Tech Support / FAQ's

Welcome to Arion's FAQ page. On this page you can review commonly asked questions with the answers.

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Where do I purchase Arion equipment?

Arion equipment is sold through dealers, distributors and direct from our factory. Contact our professional customer service representatives to help you locate the dealer or distributor nearest you. Phone: or Fax: or E mail: alexbeginin@gmail.com

What if the example of a product grouping is not the exact items I want?

Our specialty is designing customized packages to include just the items you need. We understand that everyone is unique and that our equipment is used for very specialized applications. We are happy to fax, mail or E-mail a custom quotation.

How is my order sent to me?

While UPS Gound Service is our most common shipping method, we also ship over night and two day air service to expedite orders when requested. While placing an order, the Arion customer service representative will ask how you want the equipment shipped. We can accomodate most shipping method requests and quote the current rates.

Do you offer after sale service?

Yes, we offer toll-free technical support with every purchase. Arion's superior customer support staff makes sure you are up and running and is always there to answer any questions you may have.

What is your return policy?

Goods may be returned within 15 day of receipt. Prior authorization is required. Authorization is obtained by calling and asking for customer service. Returns must be in new condition, free of any damage including but not limited to nicks, scratches or any type of blemishes. All original packing materials and documentation must accompany any return. All manufacture's original warranty cards, clear of markings and writing must also be included. There is a 7% restocking fee on all returns.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes, all major credit cards are accepted. We also accept money orders, cashier's checks and personal checks. For personal checks, please allow 7 - 10 days before shipment.

If my Arion product ever needs service, where do I send it?

We offer "Fast-bak" Service. If you ever have a problem, your unit will be fixed and on its way back within 24 hours. Because we still service many of our discontinued products, some repairs may require slightly longer time. Contact customer service before sending back any unit for information on how to expedite service.

Can I upgrade my equipment after purchasing?

Arion offers Buyer Protection. Trade up your Arion product within 6 months of purchase and receive 100% credit toward your new unit.

PRODUCT QUESTIONS

What is Mate-Trac?

The world's leading synchronization signal, Mate-Trac, is the trade-mark name for the ingenious digital signal Arion developed to synchronize the dissolver to an audio tape. The programmer/dissolver generates and sends the signal to the audio/visual tape recorder's sync track. This gets recorded onto the cassette tape in the transport of the recorder. When playing back the show, the Mate-trac signal runs off the cassette tape into the Arion dissolver through a cable. The dissolver reads the signal and in turn controls the projector exactly as recorded. Mate-trac is the ingenious signal that virtually eliminates synchronization problems associated with low cost dissolvers. This means your slides appear on the screen only at the appropriate time. Even if your audio tape is rewound or forwarded - then played, the slides will seek out their proper locations and continue in synchronization. Mate-trac is also compatible with the Kodak PDC, SP Programmable and other Arion dissolvers, so all those old show will run flawlessly on a Mirage Dissolve Control.

What is the difference between a fade and dissolve?

A fade is the graceful process of turning on or off projector lamp(s) in unison at a selected rate. A dissolve is the process of one lamp fading on (or off) while another is fading off (or on) at a selected rate. Because the slides overlap as they move back and forth between projectors, it eliminates the annoying black screen between slides and harsh contrast on the eyes. Both fading and dissolving projector lamps with an Arion dissolve control give your slides an exciting professional look.

Why can't I use my home stereo to synchronize shows?

