Vidicode Professional Telephone Answering Machine Manual

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 11
 Record  
 Rewind  
 Stop  
 Play  
 Fast forward  
 special PTAM key for selecting the next recording 
 
1.4 Switching the hard disk on and off  
The PTAM contains a hard disk, just like a Personal Computer. When using your 
PTAM you will notice that the hard disk switches itself on and off. This is 
mentioned because you may not be used to your PC switching itself on and off. 
Contrary to a PC, however, the PTAM has to be on permanent standby, and should 
never be switched off, but left to switch itself on and off as necessary.  
The maximum temperature the PTAM can work at is 50 degrees Celsius. If 
positioned in front of a window in the full summer sun, the PTAM will display a 
warning and the hard disk will temporarily not work.  
1.5 Accessories 
The following accessories are available for your PTAM:  
Foot pedal, article number 1195  
The foot pedal is useful when typing out recordings, in particular when one is 
making minutes of a meeting. It offers foot operation of the ‘play’, ‘stop’, ‘fast 
forward‘, and ‘rewind’ functions. The connection for the foot pedal is on the back 
of the recorder.  
Archive Software for Windows (versions ‘95/’98 and NT 4.0), article 
number 1186   
This software will read the contents of your PTAM into your PC, forming them 
into a database. This database is then used to search for important recordings 
that need to be saved permanently (they can be played by the PC straight away).  
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 12 After the recordings have been marked, they can be stored in your PC, and 
played at any time, using the PTAM as your output device.  
Table top microphone for recording meetings, article 1196  
When the PTAM is regularly used for recording meetings, a table microphone 
may be preferred to the headset microphone. Various models can be used; the 
article number above refers to a model that has been found to be highly 
satisfactory.  
Multi-media loudspeakers, article number 1197    
If the internal loudspeaker of the PTAM does not provide a sufficiently high 
quality of sound reproduction, multi-media loudspeakers with a built-in amplifier 
can be connected to the headset.    
PC connector cable  
Dialling via your computer and using archive software both require a cable to 
connect the serial port of your PC to your PTAM. The article numbers are: 
For connection to a 25 pin PC serial port: article number 4085  
For connection to a 9 pin PC serial port: article number 4086 
1.6 Guarantee conditions  
This section contains a general overview of the guarantee conditions. On request 
we will send you a copy of the complete text. 
Your PTAM has a 12-month factory guarantee. The guarantee is effective for 
normal use only. The guarantee is not valid under exceptional environmental 
conditions such as extreme temperatures or humidity levels, nor in the unlikely 
event of a lightning strike. The guarantee is also invalid if the machine has not 
been handled properly, e.g. in the case of dropping it, or knocking it against 
something else. Hard disks are fragile, and not built for such treatment. 
To claim under guarantee, you need to contact your supplier, submitting your 
receipt. If your supplier proves to be unable to help, the manufacturer can be 
contacted. The manufacturer reserves the right to determine the expiry date of 
the guarantee based on the production date. Transport costs from and to the 
supplier and/or manufacturer are for the customer’s account.   
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 13 The guarantee is for parts only. We would like to emphasize that neither the 
manufacturer nor the supplier can be held responsible for any costs resulting 
from the breakdown of the PTAM.  
1.7 Additional information about your PTAM  
The PTAM has various features not described in this manual. Additional 
information can be ordered, or downloaded from the Vidicode websites (Europe 
WWW.VIDICODE.NL – USA WWW.VIDICODE.COM). The following section 
gives an overview. A considerable number of configuration options have not been 
described here because they are not of interest to the average user, and very 
technical to explain. 
Some of the configuration options have been provided in response to special 
requirements from our customers. If you have any special wishes you should 
first ask advice from your supplier. Your dealer or other experienced 
programmers can assist you in further developing your PTAM’s options. For this 
purpose the PTAM comes equipped with its own programming language, Argus 
Basic. The Argus Basic manual can be ordered or downloaded from the Vidicode 
Internet websites.  
With additional software the PTAM can also be used as a ‘Call Recorder’, which 
has been specifically designed to record telephone conversations. Technically 
the two systems are identical, but the software and keyboard differ. The PTAM 
can be changed into a ‘Call Recorder’ for a fee, if so required.  
Your supplier can assist you with the installation of your PTAM via a 
dataconnection. You will be asked to press the keys of the recorder in a special 
way, enabling him to make a connection with the built-in modem of your PTAM via 
the telephone. Needless to say it is only possible to make this connection with 
your co-operation. 
1.8 Millennium compatibility 
The year 2000 will not affect the PTAM. At the start of the year 2000 the 
display will jump to 00. Recordings made in the year 2000 will be recognized as 
being more recent than those of previous years.  
If you decide to apply data from the PTAM in other installations, the millennium 
compatibility of these applications will be held to be your responsibility.   
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 14 Guarantee claims as result of a millennium problem will be treated as normal 
guarantee cases and treated under our registered delivery conditions. A copy of 
these can be sent to you on request.  
  
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 15
2 Installation 
2.1 Unpacking 
The PTAM comes supplied with the following:  

 Headset 

 Mains supply adapter  

 Telephone cable with 2 jack plugs with 6 contacts (RJ12)  

 Adapter plug for local telephone network  

 A mounting hook for the headset and a small plastic bag containing the 
necessary screws and rings 

 Manual    
The hook for the headset can be fixed to the recorder with the screws supplied.  
2.2 Connecting 
The way the PTAM is connected depends on the intended use.   
The mains supply power adapter should always be used to connect the mains wall 
outlet to the PTAM input labelled ‘POWER’.  
The headset should be used as well, unless another microphone or external 
loudspeakers are present. The headset connection is marked ‘HEADSET’.  
 
Use as a telephone   
The PTAM is used as your only telephone.  
Use the telephone cable supplied, which has RJ12 jacks, to connect the PTAM as 
a telephone. This is an American type of cable enjoying a growing popularity all 
over the world.  The supplied adapter plug may need to be used to connect the 
end of this cable to the telephone extension outlet. If your firm uses the so-
called RJ 45 telephone outlets, the wiring will differ, and we would recommend 
you to contact your supplier for advice.   
  
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 16  
Use together with a telephone  
The PTAM and your telephone stand next to one another. Either can be used for 
telephoning. The phone is connected to the port ‘PHONE’ at the back of the 
recorder, which 
is connected to 
the line via the 
port ‘LINE’  
If your 
telephone has a 
different type 
of plug, it should 
be inserted into 
the adapter plug 
supplied. This 
doesn’t affect 
the telephone.  
 
Use as normal 
audio recorder  
When the PTAM 
is used in this 
way, only the normal microphone port is used. 
2.3 Powering on 
Connect your mains supply adapter to the ‘Power’ connector at the back of your 
PTAM.  
Put the plug in the socket. The text:  
 
RESET
 
the connetions on the back panel  
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 17 followed by:   
 
INIT
 
with finally, for example:    
 
AWAY MO 19-08-98 10:53
Answering Machine
 
will appear on the display.  Instead of AWAY it could also say HOME.  There is a 
chance the screen will display:       
 
AWAY SU 01-01-96 00:00
*** Clock is wrong ***
 
with a wrong date and time, i.e. 01-01-96. In that case the clock has not been set 
yet, and should be set with the correct date and time first. See 5.3 for this. 
2.4 Configuring your PTAM for use   
Your PTAM is now ready for the following applications 

 Use as an answering machine   

 Use as a telephone   

 Use as an audio recorder    
The PTAM may not yet be set quite the way you want it. The answer message will 
have to be changed, and the timetable set. The audio recorder is ready for 
manual use, but if it is to record automatically it will need to be configured.   
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 18 
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 19
3 Using the PTAM    
This chapter contains the instructions for the various purposes to which the 
PTAM can be put.  
Three different types of recording are discussed: normal recording via the 
microphone connection; recording of phonecalls, and recording via the answering 
machine.  
3.1 Use as a telephone answering machine   
When the PTAM has been connected to the telephone network, it can be used 
straightaway. If it has not been configured any further, it works like any other 
telephone answering machine, with only a welcome text after which the message 
can be spoken in. 
Switching on and off     
The answering machine can be switched on and off with the ‘home/away’ key.       
When the switch is on ‘HOME’, the display will also say ‘audiorecorder’, to remind 
you of the possibility of recording via the microphone 
Recording and listening to welcome messages.  
First press the ‘announcements’ key; then press the ‘WELCOME’ softkey. You will 
see:  
 
Welcomemessage
SYSTEM DELETE STOP
 
The current message can now be played, or a new one recorded using the 
recording keys.  
Press the ‘Record’ key  (or the ‘Record’ and ‘Play’ keys) to record your message. 
To finish recording press the ‘Stop’ key. The message can then be listened to by 
pressing ‘Play’, or recorded  all over again.  When you are happy with it, press the 
softkey ‘STORE’ . Press ‘CANCEL’ if the message is not to your liking.  
						

							Handleiding PTAM  ©-1998 Vidicode Datacommunicatie BV 20 A maximum of 30 different welcome messages can be recorded, which can then 
be selected for recording, playing, or used as your current message, by pressing 
the following keys:  
0 - 9    select welcome message 0 to 9  
*0 - *9    select welcome message 10 to 19 
#0 - #9   select welcome message 20 to 29 
If any message other than 0 is chosen this will be indicated on the display:  
 
Welcomemessage 14
SYSTEM DELETE STOP
 
As soon as a welcome message has been chosen, the PTAM will record with that 
message. 
How to use the Timetable and Voice Response will be discussed in the next 
chapter. 
Listening to the messages 
If messages have come in during your absence the display will show, for example:  
 
AWAY Mon 19-08-98 17:09
32 new messages
 
The messages can be listened to straightaway by pressing the ‘answering 
machine’ function key. 
After the messages have been played, you have the choice of either storing or 
deleting them.  
Playing back old messages  
Press the function key ‘Call Recorder’. The display will show 
 
 
Playback Messages