Sony GV-500 User Manual

SONY*

Video TV Recorder

GV-500

Operating Instructions

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

3-753-850-21 (2)

WALKMAN

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

CAUTION

ftlSK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

00 NOT OPEN

CAUTION. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.

DO HOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).

NO USER^ERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.

REFER SERVICING TO QUAUFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated ‘dangerous voltage’ within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. GV-SOO

Serial No..

INFORMATION

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not instailed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception, it has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient the receiving antenna Relocate the equipment with respect to the receiver

Move the equipment away from the receiver Plug the equipment into a different outlet so that equipment and receiver are on different branch circuits.

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technicictn for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal

Communications Commission helpful: “How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems”. This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.

Note to CATV system installer:

This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer’s attention to Article 820-40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specified that the cable ground shall be connected to the grouncfing system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

Television programs, films, video tapes and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such material may be contrary to the provisions of the copyright laws.

PCM recording/playback is not possible with this unit. The PCM sound recorded with another

recorder cannot be played back with this unit.

For using this unit abroad, see page 76.

raamiiHiEBiij

Preliminary

Connecting other equipment

Features..................................................................................................... 5

Location of parts and controls

Power sources'.........................................................................................11

Setting the date and dock...........................................................................18

Presetting TV channels..............................................................................22

Watching TV programs.............................................................................. 26

Listening to stereo programs or SAP broadcast..........................................30

Adjusting the picture and sound................................................................ 31

Using the SLEEP timer

Inserting a cassette....................................................................................34

Recording TV programs

Recording stereo programs or SAP broadcast............................................40

Timer-activated recording.......................................................................... 41

Playing back the recorded tapes Playing back the desired portion repeatedly—A-B repeat

function...............................................................................................50

Using indexes-to find the desired scene quickly

Settings in the VTR MODE SET menu.........................................................57

Connecting an outdoor antenna and CATV cable........................................60

Connecting other VCRs or monitors.......................................................... 61

Editing tapes............................................................................................. 69

Precautions

Maintenance............................................................................................. 74

Notes on moisture condensation

Using your video TV recorder abroad......................................................... 76

Specifications........................................................................................... 77

List of recommended accessories

Troubleshooting........................................................................................80

List of on-screen displays.......................................................................... 82

Quick reference for timer recording

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Preliminary

The “Video Walkman* GV-SOO is an 8 mm video recorder with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).

Its compact and lightweight design allows you to watch TV programs and video tapes anywhere

and anytime you like.

With this video TV recorder, you can:

- view the playback picture of 8 mm video tapes.

- view TV programs.

- record TV programs.

In addition, by connecting it to a video camera (not supplied), you can record pictures with the camera, and play back the recorded pictures on it immediately.

0№er FM^res

- Menu function for setting six items

- Hi-fi stereo for high quality sound*

- Stereo TV tuner for enjoying stereo programs or SAP (Second Audio Program) broadcast**

- Index function for finding the desired scenes quickly

- A-B repeat function for playing back the desired portion repeatedly

- CRYSTAL-CLEAR still/slow/picture search on LCD

- Timer-activated recording

- SLEEP timer for turning off the unit automatically

- MEGA BASS circuit for dynamic bass sound

- SURR (surround) function for enjoying wide soundscape

- Playback of tapes recorded in Hi8 video system

fim-fi Stetig SysteiiT

On the 8 mm video standard track, the sound is recorded/played back in Hi-fi monaural. The PCM digital stereo sound is recorded/played back on the PCM track as an option. With this unit. Hi-fi stereo sound can be recorded on the standard track.

To maintain compatibility with the conventional Hi-fi monaural equipment, the Hi-fi stereo sound

is recorded as L-R sound using the 1.7 MHz carrier and L+R sound using the 1.5 MHz carrier as the FM audio signal. To playback the tape recorded by its hi-fi stereo system, this unit uses a matrix circuit to produce the L and R stereo sounds separately. When conventional Hi-fi monaural equipment is used to play back a tape recorded in Hi-fi stereo, it will produce the L+R monaural sound because it can reproduce only the 1.5 MHz carrier. The Hi-fi stereo system of this unit provides a live stereo sound atmosphere even when using the 8 mm video standard track.

This unit uses 8 mm video format cassettes. It records in the SP mode (approximately 1.43 cm/ second) and the LP mode (Approximately 0.72 cm/second) and can play back in the SP mode

and LP mode. The quality of the playback picture in the LP mode, however, will not be as good as that in the SP mode.

