Sony MHC-GS300AV User Manual

4-239-952-11(1)

Mini Hi-Fi Component System

Operating Instructions

Owner’s Record

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

Model No. _______________ Serial No. _______________

MHC-GS300AV MHC-GS200

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.

To prevent fire, do not cover the ventilation of the apparatus with news papers, table-cloths, curtains, etc. And don’t place lighted candles on the apparatus. To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

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

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

Don’t throw away the battery with general house waste, dispose of it correctly as chemical waste.

ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. registered mark. As an ENERGY STAR Corporation has determined that this product meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S.A.

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.

partner, Sony

WARNING

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 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 or relocate the receiving antenna. – Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit

different from that to which the receiver is connected.

– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV

technician for help.

CAUTION

• The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

• You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

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, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN CANADA

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.

MHC-GS300AV only

This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby* Pro Logic Surround decoder.

* Manufactured under license from Dolby

List of Button Locations and Reference Pages

Main unit........................................................ 4

Remote Control.............................................. 6

Getting Started

Hooking up the system .................................. 8

Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into the

remote ................................................... 10

Setting up your speakers

for Dolby Pro Logic*............................ 11

Setting the clock .......................................... 12

CD/MP3 files

Loading a CD............................................... 13

Playing a CD — Normal Play/

Shuffle Play/Repeat Play ...................... 14

Programing CD tracks — Program Play ..... 15

Labeling a CD — Disc Memo ..................... 16

Playing a disc with MP3 files ...................... 18

Tuner

Presetting radio stations ............................... 20

Listening to the radio

— Preset Tuning/Manual Tuning ......... 22

Labeling the preset stations

— Station Name ................................... 22

Tape

Loading a tape.............................................. 23

Playing a tape............................................... 23

Recording to a tape

— CD Synchro Recording/Recording

Manually/Program Edit ........................ 24

Timer-recording radio programs.................. 25

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound

— GROOVE/V-GROOVE................... 26

Selecting the sound effect ............................ 27

Selecting the surround effect ....................... 27

Enjoying Dolby Pro Logic Surround

sound*................................................... 28

Selecting the sound formation*

— Multi room selector .........................28

Display

Turning off the display

— Power Saving Mode......................... 29

Using the display ......................................... 29

Other Features

Enhancing video game sound

— Game Sync....................................... 30

Mixing video game sound with other sound

source — Game Mixing .......................31

Falling asleep to music — Sleep Timer....... 31

Waking up to music — Daily Timer ........... 32

Using an Optional Keyboard

Setting the keyboard .................................... 33

Labeling titles through the keyboard ........... 33

Operating the system through

the keyboard .........................................33

Optional Components

Hooking up optional components ................ 34

Listening to audio from a connected

component ............................................35

Recording audio from a connected

component ............................................35

Recording on a connected component ......... 35

Connecting a sub woofer speaker* ..............36

Connecting a DVD player* .........................36

Troubleshooting

Problems and remedies ................................37

Messages...................................................... 39

Additional Information

Precautions................................................... 40

Specifications............................................... 42

* MHC-GS300AV only

List of Button Locations and Reference Pages

How to use this page

Use this page to find the location of buttons and other parts of the system that are mentioned in the text.

Main unit

MHC-GS300AV

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

A – O

5.1CH/VIDEO (MD) wg (35 – 37) ALBM +/– 4 (19) AUDIO IN L/R jacks qk (34) CD wk (14 – 17, 19, 24) CD SYNC 0 (24, 25) CLEAR wa (16, 22, 39) DISC SELECT qf

(13 – 17, 19, 24) DISPLAY e; (22, 29, 30, 39) Display window 2 DOLBY PRO LOGIC 6 (12, 28) ENTER ws (15 – 17, 20 – 22, 25,

26, 32) GAME wf (30) GAME MIXING w; (31) KEYBOARD INPUT jack qh

(33) MENU wl (16, 17, 20 – 22) MULTI ROOM 9 (28)

P – Z

PAUSE X 5 (15, 23 – 25) PHONES jack qg PLAY MODE/DIRECTION wd

PRESET +/– 4 (20 – 22) PRESET EQ 8 (27) REC z PAUSE/START qs

REPEAT/FM MODE wd ( 15, 22) STOP x qa (15, 23, 24, 35, 39) SURROUND MODE 7 (27) TAPE wh (23) Tape deck 3 TIMER SELECT wd (26, 32, 37) TIMER SET wd (12, 25, 32) TUNER/BAND wj ( 20 – 22) TUNING +/– 4 (20 – 22) VIDEO IN jack ql (34) VOLUME qj

