When playing back a tape this feature automatically locates the exact tracking center for producing the clearest picture. This is a very convenient attribute. Adjusting the correct tracking for the sharpest picture has always been a necessary evil when it comes to playing tapes recorded using other VCRs, not just Beta. This variance between machines always happens because there are going to be tiny physical variences between units. Each one is unique no matter how well it is adjusted. Auto-tracking works like this. During recording a reference signal (a pulse) is produced by a stationary head in the ACE assembly. ACE stands for Audio, Control and Erase (audio record/playback, audio erase and control pulse record/playback). The control head positions the pulse on the tape shortly after it leaves the video drum. It has a specific location in the machine that does not vary. During playback this pulse is used to start each individual frame of the picture. Under normal circumstances if you record and play tapes on the same machine adjusting the tracking is not necessary. But if you play a tape recorded on another machine it might be slightly different due to the slight differences in the mechanical location of the ACE assembly. The amount will be small but it can be enough to cause the picture to show noise lines or flickering if it is not dead on center. All VCRs have a tracking knob or a control to adjust for these slight differences, but only two can do it automatically. This unique feature to the SL-HF2000 and SL-HF 2100 is called auto-tracking, and it is an addition to their regular manual control. They employ a special circuit that checks the control pulse and picture magnitude then automatically adjusts the tracking for the highest possible gain (strongest video signal). This feature can be turned off and the tracking adjusted manually if the picture is unstable or the control pulse is so weak that the circuit cannot correctly lock on to it. This can happen with tapes that were incorrectly recorded on a device that was out of adjustment. Auto-tracking is right most of the time but it can be fooled, especially by bad tape. It also has no affect (performs no function) during recording. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage