VR204 4-Channel Digital Logging Recorder

Affordable Digital Voice Logging

The VR204 digital audio logger brings affordable digital logging to small and mid-sized public safety professionals who need recorded archives of telephone and radio transmissions. Its 4 channels store more than a month of recordings on a single, tiny DDS tape. Individual channel time and date stamps provide simple and fast searches of emergency communications. An internal hard disk provides instant recall, tape drive backup, and allows the unit to record and play simultaneously.

Unprecedented Storage Capacity

The VR204 provides powerful performance within a compact package. A single DDS-2 tape drive provides 550 channel hours of storage on a 120M DDS-2 tape, or choose the optional DDS-3 drive to store 1600+ on one 125M DDS-3 tape. That's more than two weeks when recording 4 channels, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Set the unit to record only when signal is present and you may get more than a month on a single tape! Industry standard DDS tapes fit in the palm of your hand, are economical, and require minimal storage space. Either drive option allows for software updates to new features and benefits by simply inserting an upgrade tape.

Intelligent Internal Hardware

The VR204 includes a standard internal hard disk that provides instant recall as well as instant access to the previous 540 channel-hours (larger disks are available) recorded without interrupting the record process. If, for any reason, the tape drive is offline (for example, it is being used for playback of an archive tape or if the tape is full), the hard disk will continue to record to full capacity. When the tape drive is returned to the record mode, everything recorded on the disk will be transferred automatically to the tape.

Eventide's exclusive SafeDrive^tm buffering system uses the internal hard disk to buffer recorded data for three channel hours before transferring it to the tape drive. This typically reduces the number of tape drive start-stop cycles by a factor of ten or more, enhancing the VR204's reliability compared with other digital logger brands.

Simple To Search and Play

Each channel's description and running time and date stamp is archived on the tape. Search from the front panel by simply choosing a channel and entering the desired time and date. The transport control keys for both the tape drive and the internal hard disk operate as the analog tape recorder controls you're used to. However, sophisticated software allows for a host of features you won't find on a simple tape deck. You no longer need to fast forward through irrelevant material; the NEXT key will skip from one message to another. Not knowing exactly what time you're looking for isn't a problem. Just enter a time you're sure is before what you need and press the SCAN key. The unit will play at triple speed, pausing every few seconds to play in real time. And these features only begin to describe the capabilities of this versatile machine.

Versatile Playback Capabilities

While one VR204 can play back tapes recorded on any other VR204, it can also play back any of the 48 channels recorded on an Eventide VR320, or 24 channels recorded on an Eventide VR240 or Dictaphone 9800 Logger. The economical VP204 play-only device is available with all the play back features of the VR204, but without an internal hard disk or the ability to record.

Proven Track Record

Eventide pioneered digital audio logging for public safety as well as broadcast applications. Thousands of Eventide-built loggers operate around the clock, around the world in critical applications.

VR204 Specifications

System Configuration

Number of DAT drives: 1 (DDS-2 or DDS-3)
Number of channels: 4

Hard Disk Drive

Normal Record Buffering: Up to 3 channel hours
Backup Record Buffering: Up to full capacity of disk
Instant Recall: Yes Audio Capacity: 540 channel hours (standard), 1230, 2460, 4900 channel hours (optional)

Removable Storage Media

Tape Recording Format: HP/SONY DDS-2 or DDS-3
Error Detection: 3 levels
Error Rate: <1 in 10(15)
DDS Tapes: 120-, 125-meter data grade
DDS Audio Capacity: 550 hours, 1600 hours

Search/Playback/Monitoring Capabilities

Live Record Monitor: Any combination of channels
Playback Monitor: Any combination of channels
Simultaneous Record and Play: Yes
Search Times: Hard disk - milliseconds, DDS tape - average 35 seconds
Search Criteria: Time/date, next message, channel #
Audio Outputs: Headset, line out, external speaker

User Interface

Display: 2 lines x 40-character backlit LCD
Soft Function Keys: 4 variable function keys
Fixed Function Keys: Record, Play, Rewind, Fast Forward, Stop/Eject
Keypad: 12 key
Screen Keys: Next and Previous
Channel Indicators: 4 channel status LED

Security

Password protected: Yes

Alerts

Audible and Visual: Drive fault, tape full, tape almost full

Input Characteristics

Frequency Response: 200 to 3400 Hz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 50 dB typical
Crosstalk: -60 db typical
Wow and Flutter: Unmeasurable
Input Impedence: 10K ohm
Automatic Gain Control: 10 milliseconds attack time, 100 milliseconds release time
Adjustable Vox: Threshold and hold time
Recording initiated: On, off, VOX
Sampling rate: 8 kHz, 8 bit
Compression rates: 16, 32, or 64 kb/sec
Adjustments: All audio adjustment from front panel
FCC-Approved Phone Interface: Internal, channel-selectable beep

System Diagnostics

Power on self test, error log, history log, system monitoring

Physical

Dimensions
Width: 14.6"/371mm
Height: 3.5"/88mm
Depth: 9"/229mm

Weight
15 lbs/6.8kg

Configuration
Compact desktop or 19" rack mount

Time Code Resolution: 1 second
Accuracy: 2 seconds per day
External sync: RS485/232 format 0,1, or 2

Power

90 to 250 VAC universal
47 to 63 Hz
75 watts max

Options and accessories

Smart label printer, larger capacity hard disks, 120M and 125M data-grade DAT cassettes, GPS time sync, play only unit

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