VCRs: Using Model AG-2550    Using Model AG-1330   Troubleshooting the VCRs

Monitors: Using the Monitors     Troubleshooting the Monitors

Using VCR Model AG-2550:

1. The power switch is on the left side of the front control panel.  If the VCR is plugged in but not turned on, you will see 3 flashing "0"s where the time should be set.  When the power is turned on, you will see a channel number.  Channel 2 is the default setting. (Another Channel number may be displayed but it shouldn’t make a difference.)
2. Insert the video into the VCR, making sure that the arrow on the tape is on top and pointing towards the machine.
3. Push the "Play" button
4. To rewind the tape, push "Stop" first, and then flick the round button on the right side of the VCR control panel to the left.  If you don't push "Stop" first, you will be doing a "Play/Rewind" where the picture can still be seen as the tape rewinds.  This takes forever, and is hard on both the head of the VCR and on the tape (it stretches the tape).  The same procedure should be used to fast-forward through the tape, with the only difference being to flick the round button to the right.
5. The small door on the left side of the front control panel is taped shut on purpose.  The "Record" button is behind that door, and we don't want anyone mistakenly erasing our videos by recording over them.
6. A video can be advanced frame by frame by hitting the "Pause" button, and then flicking the round knob on the right (called the "jog dial") either forward or backward.

Using VCR Model AG-1330

1. The power switch is on the left side of the front control panel.  If the VCR is plugged in but not turned on, you will see 3 flashing "0"s where the time should be set.  When the power is turned on, you will see a channel number.  Channel 2 is the default setting. (Another Channel number may be displayed but it shouldn’t make a difference.)
2. Insert the video into the VCR, making sure that the arrow on the tape is on top and pointing towards the machine.
3. Push the "Play" button
4. To rewind the tape, push “Stop”, then push the << key.  If you don’t push the “Stop” key first, you will be doing a “Play/Rewind” where the picture can still be seen as the tape rewinds. This takes forever, and is hard on both the head of the VCR and the tape (it stretches the tape).  The same procedure should be used to fast-forward through the tape, with the only difference being to push the >> key. 
5. The small door on the left side of the front control panel is taped shut on purpose.  The "Record" button is behind that door, and we don't want anyone mistakenly erasing our videos by recording over them.

Troubleshooting the VCRs

1. It doesn't matter what channel is showing on the VCR.  The only channel that matters is the channel that the monitor is turned to.  It should be channel 3.  This is the first thing to check when you can't get a picture.
2. If the VCR display is illuminated but the VCR will not operate, press the "Timer/Rec" button so that the timer mode is turned off and the VCR can be operated manually.
3. If there is clearly power to the VCR but it does not operate, and switching the "Timer/Rec" button doesn't work, turn the power to the VCR off.  Unplug the unit. Wait 60 seconds, and then recycle the power back on. This should turn off any safety devices that may have engaged and set the VCR back to its default settings.
4. If the picture is noisy, has poor color, or has lines running across the screen, it could be a tracking problem, or a problem with the playback heads being worn or dirty.  Place an out-of-order sign on the station and leave a note in Stephanie Stainback's box to check it out.  The out-of-order signs are on the clipboard on the shelf under Marigold, the microfilm reader.

Using the Monitors

1. The power switch is on the left of the front of the monitor
2. The TV needs to be on Channel 3 or 4 in order for a tape to be viewed
3. The headphone plug is in the front on the bottom of the monitor.  It takes a 1/8" jack

Troubleshooting the Monitors

1. If the screen is blue, it means that the power to the monitor has been left on.  Please turn it off any time you walk by and see this.
2. If the video is playing and there is no picture, make sure the TV is on Channel 3 or 4.
3. There is no regular cable or television signal that we are able to receive in the Library building. It is not possible to watch or tape a TV show here.
4. There aren't any horizontal or vertical hold controls on these monitors. If the tape is flickering or rolling, it is quite likely a tracking problem from the VCR, or poor quality of the actual tape.
5. If the headphones have a 1/4" jack on the end (too big to fit in the plug on the TV), simply pull the end of the jack off.  Our headphones have a 1/8" jack underneath the larger adapter plug.

Last updated October 26, 2004:  J. Crockett