Fostex VR800, VR800Z Service Manual

Service Manual

Model

VR800 VR800Z

Digital Multitrack Recorder

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION:

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT.

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightening flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

“WARNING”

“TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.”

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read instructions - All the safety and operating instructions should be read before the appliance is operated.

2. Retain instructions - The safety and operating instructions should be retained for future reference.

3. Heed warnings - All warnings on the appliance and in the operating instructions should be adhered to.

4. Follow instructions - All operating and use instructions should be followed.

5. Water and Moisture - The appliance should not be used near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, and the like.

6. Carts and Stands - The appliance should be used only with a cart or stand that is recommended by the manufacturer.

An appliance and cart combination should be moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven surfaces may cause the appliance and cart combination to overturn.

7. Wall or Ceiling Mounting - The appliance should be mounted to a wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer.

8. Ventilation - The appliance should be situated so that its location or position does not interfere with its proper ventilation. For example, the appliance should not be situated on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block the ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings.

ATTENTION:

POUR ÉVITER LES CHOCS ÉLECTRIQUES, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE ET POUSSER JUSQU' AU FOND.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

9. Heat - The appliance should be situated away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliances (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

10. Power Sources - The appliance should be connected to a power supply only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the appliance.

11. Grounding or Polarization - The precautions that should be taken so that the grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.

12. Power Cord Protection - Power supply cords should be routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the appliance.

13. Cleaning - The appliance should be cleaned only as recommended by the manufacturer.

14. Nonuse Periods - The power cord of the appliance should be unplugged from the outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

15. Object and Liquid Entry - Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.

16. Damage requiring Service - The appliance should be serviced by qualified service personnel when: A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged;

B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the

appliance; or C. The appliance has been exposed to rain; or D. The appliance does not appear to operate normally or

exhibits a marked changed in performance; or E. The appliance has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.

17 Servicing - The user should not attempt to service the appli-

ance beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.

VR800 / VR800Z

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................4

2. CONTROLS, INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS.............................6

3. SOFTWARE UPDATE .............................................................................8

4. SERVICE MODE ......................................................................................9

5. ERROR CODE LIST..............................................................................19

6. INSTALLING INTERNAL DRIVE.......................................................20

7. EXPLODED VIEW, PCB ASSEMBLY AND PARTS LIST............22

8. CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS ...........................................................................35

NOTES

* Service mode, error code list, exploded view, PCB assembly, parts list and circuit diagrams are given in

this manual to assist the service technician in maintaining the Model VR800.

* The following accessories are supplied with VR800/VR800Z as the standard accessories.

Owner's manual, VR800 : 8288429000 (for export model)

: 8288430000 (for domestic model)

Quick manual, VR800 : 8288442000 (for export model)

: 8288443000 (for domestic model) Manual, supplement, VR800Z : 8288667000 Manual, supplement, Screw : 8288668000

* Following is the packing material for the Model VR800.

CARTON, INNER, VR800 : 8228726000 PACKING, SIDE, L, VR800 : 8228450000 PACKING, SIDE, R, VR800 : 8228451000

CAUTION :

Parts marked with this sign are safety critical components. They must always be replaced with identical components. Refer to the Fostex Parts List and ensure exact replacement.

VR800 / VR800Z

1. SPECIFICATIONS

INPUT & OUTPUT

DATA IN

DATA OUT

MIDI IN

MIDI OUT

PUNCH IN / OUT

WORD OUT

SCSI

Connector Square shape optical Format IEC consumer optical standard IEC 60958(S/P DIF)

ALESIS Proprietary Multi Channel Optical Digital Interface

Connector Square shape optical Format IEC consumer optical standard IEC 60958(S/P DIF)

ALESIS Proprietary Multi Channel Optical Digital Interface

Connector DIN 5-pin Format Comply to MIDI standard

Connector φ6 mm phone jack (CMOS level)

Connector BNC (TTL level)

Connector D-SUB 25-pin Protocol SCSI-2, unbalanced transfer method Transfer type Asynchronous Number of device to be connected 2

SCSI ID: 0 ~ 5 Recording / reproducing SCSI ID: 6 Data backup

RECORD & REPRODUCE

Recording Medium Internal 3.5” E-IDE hard disk drive (VR800)

Internal ATAPI zip drive (VR800Z) External fixed / removable hard disk drive (optional)

Standard SCSI-2 or better Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz Quantization 16-bit linear Emphasis Not available Compression / Expansion Method A.D.A.C. (Advanced Digital Audio Acoustic Coding) Recording Time (mono track min.)