PLAY MODE/DIRECTION wd (14 – 17, 23 – 25)

(14 – 17, 23 – 25)

(24, 25)

Illustration number

Name of button/part Reference page

BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

=/1 (power) 1 m (rewind) 4 n N (play) 4 M (fast forward) 4 . (go back) 4 > (go forward) 4 Z PUSH (front cover) qd Z PUSH (tape deck) 3

2345

e; wl

8 wk wj wh wg wf wd ws wa w; ql qk

MHC-GS200

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

A – O

ALBM +/– 4 (19) AUDIO IN L/R jacks qk (34) CD wj (14 – 17, 19, 24) CD SYNC 0 (24, 25) CLEAR wa (16, 22, 39) DISC SELECT qf

(13 – 17, 19, 24) DISPLAY wl (22, 29, 30, 39) Display window 2 ENTER ws (15 – 17, 20 – 22, 25,

26, 32) GAME wd (30) GAME MIXING w; (31) KEYBOARD INPUT jack qh

(33) MENU wk (16, 17, 20 – 22)

P – Z

PAUSE X 5 (15, 23 – 25) PHONES jack qg PLAY MODE/DIRECTION 8

(14 – 17, 23 – 25) PRESET +/– 4 (20 – 22) REC z PAUSE/START qs

(24, 25) REPEAT/FM MODE 9 (15, 22) STOP x qa (15, 23, 24, 35, 39) TAPE wg (23) Tape deck 3 TIMER SELECT 7 (26, 32, 37) TIMER SET 6 (12, 25, 32) TUNER/BAND wh (20 – 22) TUNING +/– 4 (20 – 22) VIDEO IN jack ql (34) VIDEO (MD) wf (35, 37) VOLUME qj

BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

=/1 (power) 1 m (rewind) 4 n N (play) 4 M (fast forward) 4 . (go back) 4 > (go forward) 4 Z PUSH (front cover) qd Z PUSH (tape deck) 3

List of Button Locations and Reference Pages

wl wk wj wh wg wf wd ws wa

w; ql qk

2345

6 7 8

9 q; qa qs qd

qf qg qh

Remote Control

For MHC-GS300AV

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

A – O

5.1CH wg (36) ALBM +/ALBM – qa qk (19) BALANCE LEFT/RIGHT 2

(12) CD wd (14 – 17, 19, 24) CENTER +/– 4 (12) DISC +/DISC – qs qj

(13 – 16, 19) DISPLAY 8 (22, 29, 30) GAME 6 (30) GROOVE qf (26)

P – Z

PRESET EQ qd (27) PRESET +/PRESET – q; w;

(20 – 22) PRO LOGIC wj (12, 28) REAR +/– 5 (12) SLEEP 1 (31) SURROUND qh (27) TAPE 7 (23) TEST TONE wf (12) TUNER/BAND ws (20 – 22) TUNING +/TUNING – 9 ql

(20 – 22) VIDEO (MD) wh (35, 37) VOL +/– qg

123

wj wh wg wf wd ws wa w; ql

qk qj

BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

@/1 (power) 3 n N (play) wa X (pause) wa x (stop) wa . (go back) w; m (rewind) ql M (fast forward) 9 > (go forward) q;

6 7

8 9 0

qa qs

For MHC-GS200

ALPHABETICAL ORDER

A – O

ALBM +/ALBM – qd w; (19) CD wg (14 – 17, 19, 24) CD SYNC wf (24, 25) DISC +/DISC – qf ql

(13 – 16, 19) DISPLAY wh (22, 29, 30) ENTER 5 (15 – 17, 20 – 22, 25,

26, 32) GAME 6 (30) GROOVE qh (26)

P – Z

PLAY MODE 2 (14 – 17, 23) PRESET EQ qg (27) PRESET +/PRESET – qs wa

(20 – 22) REC wd (24) REPEAT 3 (15) SLEEP 1 (31) SURROUND qk (27) TAPE 7 (23) TUNER/BAND 8 (20 – 22) TUNING +/TUNING – qa ws

(20 – 22) VIDEO (MD) 9 (35, 37) VOL +/– qj

1234

BUTTON DESCRIPTIONS

List of Button Locations and Reference Pages

@/1 (power) 4 n N (play) 0 X (pause) 0 x (stop) 0 . (go back) wa m (rewind) ws M (fast forward) qa > (go forward) qs

wf wd

ws wa w; ql

5 6 7 8

9 0 qa qs

qd qf

Getting Started

Hooking up the system

Perform the following procedure 1 to 5 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories. MHC-GS300AV is the model used for illustration purpose.

AM loop antenna

FM antenna

Rear surround speaker (Right)*

Rear surround speaker (Left)*Center surround speaker*

Front speaker (Right)

* MHC-GS300AV only

Front speaker (Left)

1 Connect the front speakers.

Connect the speaker cords to the FRONT SPEAKER jacks on the unit as shown below.

Insert only the stripped portion

3 Connect the center surround speaker.

(MHC-GS300AV only)

Connect the speaker cords to the SURROUND SPEAKER CENTER jacks on the unit as shown below.

Insert only the stripped portion

Getting Started

Solid (3)

–

Stripe (#)

2 Connect the rear surround speakers.

(MHC-GS300AV only)

Connect the speaker cords to the SURROUND SPEAKER REAR jacks on the unit and to the jacks on the rear surround speakers as shown below.

Insert only the stripped portion

–

Stripe (#)

Solid (3)

–

Stripe (#)

4 Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Jack type A

Extend the FM antenna horizontally

Ω

Jack type B

Extend the FM antenna horizontally

AM loop antenna

FM75Ω

continued

Hooking up the system (continued)

Inserting two size AA (R6)

5 Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.

The demonstration appears in the display. When you press ?/1, the system turns on and the demonstration automatically ends.

Note on placement

Be sure to place this unit on a horizontal place. If the unit is slanted, it may cause malfunction or damage to the system.

To connect optional components

See page 34 for details.

Notes

• Keep the speaker cords away from the antennas to prevent noise.

• Do not place the rear surround speakers on top of a TV. This may cause distortion of the colors in the TV screen.

• Be sure to connect both left and right rear surround speakers. Otherwise, the sound will not be heard.

• The type of speakers supplied vary according to the model you purchased (see “Specifications” on page 42).

batteries into the remote

Tip

With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the system, replace both batteries with new ones.

Note

If you do not use the remote for a long period of time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.

Setting up your speakers for Dolby Pro Logic

(MHC-GS300AV only)

Positioning the speakers

Center

Setting the center speaker

Attach the supplied speaker pads to the bottom of the center surround speaker to stabilize the speaker and prevent it from slipping.

Getting Started

Front (L)

Each speaker should face the listening position. Better surround effect will result if all speakers are set at the same distance from the listening position.

Place the front speakers 5 to 10 cm or more away from the left and right of the television.

Place the center speaker on the top-center of the TV set.

The placement of rear speakers greatly depends on the configuration of the room. The rear speakers may be placed on both sides of the listening position A or behind the listening position B.

Tip

For MHC-GS300AV customers, you can connect an optional sub woofer speaker (see page 36).

Front (R)

Rear (R)Rear (L)

Place the center surround speaker at about the same height as the front speakers. Align the center surround speaker with the front speakers or place it slightly back from the position of the front speakers.

Setting the rear speakers

Place the rear surround speakers facing each other at about 60 to 90 cm above your listening position.

Rear surround speaker

60 to 90 cm

continued

Setting up your speakers for Dolby Pro Logic (continued)

Setting the clock

Adjusting the speaker volume of each speaker

— Test tone

1 Press DOLBY PRO LOGIC (or PRO

LOGIC on the remote).

“DOLBY PL ON” appears.

2 Press TEST TONE on the remote.

The test tone is heard from the speakers in the following order and the display changes as in the parentheses.

Front left (LEFT) t Center (CENTER) t Front right (RIGHT) t Rear (REAR) t Front (LEFT) t

…

3 From your listening position, adjust the

volume and balance by pressing the buttons on the remote until the volume level of the test tone from each speaker sounds the same.

To adjust Press

the balance between the front left and front right speakers

the balance between the rear left and rear right speakers

the volume of the center speaker

the volume of the rear speakers

BALANCE LEFT or BALANCE RIGHT repeatedly while “LEFT”, “RIGHT” or “CENTER” appears.

BALANCE LEFT or BALANCE RIGHT repeatedly while “REAR” appears.