**SAP (Second Audio Program) Broadcast

This unit can receive SAP broadcasts automatically when AUTO SAP is set to ON in the VTR MODE SET menu. When an SAP broadcast is received, sound is recorded using the 1.5 MHz

carrier.

When an SAP broadcast is not received, main scund is recorded. When AUTO SAP is set to OFF in the VTR MODE SET menu, main sound is recorded on the normal track.

Menu Display Function

The GV-500 is equipped with a menu display function. Menu display enables you to perform

certain operations which are displayed on the screen.

First open the front cover and push MENU.

A MENU display showing six setting items will appear on the screen. Select the desired item so that the screen changes to the desired setting display. Then operate for the setting, watching the display on the screen.

MENU Display

Menu item

TIMER SET

SLEEP TIMER

Setting purpose

To preset a timer-activated recording To turn off the unit automatically after a certain

time

Reference page

VTR MODE SET

TV ADJUST

CLOCK SET

TUNER PRESET

• To select to receive SAP broadcast (AUTO SAP

ON/OFF)

• To select to receive TV programs in stereo or

monaural (AUTO STEREO ONADFF)

• To set the unit in the edit mode (EDIT ON/OFF)

• To adjust the tracking for the still picture or slow

motion playback picture (SLOW TRACKING)

• To adjust color intensity (COLOR)

• To adjust tones (HUE)

• To adjust color and tones to the standard levels

(STANDARD)

To set date and clock

To preset TV channels

For details, refer to the pages indicated in •.

Parts used for watching TV programs

BRIGHT (brightness) control ®

VOL (volume) control 9

POWER switch 9 9

CHANNEiyiNDEX +/- buttons 9

PUSH OPEN ▼ button 9 9

Lithium battery compartment 9 Speaker

LCD ON/OFF button 9

INPUT SELECT button

-----------

.-S

1 та

CB---------DATA SCREEN button 9

®o

^------------^SEEK button 9

Cursor direction buttons ENTER button

—MENU button J

-ВАТТ (battery eject) knob

■Telescopic antenna Battery mounting surface

99 9

Parts used for VCR playback/recording

CHANNEL/INDEX +/- buttons ® ® POWER switch

INDEX button

Indication lamps

TIMER REC (recording) lamp ® ®

REC (recording) lamp ®

A-B REPEAT button ®

Tape transport buttons ® ® !»■ SLOW button II PAUSE button

◄◄ @ REW (rewind) button © ►► FF (fast-forward) button > PLAY button □ STOP button

TIMER CLEAR button® TIMER CHECK button® TIMER REC (recording) ON/OFF button!

± EJECT button ®

ENTER button Cursor direction buttons

MENU button

INDEX ERASE button®

INDEX MARK button ®

REC (recording) switch ®

® ® ®

Parts used for connection

-RFU DC OUT jack®

-VIDEO AUDIO INA)UT jacks ® ®

CAMERA connector ® ® ®

Getting Ready

Place

Indoors AC power adaptor

AC-V30

Outdoors

In the car

Battery pack NP-66H (supplied) NP-77HD, NP-77H or NP-77

DC pack DCP-77 or Car battery charger/adaptor DC-V30

Power sources

Page

NP-55

The above accessories, except for the AC-V30 and NP-66H, are not supplied.

Disconnecting the power source during recording or playback operations may damage the inserted cassette tape. If this should happen, supply power again immediately and turn the power on.

Using with Battery Pack—NP-66H, NP-77HD, NP-77H, NP-77 or NP-55

Rrst, charge the battery pack.

Use the supplied AC-V30 AC power adaptor.

1 Plug the AC-V30 into a wall outlet.

2 Install the battery pack.

Align the flat side of the battery pack with the line on the AC power adaptor. Then push down and slide the battery pack in the direction of the arrow.

The Power lamp (green) and the CHARGE lamp (orange) on the AC-V30 will light. The charging will begin. When the charging is completed, the CHARGE lamp goes out. Unplug the AC power adaptor and the POWER lamp will go out.

2 Attach the battery pack to the video TV recorder.

Align the right side of the battery pack with the white line on the video TV recorder, and while pressing the battery pack, slide it as illustrated.

Bottom

Required charging time

NP-66H

(supplied)

100 min. 140 min.

(Approx, minutes using AC-V30)

• The battery pack cannot be charged when the AC power adaptor is used to operate the unit.

• An NP-66H, NP-77HD, NP-77H, NP-77 or an NP-55 can also be charged with the BC-S10,

BC-55 or BC-77 battery charger.

NP-77HD

NP-77H NP-77 NP-55

140 min. 120 min. 60 min.

f ]0(«rMng time

A fully-charged battery pack lasts for:

LCD OH/OFF

Watching TV programs

VCR playing back

TV program recording

Camera recording*

* Approx, minutes, when connecting the color video camera CCD-G1 (not supplied).

