VTech DM221 / DM221-2 Digital Audio Monitor

What's in the Box

The package typically includes:

• 1 set for DM221
• 2 sets for DM221-2

Note: Ensure the battery is inserted with the "THIS SIDE UP" marking facing upwards.

Getting Started

Install the Battery

The parent unit operates on a rechargeable battery or AC power. For continuous monitoring, use both simultaneously. The battery alone provides short-term cordless operation.

Notes:

• Use only the supplied battery.
• Rechargeable battery operating time is limited; connect to AC power for extended use.
• If storing for a long period, disconnect and remove the battery to prevent leakage.

Replace the Battery

To replace the battery, unplug the connector, remove the old battery, and install the new one following the installation steps.

Connect and Charge the Battery

Connect the parent unit and install its battery. The unit powers on automatically. The battery icon indicates its status.

Notes:

• Full charge takes approximately 11 hours.
• Charging is faster when the parent unit is turned off.
• Standby time varies based on sensitivity, usage, and battery age.

Battery Status Indicators:

Before Use

Note: This baby monitor is an aid and not a substitute for proper adult supervision.

Test Your Audio Monitor

Test the monitor before initial use and regularly thereafter.

Caution: For hearing protection, keep the parent unit more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from the baby unit. Adjust volume or distance if high-pitched noise occurs.

1. Ensure both baby and parent units are on.
2. Speak towards the baby unit's microphone; sound should be heard at the parent unit, and visual indicators should light up.

Note: If the parent unit displays "NOT LINKED" and [Not Linked Icon] flashes, move units closer (min. 1 meter/3 feet) or check power connections.

Tip: Increase parent unit speaker volume if sounds are not audible.

Positioning the Baby Monitor

Cautions:

• Keep the baby unit out of the baby's reach. Never place it inside the crib or playpen.
• Do not expose the baby unit to extreme heat or direct sunlight.

1. Place the baby unit more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from your baby.

2. Place the parent unit more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from the baby unit.

Caution: If high-pitched noise occurs, ensure units are at least 1 meter (3 feet) apart or lower the parent unit volume.

Operating Range

The operating range is up to 300 meters (1,000 feet) outdoors or 50 meters (160 feet) indoors. Actual range may vary due to environmental conditions and obstructions like walls.

Unit Overviews

Baby Unit Overview

• 1 Night light: On manually or triggered by sound; off manually or after 15 minutes of silence.
• 2 POWER light: On when the baby unit is powered on.
• 3 [Night Light Button]: Press to turn the night light on or off.
• 4 VOLUME [Volume Down Button]: Press to adjust speaker volume.
• 5 [Power Button]: Press and hold to power on or off.
• 6 PAGE [Page Button]: Press to start or stop paging the parent unit.
• 7 Microphone
• 8 Speaker
• 9 Power jack

Parent Unit Overview

• 1 Visual sound indicator: Shows sound level detected by the baby unit or speaker volume level.
• 2 LCD panel
• 3 Microphone
• 4 [Power Button]: Press and hold to power on or off. Press to return to idle screen from a menu.
• 5 VOLUME [Volume Up/Down Buttons]: Press to adjust speaker volume. Press to scroll down or up in menus.
• 6 SELECT [Select Button]: Press to choose an item or save a setting in menus.
• 7 Battery level indicator: Light on when charging, flashes when low, off when no battery.
• 8 MENU/BACK [Menu/Back Button]: Press to enter menus or return to the previous menu.
• 9 Speaker
• 10 TALK [Talk Button]: Press and hold to talk to the baby unit.
• 11 Power jack
• 12 Belt clip
• 13 Battery compartment cover

Parent Unit Display

Icons

• Connection status: [Strong Signal Icon] (strong), [Moderate Signal Icon] (moderate), [Weak Signal Icon] (weak), [Link Lost Icon] (lost).
• Night light auto-on: [Night Light Auto-On Icon] (feature enabled).
• Sound alert: [Sound Alert Icon] (enabled). Flashes when loud sounds detected and unit is muted.
• Vibration alert: [Vibration Alert Icon] (enabled). Flashes when loud sounds detected.
• Mute: [Mute Icon] (volume turned off).
• Battery status: [Charging Battery Animation] (charging), [Full Battery Icon] (fully charged), [Charging Failed Icon] (charging failed), [Low Battery Icon] (low level). No icon when no battery installed.

Screen Messages

• CHECK BATT: Abnormal battery charging.
• LINKED: Connection established.
• LOW BATTERY: Parent unit battery needs recharging.
• NOT LINKED: Link lost for over 10 seconds.
• PAGING: Parent units are being paged.
• SAVED: Setting saved.
• SEARCHING: Parent unit out of range or baby unit out of power.
• TALK: Parent unit is talking to the baby unit.
• TALKBACK: Another parent unit is talking to the baby unit.

Using the Baby Monitor

Power On/Off

Baby Unit: Press and hold [Power Button] to turn on/off. POWER light indicates status.

Parent Unit: Press and hold [Power Button] to turn on/off. Screen indicates status.

