Optimus DCT-2000

Advanced Functions

The following advanced functions apply to basic and advanced user-recorded DDCs.

USING RECORD MUTE

The deck's record mute function lets you add a section of silence to a recording. This is useful if you want to add more space between two tracks.

To use record mute, press REC MUTE while the deck is recording or in the record-pause mode.

MUTE flashes for about 4 seconds while the deck records the silence. Then the deck enters the record-pause mode.

If you want to add more than 4 seconds of silence, press and hold down REC MUTE for as long as you want the silence to occur. At the desired time, release REC MUTE. The deck enters the record-pause mode.

ADDING ID MARKERS

You can add ID markers at specific points on a recordable DCC. This gives you more control over tape playback by letting you quickly find the beginning of a track or the end of Side A on a DCC. You can also add ID markers that tell the deck to skip selected tracks.

NOTES:

• You cannot add ID markers to prerecorded DCCs.
• The record-prevention switch must be set to allow recording before you can add ID markers.

Understanding ID Marker Types

There are three types of ID markers you can manually add to a recording -- start, reverse, and skip. The deck automatically adds two other types of markers -- lead-in and home -- and can also add start and reverse markers.

A start ID marker marks the beginning of a track on a DCC. The ASMS feature uses start ID markers to find the beginnings of specific tracks. When ASMS finds the track, the deck automatically plays the track if the deck is in the play mode. All start ID markers have an associated track number.

A reverse ID marker marks the point on a tape when the tape automatically reverses its playback direction from Side A to Side B. The deck recognizes a reverse ID marker during playback, ASMS, or when you add to a user-recorded DCC.

NOTE:  You cannot write a reverse ID marker on Side B of a DCC.

A skip ID marker marks a point on a tape when the tape automatically fast-forwards to the next start ID marker. The deck recognizes the skip ID marker only during playback.

A lead-in marker marks the beginning of an advanced user-recorded DCC. The deck writes this marker when you start recording an advanced user-recorded DCC.

A home ID marker marks the end of an advanced user-recorded DCC. The deck writes this marker when you stop recording on Side B of an advanced user-recorded DCC. The deck recognizes a home marker during playback, ASMS, or when you add to a user-recorded DCC.

Automatically Writing ID Markers

You can set the deck to automatically write ID markers when you record a basic or advanced user-recorded DCC.

While a DCC records, press AUTO ID so AUTO appears.

As the deck records, it automatically adds a lead-in marker, start ID markers at the beginnings of tracks, a reverse marker at the end of Side A, and a home marker.

Manually Writing ID Markers

You can manually write an ID marker on any user-recorded DCC.

While a tape plays, press AUTO ID to AUTO appears.

At the point where you want to add the ID marker, press START ID WRITE, SKIP ID WRITE, or REVERSE ID WRITE. The indicator for the selected ID marker appears on the display and the sound is muted as the deck writes the marker to the tape.

Consider the following suggestions when you write ID markers:

• It is usually best to write a start ID marker at the beginning of a selection. However, you might want to write a start ID marker at the beginning of a favorite passage within a selection.
• Write a skip ID marker immediately before the ID indicator for the track you want to skip appears on the display. When the indicator appears, press << to slightly rewind the tape. Then release << and press SKIP ID WRITE.

Erasing an ID Marker

During playback of a DCC, the ID indicator lights whenever the DCC deck detects an ID marker. To erase an ID on a DCC you recorded, follow these steps:

1. Press PLAY to start playback.

   When the indicator for the ID marker you want to erase appears on the display, not the counter reading.
   

2. Press << to slightly rewind the tape before the counter reading. Then release <<
   
3. As playback resumes, and before the ID indicator reappears, press the ERASE button that corresponds to the ID marker (START ID, SKIP ID, or REVERSE ID).

   The deck erases the first selected ID marker of that type that it detects.

NOTES:

• The deck mutes the sound as it erases an ID marker.
• To erase a reverse ID marker, you can REVERSE ID ERASE any time before the REVERSE ID indicator appears.
  
4. After you erase the desired ID markers, replay the track to confirm that the ID markers are erased.

RENUMBERING TRACKS

When you add start ID markers to a DCC, the deck assumes the markers are at the beginning of a track and assigns a track number to each marker.

If you record a DCC in several sessions, the deck considers the first track of each session Track 0. To ensure that the tracks are numbered correctly, renumber them. This makes it easier to find the beginning of a specific track.

NOTES:

• You can renumber tracks only on advanced user-recorded DCCs.
• The deck renumbers all start ID markers. Before renumbering, you might want to erase any start ID marker that is not at the beginning of a track. For example, the deck might have recorded additional start ID markers during quiet passages of music.
• The record-prevention switch must be set to allow recording before the deck can renumber in the tracks. See "Setting the Record-Prevention Switch."

To renumber the tracks, follow these steps:

1. Stop the current function, if any.
2. Be sure the deck is not in the auto ID mode. If necessary, press AUTO ID so AUTO does not appear on the display.
3. Press RENUMBER.

The tape automatically rewinds to the beginning and then fast-forwards until it reaches the first start ID marker. The deck renumbers the first ID marker as Track 1, then fast-forwards to the next start ID marker, which it renumbers as Track 2. The deck continues this process until it has renumbered all start ID markers.

NOTES:

• As the deck searches for ID markers, you might hear the tape periodically reverse direction.
• The deck renumbers only start ID markers.
• Renumbering is not necessary if you record an entire DCC using the digital inputs in one session without canceling recording.
• If you added to an advanced user-recorded DCC, you must renumber the tracks for the deck to display the correct track numbers.
• You must record both sides of a DCC before you can renumber the tracks. Otherwise the deck displays a tape error message (ERROR).
• A tape error also might occur during renumbering if there are several start ID markers close together. If this happens, erase all start ID markers around the area the error occurred. Then add a new start ID marker at the desired point and renumber the tracks again.
• If you record from the analog inputs, you might have to manually add start ID markers. In this case, you must renumber the tracks.
• It can take up to 30 seconds to renumber each track.

ERASING A DCC

There are two ways you can erase a user-recorded DCC -- recording silence or using a bulk eraser.

If you choose to record silence, follow the same recording procedure you used when you first recorded the DCC.

To ensure the most complete tape erasure, we suggest you use a bulk eraser designed for video tape or Type IV metal tape.

NOTE:  A bulk eraser erases all recorded information on the tape, including all ID markers.

HINTS AND TIPS

L/R, LRCK, and SWS signals are frame rate clock for the ADC, DAC, and the Digital PCB module respectively. During each half cycle, serial data from the left or right channel sample is placed on SDATA and SDI. The clock rate for this signal is 44.1 kHz for analog source recording and 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, or 48 kHz for playback of pre-recorded tapes or digital/optical source recordings.

This unit will not record onto analog tapes.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Your Optimus DCT-2000 Digital Compact Cassette Deck is an example of superior design and craftsmanship. The following suggestions will help you care for the deck so you can enjoy it for years.

• Keep the deck dry. If it does get wet, wipe it dry immediately. Liquids might contain minerals that can corrode the electronic circuits.
• Keep the deck out of direct sunlight. Use and store the deck only in normal temperature environments. Temperature extremes can shorten the life of electronic devices and distort or melt plastic parts.
• Handle the deck gently and carefully. Dropping it can damage circuit boards and cases and can cause the deck to work improperly.
• Keep the deck away from dust and dirt, which can cause premature wear of parts.
• Wipe the deck with a damp cloth occasionally to keep it looking new. Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the deck.

Modifying or tampering with the deck's internal components can cause a malfunction and might invalidate the deck's warranty and void your FCC authorization to operate the deck. If the deck is not operating as it should, take it to your local Radio Shack store for assistance.

Last Updated 22 July 2005
Copyright 1999