Sony MHC-V808 Operating Instructions Manual

Mini Hi-Fi
Component
System

Operating Instructions

3-861-222-11(1)

MHC-V808

©1998 by Sony Corporation

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.

This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby* B­type noise reduction system.
* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under licence
from Dolby Laboratories Licencing Corporation.

“DOLBY” and the double-D symbol a are
trademarks of the Dolby Laboratories Licencing
Corporation.

This system can play
the following discs

VIDEO CDs Audio CDs

Disc logo

Contents Audio + Video Audio

(moving pictures)
Disc size 12 cm/8 cm 12 cm/8 cm
Play time 74 min./20 min. 74 min./20 min.

Note on VIDEO CDs

This system conforms to VIDEO CDs without PBC
functions (Ver. 1.1) and VIDEO CDs with PBC
functions (Ver. 2.0) of VIDEO CD standards. You
can enjoy two kinds of playback according to the
disc type.

Disc type You can

VIDEO CDs without Enjoy video playback
PBC functions (moving pictures) as
(Ver. 1.1 discs) well as audio CDs.

VIDEO CDs with Play interactive
PBC functions software using menu
(Ver. 2.0 discs) screens displayed on

the TV screen (menu
playback), in addition
to the video playback
function of VIDEO
CDs without PBC
functions.
Moreover, you can
play high or standard
quality still picture.

* PBC = Play Back Control

2

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system............. 4

Step 2: Setting the time .......................... 7

Step 3: Presetting radio stations ........... 8

Connecting optional AV components . 9

Basic Operations

Playing a VIDEO CD ........................... 12

Playing a CD ......................................... 14

Recording a CD/VIDEO CD .............. 16

Listening to the radio........................... 18

Recording from the radio .................... 20

Playing a tape........................................ 22

Recording from a tape ......................... 23

Singing along: Karaoke ....................... 24

The VIDEO CD/CD Player

Playing a VIDEO CD with PBC

functions (Ver 2.0) ......................... 26

Checking the remaining time ............. 27

Using the on-screen display ............... 28

Locating a specific part of a disc ........ 30

Playing a VIDEO CD from where it was

last stopped..................................... 35

Reducing distortion of the picture with

advanced DNR ............................... 36

Setting the sharpness ........................... 37

Adding trails to moving pictures....... 37

Playing CD tracks repeatedly ............. 38

Playing CD tracks in random order ......

.......................................................... 39

Programming CD tracks ..................... 40

Playing CDs without interruption ..... 41

The Tape Deck

Recording on a tape manually ........... 42

Recording a CD by specifying track

order ................................................ 43

DJ Effects

Looping part of a CD ........................... 45

Flashing part of a CD........................... 45

Waving the equalizer........................... 46

Using the drum pads ........................... 47

Using the beat function ....................... 48

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound ............................ 49

Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 50

Adjusting the audio emphasis............ 51

Making a personal audio emphasis

file .................................................... 53

Switching the speaker formation ....... 54

Other Features

Mixing and recording sounds ............ 56

Falling asleep to music ........................ 57

Waking up to music ............................. 57

Timer-recording radio programs ....... 59

Additional Information

Precautions ............................................ 60

Troubleshooting ................................... 61

Specifications ........................................ 64

Glossary ................................................. 66

Index....................................................... 67

3

Getting Started

Step 1: Hooking up the system

Do the following procedure 1 to 7 to hook up your system using the supplied cords and
accessories.

Surround speaker (Left)Surround speaker (Right)

To the video input

AM loop antenna

FM antenna

Front speaker (Right)

1 Connect the speakers.

1 Connect the speaker cords of front

speakers to the SPEAKER jacks of the
same color.
Keep the speaker cords away from the
antennas to prevent noise.

Insert only the stripped portion.

4

Front speaker (Left)

2 Connect the speaker cords of the

surround speakers to SURROUND
SPEAKER jacks of the same color.
Keep the speaker cords away from the
antennas to prevent noise.

R

+

Black (’)Red (‘)

L

+
–

Note

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

110-120V 220-240V

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

Insert only the stripped portion.

R

+

Gray (‘) Black (’)

2 Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then
connect it.

AM loop antenna

Extend the FM lead
antenna horizontally.

4 Set SYSTEM SELECT (color system)

to the appropriate position (PAL or
NTSC), according to your TV.

NTSC
AUTO

L

+
–

If your TV automatically changes the color
system according to the input signal:

The factory setting (AUTO) automatically
changes the color system of the video output
according to the color system of the current
VIDEO CD. If you turn off the system, the
color system will be set to NTSC
automatically when you turn on the system
again.

If the color system of your TV is NTSC:

FM75

Set SYSTEM SELECT to NTSC.

Pictures recorded in the PAL color system will be
stretched vertically and will be displayed with the

AM

upper and lower parts of the picture cut off.

If the color system of your TV is PAL:

Set SYSTEM SELECT to PAL.

Pictures recorded in the NTSC color system will be
stretched horizontally and will be displayed with
the upper and lower parts of the screen masked in
black.

PAL

SYSTEM SELECT

3 Connect the video input jack of your

TV to the VIDEO OUT jack with the
supplied video connecting cable.

VIDEO OUT

When using a TV

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

Tip

For even higher quality video images, you can use
an optional S VIDEO cord to connect the S VIDEO
input jack on your TV to the S VIDEO OUT jack.

Note

Be sure to turn off the system before changing the
SYSTEM SELECT setting.

5 Set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the

position of your local power line
voltage.

S VIDEO OUT

continued

5

Step 1: Hooking up the system
(continued)

6 Connect the power cord to a wall

outlet.

Demo mode appears in the display.