MASTERING mode About 18 min. / 100 MB at maximum

NORMAL mode About 72 min. / 100 MB at maximum

Recording time will be limited up to 24 hours.

Number of Tracks 24 tracks (8 + 16 additional tracks) Number of recording tracks 8 (Depending on characteristics of recording medium) Number of simultaneous recording tracks 8 (Depending on characteristics of recording medium) Number of simultaneous playback tracks 8 (Depending on characteristics of recording medium)

RECORD & REPRODUCE (Continued)

Recording Format FDMS-3 Recording Mode NORMAL mode (A.D.A.C., 8 + 16 tracks, default)

MASTERING mode (linear recording, 8 + 16 tracks)

Pitch Control ±6.0 % Crossfade 10 msec

OPERATION

FFWD/REW Speed ±3, 32 times Shuttle Speed (SHIFT + JOG) ±1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 times Digital Scrubbing (JOG) 0 ~ 1 times Locate Memory 6 (7 including [LOCATE] key temporary memory) + 99

(Envelope can be displayed when selecting only one track.)

LEVEL INDICATION

Type LCD Bargraph Number of Indicated Levels 10 dots (-∞, -30, -24, -18, -12, -9, -6, -3, 0, OVER) Reference Level -12dB

VR800 / VR800Z

GENERAL

Dimensions 254 (W) x 285 (D) x 100 (H) Weight Approx. 2.0 kg Power Requirement

JPN 100V AC USA / CND 120V AC UK / EUR 230V AC

Power Consumption 15 W

*Specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice for product improvement.

