After the insertion of a cassette, this Beta waits for a function request before it decides to send the tape inside the machine. From this standby mode (cassette down), pressing the PAUSE button causes the tape to load inside and place the VCR into playback pause mode. Since it is now paused, pressing REC (record) will put the machine in the record pause mode. In either case, pressing the pause button again will start tape movement. Most other models load the tape immediately upon insertion; this one doesn't. The rewind and fast-forward modes are executed from the standby mode, and the tape stays inside the cassette. That is why it travels inside and down, and then waits. Pressing PLAY while in the pause mode will also start playback. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage