VTech DM221, DM221-2 Owner's Manual

®

Safe & SoundTM audio monitor
Online user’s manual

w w w.v te c h p h o n e s . c o m

Models:
DM221/DM221-2

Congratulations

on purchasing your new VTech product. Before using this product, please
read Important safety instructions on page iii of this manual.

This manual has all the feature operations and troubleshooting necessary
to install and operate your new VTech product. Please review this manual
thoroughly to ensure proper installation and operation of this innovative and
feature rich VTech product. For support, shopping, and everything new at
VTech, visit our website at www.vtechphones.com. In Canada, please visit

www.vtechcanada.com.

Product introduction

DM221 is an audio monitor which consists of one baby unit (DM221 BU) and
one parent unit (DM221 PU).

DM221-2 is an audio monitor which consists of one baby unit (DM221-2 BU)

and two parent units (DM221-2 PU).

The parent units may be shipped with protective stickers covering the displays.
Remove the protective stickers before use.

ii

Important safety instructions

When using your equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed to
reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and injury, including the following:

Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

1.
Adult setup is required.

2.
This product is intended as an aid. It is not a substitute for responsible and proper

3.
adult supervision and should not be used as such.

This product is not intended for use as a medical monitor.

4.
Do not use this product near water. For example, do not use it next to a bath tub,

5.
wash bowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub or swimming pool, or in a wet basement
or shower.

CAUTION: Use Only Supplied Battery. They may explode. Dispose of used battery

6.
according to the information in The RBRC® seal (see page 24).

Use only the adapters included with this product. Incorrect adapter polarity or

7.
voltage can seriously damage the product.
Baby unit power adapter: Input 100-120V AC 60 Hz; output: 6V DC 400 mA
Parent unit power adapter: Input 100-120V AC 60 Hz; output: 6V DC 400 mA

The power adapters are intended to be correctly oriented in a vertical or floor mount

8.
position. The prongs are not designed to hold the plug in place if it is plugged into a
ceiling, under-the-table or cabinet outlet.

Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol

9.
cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

Unplug the power cords before replacing the battery pack.

10.
Do not cut off the adapters to replace them with other plugs, as this causes a

11.
hazardous situation.

Do not allow anything to rest on the power cords. Do not install this product where

12.
the cords may be walked on or crimped.

This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the

13.
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply in your home, consult
your dealer or local power company.

Do not overload wall outlets or use an extension cord.

14.

Do not place this product on an unstable table, shelf, stand or other

15.
unstable surfaces.

This product should not be placed in any area where proper ventilation is not

16.
provided. Slots and openings in the back or bottom of this product are provided for
ventilation. To protect them from overheating, these openings must not be blocked
by placing the product on a soft surface such as a bed, sofa or rug. This product
should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register.

Never push objects of any kind into this product through the slots because they may

17.
touch dangerous voltage points or create a short circuit. Never spill liquid of any kind
on the product.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this product, but take it to

18.
an authorized service facility. Opening or removing parts of the product other than

iii

Important safety instructions (continued)

specified access doors may expose you to dangerous voltages or other
risks. Incorrect reassembling can cause electric shock when the product is
subsequently used.

19.

You should test the sound reception every time you turn on the units or move one of
the components.

Periodically examine all components for damage.

20.

21.

Be aware of possible loss of privacy while using public airwaves. Conversations may
be picked up by other nursery monitors, cordless phones, scanners, etc.

Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the product.

22.
The product is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced

23.
physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge,
unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the
appliance by a person responsible for their safety.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

iv

Cautions

Use and store the product at a temperature between 32oF and 104oF.

1.

Do not expose the product to extreme cold, heat or direct sunlight. Do not put the

2.

product close to a heating source.

The battery pack should not be exposed to excessive heat such as bright sunshine

3.

or fire.

Make sure the baby unit and the adapter cord are always out of reach of the baby,

4.

at least 3 feet away from the baby or crib, to avoid a possible strangulation hazard.
Never place the baby unit inside the baby’s crib or playpen. Never cover the baby

5.

unit or parent unit(s) with anything such as a towel or
a blanket.

Other electronic products such as HAM radios and DECT cordless phones may

6.

cause interference with your audio monitor. Try installing your audio monitor as far
away as possible from these types of electronic devices.

Precautions for users of implanted cardiac
pacemakers

Cardiac pacemakers (applies only to digital cordless devices):
Wireless Technology Research, LLC (WTR), an independent research entity, led a

multidisciplinary evaluation of the interference between portable wireless devices and
implanted cardiac pacemakers. Supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration,
WTR recommends to physicians that:

Pacemaker patients

Should keep wireless devices at least six inches from the pacemaker.

•

Should NOT place wireless devices directly over the pacemaker, such as in a breast

•

pocket, when it is turned ON.

WTR’s evaluation did not identify any risk to bystanders with pacemakers from other
persons using wireless devices.

