This is a listing with commentary about the automatic functions and convenience features that went into making Beta VCRs friendlier, safer and easier to use. Some apply to every model and some do not. To see which of the modules listed below pertain to this particular model consult the numbers after Auto functions: in the models description. 1. Power failure alert: If a power interruption occurs the clock time in the display will show one of the following. A steady 12:00, a flashing 12:00, a flashing semicolon (:), all zeros (00 00 00), all eighths (88 88 88) or 0:00, if it uses military time. This usually indicates the clock time is now incorrect and that any stored programming information has been lost. This notification applies to every model. Notation: Some models have a power failure backup system that will save the clock and timer settings for a short time interval. If the power is restored during this grace period the VCR will recover and begin to operate normally. All settings will be retained. Models with this capability are identified in the features list. If the backup time is exceeded these units will also exhibit one of the indications describe above and all settings will be lost. 2. Auto power on: Upon the insertion of a cassette the VCR automatically turns on and loads the tape into the path. Most models will remain on but some will turn back off. Depends on the model. 3. Auto power on then playback: When a cassette with the safety tab removed is inserted in the VCR it will turn on, load and then begin playback automatically. Depends on the model. 4. Auto power on and eject: When the EJECT button is pressed with VCR is powered off and a cassette already inside and it will automatically turn on and the cassette will be ejected. The power will then either stay on or turn off. Pressing the eject button with no cassette inside also turns on the VCR. Depends on the model. 5. Auto rewind: After the tape has reached the end during playback or record it rewinds back to the beginning and stops. This feature applies to almost every late model. In most cases rewind is not activated when a timer recording comes to the end. Depends on the model. 6. Auto rewind with auto playback: When playing a cassette with the safety tab removed when it reaches the end the machine rewinds to the beginning and then starts playback. Also called continuous playback. Depends on the model. 7. Rewind with auto playback: Pressing the REWIND and PLAY buttons at the same time from STOP causes the tape to automatically rewind and begin playback when the beginning is be reached. Depends on the model 8. Auto record prevention: Recording or timer record is prevented when the cassette safety tab has been removed. The VCR will either do nothing, flash the cassette icon in the display or eject the cassette. See module 10 below. Notation: The cassette can still be used for recording by placing tape over the record prevention hole in the bottom left. This feature applies to every model. 9. Auto stop: Stops forward or reverse movement when the tape reaches the end. This feature applies to every model. Most models will rewind when the tape reaches the end during playback. See module 6 above. 10. Auto prevention eject: If the cassette (record prevention) safety tab has been removed and recording or a timer recording is attempted the cassette will be ejected automatically. If there is a "cassette inside" symbol in the display it will flash to indicate that the cassette cannot be recorded. Operation depends on the model. Also applies when attempting record using the remote. Notation: To record over a protected cassette place tape over the record prevention hole. See module 8 above. 11. Auto zero return stop: When REWIND is pressed the VCR it rewinds the tape to the all zeros position on the counter or display and then stops. Depends on the model. 12. Auto zero return then playback: When REWIND are PLAYBACK are pressed together with the MEMORY activated the VCR rewinds the tape to the all zeros position on the counter or display and begins playback. Depends on the model. 13. Auto volt adjust: Automatically adjusts the VCR to an AC current supply between 99-264 volts AC and 50/60 Hz. Or 110 to 240 volts AC at 50/60 Hz. Permits operation worldwide using various house currents. Depends on the model. 14. Semi-auto volt: Automatically adjusts to a current supply of 99 to 140 or 198 to 264 volts AC. Permits operation worldwide using various house currents at 50/60 Hz. Depends on the model. 15. Auto idle shut-off: Applies to portable Betas only. When operated using battery power if the machine sits idle for approximately eight minutes it will automatically turn off. This is done to conserve the battery. Depends on the portable model. 16. Auto search with function: Finds a particular location by manually entering the hours and minutes on a recorded tape. Some machines can be instructed to stop at that location or start playback from there. Depends on the model. 17. Auto index search: Stops or begins playback when a selected index mark on a recorded tape is detected. Requires a model that places index marks on the tape when a new recording starts or on instructed. The indexes are numbered and can be used to find specific locations on a tape. Some indexing VCRs can be commanded to play a short segment of the recording during rewind or fast forward when each index mark is detected. The number of index markings that can be handled per cassette depends on the model and tape length. Consult the models description for particulars on indexing. 18. Blank search: Finds the next location where there is no recorded area. Some machines can be instructed to stop at that location or start playback from there. Depends on the model. 19. Auto pause release This is a protection circuit that releases the pause mode that after approximately 8 minutes. All but the most primitive Betas will do this. It is a safety feature that is done to prevent damage to the video heads. Heat builds up from the heads striking the same spot repeatedly. This protection feature applies to every model kept in my inventory. 20. Auto tracking Pressing PLAY directs these VCRs to automatically search for and find the optimum tracking center location for the best picture. It does this by analyzing the video signal and the automatic gain circuit. It uses this information to modify the electronic location of the tracking center pulse. This pulse is the repetitive burst placed on the tape during recording that is used to start each video frame during playback. The circuitry alters the speed of the capstan slightly which changes the picture start point by a tiny amount. Once it finds the best location for the tracking center it stops searching and remains positioned there unless the VCR is unplugged, a different cassette is inserted or the RESET button is pushed. This feature is especially useful when playing back tapes made by other machines. NOTATION: Auto-tracking can be overridden if desired. It depends on the model how manual control is requested. Once switched to manual the tracking adjustment operators move the electronic location slightly (to compensate for the physical differences between recordings). Tapes made on this machine will require little or no auto adjustment. Tracking adjustment has no effect during recording. For more on auto-tracking click here. 21. Auto speed detection This is a control circuit that automatically detects the correct tape speed needed for playback. It does this by referencing the control track pulse signal that was placed on the bottom (linear) track of the tape during recording. This track location is reserved just for this burst and it controls both tracking and tape speed. From this recorded pulse the VCR will adjust the capstan rotation and the video electronics to reproduce the correct picture at the right speed. This works for recordings made on this machine as well as those made on others. NOTATION: The speed for eventual playback (Beta , or ) is determined when a recording is made. Adjusting the tracking during playback references the control pulse and moves it slightly to compensate for differences between machines. Adjustment is usually not needed for tapes recorded on this machine. If this model has auto-tracking it will also find the correct tracking center to obtain the best picture while also adjusting the speed. See module 20 above. Applies to all models. These auto functions were hard wired into various models. There were other characteristics that made Beta better. Open the "Features and Benefits" panel by clicking here. Also consult the "Operation and protection" panel by clicking here or on its link in the features list to find out how a Beta machine watches over itself and your tapes. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage