Panasonic Agrt850 Operating Instructions Manual

							11
MENU SCREEN 6
The daylight savings mode and search dial and jog dial operation mode are set on Menu Screen 6.
!8Selecting the daylight savings mode
Select the daylight savings mode.
ON: The daylight savings mode is selected.
OFF: The daylight savings mode is not selected.
!9Setting the start time for the daylight savings
mode
Set the week, month and hour at which the daylight
savings mode is to start.
WEEK: Select 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH or LST (last)
and one of SUN through SAT.
MONTH: Select the starting month (1 – 12).
TIME: Select the start time (1:00 – 22:00)*.
Do not adjust the time setting between 23:00 and
1:00 during the daylight savings period.
@0Setting the end time for the daylight savings
mode
Set the week, month and hour at which the daylight
savings mode is to end.
WEEK: Select 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, 4TH or LST (last)
and one of SUN through SAT.
MONTH: Select the ending month (1 – 12).
TIME: Select the end time (1:00 – 22:00)*.
@1Search dial and jog dial direct operation mode
Set the operation mode when the search dial or jog
dial is to be used from another mode.
ON: The dial can be operated directly during STOP
and STILL.
OFF: The dial can be operated after the STILL
button is pressed.
* Minutes are for reference only and cannot be adjusted.
MENU SCREEN 7
The RS-232C parameters are set on Menu Screen 7.
@2Setting the bit length (7BIT/8BIT)
@3Setting the stop bit (STOP-1/STOP-2)
@4Setting the parity bit (ODD/EVEN/NON)
@5Setting the baud rate (4800BPS/9600BPS)
@6Selection of the menu display language
(
ENGLISH/FRANCAIS)
* The underline denotes the factory setting.
CAUTIONS:
•The menu screens are not displayed while the unit is playing back a tape.
•While the unit is recording, the contents of Menu Screen 1 can be changed; however, Menu Screens 2 to 7 are for
reference only and therefore cannot be changed. 
						

							12
Date and Time Settings
This unit comes with a time/date generator which enables the date and time to be superimposed on the recording.
When the power is switched on, the date, time of the day and time mode are displayed (in the case of a regular
screen).
10-10-01  6H
10:14:30A
Date:
The date appears as month/day/year.
Time mode:
This is set by pressing the TIME MODE button. It 
flashes unless recording is in progress.
Time:
The 24-hour system is used.
Alarm display:
This appears during alarm recording.q
w
e
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TV monitorDate1Time mode2
Time3Alarm display4
PAGE PAUSE/STILL
REV ADV POWERMENU
OFFREC LOCK
INT TIMER
OFFEXT TIMERREW FFFWD ADV STOP PLAY
SHIFT
SET
Example:Setting the date and time to Saturday, March 3, 2001 at 3:25.
The time mode is set to 48 hours.
When the shift (   ) button is pressed, the month 
digits flash.
Press the SET (+, –) buttons to set the month to 
“3”.
When the shift (   ) button is pressed, the day digits 
flash.
Press the SET (+, –) buttons to set the day to “03”.
•The year can be set from 2000 to 2079. Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU. Menu 
Screen 1 appears, and the year digits flash.
Press the SET (+, –) buttons to set the year to 
“2001”.
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         1-01-2000 SAT
            0:00:00m
mmd
dd
Monitor display Display area
q
w
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         1-01-2001 MON
            0:00:00
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         3-01-2001 THU
            0:00:00
e
r
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         3-03-2001 SAT
            0:00:00md 
						

							13
TIME TIMETIME
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, the hour 
digits flash.
Press the SET (+, –) buttons to set the hour to “3”.
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, minute digits 
flash.
Press the SET (+, –) buttons to set the minutes to 
“25”.t
y
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         3-03-2001 SAT
            3:00:00
   [TIME ADJUST]    P1
         3-03-2001 SAT
            3:25:00
When the MENU/REC LOCK switch is set to OFF, 
the clock automatically starts running from time and 
date set.
Flashing
For the seconds, “00” is set.
Even when the switch is set to MENU, the time will 
keep advancing if it has not been changed.
u
    
          3-03-01  48H
         03:25:00
•To clear the date and time display, set POSITION under (DISPLAY) on Menu Screen 2 to OFF.
•Even if the power should fail for a period of up to one week, the date, time and other display time mode data are
stored in the memory (but only if power has been supplied continuously to the unit for 3 or more days).
When the unit has just been purchased or when it has not been used for along time, the data is not stored in the
memory and the display shown below appears.
  
