Vtech tz2551-01 User Manual

Important Safety Instructions

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

1. Read and understand all instructions.

2. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.

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

cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.

4. Do not use this product near water (for example, near a bath tub, kitchen
sink, or swimming pool).

5. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, or table. The product
may fall, causing serious damage to the product.

6. Slots and openings in the cabinet and the back or bottom are provided
for ventilation. To protect it from overheating, these openings must not
be blocked by placing the product on the bed, sofa, rug, or other similar
surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or
heat register. This product should not be placed in a built-in installation where
proper ventilation is not provided.

7. This product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated
on the marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power supply to your
home, consult your dealer or local power company.

8. Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product
where the cord will be abused by persons walking on it.

9. Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as
they may touch dangerous voltage points or short out parts that could result
in a risk of fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.

10. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this product,
but take it to an authorized service facility. Opening or removing cabinet
parts other than specified access doors may expose you to dangerous
voltages or other risks. Incorrect reassembling can cause electric shock
when the appliance is subsequently used.

11. Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords as this can result in
the risk of fire or electric shock.

1

Important Safety Instructions

12. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to an authorized

service facility under the following conditions:

A. When the power supply cord or plug is damaged or frayed.
B. If liquid has been spilled into the product.
C. If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
D. If the product does not operate normally by following the operating

instructions. Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions, because improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work by an authorized

technician to restore the product to normal operation.
E. If the product has been dropped and the cabinet has been damaged.
F. If the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

13. Avoid using a telephone (other than a cordless type) during an electrical
storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

14. Do not use the telephone to report a gas leak in the vicinity of the leak.

2

Before You Begin

Enhanced 2.4GHz Technology - Dual Band transmission combines the best

of 2.4GHz and 900MHz technologies, providing enhanced performance over
standard cordless telephones.

About Caller Identification (Caller ID)

This product has a Caller ID with Call Waiting feature that works with
service from your local phone service provider.
Caller ID with Call Waiting lets you see who’s calling before you answer the phone,
even when you’re on another call.
You may need to change your phone service to use this feature. Contact your phone
service provider if:

• You have both Caller ID and Call Waiting, but as separate services
(you may need combined service)

• You have only Caller ID service, or only Call Waiting service.

• You don’t subscribe to any Caller ID or Call Waiting services.

You can use this product with regular Caller ID service, and you can use this product’s
other features without subscribing to either Caller ID or combined Caller ID with Call
Waiting service.

There are fees for Caller ID services, and they may not be available in all areas.
This product can provide information only if both you and the caller are in areas offering
Caller ID service, and if both telephone companies use compatible equipment.

3

Before You Begin

Parts Check List:

1. Base Unit

2. Handset

3. AC Power Adaptor

4. Telephone Line Cord

To purchase replacement battery packs, call VTech Communications, Inc.
at 1-800-595-9511. In Canada, call VTech Telecommunications Canada Ltd.
at 1-800-267-7377.

5. Battery Pack

6. Belt Clip

7. User’s Manual

4

Installation

Before Y ou Install
1 Choose a location for the Base near an electrical outlet and a

telephone jack.

This phone requires a modular telephone jack and a standard electrical
outlet (110v AC) not controlled by a wall switch.

2 Install the Handset battery.

Use only VTech battery.

a)Remove battery

compartment cover
by pressing on the
indentation and
sliding downward.

Getting Started

b)Align the two holes in the plug with the

socket pins, then snap the plug into
place.

c)Place the Battery Pack in the

compartment with the wires in the lower
right corner. Angle the top of the Battery
Pack under the top claws first, then snap
the bottom of the pack in. Place the
wires under the guide, located below
the Battery Pack.

d)Replace cover by sliding it up into place.

5

Installation

3 Attach Belt Clip to the cordless Handset (optional).

Getting Started

To attach

NOTE: Install the Base Unit away from electronic equipment such as personal
computers, television sets or microw av e o v ens. Avoid excessive heat, cold, dust
or moisture.

To remove

T able/Desk Installation

Standard
electrical outlet

Modular
telephone
jack

After charging the Battery
Pack for 12 hours, connect
the telephone line cord.

