Somebody with a PD-170 who has a few minutes, can you tell us what are those buttons on the box to the left of the handle? I have a VX2100, so I know the rest of the controls, but what are those buttons?

Please be as detailed as possible. Thanks.

Do you mean that mic apartment?
Then:
Rec ch select (CH1.CH2 - CH1)
selects if audio from input1 is written onto tape to track1 and track2 simultaneously or onto track1 only
If you use 2 mics, must be in CH1 position

Input level for input1 (LINE - MIC - MIC ATT)
determines sensitivity of input1. When in LINE position you can connect to input line level output (audio mixer output for example)
MIC pos.: for microphones
MIC ATT pos.: for some mics which provide higher level signal, and for some field audio mixers

+48V (ON - OFF)
provides +48V phantom power to mic. Electret mics need that for powering built-in amplifier
When you use supplied mic, input level must be in MIC position and +48V on.

Two switches left are Input level and +48V for input2.

Hope this helps
Margus

Thanks!