Sony MHC-GX355, MHC-RG575S, MHC-RG170, MHC-RG470, MHC-GX255 User Manual

2-580-011-14(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-GX555/GX355/GX255

MHC-RG575S/RG475S/RG470/

RG270/RG170

©2005 Sony Corporation

WARNING

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

To reduce the risk of fire, do not cover the ventilation of the apparatus with newspapers, tablecloths, curtains, etc. And do not place lighted candles on the apparatus. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus.

Connect the unit to an easily accessible AC outlet. Should you notice an abnormality in the unit, disconnect the main plug from the AC outlet immediately.

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 marking is located on the rear exterior.

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

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.

CAUTION

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

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.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following 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.

CAUTION

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

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

Except for European and Russian models

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

MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology and patents licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.

2GB

Table of Contents
How to use this manual...........................	4
Playable discs..........................................	4
Getting Started
Hooking up the system............................	6
Setting the clock......................................	9
CD/MP3 – Play
Loading a disc .......................................	10
Playing a disc ........................................	10
— Normal Play/Shuffle Play
Playing repeatedly.................................	12
— Repeat Play
Creating your own program ..................	13
— Program Play
Tuner
Presetting radio stations ........................	14
Listening to the radio ............................	15
— Preset Tuning
— Manual Tuning
Using the Radio Data System (RDS)....	16
(European model only)
Tape – Play
Loading a tape.......................................	17
Playing a tape........................................	17
Tape – Recording
Recording your favorite CD tracks on a
tape..................................................	18
— CD-TAPE Synchro Recording
Recording on a tape manually...............	18
— Manual Recording

Sound Adjustment
Adjusting the sound..............................	19
Using the sub woofer............................	19
(MHC-GX555/RG575S/RG475S
only)
Selecting the sound effect.....................	19
Adjusting the graphic equalizer and
storing.............................................	20
Selecting the surround effect ................	20
Singing along: Karaoke ........................	21
(Latin American model only)
Timer
Falling asleep to music .........................	22
— Sleep Timer
Waking up to music..............................	22
— Play Timer
Timer recording radio programs...........	23
— Rec Timer
Display
Turning off the display .........................	24
— Power Saving Mode
Viewing information about the disc in the
display ............................................	25
Changing the Power illuminator...........	26
Viewing the tuner information in the
display ............................................	26
Optional Components
Hooking up optional components.........	27
Troubleshooting
Problems and remedies.........................	28
Messages...............................................	31
Additional Information
Precautions............................................	32
Specifications........................................	34
List of button locations and reference
pages...............................................	40

3GB

How to use this manual

This manual mainly explains operations using the remote, but the same operations can also be performed using the buttons on the unit having the same or similar names.

Playable discs

You can play back the following discs on this system. Other discs cannot be played back.

List of playable discs

Format of discs

Disc logo

Audio CDs

CD-Gs* (CD-Graphics)

CD-R/CD-RW (audio data/MP3 files)

* Playback is possible only on Mexican model.

Discs that this system cannot play

•CD-ROMs

•CD-Rs/CD-RWs other than those recorded in the following formats:

–music CD format

–MP3 format that conforms to ISO96601) Level 1/Level 2, Joliet or Multi Session2)

•Discs with non-standard shapes (e.g., heart, square, star) cannot be played on this unit. Attempting to do so may damage the unit. Do not use such discs.

•A disc with paper or stickers on it.

•A disc that has the adhesive, cellophane tape, or a sticker still left on it.

1)ISO9660 Format

The most common international standard for the logical format of files and folders on a CD-ROM. There are several specification levels. In Level 1, file names must be in the 8.3 format (no more than eight characters in the name, no more than three characters in the extension “.MP3”) and in capital letters. Folder names can be no longer than eight characters. There can be no more than eight nested folder levels. Level 2 specifications allow file names and folder names up to 31 characters long. Each folder can have up to 8 trees.

For Joliet in the expansion format (file and folder names can have up to 64 characters) make sure of the contents of the writing software, etc.

2)Multi Session

This is a recording method that enables adding of data using the Track-At-Once method. Conventional CDs begin at a CD control area called the Lead-in and end at an area called Lead-out. A Multi Session CD is a CD having multiple sessions, with each segment from Lead-in to Lead-out regarded as a single session.

CD-Extra: This format records audio (audio CD data) on the tracks in session 1 and data on the tracks in session 2.

Mixed CD: This format records data on the first track and audio (audio CD data) on the second and subsequent tracks of a session.

