
Model VR240 Audio Logging Recorder
January 2000
2-7
2-3.6 Media Loading and Formatting.
Before you can record on a drive, the media must be FORMATTED. This process writes an
index and some machine-specific information on the media. The index is used to find specific
times when searching, and also serves as a permanent identification if, for some reason, the
physical label or box is missing. Recording will continue on the internal hard disk during the
format process. You can format on either drive or both drives simultaneously.
Loading and formatting 4MM and 8MM data cartridges;
Be sure to use only
data grade
DDS tapes.
Do not use
audio grade (DAT) tapes. These will
damage the tape drive and void all warranties. All DDS cartridges have a “write protect”
mechanism, a small plastic latch that covers a hole on the back of the cartridge (except 8mm).
The latch must cover the hole to allow the media to be written. Make sure this is the case
before continuing. On 8mm data cartridges, make sure the hole is uncovered. Insert your new
tapes in the VR240 by putting them in the slots, transparent side UP, write protect latch towards
you, until a gentle resistance is encountered as the tape is almost fully inserted. Apply just
enough pressure to overcome the resistance, and the drive will pull the tape in and begin the
loading process.
Loading and formatting magneto-optical disks and rewriteable DVD-RAM:
Magneto-optical disks and DVD-RAM come packaged in a protective case. The whole case is
loaded into the machine at once; do not try to remove the disk from the case. You will see a
small plastic “write protect” mechanism located on the bottom left of each side of the protective
case. The latch must be pushed all the way to the right (two red holes showing) to allow the
disk to be written. Make sure this is done before continuing. Insert your new magneto-optical
disks in the VR240 by putting them in the slots, either side up, with the write protect latch toward
you, until a gentle resistance is encountered as the disk is almost fully inserted. Apply just
enough pressure to overcome the resistance, and the drive will pull the disk in and begin the
loading process. Unlike a DDS cartridge, the DVD-RAM and magneto-optical disk can record
on both sides. When one side is full, turn the disk case over and reinsert it.
The VFD display will show the loading process for either the UPPER or LOWER drive. If you
are using new, unformatted media, the display will show Unreadable. (If the display shows
either drive to be Ready, it means that you have inserted formatted media. Since formatting
destroys all data on the media, make sure that it does not have any important information on it
before proceeding.)
All new media must be formatted before they can record. This takes about 4 minutes for a 4MM
DDS or 8MM cassette and a few seconds for a rewriteable DVD-RAM or magneto-optical disk.
You do not need to reformat the media to reuse it.
Follow this procedure to format new media:
a. Load an unformatted
Data Grade
DDS tape or rewriteable DVD-RAM into an available
drive. The drive status display will read Media unreadable.