Tascam DA-38 - Manual (Page 4)

SECTION 3 : FORMAHING A TAPE
Audio can be recorded while formatting a tape (discussed
later). But it's wise of you to format the tape from the
beginning all the way to the end before recording audio.
The tape formatting process writes sub-code data such as
ABS time and setup data such as ATF (Automatic Track
Finding) signal onto a non-audio section of the tape.
3-1. How to Format a Tape (basic operation)
Y Switch power ON,
You'll notice that a machine ID number (" id n a '"
for example) and other indications appear on the
display.
See Section 7 for an explanation of the machine ID
number.
2 Insert a new Hi8 tape into the DA-38.
- L u Rd - - " will appear on the display to show
that the tape is being loaded.
IMPORTANT
• The DA-38 is designed to operate only with Hi8
video tapes. You cannot use any other tapes.
• The DA-38 automaticaliy ejects tapes thinner than
8.5 pm: 150-minute or longer tapes.
^ Press REW to rewind the tape all the way to the
beginning.
When the beginning is reached, "fa of' (beginning of
tape) will appear on the display,
4 Press the FORMAT/Fs switch.
The FORMAT indicator will start blinking on the
display.
• Unless you perform the next step (5) within five
seconds, the formatting mode is disabled and the
FORMAT indicator turns off. Should this occur,
press the FORMAT/Fs switch again.
^ While the FORMAT indicator is blinking, press the
FORMAT/Fs switch once more.
The FORMAT indicator will glow solid to show that
the unit is ready to format the tape.
* If you want to cancel the format ready mode at this
stage, press CLEAR and the FORMAT LED turns off.
Q The FORMAT/Fs switch now acts as a sampling rate
selection switch, so press the switch until the required
rate shows on the display.
NOTE
If a digital signal is fed into the DA-38 (as indicated by
the DIGITAL IN indicator tit on the display), the unit is
automatically switched to operate at an incoming
sampling rate, and the Fs switch does not operate.
7 To start formatting the tape, hold RECORD and press
PLAY,
The RECORD button will light up. When the tape is
formatted all the way to the end, it will automatically
rewind, stopping at "u u 0 0 D D D u".
Suggestion: You can record audio on a track selected
by the REC FUNCTION switch while at the same
time the tape is formatted.
IMPORTANT
• Be sure to format the tape from beginning to end in
one continuous stroke. Do not interrupt the format
process.
• When a tape is being formatted, any transport
contols do not operate except for STOP.
• When a tape is being formatted, you cannot
change the sampiing rate. (This is also true when
audio recording is in progress.)
• When the dispiay shows a negative ABS time,
audio cannot be recorded, as confirmed by a blink­
ing RECORD LED.
3 * 1