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I have a panasonic professional digital audio tape recorder

 
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Customer Question

I have a panasonic professional digital audio tape recorder sv-3800. When I try to play back DAT tapes I'm getting no audio. The tape is moving but nothing registers on the left or right channel or comes out of the headphones. Any idea? Thanks
XXXXX XXXXX

 

Optional Information:
Make: Panasonic
Model: sv-3800

Already Tried:
I've tried 4 different dat tapes that have played in the past.

Submitted: 346 days and 1 hours ago.
Category: Recorders and Players
Value: $28
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days and 1 hours ago.


Rusty the Tech :

Hello, my name is Rusty. I can help you.

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days and 1 hours ago.

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

It seems like it's recording, but from the wrong source.

Press the input button on the front of the machine until the correct input is selected. Here are the key settings:

  • Set SAMPLING RATE -- Slide SAMPLING RATE switch to either 44.1 K or 48K. We recommend doing all recording at 44.1K to avoid sample rate conversion when ultimately burning CDs.
  • Using the INPUT button, select between ANALOG or DIGITAL Input depending on your source. If you are recording from the mixing console, select ANALOG. If you are recording from a digital device (another DAT player, Pro Tools or Sound Designer, the digital output of a synthesizer), make certain the digital signal is routed properly to the DAT using our Digital Patchbay software and that the device is set to the identical sample rate. If the DAT is not receiving a proper digital signal, then the light under the INPUT label will be flashing -- recheck the routing and sampling rates.
  • For ANALOG recording, set the REC LEVEL knobs. Because of the way we have matched levels between the DATs and the mixing console, these knobs can usually be set at maximum volume and the overall recording level controlled from the mixing console. For DIGITAL input, the level is fixed by the input device and no further control is possible.
  • You will usually want to have the PNO/START ID AUTO button off, or it will generate a Start ID at each silence.


If you need to re-initialize the machine, after holding down the "Counter Mode," "Counter Reset" and "Pause" buttons, release only "Pause", and then press "stop." The display will read "00000"

Let me know if you need any more help.

Customer replied 346 days ago.

I can't find where you left an answer. Where is it?

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

It seems like it's recording, but from the wrong source.

Press the input button on the front of the machine until the correct input is selected. Here are the key settings:

  • Set SAMPLING RATE -- Slide SAMPLING RATE switch to either 44.1 K or 48K. We recommend doing all recording at 44.1K to avoid sample rate conversion when ultimately burning CDs.
  • Using the INPUT button, select between ANALOG or DIGITAL Input depending on your source. If you are recording from the mixing console, select ANALOG. If you are recording from a digital device (another DAT player, Pro Tools or Sound Designer, the digital output of a synthesizer), make certain the digital signal is routed properly to the DAT using our Digital Patchbay software and that the device is set to the identical sample rate. If the DAT is not receiving a proper digital signal, then the light under the INPUT label will be flashing -- recheck the routing and sampling rates.
  • For ANALOG recording, set the REC LEVEL knobs. Because of the way we have matched levels between the DATs and the mixing console, these knobs can usually be set at maximum volume and the overall recording level controlled from the mixing console. For DIGITAL input, the level is fixed by the input device and no further control is possible.
  • You will usually want to have the PNO/START ID AUTO button off, or it will generate a Start ID at each silence.


If you need to re-initialize the machine, after holding down the "Counter Mode," "Counter Reset" and "Pause" buttons, release only "Pause", and then press "stop." The display will read "00000"

Let me know if you need any more help.

Customer replied 346 days ago.

Still not getting audio from dat tapes. Just trying to play already recorded audio

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

Are you sure there is something on the tape?

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

Go into your menu. Make sure the I/O connector is assigned properly. If it is, let me know and we'll keep working down the line.

Digital I/O connector ("II AA" is default, "II AI" sends SPDIF out the AES jack, "IA AA" sends AES out the SPDIF jacks, "IA AI" swaps defaults outputs.)

Customer replied 346 days ago.

Sorry, but I don't see a mode button on the front of the machine

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

I don't understand why you would need a mode button...

If you are certain that the tape has a recording on it (you can check by using your analog outs and make sure the levels are up), you need to assign your outputs. Go into your menu, set your output. These are your output options:

  • 0 : Digital Output Format ("AES", "IEC C" is coaxial S/PDIF, and "IEC 0" is optical.)
  • 1 : Digital I/O connector ("II AA" is default, "II AI" sends SPDIF out the AES jack, "IA AA" sends AES out the SPDIF jacks, "IA AI" swaps defaults outputs.)
  • 6 : Analog Output Level Adjustment (ranges from -6 thru +4 dBU, "rew" and "rev" buttons step up/down to -10dBU.)

Adjust those accordingly to the way your output is hooked up. Make sure if you use digital out, set that properly, if you use analog out, make sure that is set properly.

Customer replied 346 days ago.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean mode, like I said. I meant I can't see a menu button

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

Sorry about that, I guess that's the important part... Smile

How to access the menu:
Simultaneously press the "Counter Mode," "Counter Reset" and "Pause" buttons. The display will change to show a menu of items. To scroll through the various menu items, press the "Counter Mode" button. To change the values of the items, press the "skip forward" and "skip backward" buttons. To exit these menus, press "Counter Reset."

Customer replied 346 days ago.

I checked the menu settings and they seemed fine. I tried it again and it worked for a minute then stopped again. There was a flashing light that read "cleaning" I think. Could the head be dirty?

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 346 days ago.

Yes. The digital signal will either be crystal clear, or not at all.

Customer replied 345 days and 21 hours ago.

Is cleaning the head something I can do?

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  Rusty the Tech replied 345 days and 21 hours ago.

Yes. Click here. They're also available at Fry's, Best Buy, etc... Heads get gunked up, and don't read correctly over time. It should be done for every 10 hours of use.

Expert TypeEngineer
Category: Recorders and Players
Pos. Feedback: 93.4 %
Accepts: 348
Answered: 4/24/2012

Experience: Karaoke Systems Manager, signal specialist, all recorders and players expert

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