4GB

Notes on CD-R and CD-RW

•Some CD-Rs or CD-RWs cannot be played on this system depending upon the recording quality or physical condition of the disc, or the characteristics of the recording device. Furthermore, the disc will not play if it has not been correctly finalized. For more information, see the operating instructions for the recording device.

•Discs recorded on CD-R/CD-RW drives may not be played back because of scratches, dirt, recording condition or the driver’s characteristics.

•CD-R and CD-RW discs recorded in multisession that have not ended by “closing the session” are not supported.

•The system may be unable to play MP3 format files that do not have the “.MP3” extension.

•Attempting to play non-MP3 format files that have the “.MP3” extension may result in noise or malfunction.

•With formats other than ISO9660 Level 1 and 2, folder names or file names may not be displayed correctly.

•The following discs take a longer time to start playback.

–a disc recorded with complicated tree structure.

–a disc recorded in Multi Session.

–a disc to which data can be added (nonfinalized disc).

Music discs encoded with copyright protection technologies

This product is designed to playback discs that conform to the Compact Disc (CD) standard. Recently, various music discs encoded with copyright protection technologies are marketed by some record companies. Please be aware that among those discs, there are some that do not conform to the CD standard and may not be playable by this product.

Note on DualDiscs

A DualDisc is a two sided disc product which mates DVD recorded material on one side with digital audio material on the other side. However, since the audio material side does not conform to the Compact Disc (CD) standard, playback on this product is not guaranteed.

Cautions when playing a disc that is recorded in Multi Session

•If the disc begins with a CD-DA session, it is recognized as a CD-DA (audio) disc, and playback continues until an MP3 session is encountered.

•If the disc begins with an MP3 session, it is recognized as an MP3 disc, and playback continues until a CD-DA (audio) session is encountered.

•The playback range of an MP3 disc is determined by the tree structure of files produced by analyzing of the disc.

•A disc with a mixed CD format will be recognized as a CD-DA (audio) disc.

5GB

Getting Started

Hooking up the system

Perform the following procedures 1 to 6 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and accessories. A model equipped with a sub woofer is used for illustration purpose.

AM loop antenna

FM lead antenna

Sub woofer*

Front speaker (right)

*MHC-GX555/RG575S/RG475S only

1 Connect the front speakers.

Connect the right and left speaker cords to the SPEAKER terminals as shown below.

	Insert only the stripped portion
Red
	R	L
		+
Red/Solid (3)		–

Black

Black/Stripe (#)

Front speaker (left)

2Connect the sub woofer. (MHC-GX555/RG575S/RG475S only)

Connect the speaker cords to the SUBWOOFER OUT terminal as shown below.

Insert only the stripped portion

Red/Solid (3)

Black

Red

Black/Stripe (#)

6GB

3Connect the FM and AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Plug type A

AM loop antenna

4(Mexican model only)

Connect the video input jack of your TV to the VIDEO OUT jack with the video cable (supplied).

VIDEO

OUT

Started Getting

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally

Plug type B

AM loop antenna

When using a TV

Turn on the TV and select the video input so that you can view the pictures from this system.

Note

Mexican model is designed to play back only CD-Gs recorded in the NTSC color system. If you play a CD- G recorded in other color system, the pictures may not be displayed correctly.

5For models with a voltage selector, set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the local power line voltage.

Refer to the print on your system’s VOLTAGE SELECTOR for available settings.

Extend the FM lead			North American model:
antenna horizontally			Connect white side.
			Other models:
			Connect brown side.

* Saudi Arabian model: 120 – 127 V

Note

To prevent noise pickup, keep the antennas away from the speaker cords.

continued

7GB

6Connect 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. If the plug does not fit the wall socket, detach the supplied plug adaptor (only for models equipped with an adaptor).

Attaching the speaker pads

Attach the supplied speaker pads to the bottom of the speakers to stabilize the speakers and prevent them from slipping.

Front speaker (Left (4)/Right (4))

Sub woofer (4)*

Inserting two R6 (size AA) batteries into the remote

Note

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

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.

* MHC-GX555/RG575S/RG475S only

When carrying this system

Perform the following procedure to protect the CD mechanism. Use buttons on the unit for the operation.

1Press ?/1 to turn on the system, then press CD to switch the function to CD.

2Make sure that all discs are removed from the system.

3Hold down CD and then press ?/1 until “STANDBY” appears.

After a few seconds later, “STANDBY” disappears and “LOCK” appears.

4Unplug the power cord.

8GB

Placing the sub woofer (MHC-GX555/RG575S/RG475S only)

To obtain a better bass reproduction, we recommend you to place the sub woofer on a solid floor where resonance is unlikely to occur.

Notes

•Always place the sub woofer vertically, keeping it a few centimeters away from the wall.

•If the sub woofer is placed in the center of a room, the bass could be extremely weakened. This is due to the influence of the standing wave of the room. If this happens, move the sub woofer away from the center of the room or eliminate the cause of the standing wave, by placing a bookshelf against the wall, etc.

Setting the clock

Use buttons on the remote for the operation.

1 Press ?/1 to turn on the system.

2 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

3 Press . or > repeatedly to set the hour.

4 Press ENTER.

5 Press . or > repeatedly to set the minute.

6 Press ENTER.

The clock starts working.

To adjust the clock

1Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

2Press . or > repeatedly to select “CLOCK SET”, then press ENTER.

3Do 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 (page 24).

Started Getting

9GB

CD/MP3 – Play

Loading a disc

Use buttons on the unit for the operation.

1 Press Z.

2 Place a disc with the label side up on the disc tray.

To insert additional discs, press DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

3 Press Z again to close the disc tray.

Notes

•Do not use a disc with tape, seals or paste on it as this may cause malfunction.

•Do not forcibly press the disc tray closed with your finger, as this may cause malfunction.

10GB

Playing a disc

— Normal Play/Shuffle Play

This system lets you play audio CDs, CD-Gs* and discs with MP3 audio tracks.

*CD-Gs (CD-Graphics) can only be played on Mexican model.

You can enjoy the video images recorded on CD-Gs by connecting the system to a TV (see step 4 of “Hooking up the system” (page 6)).

Example: When a disc is loaded

Disc tray number Track number

Disc presence indicator

Playing time

1 Press CD (or FUNCTION repeatedly) to switch the function to CD.

2

3

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly in stop mode until the mode you want appears in the display.

Select	To play
ALL DISCS	All discs in the disc tray
(Normal Play)	continuously.
1DISC	The tracks on the disc you
(Normal Play)	have selected in original
	order.
ALBM	All MP3 audio tracks in the
(Normal Play)	album on the disc you have
	selected in original order.
	When playing a non-MP3
	disc, Album Play performs
	the same operation as 1DISC
	Play.
ALL DISCS	The tracks on all discs in
SHUF (Shuffle	random order.
Play)
1DISC SHUF	The tracks on the disc you
(Shuffle Play)	have selected in random
	order.
ALBM SHUF	The MP3 audio tracks in the
(Shuffle Play)	album on the disc you have
	selected in random order.
	When playing a non-MP3
	disc, Album Shuffle Play
	performs the same operation
	as 1DISC SHUF Play.
PGM	The tracks on the disc in the
(Program Play)	order you want them to be
	played (see “Creating your
	own program” on page 13).

Press N.

Other operations

To	Do this
Stop play	Press x.
Pause	Press X. Press again to resume
	play.
Select a track	Press . or > repeatedly (or
	turn l L on the unit).
Select an album	Press ALBUM + or – repeatedly
of MP3	after step 2.
Find a point in a	Keep pressing m or M during
track (except for	playback and release it at the
CD-Gs)	desired point.
Select a disc in	Press DISC SKIP (or DISC 1 – 3
stop mode	or DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE on
	the unit).
Switch to CD	Press DISC 1 – 3 on the unit
function from	(Automatic Source Selection).
other function
Exchange other	Press DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE
discs while	on the unit.
playing
Remove a disc	Press Z on the unit.

Play – CD/MP3

continued

11GB

Notes

•On Mexican model, you cannot perform the following operations

–selecting the graphic channels of CD-Gs

–displaying CD-G images with fading effects

•On Mexican model, when you play back a CD-G, some operation may cause image distortion on the video output.

•You cannot change the play mode during playback.

•Some time may be needed to start playback of discs recorded in complex configurations such as many layers.

•When the disc is inserted, the player reads all the tracks on that disc. If there are many albums or nonMP3 audio tracks on the disc, it may take a long time for play to begin or for the next MP3 audio track to start play.

•Do not save unnecessary albums or tracks other than MP3 ones in the disc to be used for MP3 listening. We recommend that you do not save other types of tracks or unnecessary albums on a disc that has MP3 audio tracks.

•An album that does not include an MP3 audio track is skipped.

•Maximum number of albums: 150 (including root folder)

•Maximum number of MP3 audio tracks: 255

•The maximum number of MP3 audio tracks and albums that can be contained on a single disc is 300.

