Step-motion and single-frame advance is moving a still picture one frame at a time during pause. To view single-frame advance the VCR is placed in the pause mode (still mode or freeze-frame) during playback. The tape is then moved forward one frame at a time while still in pause using the remote or a button on the VCR. Some models with this feature only do it forward and do not necessarily do it in reverse. Step-motion (or Flash-motion) is a feature that advances the still picture one direction or the other at a predetermined rate during the pause mode. To view step-motion the VCR is fist placed in pause during playback. Next the desired speed the tape will travel in step-motion is then selected. The most common are 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5 frames per second. The VCR will then pulse the still picture as single frames at the pre-selected speed in forward (some in reverse). Tracking sometimes needs to be adjusted to obtain the clearest picture during step and some models have a dedicated adjustment knob just for this. Some units also have a special circuit that automatically finds the clearest picture during these pause modes. They do this by moving the capstan slightly to line-up the pictures sync point. These models do not require a tracking adjustment during pause. Models with digital special effects display the step and freeze picture as a stored image rather than taking it directly from the tape in real time. ©Misterßetamax go to homepage