[TIME ADJUST]         P1
      1-01-2000 SAT
         0:00:00
•For the date setting, the unit automatically adjusts for leap years.
•Due to temperature fluctuations and other factors, the clock time may run fast or slow with a monthly error of up to
±60 seconds. This is not indicative of malfunctioning. Reset the time at regular intervals.
Time/Date Display Position
The position of the date and time displays on the TV monitor changes as shown below when (DISPLAY) on Menu
Screen 2 is changed.
Top left corner Top right corner Bottom left corner No displayCenter Bottom right corner
Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU to 
display to menu screens. Press the page button to 
display Menu Screen 2 on the TV monitor.
POSITION : L-UPPER
Press the set (+, –) buttons to position the display 
as desired.
POSITION : L-BOTTOM
q
wUpon completion of the settings, set the MENU/ 
REC LOCK switch to OFF. The regular screen is 
restored, and the date and time appear at the 
selected position.e
TIME/DATE display position adjustment function
When the unit is in STOP or EJECT mode, the position of the displayed time/date can be adjusted by pressing the
TRACKING (–) or TRACKING (+) button.
•Pressing the TRACKING (–) button moves the position vertically. (Pressing the button 3 times will return the display
to its original position.)
•Pressing the TRACKING (+) button moves the position horizontally. (Pressing the button 3 times will return the
display to its original position.)
•Pressing the (–) and (+) buttons simultaneously will return the display to its original position (factory setting).When the time is reset to “0:00:00” as described, check the menu
settings. If any of the settings are incorrect, please set them again. 
						

							14
Time Mode Selection
TIME MODE button
TRACKING /
V-LOCK RESET
PULL OPEN
COUNTER /TIME MODESEARCH
REC
ALARM
EJECTREC REVIEWREC
REVFWD
Refer to the table given below to select the mode that suits the intended purpose of use.
6 hours861/60 60 Yes 1/30
L18 hours24 18 0.05 20 Yes 0.05
L24 hours40 24 0.083 12 Yes 0.083
48 hours—* 48 0.150 6.67 No 0.150
72 hours—* 72 0.217 4.62 No 0.217
96 hours—* 96 0.283 3.53 No 0.283
120 hours—* 120 0.350 2.86 No 0.35
168 hours—* 168 0.483 2.07 No 0.483
180 hours—* 180 0.517 1.94 No 0.517
240 hours—* 240 0.683 1.46 No 0.683 Tape typeRecordable time
(hours)
T-160 T-120
ModePictures 
per 
second 
(fields) Video 
recording 
interval 
(sec.)Sound 
recordingCamera 
switching 
interval 
(sec.)
Tape replacement standard
(recording times)
————
50
50
25
20
20
15
10
10
10
*: Avoid using 160-minute tapes with any of the modes from 48 hours to 240 hours.
Notes on operation
•This unit is designed with the T-120 cassette tape as a reference.
•Recording is possible up to 240 hours with this unit when the T-120 cassette tape is used.
•Depending on the type of video cassette used, the recordable time will differ.
•Depending on the type of tape used, it may be possible to record for slightly longer than the times shown in the “Recordable
time” column in the table above.
For example, 30 hours of recording are possible when a 120-minute tape is used with L24-hour mode.
•Sound can be recorded in 6, L18 and L24 hour modes.
•The L18-hour to 240-hour modes are time lapse modes. Pictures are recorded with frames skipped to enable lengthy recording
and playback.
•A tape recorded in a time lapse (L18-hour to 240-hour) mode can be played back in quick motion in the 6-hour mode.
•A tape recorded in the 6-hour mode can be played back in slow motion using the time lapse (L18-hour to 240-hour) mode.
•A tape recorded in the 2-hour mode on a different VTR can be played back in the 2-hour mode.
•Tapes recorded on this machine cannot be played back other VHS video recorder as they are not compatible.
•Recording and playback in the 6H, L18H and L24H time modes with this unit are in the same format as in the 8H, 24H and 40H
time modes with the AG-RT650. The time mode display differs from the AG-RT650.
Selecting the cassette tape
The unit is designed as a product required to exhibit high reliability in surveillance, security, monitoring, etc. In order to maintain its
recording reliability, it is recommended that the video tapes listed below be used.
 • T-160 • T-90 • T-30
•T-120 • T-60
•Avoid using 180-minute tapes with this unit. 
						

							15
Recording Procedure
qSwitch on the power to the connected equipment.
wAdjust so that the images of the video cameras
appear properly on the TV monitor.
eCheck that the date and time displayed on the TV
monitor have been adjusted properly.
rInsert a cassette tape into the unit after checking
that the tab on the cassette is intact.
tSet the timer recording, auto repeat recording, alarm
recording, restoration-of-power-after-failure record-
ing or other recording function.
ySelect the time mode for the recording.
uPress the REC button.
Notes on operation
•If the PAUSE/STILL button is pressed during recording, the unit is set to the pause mode, and after about 5 minutes
in this mode it is transferred to the stop mode.
•Neat frame-to-frame continuity is not achieved if the recording mode is set again after the PAUSE/STILL button is
pressed during recording.
•When the MENU/REC LOCK switch has been set to OFF, other operations can be performed during recording.
•When restoration-of-power-after-failure recording is performed, recording can be continued in the same time mode
even if the power should fail provided that the power is restored within about one week. (This applies only if the
power has been supplied continuously for 3 or more days.)
•When performing auto repeat recording or timer recording, do not neglect to conduct the routine inspections.
•When recording images from a black-and-white camera, set the video signal mode on Menu Screen 4 to B_W.
•Remove the cassette tape if the unit is to be left standing for a prolonged period of time.
•When the power supply is interrupted during recording (with the power switch still ON), a non-recorded portion will
be made in the beginning of the tape travel, or the tape will be over-recorded at its ending section. But this is not a
malfunction.
Tips For Better Recording
In order to ensure greater reliability in monitoring, surveillance and other continuous operations lasting many hours,
this unit comes with some safety functions for recording. Read the following descriptions of these functions before
proceeding to operate the unit.
Recording Mode Lock
There are two ways, as described below, to maintain
the recording mode during recording by disabling the
operations of the power switch as well as the TIME
MODE and operation buttons.
qSet the MENU/REC LOCK switch to REC LOCK.
wSet REC LOCK on Menu Screen 1 to ON. (See
Note)
The following button and connectors are operational
during recording even if the MENU/REC LOCK switch is
set to REC LOCK.
•Alarm input connector, alarm reset connector
•REC REVIEW
Recording Check
When the REC CHECK button is pressed during
recording, the tape runs temporarily in the reverse
direction, and the recorded section is played back. This
function can be used to check the daily operation of the
equipment in the system.
Restoration-of-Power-After-Failure
Recording
When a power failure has occurred during recording,
the unit automatically starts recording if the power is
restored within approximately one week.
•When the power fails, the tape “losing” safety pro-
tection function is activated to protect the video heads
and video tape.
   
Before power is restored After power is restored
Stop, play, fast forward Stop mode is established.
RecordingRecording mode is
established.
Auto rewind
Auto rewind during 
auto repeat recordingUnit is returned to the 
mode applying before the 
power failed. •
•
•
•
Notes:
•When the power cord has come out of the socket or a
power failure has occurred, no operations will be
acknowledged for about 30 seconds after the power
has been restored: this is to protect the tape.
•Once the recording mode is established, recording
cannot be released until REC LOCK on Menu Screen
1 is set OFF. 
						