VR800 / VR800Z

2. CONTROLS, INDICATORS AND CONNECTORS

< Top Panel Section >

30 29 28

27 26

23 4

OPTICAL

ACCESS

6 12 24

5678

STORE

PGM SEL

VARI PITCH SCRUBLOCATEAUTO PLAY

SHIFT P.EDIT

RECORD

AUTO PUNCH

AUTO RTN

AUTO PUNCH

STOP

1234

PREVIEW

EDITHOLD/

UNDO / REDO

AUTO RTN

PLAY REW F FWD

CLIPBOARD PLAY

LOCATE ABS 0

LOCATE REC END

RECORD TRACK

4321 5

ENDOUTINSTART

LOC MEM

DISP SEL

TIME BASE SEL

A SYNC

678

CLIPBOARD

SETUP

EXIT / NO

OUTIN

EJECT

JOG

SHUTTLE

EXECUTE

/ YES

5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12

1. Record track select keys [ RECORD TRACK (1 - 8) ]

2. Access LED [ ACCESS ]

3. LCD

4. Contrast adjustment knob

5. Clipboard In key [ CLIPBOARD IN / PREVIEW ]

6. Clipboard Out key [ CLIPBOARD OUT / PREVIEW ]

7. Exit/No key [ EXIT/NO / EJECT ]

8. Execute/Yes key [ EXECUTE / YES ]

9. Display indication select key [ DISP SEL ]

10. Setup key [ SETUP ]

11. Undo/Redo key [ UNDO / REDO ]

12. Edit key [ EDIT ]

13. JOG dial [ JOG / SHUTTLE ]

14. Scrub key [ SCRUB ]

15. Time Base select key [ TIME BASE SEL ]

141516171819

2021222324

16. Locate key [ LOCATE / LOC MEM ]

17. Auto Return/Auto Play mode on/off key

18. Vari Pitch key [ VARI PITCH / P.EDIT ]

19. Shift key [ SHIFT ]

20. Fast forward button [ F FWD ]

21. Rewind button [ REWIND ]

22. Play button [ PLAY ]

23. Stop button [ STOP ]

24. Record button [ RECORD / AUTO PUNCH ]

25. Store key [ STORE ]

26. Hold/> key [ HOLD/> ]

27. Auto Return End key [ AUTO R TN END / PREVIEW ]

28. Auto Return Start key [AUTO RTN ST ART / PREVIEW]

29. Auto Punch In key [ AUTO PUNCH IN / PREVIEW ]

30. Auto Punch Out key [AUTO PUNCH OUT / PREVIEW]

VR800 / VR800Z

< Rear Panel Section >

31 32 33 34 35

DATA

SCSIWORD OUT

OPTICAL

INOUT

36 37 38

31. SCSI connector [SCSI] (Connector: D-SUB 25-pin)

32. Data output jack [DA T A OUT] (Connector: OPTICAL)

33. Data input jack [DATA IN] (Connector: OPTICAL)

34. MIDI OUT jack [MIDI OUT] (Connector: DIN 5-pin)

MIDI

POWERAC INOUT IN

35. MIDI IN jack [MIDI IN] (Connector: DIN 5-pin)

36. Word Out jack [WORD OUT] (Connector: BNC)

37. AC IN connector

38. Power switch [POWER]

< Side Panel Section - VR800 >

< Side Panel Section - VR800Z >

PUNCH

IN/OUT

PUNCH

IN/OUT

39. Blannk Panel (VR800) Zip Drive (VR800Z)

40. Punch in/out jack [PUNCH IN/OUT] (Connector: phone)

VR800 / VR800Z

3. SOFTWARE UPDATE

The VR800 software can be updated through the SCSI port. This means that unscrewing and opening up the VR800 panel is not necessary to change the EPROMs. Please refer to the following explanation for correct software updating procedures.

3-1. Method of Sending Software from Fostex Japan

There are two ways of sending the VR800 updated software.

1. Updated software in a removable medium (e.g. floppy disk, zip disk, etc.) to be sent via airmail

2. Updated software as an attachment file to be sent via E-mail

3-2. Required Tools

The following tools/equipment are required to update the VR800 software.

1. IBM PC/AT compatible computer with SCSI board

2. Removable type SCSI drive

3. Cable between the removable type SCSI drive and the SCSI board

4. Cable between the removable type SCSI drive and the VR800 (D-SUB 25-pin)

3-3. Software Updating Procedures

Presuming that the updated software is correctly sent and is copied into your computer.

1. Connect the removable type SCSI drive to the IBM PC/AT compatible computer SCSI port.

2. Insert the diskette to the removable type SCSI drive and format it by the computer on which Windows 95/98 is running.

3. Copy the updated software file to the removable type SCSI drive (diskette).

4. Set the removable type SCSI drive ID to 0 ~ 5 and connect to the VR800 SCSI port.

5. Turn on the power of removable drive and then VR800. The VR800 LCD display shows “No Disk”.

6. Insert the diskette with updated software file. The VR800 LCD display shows “No Disk”, “Initial..”, “name of drive (e.g. ZIP 100)” and “updated software file name” in order and comes to a standstill at the display below. Memorize the displayed ROM version and date before updating the software.

: blinking

7. Pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would start updating the software. The display shows “Loading!”, “Writing!” and “Initial..” in order and automatically returns to the above condition again. Check the displayed ROM version and date if the software is correctly updated by the optional mode “4-2. Flash ROM & CPU Version” (page 10).

8. Eject the diskette with updated software file by the press of [STOP] button or [EXIT/NO] key and insert the diskette formatted by the VR800.

CAUTION:

1. The diskette in which the updated software file is copied must be formatted by IBM PC/AT computer, not by Macintosh.

2. If something wrong happens while updating the software (e.g. A blackout occurred while updating the software.), the VR800 might not be able to boot up the system software inside the Flash ROM. In such a case, please refer to the section “4-8. Flash ROM” (page 17).

3. The SCSI ID to be connected to the VR800 must be selected to 0 ~ 5. The SCSI ID “6” is used for backing up purpose exclusively. The SCSI ID “7” cannot be used by technical reasons.

VR800 / VR800Z

Sign.Set? TempoSet? TitleEdit? Preroll? SyncOut?

N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A

N/A

BkFormat?

Format?

FrameRate? MtcOffset? OfsetMode? SlaveMode?

SelfCheck? OfsetDisp?

SlaveType? RecProtect?

Format?

Del_PGM? Click_ ?

Version? DA_Test? Disp.Test?