When producing slide shows that are to be synchronized with audio tape, it is necessary to use a tape recorder that has at least two separate audio tracks with channel separators to keep the sync signal and the music from bleeding into each other. The tape heads of a home stereo and an Audio/Visual cassette recorder like the Allegro 5000, have very different functions. A home stereo cassette recorder uses tape heads that divide the tape into four tracks and plays two tracks in one direction and two track in the opposite direction creating the side A and side B on the cassette. (fig 1.) When the A side of the tape is played, you hear the left and right tracks. When you flip the tape over to the B side, you hear the other two left and right tracks. AV cassette recorders use a tape head that divides the tape into two tracks (fig 2) These machines are monaural sound. When playing the A side of a cassette on the recorder, the audio is heard through the speaker while the synchronizing signal is played directly into the built-in synchronizer or external dissolve control. If you were to flip the cassette to the B side, you would hear the sync signal being played backwards through the speaker. With AV sync recorders you can record and play on only one side of the cassette tape. The normal process of assembling a slide show begins with the recording of the music/narration. With the audio portion complete, you then can concentrate on combining your visuals with the audio. This is when you need to listen to the audio and record the synchronizing signals from the dissolve control. Home stereos would require that you record your music/narration and record the sync signals from the dissolve control all at the same time. Though it can be done, it is a very difficult process. Making a single mistake can mean starting over from the beginning. The AV recorder allows independent record control over each channel.

I've heard that Multi-Track recorders like those used by amateur musicians can also be used to record my show, is this true.

This is true. Multi-Track Recorders use tape heads that divide the tape into four tracks similar to the home stereo tape head format with the big difference that all four tracks of the multi-track play in same direction. As with two track recorders you can record and play on only one side of the cassette tape. With four tracks available you could have Left and Right stereo audio and still have two tracks left for the synchronizing signal and narration.

Which is right for me, stereo or monaural sound?

First ask yourself these questions: Will I travel to various locations to give my presentation or will I use one permanent location? What size is the room and how many people in the audience? What is more significant for my goal in reaching the audience, the music or the slides?
Monaural sound is generally preferred for presenters that travel with their shows and set up in a variety of room sizes. Monaural sound is one way to make certain that everyone in the room, regardless of seating placement, hears all the audio sounds. Each speaker spreads the full range of sound evenly around the room. The speakers are generally placed above the audience toward the back or front of the room. Presenters who do not travel and use smaller, more controlled environments, with good acoustics, may prefer stereo sound. Placement of the audio speakers is much more critical for stereo sound because each speaker is not sending out the same sounds. Stereo divides sounds between speakers, usually left and right. Depending on where the person is seated in the room in relation to the stereo speaker, they may hear one speaker better than the other, therefore hearing only half of the audio sounds. Cost and set up time increase when using stereo as more than two speakers may be required to fill the room. Monaural sends the full range of sounds out of each speaker. Except to the ear of a music purist, monaural sound retains good quality and blends well with visual presentations.

What is the difference between a Mirage 701 and 901 Dissolve Control?

The Mirage 701 is a great basic two projector programmable slide dissolver, while the 901 model adds dazzling screen effects for more artistic and creative shows. The 901 model allows superimposing, , laying one slide over the other for special effects and title slides. Education and training slides are a common use with the Mirage 701 model. The most popular dissolve control, the Mirage 901 adds more of an entertainment flair to almost any slide show. See our Mirage webb page for details of functions and specifications for each dissolver.

I cannot send or receive the Mate-Trac sync signal, what is the matter?

The absents of the signal may be corrected by one or a combination of many factors.
One of the most common reasons for a missing sync signal is worn out, damaged or defective sync cables. Replacement audio cables can be purchased at any audio/visual supply store. It is always a good idea to keep a spare set of new cables on hand.
Another common reason is worn out, damaged or defective cassette tapes. Having duplicates made of the original tape for back-up purposes is always a good idea.
Check the cassette tape to make sure the record-protect tabs have not been removed.
Dirty tape heads on the cassette recorder can be another factor. Clean as directed in the recorder's Instruction Manual
The "Program" button on the programmer must be turned on and lit when recording the signal.
Contact Arion for other reasons specific to your application and equipment.

While playing back my show the images "pop" on the screen or the trays skip around.

If the green light flickers this indicates that a poor quality SYNC signal is being received from the tape. Clean and demagnetize the tape heads according to the manufacture's instructions to remove a build-up of dirt and oxide on the tape head.
If the irregularity in the presentation occurs at the same time the SYNC light flickers, the problem is related to the tape recorder. For example, the tape head of the tape recorder can go out of alignment. Re-alignment must be done by a qualified service technician.
If the irregularity in the presentation occurs at the same location each time the tape is run, it is strong indication of a damaged tape or a programming error.