CENTER + or CENTER – repeatedly.

REAR + or REAR – repeatedly.

1 Press =/1 to turn on the system. 2Press TIMER SET. 3Press . or > repeatedly to set the

hour.

4Press ENTER. 5Press . or > repeatedly to set the

minute.

6Press ENTER.

To adjust the clock

1 Press TIMER SET. 2 Press . or > repeatedly to select

“CLOCK SET”, then press ENTER.

3 Do the same procedures as step 3 to 6

above.

Notes

• The clock settings are canceled when you disconnect the power cord or if a power failure occurs.

• You cannot set the clock in Power Saving Mode.

4 Press TEST TONE on the remote when

you finish adjusting.

The test tone turns off.

Note

The test tone feature works only for Dolby Pro Logic Surround sound.

CD/MP3 files

Loading a CD

You can load up to 60 discs into this unit. Turn on the system before you load discs.

You can also load and play discs with MP3 files. See “Playing a disc with MP3 files” on page 18 for MP3 files.

1 Open the front cover by pressing

Z PUSH on the front cover.

Front cover

2 Turn DISC SELECT (or press DISC – or

DISC + on the remote) until you find the disc slot where you want to insert a disc, while checking the disc number (written beside every slot and also indicated in the display).

The disc number* at the loading position appears in the display. As you turn DISC SELECT, the disc number changes.

* If you have already loaded discs, the disc

number at the playing position appears. When you turn DISC SELECT, the displayed disc number changes to the one at the loading position.

Disc number

3 Insert a disc with the label side facing

right.

Notes

• Make sure you have loaded the disc into each slot at a right angle to the rotary table. If the disc is not put in straight, it may damage the unit or the disc.

• Make sure the rotary table comes to a complete stop before loading or removing discs.

With the label side facing right

CD/MP3 files

Disc slot at the loading position (located at the very front)

Disc number

4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 to load additional

discs.

continued

Loading a CD (continued)

Playing a CD

5 Close the front cover by pressing

Z PUSH on the front cover.

The rotary table turns and the disc slot at the loading position is set to the playing position.

Removing discs

After following step 1 of “Loading a CD” on page 13, remove the discs. Then close the front cover.

Notes

• Always close the front cover except when you load or remove discs.

• Do not load an empty 8 cm CD adaptor. It may damage the unit.

• Do not attach anything such as seals or sleeves to CDs. It may damage the unit or the disc.

• If you drop a disc into the unit and the CD will not go into the slot correctly, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

• When transporting the unit, remove all discs from the unit.

• If you want to remove the disc played, open the front cover. The disc comes to the loading position. Remove the disc after the rotary table comes to a complete stop.

Tip

You can display the original Disc Memos instead of total number of tracks and total playing time (see “Labeling a CD” on page 16) to locate the disc easily when you start playing. When you select a CD-TEXT disc or disc with MP3 files, the disc title is displayed instead of total number of tracks and total playing time.

— Normal Play/Shuffle Play/Repeat

Play

You can play up to 60 CDs continuously. This system lets you play the CD in different play modes.

Disc number

Track number Playing time

1Press CD to switch the function to CD. 2When you want to specify the disc for

1 DISC, turn DISC SELECT (or press DISC – or DISC + on the remote) until the desired disc number or Disc Memo appears.

3In stop mode, press PLAY MODE/

DIRECTION (or PLAY MODE on the remote*1) repeatedly until the mode you want appears.

Select To play

ALL DISCS (Normal Play)

1 DISC (Normal Play)

ALBM (Normal Play)

ALL DISCS SHUF (Shuffle Play)

1 DISC SHUF (Shuffle Play)

ALBM SHUF (Shuffle Play)

PGM (Program Play)

All CDs in the disc tray continuously.

The CD you have selected in original order.

All MP3 files in the folder on the CD you have selected in original order.

The tracks on all CDs in random order.

The tracks on the CD you have selected in random order.

The MP3 files in the folder on the CD you have selected in random order.

The tracks on all CDs in the order you want them to be played (see “Programing CD tracks” on page 15).

4Press n N.

+ 30 hidden pages

Sony MHC-GS300AV User Manual

Table of Contents

List of Button Locations and Reference Pages

Main unit

Remote Control

Getting Started

Hooking up the system

Setting up your speakers for Dolby Pro Logic

Setting the clock

CD/MP3 files

Loading a CD

Playing a CD