•Playback is possible up to 8 levels.

•MP3 audio tracks are played back in the order that they are recorded on the disc.

•Depending on the encoding/writing software, recording device, or the recording media used at the time an MP3 audio track is recorded, you may encounter such problems as disabled playback, sound interruptions, and noise.

•When disc access takes a long time, set “CD POWER ON” by CD power manage function (page 15).

Playing repeatedly

— Repeat Play

You can play all the tracks or a single track on a disc repeatedly.

Press REPEAT repeatedly until “REP” or “REP1” appears.

REP: For all the tracks on a disc up to five times. REP1: For a single track only.

To cancel Repeat Play

Press REPEAT repeatedly until both “REP” and “REP1” disappear.

Notes

•You cannot select “REP” and “ALL DISCS SHUF” at the same time.

•When you select “REP1”, that track is repeated endlessly until “REP1” is canceled.

12GB

Creating your own program

— Program Play

You can make a program of up to 25 steps from all the discs in the order you want to play them. You can synchro record the programmed tracks onto a cassette tape (page 18).

1 Press CD (or FUNCTION repeatedly) to switch the function to CD.

2 Press PLAY MODE repeatedly in stop mode until “PGM” appears.

3 Press DISC SKIP (or DISC 1 – 3 or DISC SKIP/EX-CHANGE on the unit) to select a disc.

4 Press . or > repeatedly (or turn l L on the unit) until the desired track number appears.

When programming the MP3 audio tracks, press ALBUM + or – repeatedly to select the desired album, then press . or > repeatedly (or turn l L on the unit) until the desired track number appears.

Disc tray number Selected track number

Total playing time (including selected track)

5 Press ENTER.

The track is programmed.

The program step number appears, followed by the total playing time.

6	Program additional tracks.
	To program	Repeat steps
	Other tracks on the 4 and 5
	same disc
	Other tracks on	3 to 5
	other discs
7
	Press N.
	Program Play starts.
Other operations
To		Do this
Cancel Program		Press PLAY MODE repeatedly
Play		in stop mode until “PGM”
		disappears.
Clear a track from		Press CLEAR in stop mode.
the end

Tips

•The program you made remains after Program Play finishes. To play the same program again, press CD (or FUNCTION repeatedly) to switch the function to CD, then press N. However, the program is cleared when you open the disc tray.

•“– –.– –” appears when the total CD program time exceeds 100 minutes, or when you select an MP3 audio track.

Play – CD/MP3

13GB

Tuner

Presetting radio stations

You can preset up to 20 FM stations and 10 AM stations. You can then tune in any of those stations simply by selecting the corresponding preset number.

Automatic tuning preset

You can automatically tune in all of the stations that can be received in your area and then store the radio frequency of the desired stations.

1 Press TUNER BAND (or FUNCTION repeatedly) to switch the function to TUNER.

2 Press TUNER BAND repeatedly to select “FM” or “AM”.

3 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly until “AUTO” appears in the display.

4 Press + or – (or turn – TUNING + on the unit).

The frequency changes as the system scans for a station. Scanning stops automatically when a station is tuned in. At that time, “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for an FM stereo program) appear.

If “TUNED” does not appear and the scanning does not stop

Set the frequency of the desired radio station as described in steps 3 through 8 of “Manual tuning preset” .

5 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears.

Preset number

6 Press + or – (or turn – TUNING + on the unit) repeatedly to select the desired preset number.

7 Press ENTER.

8 Repeat steps 2 through 7 to store other stations.

Manual tuning preset

You can manually tune in and store the radio frequency of the desired stations.

1 Press TUNER BAND (or FUNCTION repeatedly) to switch the function to TUNER.

2 Press TUNER BAND repeatedly to select “FM” or “AM”.

3 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly until “AUTO” and “PRESET” disappear from the display.

4 Press + or – (or turn – TUNING + on the unit) repeatedly to tune in the desired station.

5 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears.

6 Press + or – (or turn – TUNING + on the unit) repeatedly to select the desired preset number.

7 Press ENTER.

8 Repeat steps 2 through 7 to store other stations.

Other operations

To	Do this
Tune in a station	Follow the procedure described
with a weak signal	in “Manual tuning preset” .
Set another station	Start over from step 2. After
to the existing	step 5, press + or – (or turn –
preset number	TUNING + on the unit)
	repeatedly to select the preset
	number you want to store the
	other station.

14GB