Save_PGM? Load_PGM? NOsEvent?

Digi.out?

Digi.In?

DeviceID? Resolu?

Test_1? Freeblock?

FlashROM? Init.Disk?

C.W.

C.W. C.W.

C.W.

: SETUP Mode menu : Service Mode menu

N/A : Not Available

VR800 LCD Display Section

4. SERVICE MODE

There are various optional modes available in the VR800 Service Mode. Please utilize them when servicing the unit.

4-1. Putting VR800 into Service Mode

The way of putting the VR800 into Service Mode is as follow.

1. Connect a SCSI device, insert the diskette formatted by the VR800 and turn the power of SCSI device on.

2. After confirming that the access LED on the SCSI device is lit and then goes out, turn on the power of VR800.

3. While holding down the [STOP] button and [SHIFT] key, press the [SETUP] key.

As shown below, by rotating the jog dial C.W. or C.C.W., various optional modes will be displayed in addition to the general SETUP menus. In order to select a certain optional mode, press the [EXECUTE/YES] key while its menu is displayed.

VR800 / VR800Z

4-2. Flash ROM & CPU version

: blinking

This mode is used to check the Flash ROM and CPU versions currently installed in the unit.

In order to check the version number, press the [EXECUTE/ YES] key while “?” is blinking as shown in the left.

The example on the left indicates that the Flash ROM version is V1.01 and its programming date is April 13, 1999.

In this condition, by turning the jog dial C.W. or C.C. W., the CPU version can be checked.

The example on the left indicates that the CPU version is V2.00 and its programming date is August 4, 1998.

4-3. DA Test

: blinking

Since there are no A to D and D to A converters used on the VR800. this service mode does not function.

4-4. Display/Button Test

: blinking

This mode tests if all the segments on the LCD display, LEDs and buttons (switches) on the VR800 top panel are correctly working or not.

To execute this test, press the [EXECUTE/YES] key while “?” is blinking.

If the VR800 is in a normal condition, all the segments on the LCD display will be lit solid and all the LEDs on the top panel will start blinking.

VR800 / VR800Z

If the VR800 is not in a normal condition, faulty segments on the LCD display and/or LEDs on the top panel will remain unlit.

In this condition, if the [EXECUTE/YES] key is pressed one more time, the Button Test can be executed.

The Button Test checks if each key/button and jog dial are working properly or not. The display on the left indicates that the [RECORD] button is pressed and held down. (“K” stands for the Key and “J” the Jog dial.)

The display on the left indicates the condition when the jog dial is turned C.W.

The table below shows the relationship between the key/ button/jog dial and the corresponding numbers appear on the LCD display.

In order to quit the Button Test, turn the jog dial C.W. or C.C.W. further after “J_20” or “J-19” is displayed respectively.

Key/Button/Jog Dial No. Key/Button/Jog Dial No. Key/Button/Jog Dial No.

RECORD K0 1 STORE K1 3 EXECUTE / YES K25 STOP K02 EDIT K14 RECORD TRACK 1 K26 PLAY K03 UNDO / REDO K15 RECORD TRACK 2 K27 REWIND K04 DISP SEL K16 RECORD TRACK 3 K28 F F WD K05 SETUP K17 RECORD TRACK 4 K29 SHIFT K06 AUTO RTN START K18 RECORD TRACK 5 K30 VARI PITCH / P.EDIT K07 AUTO PUNCH IN K19 RECORD TRACK 6 K31 AUTO RTN / PLAY K08 AUTO PUNCH OUT K20 RECORD TRACK 7 K32 LOCATE /

LOC MEM K09 AUTO RTN END K21 RECORD TRACK 8 K33 TIME BASE SEL K 1 0 CLIPBOARD IN K22 SCRUB K11 CLIPBOARD OUT K23 JOG DIAL (C.W.) J 00 ~ 20 HOLD K12 EXIT / NO /

EJECT K24 JOG DIAL (C.C.W.) J -00 ~ -19

VR800 / VR800Z

4-5. Self Check

: blinking

This mode automatically tests the following points in order.