							16
Timer Recording
There are two methods of timer recording: one uses the internal timer and the other uses an external timer.
Internal Timer  Recording
Start time and stop time
Bear in mind the following points when setting these
times.
•When the stop time is set later than the start time:
Recording will commence at the start time on the day
concerned and stop at the end time on the same day.
Example: 8:30 → 17:00
•When the start time is set later than the stop time
or the start time and stop time for weekly record-
ing (weekly timer) are the same:
Recording starts at the start time on the day con-
cerned and ends at the stop time on the following day.
Example: 17:00 → 8:30
•When the start time and stop time are the same
(for weekly recording):
Recording starts at 8:30 on the day concerned and
ends at 8:30 on the following day.
Example: 8:30 → 8:30
To record for an entire day, set the start time and stop
time to 0:00.
•Weekly recording (weekly timer) can be set by the
day of the week.
•When (INTERNAL TIMER REC) on Menu Screen
5 is set to OFF for both the weekly timer and daily
recording (daily timer), nothing appears for the
start or stop time. Timer recording is considered
not to be set.
Internal timer recording operation
VTR operations after the settings
•The unit’s power is turned off, and even if other but-
tons are pressed, their operations are not accepted.
•When the start time and stop time have not been set,
INT flashes on the display.
Releasing the internal timer mode
Set the TIMER MODE switch to OFF to clear INT on the
display.
Note:
•Since it takes some moments for recording to start,
set the start time for timer recording one minute
earlier.
[INTERNAL TIMER REC]  P5
 [TIMER]START  END   T-M
 SUN OFF
 MON OFF
 TUE OFF
 WED OFF
 THU OFF
 FRI OFF
 SAT OFF
 DLY OFF
Check that a video cassette with its tab intact has 
been inserted.
Check that the TV monitor shows the correct pres-
ent time.
Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU to 
display the menu screens. Press the page button 
so that the INTERNAL TIMER REC timer setting 
screen appears on the TV monitor.q
w
eSet the operation times of the internal timer.
•For details on the settings, refer to the sections 
on “Daily timer” or “Weekly timer.” (See page 17.)
Upon completion of the settings, set the MENU/ 
REC LOCK switch to OFF. The regular screen is 
restored.
Set the TIMER MODE switch to INT TIMER so that 
INT lights on the display. 
When the time and date for Menu Screen 1 have 
not been set, a cassette has not been inserted, the 
timer has not been set, or when a cassette with a 
broken out tab has been inserted, the buzzer 
sounds and INT flashes on the display.r
t
y 
						

							17
Daily Recording (Daily Timer)/Weekly Recording (Weekly Timer)
Example:When recording from 8:30 to 12:00 from Sunday through
Thursday and from 9:00 to 12:00 on Fridays and Saturdays
SUN ON  0:00   0:00
SUN ON  8:00   0:00
SUN ON  8:00   0:00
SUN ON  8:30   0:00SUN ON  8:30   0:00
SUN ON  8:30  12:00
Check that OFF or ON for Sunday (SUN) is 
flashing. If the setting is OFF, press the set (+, –) 
buttons to display ON.
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, the setting 
moves to the start time and the “hour” digits flash.
Press the set (+, –) buttons to display “8.”
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, the “minutes” 
digits flash.
Press the set (+, –) buttons to display “30”.q
w
e
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t
[INTERNAL TIMER REC]  P5
 [TIMER]START  END   T-M
 SUN OFF
 MON OFF
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, the “hour” 
digits flash.
Press the set (+, –) buttons to display “12”.
When the shift (    ) button is pressed, the “minutes” 
digits flash.
Press the set (+, –) buttons to display “00”.
Press the shift (    ) button to set the recording time 
mode (6, L18, L24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168, 180 and 
240 hour mode). When the shift ( ) button is 
pressed, the MON is flashing.
Following the same procedure in steps 1 to 10, 
display the start time of “8:30” and stop time of 
“12:00” from Monday (MON) through Thursday 
(THU). Following the above procedure, set the 
times for Friday (FRI) and Saturday (SAT) as well.
In this way, the timer operation times have been 
set for each day of the week.
The settings for daily recording (daily timer) are 
also performed following the same steps 1 to 10.y
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!0
!1
SUN ON  8:30  12:00
SUN ON  8:30  12:00
SUN ON  8:30  12:00  24
•The setting shown on the screen at the left translates into the weekly and daily timer recording combinations shown
below which, in turn, means that the actual recording time on the tape is shown at the bottom.
[INTERNAL TIMER REC]  P5
 [TIMER]START  END   T-M
 SUN ON  8:30   8:00 L24
 MON ON 12:00  14:00 L18
 TUE OFF
 WED OFF
 THU ON 14:00  23:00 L18
 FRI OFF
 SAT ON 12:00   8:00 L24
 DLY ON 18:00   8:00 L18
Weekly
Timer
Daily
Timer
Actual
Recording
Time
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
8:008:00
8:008:00
8:00
18:00
14:00
12:00
12:0014:00
8:00 18:00 8:00
18:00 8:0014:00 8:0018:00 8:0012:00
14:0023:0012:00
18:00
L24H
L24HL24H L18H L18H
L24HL18H L18H L18H L18H L18H L18H L18H L24H
8:30
8:00 8:30 L24H
L18H
•The day of the week time settings are displayed, enabling the settings to be checked for each day of the week.
•Proceed with the setting with due consideration given to the total recording time since a 120-minute tape is long
enough to provide recording for up to 240 hours only. 
						