Electromagnetic elds (EMF)

This VTech product complies with all standards regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF).
If handled properly and according to the instructions in this user’s manual, the product is
safe to be used based on scientific evidence available today.

v

Table of contents

Getting started ..............................1

Parts checklist .................................1

Baby unit installation .......................2

Parent unit battery installation .........3

Parent unit installation .....................5

Parent unit battery charging ............6

Baby unit overview ..........................7

Parent unit overview ........................8

Parent unit display screen icons .....9

Positioning and operating range ...10

Positioning the audio monitor ..10

Audio settings ..........................10

Operating range .......................10

Test your audio monitor before

use .............................................11

Parent unit settings ....................12

Using the menu .............................12

Sensitivity ......................................12

Sound alert ....................................13

Vibration alert ................................13

Nightlight auto-on ..........................14

Language.......................................14

Set default .....................................15

Baby unit operation ....................16

Power on or off the baby unit .........16

Speaker volume .............................16

Nightlight on the baby unit .............16

Find/page the parent unit ...............16

The RBRC® seal ............................24

FCC and IC regulations .................25

FCC Part 15 .............................25

Industry Canada ......................25

RF radiation exposure

statement ...............................26

For cETL compliance only ............27

Limited warranty ............................30

Technical specifications ................32

Index .............................................33

Parent unit operation ..................17

Power on or off the parent unit ......17

Speaker volume ............................17

Talk to the baby unit ......................17

Appendix ...................................... 18

Parent unit display screen

messages...................................18

Parent unit battery .........................19

Troubleshooting .............................20

Operating range .............................23

Maintenance ..................................23

vi

Getting started

Parts checklist

Check to make sure the package contains the following items.
Save your sales receipt and original packaging in the event warranty service
is necessary.

Baby unit
(DM221 BU /DM221-2 BU)

Parent unit battery
compartment cover *

(1 for DM221 an d
2 for DM 221-2)

User’s manual

User’s manual *

Parent unit
(DM221 PU/DM221-2 PU)

(1 for DM221 an d 2 for DM221-2)

Battery pack for
parent unit *

(1 for DM221 an d
2 for DM 221-2)

Important

information

Important information *

Power adapters *

(2 for DM221 an d
3 for DM 221-2)

* indicates replacements are available. For more information, visit our website at
www.vtechphones.com or call 1 [phone]. In Canada, go to
www.vtechcanada.com or call 1 [phone].

1

Getting started

Baby unit installation

You can power up the baby unit by connecting it to AC power.
Install the baby unit as shown below.
Make sure that the power outlet is not controlled by a wall switch. Bundle the

power adapter cord neatly with a twist tie.
The baby unit turns on when it is powered up.

Power outlet not
controlled by a
wall switch

Power adapter

The POWER
light remains
on when the
baby unit is
turned on.

Baby unit

Use only the power adapters supplied with this product. To order a

•
replacement, visit our website at www.vtechphones.com or call
1 [phone]. In Canada, go to www.vtechcanada.com or call
1 [phone].

The adapters are intended to be correctly oriented in a vertical or floor mount

•
position. The prongs are not designed to hold the plug in place if it is plugged
into a ceiling, under-the-table or cabinet outlet.

Make sure the unit and the power adapter cord are out of reach of children.

•

2

Getting started

Parent unit battery installation

You can power up the parent unit by connecting it to AC power or to the
rechargeable battery pack provided. Even if the parent unit is connected to
AC power, we recommend you also install the battery pack. This guarantees
continued operation in case of a power outage.

Install the battery as shown below.

Insert the battery into the battery compartment with the label

1.
THIS SIDE UP facing up and the wires hanging out.

Plug the battery connector securely into the socket inside the battery

2.
compartment. The parent unit turns on when it is powered up. Place the
wires neatly inside the battery compartment.

3

Getting started

Parent unit battery installation (continued)

Align the cover flat against the battery compartment, then slide it towards

3.
the center of the parent unit until it clicks into place.

If the parent unit will not be used for a long time, disconnect and remove the

•
battery pack to prevent possible leakage.

Use only the battery pack supplied with this product. To purchase a

•
replacement battery pack, visit our website at www.vtechphones.com or call 1
[phone]. In Canada, go to www.vtechcanada.com or call
1 [phone].

4

Getting started

Parent unit installation

Install the parent unit as shown below.

Make sure that the power outlet is not controlled by a wall switch. Bundle the
power adapter cord neatly with a twist tie.

When the battery pack is installed, the light turns on while charging.

Power outlet not
controlled by a

The light remains
on when the battery
is charging.

wall switch

Power adapter

Parent unit

Use only the power adapters supplied with this product. To order a

•
replacement, visit our website at www.vtechphones.com or call
1 [phone]. In Canada, go to www.vtechcanada.com or call
1 [phone].

The power adapters are intended to be correctly oriented in a vertical or floor

•
mount position. The prongs are not designed to hold the plug in place if it is
plugged into a ceiling, under-the-table or cabinet outlet.

Make sure the units and the power adapter cords are out of reach of children.

•

5

Getting started

Parent unit battery charging

The parent unit turns on after you have installed the parent unit battery or
connected the parent unit to AC power (see pages 3 to 5). The battery icon
indicates the battery status (see the table below). The parent unit battery is
fully charged after 11 hours of continuous charging. See the table on page 19
for battery operating time.

When the parent unit is operating in battery mode and the battery is low, you
need to charge the parent unit without interruption for at least 30 minutes to
give the parent unit enough charge to use for a short time. When operating in
low battery condition, LOW BATTERY and flash on the parent unit. The

light flashes and the parent unit plays short beeps to alert you.

The following table summarizes the battery charge indicators and actions
to take.

Battery indicators Battery status Action

The battery icon is off. No battery is installed. The

LOW BATTERY and

flash on the screen.

The light flashes.

The battery icon
becomes solid .

parent unit can be used
only when it is connected
to AC power.

The battery has very little
charge and may be used

for only a short time.

The battery is fully charged. To keep the battery charged,

Install the parent unit battery.
Charge without interruption
(at least 30 minutes).

Charge

without interruption

(about 30 minutes).

connect it to AC power when
not in use.

When you charge the battery pack initially or it is not used for a long period of time,
charge it for 11 hours continuously. It takes longer to charge the battery when the
parent unit is turned on. To shorten the charging time, turn the parent unit off.

6