Otari TMD cue signal
The Otari TMD cue signal is a tone played during the initial stretch of black screen at the start of a video program, used to indicate where Otari's automated tape loaders should cut the pancake. It is normally a low, rumbling sound.
Known Duplicators where the cue signal was at the start
[edit]- Centercom Inc. (one known copy of Read to Discover, but it was too far at the beginning to be played back on a normal VCR)
- Mirror Image Duplication Services
- Premiere Video (one known copy of Schoolhouse Rock!: Grammar Rock, but it was too far at the beginning to be played back on a normal VCR)
- Resolution (one known copy each of Biography: Santa Claus and The Greatest Generation, but it was too far at the beginning to be played back on a normal VCR)
- West Coast Video Duplicating (although on most tapes, this was usually too far at the beginning to be played back on a normal VCR)
Known Duplicators where the cue signal was at the end
[edit]- Cassette Productions
- Mirror Image Duplication Services (although on most tapes, this was usually too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
- Premiere Video (this was usually too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
- Resolution (this was usually too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
- West Coast Video Duplicating (although on most tapes, this was usually too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
Known specimens from duplicators that have yet to be confirmed, but said specimens had the cue signal
[edit]- Golden Grahams Classic Book Videos!: Treasure Island (Children's Video of America, Inc.)
- Live Action: Quarterly Hunting & Fishing Video Magazine - Premier '95 Issue
- The Real Bruce Lee (Platinum Disc Corporation, 1998)
- Ronald Reagan: An American President (Edmond Associates, 1989) (this was too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
- Rudolph's Lessons for Life (Montgomery Ward) (this was too far at the end to be played back on a normal VCR)
Trivia
[edit]- Rank Video Services America is the only Otari TMD duplicator to use its own custom cue signal on their TMD tapes.