							18
Timer Recording
External Timer  Recording
The unit can be made to record using an external timer to turn on its power.
(Audio timer available from dealer) Power Cord
To AC IN
Timer
TRACKING /
V-LOCK RESETPULL OPENCOUNTER /TIME MODESEARCHREC
ALARMEJECTREC REVIEWREC
REVFWD
External timer recording operations
qCheck that a video cassette with its tab intact has
been inserted.
•If the video cassette tape has not been inserted or if its accidental erasure prevention tab has been broken, EXT will
flash on the display, and external timer recording cannot be conducted.
•Since it takes some moments for recording to start, set the start time for timer recording one minute earlier.
•Depending on the tape position, some of the images at the start of the external timer recording may not be recorded
or may record over the images at the end of the previous external timer recording.
Auto Repeat Recording/Auto Rewinding
Auto repeat recording:This function automatically rewinds the cassette tape when its end is detected in the
recording mode, and it repeats recording from the start of the tape.
Auto rewinding:This function automatically rewinds the tape to the start when the tape end is detected in the
recording mode.
Check that a video cassette with its tab intact has 
been inserted.
Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU to 
display the menu screens. Press the page button to 
display Menu Screen 4 on the TV monitor.q
wPress the shift (    ) button to move the flashing to 
TAPE END.
Press the set (+ or –) button to display REPEAT for 
auto repeat recording or REW for auto rewinding.
“R” lights on the display.
•If auto rewinding has been selected, “R” is 
cleared.
Upon completion of the settings, set the MENU/ 
REC LOCK switch to OFF. The regular screen is 
restored.e
r
t
[REC MODE]            P4
  REC T-MODE : OFF
     TAPE IN : STOP
    TAPE END : STOP
[VIDEO MODE]
        MODE : AUTO
      DETAIL : ON
Notes of operation
•When auto repeat recording is to be performed, do not neglect the routine inspections. Since the image deteriorates
when the same tape is used over and over again for auto repeat recording, replace the tape with a new one after
about 50 recordings. When the tape is removed and then reinserted, the number changes to 01.
•Alarm signals are not accepted during auto rewinding, and so alarm recording is not performed.
•If an alarm signal is supplied during auto repeat recording, the alarm recording mode is established. If the tape then
reaches its end, auto repeat recording is performed but alarm recording is released.
•If TAPE END on Menu Screen 4 has been set to REPEAT, use a DURATION other than MANUAL.
•When the power cord has come out of the socket or a power failure has occurred, no operations will be
acknowledged for about 30 seconds after the power has been restored: this is to protect the tape.
wSet the TIMER MODE switch to EXT TIMER so that
EXT lights on the display. At the set time, power is
supplied from the external timer and the unit is set
to the recording mode. 
						

							19
Alarm Recording (Emergency Recording)
When an emergency occurs at the monitoring site during prolonged monitoring and recording, the alarm function is
automatically triggered, and alarm recording is performed.
Principle of Alarm Recording
Alarm input Alarm reset input
Time lapse mode Alarm mode Time lapse modeTape end
Tape start
L18 to 240 hours 6 hours L18 to 240 hours
•When an alarm signal is supplied by an alarm sensor
(door or intercom switch, etc.) during recording in a
time lapse mode, the recording speed is switched to
the 6-hour mode and the details of the state of emer-
gency are faithfully recorded.
Alarm and Display Methods during
Alarm Recording
ALARM display lamp
REC
ALARM
EJECTREC REVIEWREC
REVFWDTRACKING /
V-LOCK RESETPULL OPEN
COUNTER /TIME MODESEARCH
•When an alarm signal is supplied, the alarm display
lamp functions as follows.
Alarm
lamp
Alarm input Alarm reset
inputPower switch is
pressed twice.Off Flashing On
“A” display
appears
             11-17-01  6H
             10:14:30 A
Display
switches to
“6H”.
TV monitor
Connecting the Alarm Input
Connector
CAMERA
IN
OUT
TAPE END OUT
WARNING/
REC OUT
REC IN
COMMON
ALARM RESET IN
ALARM IN
AUDIO SW OUT
AC IN
Alarm switch
4 V – 14 V
Alarm reset switch Alarm switch
•Alarm recording starts when the alarm switch is set
on. When the alarm reset switch is set ON after
recording has started, alarm recording is released
and operation is returned to the original time lapse
recording mode.
•Alarm recording can be released by pressing the
STOP button during alarm recording.
However, it cannot be released even by pressing the
STOP button if the MENU/REC LOCK switch is at
REC LOCK or INT is lighted on the display.
•Alarm recording can be automatically reset without
supplying the alarm reset input signal.
The reset time can be set for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10
minutes.
•Another option is alarm recording only while the alarm
input signal is supplied.
•Alarm recording is also possible as far as the end of
the tape.
•When the alarm mode is OFF, alarm recording is not
possible even if the alarm switch is set to ON. 
						

							20
Alarm Recording (Emergency Recording)
Alarm Recording Operation
Check that a video cassette with its tab intact has 
been inserted.
Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU to 
display the menu screens. Press the page button to 
display the alarm recording setting screen (Menu 
Screen 3) on the TV monitor.
Press the set (+ or –) button to display ALARM for 
MODE.q
w
ePress the shift (    ) button to move the flashing to 
DURATION.
Press the set (+ or –) button to set the recording 
duration.
Upon completion of the settings, set the MENU/ 
REC LOCK switch to OFF. The regular screen is 
restored.
If an alarm input signal is subsequently supplied, 
the time mode set to 6H, and alarm recording 
continues until the alarm is released.r
t
 MODE : ALARM [ALARM]               P3
         MODE : OFF
     DURATION : 30SEC
[RECALL]   -
           -
           -
DURATION : 30SEC
•If TAPE END on Menu Screen 4 has been set to REPEAT, the auto repeat recording mode is established when the
tape comes to the end. When auto repeat recording is to be performed, use an alarm recording interval setting
other than MANUAL.
•With emergency recording, set the unit to the POWER OFF or STOP mode.
Alarm Recall
The date and time when the alarm signal was input can be ascertained on the TV monitor by checking the alarm input
time in the RECALL item on Menu Screen 3.
Set the MENU/REC LOCK switch to MENU to 
display the menu screens. Press the page button 
to display the alarm recording setting screen (Menu 
Screen 3) on the TV monitor.qUpon completion of the settings, set the MENU/
REC LOCK switch to OFF. The regular screen is
restored.
w
[ALARM]               P3
         MODE : ALARM
     DURATION : 30SEC
[RECALL] 10-10-01 20:19
          9-14-01 12:05
          8-30-01 08:40
          6-25-01 04:14
[OUTPUT SELECT]
 TERMINAL OUT : ERR WARN
•The alarm recall function stores up to 4 alarm input times in the memory and displays them on the screen. If there
have been more than 4 inputs, they will be deleted from the screen in sequence starting with the oldest data.
•When the RESET button is pressed while Menu Screen 3 is on the display, the alarm recall memory can be cleared.