Connect the power cord.

6

Installation

4 Charge the Handset Battery.

Place the Handset in the Base. Charge the battery for at least 12 hours the
first time.

5 Check for Dial Tone.

After the batteries are charged, pick up the handset and press PHONE; you
should hear a dial tone.

6 Set the Dial Mode.

If you have touch tone service, the phone is ready to use as soon as the
batteries are charged.
If you have dial pulse (rotary) service, you’ll need to change the dial mode.

• Press PROG/CHAN on the Handset to enter programming mode.

• Press or until the screen displays DIAL MODE: and the

currently selected mode.

• Press SELECT. The current setting blinks.

• Press to select TONE or PULSE.

• Press SELECT to save the displayed mode.

7 Set Time and Date

If you subscribe to Caller ID service, the date and time will be set automatically with the
first incoming call.

If you do not have Caller ID service, you can set the date and time manually.

• Press PROG/CHAN, and then press
Press SELECT.

• The month is flashing. Press
Press SELECT.

• The day is flashing. Press
Press SELECT.

• The hour is flashing. Press
Press SELECT.

• The minute is flashing. Press
Press SELECT.

• AM or PM is flashing. Press
Press SELECT.

8 Set Language Mode

• Press PROG/CHAN, and then press
Press SELECT.

• The current setting blinks.Press
language( English, Espanol or French ).

Press SELECT to save the language mode.

•

or until the screen displays the correct month.

or until the screen displays the correct day.

or until the screen displays the correct hour.

or until DATE/TIME is displayed.

or until the screen displays the correct minute.

or to choose between AM or PM .

or until LANGUAGE is displayed.

or until the screen displays the correct

Getting Started

7

Installation

Wall Mounting

You can obtain a wall mounting accessory by calling 1-800-595-9511. In Canada,
call 1-800-267-7377

The Wall Mount bracket is designed for use on standard Wall Mount plates only.

Getting Started

1. Line up the tabs on the wall mount bracket with the slots on the bottom of the
Base Unit. Snap the bracket firmly in place.

2. Plug the AC adapter into an electrical outlet, and the DC connector to the
Base. If the battery pack has not been previously charged, place the Handset
in the cradle, and allow it to charge for 12 hours.

3. Connect the telephone line cord to the jack on the Base, and the other end
to the wall jack.

4. Mount the Base on the wall. Position the Base Unit so the mounting studs will
fit into the holes on the wall mount bracket. Slide the Base Unit down on the
mounting studs until it locks into place.

.

a) Align holes on bracket with

mounting studs on wall plate.

b) Slide bracket down on studs

until it locks into place.

8

Using The Telezapper® Feature

General Information

The TeleZapper feature in your tz 2551/2551-01 is a patented device that helps you
eliminate many of those annoying telemarketing calls.

• The TeleZapper feature in your tz 2551/2551-01 covers all the telephones and
answering machines connected to that line in your home or office.

• When you or your answering machine picks up the phone, the TeleZapper
emits a special tone that fools the computer into thinking your number is
disconnected.

• Instead of connecting you to a salesperson, the computer drops the call and
stores your number as disconnected in its database.

• As your number is eliminated from more and more lists, those annoying
computer generated calls just about stop altogether.

• The TeleZapper won’t interfere with manually dialed calls, or with answering
machines, Caller ID or Call Waiting.

• Once you’ve activated the TeleZapper feature in your tz 2551/2551-01, keep
in mind that if you answer your telephone and there’s no one there, the
odds are that you just “zapped” a telemarketer. After a few weeks, you’ll
notice that you are receiving fewer and fewer of these calls.

• The TeleZapper even works with your answering machine to “zap”
telemarketers when you are away or when you prefer not to answer the phone.
When your answering machine pick up a call for you, the TeleZapper emits
its special tone to “zap” the telemarketer. We recommend that you re-record
your message and delay speaking for a few seconds to allow time for the
TeleZapper tone prior to the start of your recorded message.

Programming Instructions

The TeleZapper feature in your tz 2551/2551-01 has two levels of privacy to help
“zap” computer dialed telemarketing calls. Your tz 2551/2551-01 is shipped with the
BASIC level of privacy activated, which will help with the majority of telemarketing
calls. At this level, the TeleZapper feature will emit a single tone, which is the first of
three (3) tones for the disconnected signal. The ADVANCED level of privacy will s witch
the TeleZapper feature to all three tones of the disconnected signal and will “zap”
even more telemarketing calls. Here are instructions to switch from BASIC to AD
VANCED privacy or to disable the feature.

1. Press PROG/CHAN, then press

2. Press SELECT. The current option is flashing.

3. Use

4. Press SELECT to activate the selected option.
NOTE: If you are dialing in Pulse (rotary) mode from another phone sharing the

or to choose BAS, ADV or OFF.

same line, your TeleZapper feature must be set to either BASIC or OFF.

until the screen displays TELEZAPPER: BAS.

Getting Started

-

TeleZapper Q&A:

Q. How does the TeleZapper feature work?
A. The TeleZapper uses the technology of telemarketers’ automatic dialing equipment
against them. When you or your answering machine picks up a call, the TeleZapper
emits a special tone that ‘fools’ the computer into thinking your number is disconnected.
Instead of connecting you to a salesperson, the computer stores your number as
disconnected in its database.

9

Using The Telezapper® Feature

Over time, as your number is removed from more and more databases, you’ll see a
dramatic decrease in the number of annoying telemarketing calls you receive.

Q. How do I know when I’ve “zapped” a telemarketer?
A. If you answer your telephone and there’s no one there, the odds are that you just
“zapped” a telemarketer. Quite often you will see the caller ID from such a call is
“unavailable.” After a few weeks, you will notice that you receive fewer and fewer of
these calls.

Getting Started

Q. Do I need one for each telephone or telephone jack in my home or office?
A. No. One tz 2551/2551-01 with the TeleZapper feature covers ALL telephones
and answering machines connected to the same line (telephone number). If you
have two lines, you need an additional unit for your other line.

Q. Will it interfere with my computer or fax machine?
A. No. The TeleZapper does not interfere with the operation of your computer, your fax
machine or other telecommunications or electronic equipment. It plays the tone
briefly when the line is answered, then goes to “sleep” waiting for the next call.

Q. Will it interfere with my answering machine?
A. No. This is the best way to use your TeleZapper feature. Let your answering m a­chine pick up the line, the TeleZapper feature “zaps” the telemarketer, and you
were not bothered at all! You will need to delay your message for a few seconds to
allow the tone to play. A caller who wishes to leave a message on your answering
machine will hear a short tone followed by your recording.

NOTE: With your TeleZapper feature set to ADV (Advanced), if your answering
device ‘answers’ the call before you do, the answering device may not automatically
stop once you’ve answered (if your answering device has an ‘Auto Stop’ feature).
You would need to press ‘PLAY/STOP’ on the answering device to return it to the
idle, or sleep mode. With the TeleZapper set to BAS (Basic), your answering system’s
Auto Stop feature should function normally when you pick up a call.

Q. I have voicemail from the telephone company. Will it work with this?
A. Yes and No. Your telephone must go “off-hook” for the TeleZapper to emit its
tone. As long as you pick up a call, the phone goes “off-hook” and the TeleZapper
emits its tone to “zap” telemarketers. If, instead, the telephone company “answers”
your calls through voicemail, your phone does not go “off-hook” and the TeleZapper
cannot emit its tone. The TeleZapper will not interfere with the normal operation of
your voicemail.

Q. Will the TeleZapper “zap” calls from anyone other than telemarketers?
A. The TeleZapper is designed to “zap” calls made by predictive dialer computers
by doing two things: first, by disconnecting predictive-dialed calls before you can be
connected to a live telemarketer, and, second, by deleting your phone number from
telemarketing computer lists. Whether the TeleZapper will affect computer-dialed
calls from other sources depends on the type of computer equipment and how that
equipment is being used. Therefore, it may also “zap” calls from businesses and
organizations that use predictive dialing systems – not just telemarketers. Many
companies and organizations do not rely entirely on computerized calling systems
to reach you. Most have secondary means in place to contact or notify people with
important information. Furthermore, these organizations can always contact you by
simply dialing your phone number manually. Manually dialed calls will not be zapped.
As such, you can contact businesses and organizations to determine if they use
predictive dialers and, if so, to ask that your phone number be manually dialed or
that alternate means be used in order to contact you.

10

Telephone Operation

Answer a Call

Press any key
except OFF.

Hold

Press to put a call
on hold. Press
again to release
hold, OR Lift the
Handset of an
extension.

Make a Call

Press PHONE, then
dial the number
OR Dial the number
(use to backspace
and correct digits), then
press PHONE to call.

Flash/Call Waiting

Access special
telephone company
subscriber services.

Memory

Press MEM to
program and access
names and numbers in

Telephone Memory.

Handset V olume

While on a call, adjust
volume of what you
hear. A double beep
will sound,4when
reach maximum or
minimum.

Select

Use SELECT in

conjunction with

PROG/CHAN

during Handset

programming

End a Call

Press OFF

OR

Place Handset

in Base.

Exit

programming.

Cancel a page.

Redial

Press PHONE, then press
REDIAL/PAUSE to call last

number dialed (up to 32
digits).

OR

Press REDIAL/PAUSE,
then press PHONE to call
last number dialed.
Press REDIAL/PA USE twice
to delete the last number
dialed record with Handset
idle.

.

Basic Operation

Enter programming mode with
Handset idle (on hook)

Program / Channel

Switch to a clearer channel while on a call.

11

Telephone Operation

In Use/Charging

Flashes in cadence with the inbound ringing.
Flashes slowly when the Handset is in use.
Flashes rapidly when a call is on hold.
Glows steadily when the Handset is charging.

Basic Operation

Page/Handset Locator

Press to page the Handset for up to
60 seconds. Press again to cancel,
or press OFF on Handset or place
Handset in Base.

12

Telephone Operation

Handset Ringer Style/Battery Save

You can select from four different Handset ringer styles, or turn the ringer off and
extend the battery life.

1 Make sure the Handset is off.
2 Press PROG/CHAN to enter programming mode.
3 Press until the screen displays RINGER:.
4 Press SELECT. The current setting blinks, and you will hear a sample of the ring.
5 Press or to select RINGER:1, 2, 3, 4 or OFF. You will hear a sample

of each ring.

6 Press SELECT to choose the displayed ringer setting.

Temporary T one Dialing

If you have dial pulse (rotary) service, you can change from dial pulse to touch
tone dialing during a call by pressing
touch tone signals for access to telephone banking or long-distance services.

1 Dial the number.
2 Press
3 After you hang up, the phone automatically returns to dial pulse (rotary)

Headset Jack

You can use this telephone hands-free when you install any VTech 2.5 mm
Headset, purchased separately.

*

TONE. Buttons pressed after this send touch tone signals.

service.

*

TONE. This is useful if you need to send

Plug the headset into the jack located
on the right side of the Handset
(under the small rubber flap).
Do not force the connection,
but make sure the plug
fits securely.

Basic Operation

13

Telephone Operation

Operating Range

This cordless telephone operates within the maximum power allowed by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Even so, this Handset and Base
can communicate over only a certain distance — which can vary with the
locations of the Base and Handset, the weather, and the construction of your
home or office.

If you receive a call while you are out of range, the Handset might not ring or if
it does ring, the call might not connect when you press PHONE. Move closer to
the Base, then press PHONE to answer the call.

If you move out of range during a phone conversation, you might hear noise or
interference. To improve reception, move closer to the Base.

If you move out of range without pressing OFF, your phone will be left “off the
hook.” To hang up properly, walk back into range, periodically pressing OFF.

Display Screen Messages

Screen Displays: When:

Screen Displays: When

** RINGING ** There is a call coming in.

Basic Operation

CONNECTING... The Handset is waiting for a dial tone.
PHONE ON The Handset is in use.
SCANNING... The Handset is changing to another of the 30

channels available.

** PAGING ** The Base is paging the Handset.
HOLD There is a call on hold.
BATTERY LOW The Battery Pack needs to be recharged.

14