Sony MHC-g880 Operating Instructions Manual

3-860-670-11 (1)

Mini Hi-Fi
Component System

Operating Instructions

f

MHC-G880

©1997 by Sony Corporation

English

WARNING

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

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only.

Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase
or built-in cabinet.

Laser component in this product is capable of emitting radiation
exceeding the limit for Class 1.

This appliance is classified as a
CLASS 1 LASER product. The
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
MARKING is located on the rear
exterior.

This caution
label is located
inside the unit.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Mini Hi-Fi Component System.
This series is packed with fun features. Here are just a few:

•DBFB (Dynamic Bass Feedback) system that boosts low frequency
range audio provide deep, powerful bass sound

•A preset feature that lets you store and recall up to 40 of your
favorite radio stations

•An amplifier that lets you adjust the audio quality to fit a variety of
music types and environments

•A timer that lets you set the CD player, tape player or radio to turn
on and off whenever you want

•A dual tape deck that lets you record from the radio, CD player or
from the other tape deck and relay play from both decks

•A CD player that lets you play up to three CDs in a row and
seamlessly advance (or reverse) through all the tracks on all the
discs on the CD tray

•A music clip feature that lets you create groups of favorite tracks
from your CDs

•A remote that lets you control your system from your seat

•A loop edit feature that lets you play a CD with sound effect like
sampler play

•The MHC-G880 consists of follwing things
— Main unit: HCD-H880
— Speaker system: Front speaker SS-H992

Surround speaker SS-SR991G

2

Table of
Contents

Chapter 1: Setting Up

Connecting the Stereo 4
Inserting the Batteries 6
Setting the Clock 6

Chapter 2: the CD Player

Playing CDs (normal play) 7
Playing Tracks in Random Order (shuffle play) 8
Playing Tracks in the Desired Order (program play) 9
Playing Tracks Repeatedly (repeat play) 9
Grouping Tracks (music clip) 10
Playing Tracks: Repeating a Specified Portion (loop play) 11

Chapter 3: the Radio

Listening to the Radio 12
Presetting Radio Stations 13
Playing Preset Radio Stations 13

Chapter 4: the Tape Player

Playing a Tape 14
Recording a CD 15
Recording a CD: Selecting Tape Length Automatically (tape select edit) 15
Recording a CD: Specifying Tape Length (time edit) 16
Recording a CD: Specifying Track Order (program edit) 17
Recording From the Radio 17
Recording From Another Tape (dubbing) 18

Chapter 5: Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the Sound 19
Selecting the Audio Emphasis 19
Adjusting the Audio Emphasis 20
Making a Personal Audio Emphasis File (personal file) 21
Switching the Speaker Formation (sonic formation) 21

Chapter 6: Additional Features

Falling Asleep to Music 22
Waking Up to Music 22
Timer-Recording Radio Programs 23
Microphone Mixing 24
Karaoke: Singing Along 24
Connecting Optional Equipment 25

For Your Information

Precautions 27
Troubleshooting Guide 27
Maintenance 28
Specifications 29
Index to Parts and Controls 30

Index 31

3

Chapter 1:

FM 75Ω

AM

y

Setting
Up

Connecting the
Stereo

Use the illustrations below to connect your
stereo.
If you want to connect any optional
components to the stereo, see “Connecting
Optional Equipment” in Chapter 6.

STEP 2

Connecting the

Antennas

FM lead antenna* (supplied)

FM 75Ω

AM

Connecting the Stereo

Inserting the Batteries

Setting the Clock

STEP 1

Connecting the
Speakers

After arranging both ends of the speaker
cables, connect all speakers to the unit.

Before connecting the speakers

Twist the speaker cable coating and strip it
from the end of the cable.

To connect the front speakers

Connect the right front speaker to the
SPEAKER R connectors and the left front
speaker to the SPEAKER L connectors with
the red cords to ‘ and the black cords to
’.

R

L

‘

’

‘
’

AM loop antenna (supplied)

* Note: Extend it horizontally

AM loop antenna connection

Connect the supplied loop antenna to the
AM and the y terminals.

To improve the FM reception

Connect an external FM antenna to the
FM 75 Ω and y terminals, using a 75-ohm
coaxial cable.

Important

Ground the external antenna from y
terminal against lightning with the screw
clamp. To prevent a gas explosion, do not
connect the ground wire to a gas pipe.

Chapter 1: Setting Up

4

To connect the surround/sub
speakers

Connect the right rear speaker to the
SURROUND/SUB SPEAKER R connectors
and the left rear speaker to the
SURROUND/SUB SPEAKER L connectors
with the gray cords to ‘ and the gray with
black stripes cords to ’.

R

L

‘

’

‘
’

75-ohm coaxial cable
(not supplied)

Ground wire
(not supplied)

Screw clamp

Rear speaker (right)

STEP 3

AM loop antenna
(supplied)

Front speaker
(right)

STEP 2

STEP 1

FM lead antenna
(supplied)

Front speaker
(left)

Rear speaker (left)

to a wall outlet

!Do this connection last!

To improve the AM reception

After you connect the AM antenna, connect
a 6- to 15-meter insulated wire to the AM
terminal. Connect the y terminal to earth.

Important

Ground the external antenna against
lightning from the y terminal. To prevent a
gas explosion, do not connect the ground
wire to a gas pipe.

Insulated wire
(not supplied)

FM 75Ω

AM

Screw clamp

y

STEP 3

Connecting the

Power

Connect the AC Power cord to a wall outlet
after you have made all the above
connections.

Demo mode

The demo mode appears in the display
when you connect the AC power cord to
a wall outlet.
To deactivate the demo mode, press
DISPLAY/DEMO with the system
power turned off.

Ground wire
(not supplied)

to a wall outlet

Chapter 1: Setting Up

5

Inserting the
Batteries

Install two R6 (size AA) batteries in the
supplied remote for remote control.

1 Open the lid.

Setting the Clock

The built-in clock shows the time in the
display even if the power is off. You need
to set the clock to utilize the timer-activated
features of your stereo system.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

DISPLAY/DEMO

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The clock starts running and the upper
dot flashes. Use the time signal to set the
clock accurately.
The upper dot flashes for the first half of
a minute (0 to 29 seconds), and the
lower dot flashes for the last half of a
minute (30 to 59 seconds).

flashing

2 Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries.

Match the + and – indications to the
diagram in the battery compartment.

]

}

}

]

3 Close the lid.

Battery life

You can expect the remote to operate for
about six months (using Sony SUM-3 (NS)
batteries) before the batteries run down.
When the batteries no longer operate the
remote, replace all the batteries with new
ones.

To avoid battery leakage

If you are not going to use the remote for a
long time, remove the batteries to avoid
damage caused by corrosion from battery
leakage.

1

4,6

2

3,5

1Press TIMER.
2Press CLOCK SET.

The “AM” and hour indication begin
flashing.

flashing

3Set the current hour by turning the JOG

dial until the correct hour appears.

To check the time

Press DISPLAY/DEMO a few times.
The current time is displayed for eight
seconds.

To correct the clock setting

Repeat steps 1 through 6.

Chapter 1: Setting Up

6

flashing

4Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minutes indication begins flashing.

flashing

5Set the current minute by turning the

JOG dial until the correct minute
appears.

flashing

Chapter 2:

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

DOLBY NR

OFF

CD

ALL

CLIP

1DISC

12345
678

VOLUME

the CD
Player

Playing CDs (normal play)

Playing Tracks in Random

Order (shuffle play)

Playing Tracks in the

Desired Order (program
play)

Playing Tracks Repeatedly

(repeat play)

Grouping Tracks

(music clip)

Playing Tracks: Repeating a

Specified Portion (loop
play)

Playing CDs (normal
play)

You can play all the tracks on up to three
discs consecutively in their original order
(normal play).
You can play 12 cm and 8 cm CDs. If the
CD is supplied with an adaptor, remove it
before playing the CD.
Before you play the CD, decrease the sound
level by turning the VOLUME control
counterclockwise, to prevent damage to the
speakers.
Use the buttons both on the unit and the
remote to do this operation.

POWERnON

fl

2

π

1,3

5
4

JOG dial

/

/

5

2

1 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place up to

two CDs (with the label side facing up)
on the disc tray.

2 Press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE to insert

a third disc, if necessary.
The disc tray rotates so that you can
place another CD.

3 Press § OPEN/CLOSE again to close

the disc tray.

4 Press 1/ALL DISCS to choose “1 DISC”

or “ALL DISCS”.

Choose

1 DISC

ALL DISCS

To play

Only the CD you have
selected.

All CDs consecutively
in order of disc number.
Empty disc trays are
skipped.

5 Press one of the DISC 1 – 3 buttons to

select the disc tray.
Play starts from the CD loaded on the
tray whose button is lit green.

Music calendar

CD

12345
678

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

ALL

1DISC

CLIP

Playing timeTrack number

To

Stop play
Pause
Resume play

Go forward to
another track

Go back to a
previous track

Select a CD directly

Remove the CD
Exchange other

CDs while playing
*1Remote

*2You can use the JOG dial to search

quickly through tracks on different discs

(seamless feature).
*3Automatic Music Sensor
*4If no disc is loaded at that number, the

tray will emerge.

Press

π ( *1)
fl ( *1)
fl (CD *1 or

During play or pause,
rotate the JOG dial
clockwise. Release
when you reach the
track you desire.*
Or use AMS*
the remote.

During play or pause,
rotate the JOG dial
counterclockwise.
Release when you
reach the track you
desire.*
Or use AMS*
the remote.

Corresponding DISC
1 – 3 button*4 or press
DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE
repeatedly in stop
mode

§ OPEN/CLOSE
DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

continue to next page ➔

DOLBY NR

*1)

VOLUME

OFF

2

3

2

3

on

on

Chapter 2: the CD Player

7

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

DOLBY NR

OFF

CD

CLIP

SHUFFLE

12345
678

VOLUME

➔ continued

DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE functions differently
depending on a different situation

To select a particular CD, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE while you stop playing a CD.
To remove or exchange CDs while playing
or pause playing a CD, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE.

To find a point in a track

You can find a particular point in a track
while the track is playing or while it’s in
pause mode.
Use the buttons on the remote to operate
this feature.

To

Go forward
quickly in a
track

Go backwards
quickly in a
track

Search quickly
without
listening

To check the remaining time during
playback

Press DISPLAY/DEMO repeatedly.
Each time you press the button, the
display changes as follows:

mPlaying time on the current track

Remaining time on the current track

Remaining time on the current CD*1 or
“PLAY” display*

Clock display (for eight seconds)

Effect (or P FILE) name or
”EFFECT ON (OFF)“

Press

on the remote and
release it at the desired
point.

on the remote and
release it at the desired
point.

, then press or

on the remote. Press
CD or again at
the desired point.

µ

µ

2

µ

µ

One Touch Play feature

Press fl on the CD player (or CD on
the remote) when the power is off. When a
CD is in the player, you will be able to start
listening to the CD without pressing any
other buttons.

The Music Calendar Display

This display lights according to the number
of tracks on the CD. As each track is played,
the corresponding number disappears.
Tracks numbered in excess of 20 are not
displayed.

What the green and orange DISC 1-3
button indicators indicate

Indicators are provided on the DISC
buttons for each of the respective disc trays
(DISC 1–3).

•A green indicator shows that the tray is
selected (either during playback or
standby, or when the tray is open) no
matter if there is a CD inside or not.

•An orange indicator shows that there is a
CD on the tray but the tray is not selected.

•When the indicator is off, there is no CD
on the tray and the tray is not selected.

Automatic Source Selection

If the CD player has been in the normal
play mode, you can select the CD player
just by pressing fl or the DISC 1 – 3
buttons.
If the CD player has been in the program
play or the shuffle play mode, only fl can
be used for this function.