• SCSI port

• ATA (E-IDE) bus

• MIDI in/out circuit

• S/P DIF digital signal (44.1kHz)

• adat digital signal (44.1kHz)

• Vari-pitch circuit

○○○○○○○○○○○○○

SCSIWORD OUT

DATA

OPTICAL

MIDI

INOUT

POWERAC INOUT IN

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

CAUTION :

In order not to form a MIDI signal loop, connect the MIDI cable after putting the VR800 into the Service Mode.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

MIDI cableOptical cableExternal SCSI Device

To start the Self Check mode, press the [EXECUTE/YES] key when “?” is blinking.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

The VR800 automatically checks the before mentioned points. If the VR800 is working properly, the following appears on the display with REC LED blinking.

In order to go back to the normal display, press the [EXIT/NO] key or [STOP] button.

Fs, DIGITAL IN, DIGITAL OUT and SLAVE MODE settings on the disk to be used when the Self Check test is executed should be as follow.

• Fs : 44.1kHz

• DIGITAL IN : OFF (L: - R: -)

• DIGITAL OUT : ADAT

• SLAVE MODE : OFF

4-5-1. SCSI Port Check

VR800 / VR800Z

If the VR800 does not recognize a SCSI device connected to the VR800 SCSI port, the prompt below will be displayed.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• Bad cable connection, bad cable contact and / or the power of SCSI device is being turned off.

• SCSI device ID is not set to 0 ~ 5.

• MAIN PCB is defective. (bad soldering of U7, U8, J6, etc.)

If a removable type SCSI drive is connected and in case a disk is not inserted into the drive, the following prompt will be displayed.

In the case that the inserted disk is not FDMS-3 formatted, the following prompt will be displayed.

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

4-5-2. ATA (E-IDE) Bus Check

This test checks if data can be properly read out from the preformatted internal drive.

If the data (SYSTEM ID) written by formatting the disk cannot be read out correctly, the Self Check mode comes to a standstill at “AtaBusChk (check)” test.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• The internal drive is not installed in the VR800.

• Breaking, shortage and / or bad contact of flat cable J12.

• Bad soldering of gate array U5 on the MAIN PCB.

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

VR800 / VR800Z

4-5-3. MIDI In/Out Check

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

By connecting the MIDI IN and OUT ports, this test checks if the reply against the ID inquiry is correctly received. If not, the prompt below will be displayed.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• Bad soldering of J2, U11 and surrounding circuit on the MAIN PCB

4-5-4. S/P DIF In/Out Check

By connecting the DATA IN and OUT terminals, this tests checks if the S/P DIF signal output by itself is correctly received. If the PLL circuit is not in a “LOCKED” condition, the prompt below will be displayed.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• Defect on DIGITAL OUT

- No oscillation of resonator X1.

- Connector J4, gate array U5, U20 and / or surrounding circuit are defective.

• Defect on DIGITAL IN

- Connector J5, gate array U5, U20 and / or surrounding circuit are defective.

- PLL circuit (U10 and surrounding circuit) are defective.

• The SETUP “DIGITAL IN” is set other than “L: - R: -”.

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

4-5-5. Adat In/Out Check

VR800 / VR800Z

By connecting the DATA IN and OUT terminals, this tests checks if the ADAT digital signal output by itself is correctly received. If the PLL circuit is not in a “LOCKED” condition, the prompt below will be displayed.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• Defect on DIGITAL OUT

- No oscillation of resonator X1.

- Connector J4, gate array U5, U20 and / or surrounding circuit are defective.

• Defect on DIGITAL IN

- Connector J5, gate array U5, U20 and / or surrounding circuit are defective.

- PLL circuit (U22, 23, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and / or surrounding circuit) are defective.

• The SETUP “DIGITAL IN” is set other than “L: - R: -”.

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

4-5-6. Vari-Pitch Circuit Check

Using the master clock generated through the VR800 vari-pitch circuit on the MAIN PCB, the adat digital signal is output. This test checks if the adat digital signal output by itself is correctly received. If not, it means that the vari-pitch circuit does not work correctly. As a result, the prompt below will be displayed.

The following is considered to be the cause of problem.

• Defects on the vari-pitch circuit (U3, U9), gate array (U5) and / or surrounding circuit.

Even if the before mentioned prompt is displayed, pressing the [EXECUTE/YES] key would reach the next test.

+ 33 hidden pages

Fostex VR800, VR800Z Service Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual