Tascam DA-88 - Precautions and Recommendations; Environmental and Tape Recommendations

Precautions and Recommendations
□ Environmental conditions
The DA-88 may be used in most area, but to maintain top
performance and prolong operating life, observe the
following environmental limitations :
1) Nominal temperature should be 5 to 35 degrees Celsius
(41 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
2) Relative humidity should be 30 to 90% (non¬
condensing).
3) Strong magnetic fields should not exist nearby,
o Install the unit in an area with proper ventilation.
Beware of Condensation : When the DA-88 is moved
from a cold to a warm place or used after sudden temperature
change, there is the danger of condensation ; water vapor in
the air could condense on the internal mechanism, making
correct operation impossible and causing damage to the
tape. If condensation occurs, and you attempt to load a tape,
this will automatically be ejected. To prevent this, if you
are going to use the unit in a condition where condensation
could occur, leave the unit for 1 or 2 hours with the power
turned on, then turn the power off before turning it on
again. Do the same when condensation has occurred too.
□ Recommended tapes
The DA-88 transport mechanism is aligned prior to
shipment for SONY Hi8 tapes (MP and ME) to provide
optimum recording and playback performance. As of
October 1993 the following brands and types of Hi8 tape
have proved satisfactory in operation.
MP: SONY, TDK, FUJI, BASF, 3M, DENON,
KONICA
ME: SONY, TDK, MAXELL, BASF
TASCAM cannot assume responsibility for problems
which may arise from inconsistencies in tape or shell
manufacturing quality. Frequent illumination of the DA-88
ERROR LED may indicate the possible presence of tape-
related dropouts. Should this occur we recommend that the
tape in use be changed before recording continues.
CAUTION
Never use tapes longer than 120-minute tape of NTSC
(P6-120, E6-120) or 90-minute tape of PAL/SECAM
(P5-90, E5-90). Also never use tapes which have been
used previously for video recording.
o The DA-88 senses the thickness of tapes inserted, and if
you attempt to load longer tapes than P6-150/E6-150
(NTSC) or P5-120/E5-120 (PAL/SECAM), they will
automatically be ejected.
□ Available record/play time
When used with the DA-88, Hi8 video tapes provide
different record/play times depending on whether they are
designed for the NTSC or the PAL/SECAM television
system, and therefore on the country where they are sold.
Labelled
time
Actual, available time
P6/E6 (NTSC)
P5/E5 (PAL/SECAM)
20
18
25
30
27
37
45
40
56
60
54
75
90
81
113
120
108
—
P6/E6 or P5/E5 is labelled on the tape package.
□ Cleaning the heads
After long periods of use, the heads may become dirty.
They should be cleaned after every 50 hours (or so) of
operation.
Be sure to use a dry cleaning tape designed for 8 mm
video.
First, if the machine is turned on, turn it off.
1. Press and hold both the ▲ and ▼ keys and press the
POWER switch.
"CLEAning" will flash in the display to indicate that the
machine is put into Cleaning mode.
2. Insert your cleaning tape.
Cleaning will start and, about 15 seconds later, the tape
will automatically be ejected, the machine quitting the
cleaning mode.
o You cannot let the cleaning tape run by means of any
transport control buttons. Never try to rewind it for reuse
by any means. Use a new cleaning tape only once thru,
o Excessive cleaning causes premature wearing of the
heads. Don’t repeat cleaning 5 times or more at a stretch,
o To maintain performance of the machine, besides head
cleaning (50 hours), a routine maintenance check is
recommended approximately every 500 hours.
□ Others
o To avoid electric shock or other accidents, don't open the
unit to clean inside or perform internal adjustments. The
user should not attempt at any servicing which is not
contained in this Owner's Manual,
o Before turning off the unit, be sure to remove the tape
from the unit. Leaving it in the unit for a long time
could cause damage to the tape,
o Don't cut tapes for any editing purposes. Such tapes
could make correct operation impossible or result in
accumulation of dirt on, or damage to, the heads,
o If a hum or ground loop develops, check the AC power
connection. If necessary, consult a person familiar with
studio grounding techniques.
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