OFF

NP-66H

Approx.

1()5 min.

Approx.

90 min.

Approx.

80 min.

Approx.

75 min.

NP-77HD NP-77H

Approx. 140 min.

Approx. 120 min.

Approx. 110 min.

Approx. 100 min.

Approx. 140 min.

Approx.

120 min.

Approx.

110 min.

Approx.

100 min.

NP-77 NP-55

Approx.

115 min.

Approx.

100 min.

Approx.

90 min.

Approx.

80 min.

Approx.

60 min.

Approx.

50 min.

Approx.

45 min.

Approx. 40 min.

Using the Battery Pack Efficiently

A'q^ng the rechargeable battery paci»

__________

Have sufficient battery pack power to perform 2 or 3 times the amount of viewing that you pian to do.

‘Battery life* as indicated in the instruction manual or catalogue of the video TV recorder is measured by the continuous use of the video TV recorder, at room temperature, using a fully charged battery. Fast winding or rewinding tape operations consumes much more battery power than normal tape transport operation. Consequently, battery life becomes shorter when these operations are performed frequently.

Battery life is shorter in a cold climate.

Cold climates reduce the efficiency of a battery and cause it to run out more quickly.

pVHèn to replace the rechargeable battery pack

When the battery pack is exhausted, the POWER lamp starts blinking slowly. During recording, the ‘BATTERY DOWN* indication also starts blinking.

Replace the battery when the blinking changes from slow to fast, and

the ‘BATTERY DOWN* indication lights (the indication remains lit for five seconds before the power goes off). Turn off the power of the video TV recorder before replacing the battery. While replacing the battery, keep the cassette Inside the cassette holder. When the battery has been replaced, viewing can be

resumed smoothly without any picture distortion.

____

Notes on battery exhaustion when a camera is connected

When the battery is exhausted, the tally lamp (red) displayed in the viewfinder of the camera starts blinking, and the power goes off automatically. Replace the battery pack with a fully charged one when the blinking starts.

Notes on charging

Before using the battery pack, charge it sufficiently. A brand-new battery pack is not charged.

Recharge the battery pack when it is fully exhausted.

• If the operation is completed before the BATTERY DOWN indication on the screen or POWER lamp starts blinking, it is recommended that you discharge the battery pack by playing back a tape until the BATTERY DOWN indication lights or the POWER lamp starts blinking rapidly.

• Do not recharge the battery pack before it has been discharged completely. Repeated

charging while some capacify remains will reduce the battery capacity. However, the original battery capacity can be recovered if you fully discharge and fully charge the battery pack again.

1 Keep the terminals clean

If the terminals (metal parts on the back) are soiled, the battery life will become shorter. When the terminals are soiled, or when the battery pack has not been used for a long time, repeatedly attach and remove it several times. This will improve the contact of the battery pack and the video TV recorder. Also, wipe the + and - terminals with a soft cloth or paper.

on rechargeable battery pack

Battery pack care

• Remove the battery pack from the video TV recorder after use, and keep it in a cool place. When the battery pack is installed on a video TV recorder, a small amount of current flows to the recorder even if the POWER switch is turned off. This causes overdischarge and, consequently, shortens the life of the battery.

• The battery pack is always discharging even when it is not in use. Thus, the battery should be charged before each use.

How to use the switch on the battery pack

Use this switch as a reminder of the charging condition. Set the switch to the ‘no mark” position when the charging is completed. Set the switch to the ‘red mark” position when the battery has been discharged.

How many times can the battery pack be recharged?

It can be fully charged and discharged about 500 times under normal temperatures. If the BATTERY DOWN indication blinks rapidly just after turning on the recorder, even though a fully charged battery pack has been installed, replace the battery pack with a brand new one.

Switch

Charging temperature

Lower temperature require a longer charging time. Charging under a temperature ranging from 10‘C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F) is recommended.

Why the battery pack heats up?

While the battery pack is being charged or used, a chemical change occurs inside the battery pack which generates electric energy. Consequently, the battery pack becomes warm, but this is not dangerous.

Carrying the battery pack

If the + and - temiinals are short-circuited with a piece of metal, the battery heat up abnomially. This is very dangerous. Never put an uncovered battery pack in a pocket together with a key holder or other metal object.

If the battery pack Is not used for a long time (about 1 year)

Charge it again, but in this case the battery life will be shorter than normal. After several charging and discharging cycles, the battery life will recover its original capacity.

i ¿/Г1-;7а»«ппг«гд1

Using House Current

Use the supplied AC-V30 AC power adaptor.