Note: Units power on automatically when connected to AC power or battery installed.

Adjust Speaker Volume

Baby Unit: Press VOLUME [Volume Up/Down Buttons] on the baby unit.

Parent Unit: Press VOLUME [Volume Up/Down Buttons] on the parent unit. Options range from VOLUME 1 to VOLUME 5, or OFF (indicated by [Mute Icon]).

Adjust Sound Sensitivity (Baby Unit)

Adjusts how sensitive the baby unit is to sounds. Higher levels detect more sounds.

Sensitivity Levels:

To adjust: Press MENU, select SENSITIVITY, choose level with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Note: Baby unit must be turned on to access this menu.

Sound Alert

Parent unit beeps when the baby unit detects sounds (when parent unit is muted). Enabled when [Sound Alert Icon] is displayed.

To enable/disable: Press MENU, select SOUND ALERT, choose ON/OFF with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Note: Setting is independent for each parent unit.

Vibration Alert

Parent unit vibrates when the baby unit detects sounds (when parent unit is muted). Enabled when [Vibration Alert Icon] is displayed.

To enable/disable: Press MENU, select VIBE ALERT, choose ON/OFF with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Notes:

• Parent unit vibrates briefly when vibration alert is set to ON.
• Setting is independent for each parent unit.

Night Light Auto-On

Automatically turns on the baby unit's night light when sound is detected. Enabled when [Night Light Auto-On Icon] is displayed.

To configure: Press MENU, select NIGHTLIGHT, choose AUTO ON, select YES/NO with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Notes:

• Baby unit must be on to access this menu.
• If night light is on and auto-on is set to NO, it will turn off.
• If auto-on is YES and night light is manually turned off, it won't trigger by sound for 5 minutes.
• Night light auto-off after 15 minutes of silence.

Language

Select display language (English, French, Spanish).

To change: Press MENU, select LANGUAGE, choose desired language (ENGLISH, FRANCAIS, ESPANOL) with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Note: Setting is independent for each parent unit.

Set Default

Restores default settings. Resetting one parent unit also resets shared settings (sensitivity, night light auto-on) for other parent units.

To reset: Press MENU, select SET DEFAULT, choose YES/NO with VOLUME buttons, press SELECT to confirm. Screen displays SAVED.

Talk to the Baby Unit

Press and hold the TALK [Talk Button] on the parent unit. The screen displays TALK. Speak towards the parent unit's microphone. Your voice is broadcast to the baby unit and other parent units.

Notes:

• If parent unit volume is OFF, it resets to default when TALK is pressed.
• While one parent unit talks, sounds from the baby unit are not transmitted.

Find/Page the Parent Unit

Press PAGE [Page Button] on the baby unit. All idle parent units will ring and display PAGING.

To end paging: Press any key on the parent unit or press PAGE on the baby unit.

Notes:

• Paging works even if parent unit volume is OFF.
• Baby unit cannot page units that are off, out of range, or currently talking.

General Product Care

• Keep away from heating appliances and devices generating electrical noise.
• Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
• Do not drop or treat roughly.
• Clean with a soft cloth.
• Do not immerse units in water or clean under a tap.
• Do not use cleaning spray or liquid cleaners.
• Ensure units are dry before connecting to mains power.

Storage

For long-term storage, remove the rechargeable battery from the parent unit. Store units and adapters in a cool, dry place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does the baby monitor not respond normally?

Solution: Disconnect power, remove/reinstall batteries in parent units, reconnect power, and wait for synchronization (up to 1 minute).

Why doesn't the screen of the parent unit go on when I switch on the unit?

Solution: The rechargeable battery may be empty. Connect the parent unit to AC power.

Why doesn't the POWER light of the baby unit go on when I switch on the unit?

Solution: Ensure the baby unit is connected to power.

Why does the baby monitor produce a high-pitched noise?

Solution: Ensure units are more than 1 meter (3 feet) apart.

Why does the parent unit react too quickly to other sounds?

Solution: Adjust the baby unit's sensitivity to a lower level or lower the parent unit's speaker volume.

Why don't I hear a sound / Why can't I hear my baby cry?

Solutions:

• Increase parent unit volume.
• Adjust baby unit sound sensitivity to a higher level.

Why does the parent unit beep?

Causes: Sound detected from the baby unit while in mute with sound alert on; baby units out of range; parent unit battery low.

Why can't I establish a connection? Why is the connection lost every now and then? Why are there sound interruptions?

Causes: Baby units may be out of range; interference from other electronic products (e.g., wireless routers, radios, cell phones).

Solutions: Move parent unit closer to baby units (min. 3 feet); install monitor away from interfering devices.

