR status>

Horizontal Position

To change the horizontal position, place the arrow in front of Horizontal Position, press and
release PAUSE/STILL. The screen will display a 3 line by 40 character text block. Use the (-) or
(+) button to move thedisplay left or right on the screen. Once you arrive at the desired position,
press and release the PAUSE/STILL button and this will save your selection and return you to the
sub-menu.

Vertical Position

To change the horizontal position, place the arrow in front of Vertical Position and press and
release PAUSE/STILL. The screen will display a 3 line by 40 character text block. Use the (-) or
(+) button to move the display up or down on the screen. Once you arrive at the desired position,
press and release the PAUSE/STILL button and this will save your selection and return you to the
sub-menu.

Gray Scale

To change the gray scale, place the arrow in front of Gray Scale and press and release PAUSE/

25

STILL. The screen will display a 3 line by 40 character text block. Pressing the (-) or (+) button will
allow you to toggle the text block through the 8 level of gray from white to black and two levels with
backgrounds. When you get to the desired gray scale level, press and release the PAUSE/STILL
button, this will return you to the Display Setting sub-menu.

VCR Status

The VCR status allows the user to enable or disable the temporary on-screen display of the current
operating mode of the VCR. For example when an alarm triggers the VCR into the recording mode,
an on-screen display “REC” is displayed. When the VCR is commanded to go into fast forward,
rewind or stop, the messages “FFW”, “REW”, “STP” respectively are displayed continuously while
in this mode. The Play mode message is not able to be displayed while in the play mode. The VCR
Status can be toggled On/Off by pressing and release PAUSE/STILL button.

26

27

AVE’s LIMITED EQUIPMENT WARRANTY for The RT-

195 NTSC or PAL Models

AVE’s Products are guaranteed to be free of defects in workmanship and material. If any failure,

resulting from either workmanship or material defects should occur under normal and proper usage
within the period stated below for each product form the original provable date of purchase, such
failure should be repaired at no cost to the buyer for labor and if the defective product(s) is sent to
AVE.

RT-195: One (1) year electrical parts, ninety (90) days mechanical parts, ninety (90) days labor,
ninety (90) days on video heads.

This AVE warranty does not cover the following:
Products received for repair without an RMA number, sales or delivery receipt showing date of
purchase by original customer.
Damages caused by incorrect use, carelessness, unauthorized alterations, improper Storage or
unauthorized service installation or repairs.
Damage caused by fire, flood, lighting, vandalism, collision, act of God, or other events beyond the
control of AVE.
External parts such as cabinet and key pad.
Damages resulting from loss of use, loss of time or inconvenience, cost of temporary replacement
units or spares, property damage caused by this unit or its failure to work, or any other incidental or
consequential damages.
Hostile operating environments.
In transit damage claims, improper handling by carrier of post offices.
Products or parts thereof which have had serial numbers removed, altered or defaced.
Damage defect or failure caused by or resulting from the operation of the unit by incorrect voltages.
The use of components that do not meet AVE specifications.
Periodic maintenance and adjustments resulting from normal use such as video head cleaning,
mechanical part ware, etc.
Damage resulting from use of cleaning cassettes.

IMPORTANT: This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, guarantees or agreements whether
expressed or implied and no person, dealer, or company is authorized to change, modify, or extend

28

its term in any manner what so ever.
Warranty Return Policy

Before sending any AVE product to the factory for warranty repair, the customer must obtain an
RMA number. This number must appear on the outside of the box and on any documentation
accompanying the warranty repair. When calling AVE for an RMA number, be prepared to give a
complete description of the problem, the invoice number, and the address to return the repaired
item to. The unit must be packed in the original shipping carton or in suitable packing offering a
similar degree of protection. Separate items such as power cords, remote controls units, or
transformers, should be individually wrapped so as not to cause scratches or other damage during
shipment.
Please include your name, telephone number, address, a copy of Sale receipt and a complete
description of all inoperative functions. Ship the product prepaid. AVE will pay for the return
shipping. However, AVE is not responsible for damage during shipment.

AVE will not accept any warranty repair without an RMA number.

29