1 Connect the AC power adaptor to a wall outlet. 2 Insert the connecting cord supplied with the AC-V30 AC power

adaptor into the DC OUT jack on the AC power adaptor.

3 Align the right side of the connecting plate with the white line on the

video TV recorder, and while pressing it, slide it in the direction of the ► mark.

AC-V30

To remove the connecting plate

While sliding the ВАТТ knob, slide out the connecting plate.

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN

EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

• The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source as long as it is connected to the wall

outlet.

• One blade of the plug is wider than the other for the purpose of safety and will fit into the wall outlet only one way. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, contact your

dealer.

• While the unit is in use, particularly during charging, keep it away from AM receivers and video equipment because it will disturb AM reception and video operation.

•

Using a Car Battery

12V or 24V car battery

DCP-77 (not supplied)

1 Attach the DC pack to the video TV recorder. 2 Connect the plug to the cigarette lighter socket

• Connect the DCP-77 only to a car with a negative ground car batteries of 12 V or 24 V.

• Attach or remove the DC pack in the same way as the battery pack.

• DCP-S5 is not recommended for this unit because the capacity of the DCP-5S is not enough to

operate it.

Notes

• Be careful not to let any metal object touch the metal projection on the battery pack. When the

battery pack is not used, keep it in its case.

• Keep the video TV recorder away from the power source. If not, noise may appear on the

screen.

•7

Notes on using this unit in a car

• For your safety, do not watch the TV or operate the controls while driving.

• Avoid leaving the unit in a place with very high temperatures. If you do, it may cause

distortion of the cabinet or malfunction of the unit.

• If you use this unit while your car is not in use, the car battery will be consumed. Avoid

using this unit in such condition for more than 12 hours.

• Remove the car battery cord from the cigarette lighter socket if you do not use the unit

for a long time.

Before you set the clock, install a lithium battery. With a lithium battery installed, this unit powers the clock and keeps the last channel in memory when the power source is disconnected.

Inserting a Lithium Battery

1 Pull out the lithium battery holder.

Pull Down

2 Insert the supplied CR2032 lithium battery with

the (plus) side facing out.

• Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure good

contact.

• Be sure to install the battery with the correct polarity,

otherwise the battery will not be connected.

3 Put the lithium battery holder back into the

video TV recorder.

Be sure to install to the point where it cannot be pushed further.

battery jite

The battery lasts for approximately 1 year in normal operation. When the lithium battery becomes weak, the — indication appears on the screen when the DATA SCREEN button is pressed, In this case, replace the battery with a Sony CR2032 lithium battery. Use of any other battery may present a risk of fire or explosion. After replacing the battery, reset the clock.

Notes on lithium battery

• Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of children. Should the battery be swallowed, consult a doctor immediately.

• Before use, wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure a good contact.

• Do not hold the battery with metalic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.

• Do not break up the battery or throw it into a fire because it may explode. Carefully

dispose of the used batteries.

Before setting

• Make sure that the power source and the lithium battery are installed correctly.

• The internal clock of this video TV recorder operates on a 12-hour cycle. AMI 2:00 stands for midnight. PM12:00 stands for noon.

Setting the Date and Clock

Example: To set the date/clock to PM 1:15, July 4.1992.

1 Turn the power on.

The power lamp lights.

While pressing the green button, slide the POWER switch to the right.

2 Open the front cover.

POWER «Or

nJ..''

mtDWfOFF

3 Press MENU.

The MENU display will appear.

4 Press Q / Q until ^ points to

CLOCK SET, then press ENTER.

The CLOCK SET setting display will appear.

•-|—Upwards

0-'

I MENU

Downwards

tWKfl «T

tu» TMtII

VTH Moot MT

TV AOMtt

aocR MT

^ TUNKIt PIKSCT

5 Set the month, day and year in this order.

Press to/C3to make the item to be set blink, then press Q / Q untii the desired number appears. _ .

(O Q •>

> The day of the week is automatically displayed. > You can set the calendar from the year 1992 to 2007.

6 Set the clock.

Press to make the next item blink and then press Q / Q to set AM or PM. PresstO/CSto make the item blink and press Q / Q until the desired time appears.

(O CE) ■»

7 Press ENTER.

The moment you press ENTER, tiie clock starts. Now the time is set and the normal screen resumes.

y———ror laiye

For larger number

CLOCK 8CT

or smaller number

CLOCK SET

7/ 4/im

Close the front cover.

To reset the clock

Proceed step 3 to 7.

Note

If the lithium battery is not installed, the clock will go back to * disconnected.

' each time the power source is

Watching TV

Receivable channels of this video recorder are:

VHF:2-13 UHF: 14-69 Cable TV : 1 (A-6). 98 (A-2). 99 (A-1), 14-36 (A to W). 66-125 (W+30 to W+84)

This unit is preset at the factory to receive certain channels (see chart on page 23.) If you want to receive other channels, you need to preset them.

To Preset New Channels

----------------------

1 Turn the power on.

The power lamp lights.

If a TV program is not displayed, press INPUT SELECT.

CMICIW* • VTSOMOrr

While pressing the green button, slide TOWER to the right.

2 Open the front cover.

3 Press MENU.

The MENU display appears.

(SEq) .»

4 Press Q / Q until points to "TUNER PRESET', then press ENTER.

The TUNER PRESET display appears.

Upwards

Downwards

0-'

POWER -Q-

^ fUNtR PMItT

sTT

--------

Preset channels

Program position

Corresponding channel

Number displayed

* UHF channels are preset around this number.

— Channels are not preset.

5 Press Q/ Q until^ points to "POSITION”,then pressQD/CStoselectthedesired

position. (EX. 5)

2-13

CATV

VHF

2-13

For smaller number

14-36 CATV

14-36 14-36

37 38-60 61

37 — 61 —

—

(¿1 CiiD

For latter number

G Press Q until >■ points to the tuning indicator.

PressSD/USuntil the desired channel is tuned In.

Band indicator The VHF or UHF

For a smaller- indicator lights in sequence, numbered channel

numbered c

TUtCR PRESET

iiMiBai iHi'ffliH«iiii«ii‘iihiiii'iii ill' aai’

62-97

—

CATV98CATV

99 99

For a larger-

Each time you press 03/, the adjacent channel is automatically tuned in. Press until the desired channel appears and keep It for about 2 seconds before proceeding next step.

If you want to preset more channels, repeat steps 5 to 6.

numbered channel

Tuning indicator Indicates the approximate location of the channel scanned in the band.

7 Press ENTER.

8 Close the front

To change the order of the channel to be stored

Follow the above steos.

cover.

’Ll' ;

To Erase Channels

The erased program position skips when you press CHANNEL/INDEX

Example: To erase program position 11

1 Turn the power on.

The power lamp lights. If a TV program is not displayed, press INPUT SELECT.

----------------------nr

CAMEIU« • .«^VWONlOFF

While pressing the green button, slide roWER to the right.

Open the front cover.

3 Press MENU.

The MENU display appears.

4 Press Q / Q until ^ points to “TUNER PRESET’, then press ENTER.

The TUNER PRESET display appears.

r>OWER -Q-

----------

1^-Upwards

Q-Oowrrwards

TMCR ttr «UfPTMIR

VfR MOM SIT TV AOJUST CiOCN SfT

> TUNCR PRCStT

5 Press Q/ Q until ^points to POSITION, then press (ia/C£>to select the channel

to be erased. (EX.11) —

TUNER PRESET

MtMORV

^POsmoN it

VHP

i •

•AOO ERASE

..... ....

6 Press Q / ID until ^ points to CHANNEL, then press (13/ C3to select ERASE.

TUNER PRESET

PMeMony

AOO »ERASE

PONTIOM 11

VHP

s • • T 11

If you want to erase more channels, repeat ttie steps 5 and 6.

7 Press ENTER.

To add the erased channels again

See “To Preset New Channels” on page 22.

Channel Allocation Chart

..........

.... ................. .

• -

Frequency (MHz) SO VHFAJHF channels CATV channels

VHF

2-6

M-

A-2~i

VHF 7-13

100 150 200 250 300 400 500 600 700 8(

J~W W + 30-W+84

Band indicator VHF

When the CHANNEL button is pressed, the above channels will be scanned from the lowest frequency to the highest in sequence. By pressing the CHANNEL - button, the channels will be scanned in reverse.

UHF14-69

UHF

Cable TV Channel Chart*

Cable TV systems use letters or numbers to designate channels. To tune in a channel, refer to this chart.

Number on this TV Corresponding CATV channel A-8 A-2 A-1 A B C D

24 25

Check with your local cable TV company for more complete information on the available channels.

L M N O P

27 28

1 98

99 14

29 30 31 32

15 16 17

R S T

34 35 36

18 19 20 21 22

E F G H 1

W Wt30

.................

........

......

Wt84

» The designation of the cable TV channels conforms to the EI/VNCTA recommendation. Note

Pay cable TV systems use scrambled or encoded signals and require special converters (decorders) besides the normal cable connections.

+ 58 hidden pages