Important Safety Instructions

When using your equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury, including the following:

1. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
2. Adult setup is required.
3. This product is intended as an aid and is not a substitute for responsible and proper adult supervision.
4. This product is not intended for use as a medical monitor.
5. Do not use this product near water (e.g., bath tub, sink, swimming pool, wet basement, shower).
6. Caution: Use only specified batteries (e.g., rechargeable battery pack BT166342/BT266342 for parent unit). Do not dispose of batteries in fire; they may explode. Dispose of used batteries according to RBRC® information.
7. Use only the included adapters (Baby unit: Output: 6V DC 400mA; Parent unit: Output: 6V DC 400mA).
8. Power adapters are intended for vertical or floor mount positions. Prongs are not designed to hold plugs in place if plugged into ceiling, under-table, or cabinet outlets.
9. For pluggable equipment, the socket-outlet shall be installed near the equipment and shall be easily accessible.
10. Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners; use a damp cloth.
11. Unplug power cords before replacing batteries.
12. Do not cut off power adapters to replace them with other plugs, as this creates a hazardous situation.
13. Do not allow anything to rest on or crimp power cords.
14. Operate only from the indicated power source type. Consult dealer or power company if unsure.
15. Do not overload wall outlets or use an extension cord.
16. Do not place this product on an unstable surface (table, shelf, stand).
17. Ensure proper ventilation. Do not block openings (back/bottom) by placing on soft surfaces (bed, sofa, rug). Do not place near radiators or heat registers.
18. Never push objects into product slots, as they may touch dangerous voltage points or cause short circuits. Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.
19. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble. Take to an authorized service facility. Opening or removing parts other than specified access doors may expose you to dangerous voltages. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock.
20. Periodically examine all components for damage.
21. Be aware of possible loss of privacy when using public airwaves; conversations may be picked up by other devices.
22. Children should be supervised to ensure they do not play with the product.
23. The product is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless supervised or instructed by a person responsible for their safety.

Cautions

• Use and store between 32°F and 104°F (0°C and 40°C).
• Do not expose to extreme cold, heat, or direct sunlight. Do not place near a heating source.
• Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat such as bright sunshine or fire.
• Ensure baby unit(s) and adapter cord(s) are always out of reach of the baby, at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from the baby or crib, to avoid strangulation hazards.
• Never place the baby unit(s) inside the baby's crib or playpen. Never cover the baby unit(s) or parent unit with anything like a towel or blanket.
• Other electronic products may cause interference. Install your baby monitor as far away as possible from devices like wireless routers, radios, cellular telephones, intercoms, room monitors, televisions, personal computers, kitchen appliances, and cordless telephones.

Precautions for Users of Implanted Cardiac Pacemakers

Note: Applies only to digital cordless devices.

Wireless Technology Research, LLC (WTR) recommends that pacemaker patients:

• Keep wireless devices at least six inches (15 cm) from the pacemaker.
• Do NOT place wireless devices directly over the pacemaker (e.g., in a breast pocket) when turned ON.

WTR's evaluation did not identify any risk to bystanders with pacemakers from other persons using wireless devices.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)

This VTech product complies with all standards regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF). If handled properly and according to the instructions in this user's manual, the product is safe to be used based on scientific evidence available today.

The RBRC® Seal

The RBRC® seal on nickel-metal batteries indicates VTech Communications, Inc.'s voluntary participation in an industry program to collect and recycle these batteries at the end of their useful lives within the United States and Canada. The RBRC® program offers a convenient alternative to disposing of used batteries in trash or municipal waste. Please call 1 (800) 8 BATTERY® for information on Ni-MH battery recycling and disposal bans/restrictions in your area. VTech's involvement is part of its commitment to environmental protection and resource conservation.

FCC and IC Regulations

FCC Part 15

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the requirements for a Class B digital device under Part 15 of the FCC rules. These requirements are intended to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. If this equipment causes harmful interference to radio or television reception, users are encouraged to try to correct the interference by:

• Reorienting or relocating the receiving antenna.
• Increasing the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connecting the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consulting the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

RF Radiation Exposure Statement: The baby unit complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits for an uncontrolled environment. The baby unit should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 8 inches (20 cm) between the baby unit and all persons' bodies. The transmitter and antenna of the parent unit shall be held at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from your face.

Industry Canada

This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This product meets the applicable Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada technical specifications.

California Energy Commission Battery Charging Testing Mode

This baby monitor meets the California Energy Commission (CEC) regulations for energy consumption. The monitor is set up to comply with energy-conserving standards out of the box. The CEC battery charging testing mode is activated while charging, even if the parent unit is powered off.

For cETL Compliance Only

This section contains safety instructions in French, which have been integrated into the "Important Safety Instructions" section above.

Limited Warranty

This VTech Product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for ONE (1) YEAR from the date of purchase. This limited warranty covers repair or replacement of defective products at VTech's option, using new or refurbished parts. It does not cover misuse, accident, shipping damage, improper installation, unauthorized repair, or damage from external causes like fire, water, or liquid intrusion. To obtain warranty service in the USA, visit www.vtechphones.com or call 1 (800) 595-9511. In Canada, visit www.vtechcanada.com or call 1 (800) 267-7377. Proof of purchase is required. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary by state or province.

Technical Specifications

Specifications are subject to change without notice. © 2017 VTech Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.