If there is no CD in the player

“CD NO DISC” appears in the display.
Press fl (or CD on the remote) while
the indication is on, then the disc tray will
open automatically.

Playing Tracks in
Random Order
(shuffle play)

You can play all the tracks on one CD or all
CDs in random order.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

POWERnON

DISC 1-3

π

5
2

1

3
4

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until “CD”

appears in the display.

2 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place the

CDs on the disc tray. Then, press

§ OPEN/CLOSE again to close the disc
tray.

3 Press 1/ALL DISCS to choose “1 DISC”

or “ALL DISCS”.

4 Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until

“SHUFFLE” appears in the display.

5 Press fl.

“ J ” appears and then all the tracks
play in random order.

*11 DISC mode
*2ALL DISCS mode

To check the total playing time and
the total number of tracks

Press DISPLAY/DEMO in stop mode.
When you press DISPLAY/DEMO again,
the display shows the clock display for
eight seconds and returns to the previous
indication.

Notes

•You cannot check the total playing time
during program play.

•The disc number, total playing time and
number of tracks also appear in the
display when you press § OPEN/CLOSE
to close the disc tray.

•“--.--” appears in the display when the
total playing time is 100 minutes or more.

Chapter 2: the CD Player

8

To stop shuffle play

Press π on the CD player.

To cancel shuffle play

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until
“SHUFFLE” disappears from the display.
The tracks continue playing in their original
order.

To select a desired CD

Press DISC 1 – 3 during shuffle play.

To skip an undesired track

Turn the JOG dial clockwise (or press
on the remote).

Playing Tracks in the

POWERnON

2

1

1/ALL DISCS

Desired Order
(program play)

You can make a program of up to
32 tracks from all the CDs in the order you
want them to be played.

1Press FUNCTION repeatedly until “CD”
2Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place the

3Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until

4Press DISC 1 – 3 to choose a CD.
5Turn the JOG dial to choose a track.

POWERnON

8

4
6
3

2
1

5

CHECK

CLEAR

1

appears in the display.

CDs on the disc tray. Then, press

§ OPEN/CLOSE again to close the CD
tray.

“PROGRAM” and ”DISC” appear in the
display.

CD

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

DISC PROGRAM

CLIP

The track number and the total playing
time appear.

Track number

CD

8

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

DISC PROGRAM

DOLBY NR

DOLBY NR

VOLUME

OFF

VOLUME

OFF

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The chosen track number lights up inthe
music calendar. If the track number
and the total playing time disappear
before you press ENTER/NEXT, go
back to step 5.

7 Repeat steps 5 and 6 to program

additional tracks from the same CD.
Repeat steps 4 to 6 to program
additional tracks from another CD.

8 Press fl.

All the tracks play in the order you
choose.

To

Check the
program

Program a
pause

Stop play
Cancel

program play

Erase a track
from the end

Erase a specific
track

Erase the entire
program

*1After the last track appeared “CHECK

END” appears in the display.

*2“P” appears and the total playing time is

reset to 0.00.

*3The program is erased.

To change the order of
programmed tracks

To change the order, erase the entire
program and create a new one.

Notes

•The program you made remains in the CD
player even after it has been played back.
Press fl to play the same program again.

•If “--.--” appears instead of the total
playing time during programming, this
means:
– you have programmed a track number

which exceeds 20, or

– the total playing time has exceeded 100

minutes.

Press

CHECK on the remote
repeatedly*

fl*2 ( on the remote)

π ( on the remote)

PLAY MODE*3 repeatedly
until “PROGRAM” or
“SHUFFLE” disappear

CLEAR on the remote in
stop mode

CHECK on the remote
repeatedly so that the
number of the track lights
up, and press CLEAR on
the remote

π ( on the remote)
once in stop mode or
twice while playing

1

Playing Tracks
Repeatedly
(repeat play)

The repeat play function repeats a single
CD or all CDs in normal play, shuffle play
and program play.
Use the buttons on the unit to do this
operation.

Repeating all the tracks
1 Press REPEAT a few times until

“REPEAT” appears in the display.

CD

12345
678

CLIP

2 Press fl.

To

Repeat all the
tracks on the
current CD

Repeat all the
tracks on all CDs

Repeat only one
track (in normal
play only)

To cancel repeat play

Press REPEAT so that “REPEAT” or
“REPEAT 1” disappears from the display.

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

REPEAT1

Press

1/ALL DISCS
repeatedly until “1
DISC” appears in the
display.

1/ALL DISCS
repeatedly until “ALL
DISCS” appears in the
display.

REPEAT repeatedly
until “REPEAT 1”
appears in the display
while playing the track
you want to repeat.

DOLBY NR

VOLUME

OFF

Total playing time

Chapter 2: the CD Player

9

Grouping Tracks
(music clip)

The music clip function is an easy way to
produce up to three groups of tracks from
your CDs. For example, you could store
tracks for the morning in CLIP A, tracks to
play for your friends in CLIP B, and tracks
for relaxing in CLIP C.
Once you store one or more tracks in a
music clip(s), the player recalls those tracks
whenever you play the respective disc.

Storing Tracks in a Clip

POWERnON

Playing Tracks in a Clip
(CLIP PLAY)

CLIP indicator(s) lights up in the display to
let you know when clips are stored on a
disc.

POWERnON

π

1
2

1Press CLIP PLAY.

Erasing one track
1 Press CLIP PLAY.
2 Press CLIP button (A, B or C) for the clip

containing the track you want to erase.

3 Use the JOG dial to select the track you

want to erase.

4 Press CLIP ERASE.

“ERASE A - C” and “TRACK” appear
alternately in the display.

5 Press CLIP button (A, B or C) you

pressed on step 2.

Erasing all the tracks in a CLIP A
(B or C)
1 In stop mode, press CLIP ERASE.

“ERASE A - C” and “ALL A - C” appear
alternately in the display.

2 Press CLIP button (A, B or C) to specify

the clip you want to erase.
“PUSH A (B or C)” appears in the
display.

3 Press CLIP button you pressed on step 2

again. “ERASE ALL” appears in the
display and CLIP indicator disappears.

3

1

2

1Press FUNCTION repeatedly until

“CD” appears in the display.

2Play the track you want to store, or (in

stop mode) use the JOG dial to select the
track you want.

3Press CLIP button (A, B or C).

“CLIP FILE” appears and the selected
CLIP indicator (A, B or C) appears in the
display. Normal playback continues.

CD

12345
678

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

ALL

DISC

ACLIP

DOLBY NR

VOLUME

OFF

4Repeat steps 2 and 3 to store other tracks

into the same or a different clip.

If the memory becomes full

You can store tracks form up to ten
different CDs (one or more tracks per CD)
to each clip data.
The clip data for the oldest clip is erased to
make room for a new clip.

2Press CLIP button (A, B or C).

“CLIP PLAY” appears in the display
and the selected CLIP indicator lights
up.
The player starts playing tracks from the
selected clip.

CD

3

12563 250 500 1k 2k 4k 8k 16k(Hz)

ALL

DISCS

ACLIP

To cancel clip play

Press π on the CD player.

Notes

•In 1 DISC mode, the tracks stored for the

selected disc are played back once, then
clip play is released.

•In ALL DISCS mode, all the tracks stored

for the currently loaded discs are played
back once, then clip play is released.

•You cannot start CLIP play if

“PROGRAM” is displayed.

Erasing Tracks from a Clip

POWERnON

CLIP A–C

DOLBY NR

VOLUME

OFF

Notes

•Only tracks numbered 1 – 20 can be
stored in music clips. You cannot store
tracks numbered 21 or more.

•In stop mode, you cannot store tracks if
“SHUFFLE” or “PROGRAM” is
displayed.

Chapter 2: the CD Player

10

CLIP ERASE

CLIP PLAY