If the plug on this unit does not fit

your wall outlet, detach the supplied

adapter from the plug (except for

Malaysia and China).

7 Deactivate the demo mode by

pressing DISPLAY/DEMO when

the system power is turned off.

Inserting two size AA (R6)
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.

To attach the front speaker pads

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

When carrying this system

Do the following to protect the CD
mechanism.

1 Press FUNCTION repeatedly until “CD”

appears in the display.

2 Hold down PLAY MODE and press

POWER so “LOCK” appears in the display.

Using the remote

You can use the shaded buttons shown below
to operate Sony TV.

TV/VIDEO

To Press on the remote

Turn the TV on or TV POWER.
off

Switch the TV’s TV/VIDEO.
video input

Change the TV TV CH +/–.
channels

Adjusts the volume TV VOL +/–.
of the TV speaker(s)

6

TV POWER
TV VOL +/–

TV CH +/–

Step 2: Setting the
time

You must set the time before using the timer
functions.

1

3,5

2,4

Tips

•If you’ve made a mistake, start over from step 1.

•Setting the time deactivates the demo mode.
If you want to display the demo mode, press

DISPLAY/DEMO when the power is off.

Note

When setting the time, set the equalizer display to
anything other than Spectrum analyzer pattern 3.
(See “To change the equalizer display” on page 51.)

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

The hour indication flashes.

2 Turn the jog dial to set the hour.

The clock is on a 12-hour system.

3 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The minute indication flashes.

4 Turn the jog dial to set the minute.
5 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The clock starts working.

7

Step 3: Presetting
radio stations

You can preset up to 40 stations, 20 for FM, 10
for MW and 10 for SW.

POWER

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in
the display.

Each time you press this button, the
band changes as follows:

FM n MW n SW

2 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly to

select “AUTO.”

3,5 6 1 4 2

n

3 Turn the jog dial.

The frequency indication changes and
scanning stops when the system tunes in
a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for
stereo programs) appear.

TUNED
STEREO

AUTO

VOLUME

MHz

4 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears in the display.

Preset number

TUNED
STEREO

AUTO

VOLUME

5 Turn the jog dial to select the preset

number you want.

6 Press ENTER/NEXT.

The station is stored.

7 Repeat steps 1 to 6 to store other

stations.

To tune in a station with a weak
signal

Press TUNING MODE repeatedly to select
“MANUAL” in step 2, then turn the jog dial
to tune in the station.

To change the preset number

Start over from step 1.

To change the AM tuning interval

The AM tuning interval is factory-preset to 9 kHz.
To change the AM tuning interval, tune in any AM
station first, then turn off the power. While holding
down the ENTER/NEXT button, turn the power
back on. When you change the interval, AM preset
stations will be erased. To reset the interval, repeat
the same procedure.

Tip

The preset stations are retained for half a day even if
you unplug the power cord or a power failure
occurs.

8

Connecting optional
AV components

To enhance your system, you can connect
optional components. Refer to the
instructions of each component.

Connecting audio
components

Select one of the following two connections,
depending on the equipment to be connected
and method of connecting.

Connecting an MD deck for digital
recording

You can record from a CD to an MD deck
digitally by connecting an optical cable.

To the DIGITAL IN jack of the MD deck

Connecting an MD deck for analog
recording

Be sure to match the color of the plugs and
the connectors. To listen to the sound of the
connected MD deck, press FUNCTION
repeatedly until “MD” appears.

To the audio outputs
of the MD deck

Note

If you cannot select “MD” by pressing FUNCTION,
press POWER while pressing FUNCTION when the
power is turned off. “VIDEO” will be switched to
“MD.” To return to “VIDEO,” do the same
procedure.

To the audio inputs
of the MD deck

Note

You cannot record from a VIDEO CD to an MD
deck digitally. When you record from a VIDEO CD
to an MD deck, connect an optional audio cable to
the audio output. (See “Connecting an MD deck for
analog recording.”)

Tip

If you connect a turntable with an MM cartridge,
connect it to VIDEO/MD IN using the optional MM
cartridge equalizer and an audio connecting cord.
To listen to the sound, press FUNCTION repeatedly
until “VIDEO” or “MD” appears.

continued

9

Connecting optional AV
components (continued)

Connecting a super woofer
speaker

You can connect an optional super woofer
speaker.

Connecting a VCR

Be sure to match the color of the plugs and
the connectors. To listen to the sound of the
connected VCR, press FUNCTION repeatedly
until “VIDEO” appears.

By connecting the audio output jacks of your
VCR to the VIDEO/MD (AUDIO) IN jacks
using an optional audio cable, you can enjoy
video playback in powerful stereo sound.

Moreover, if you connect the video input on
the VCR to the VIDEO/MD (AUDIO) OUT
jacks and VIDEO OUT (or S VIDEO OUT)
jack using the supplied video connecting
cable (or an optional S VIDEO connecting
cable), you can record the audio and video
signals from a VIDEO CD onto video tape.

To super woofer

To the audio outputs
of the VCR using an
optional audio cable

To the audio inputs of
the VCR using an
optional audio cable

Note

If the sound is distorted when selecting “VIDEO,”
switch to “MD” (see “Note” on page 9).

To the S VIDEO input of
the VCR using an
optional S VIDEO cable

To the video input
of the VCR using
the video cable

10

Connecting outdoor
antennas

Connect the outdoor antenna to improve the
reception.

FM antenna

Connect an optional FM outdoor antenna.
You can also use the TV antenna instead.

Screw clamp

75-ohm coaxial cable
(not supplied)

FM75

y

AM

Ground wire (not supplied)

AM antenna

Connect a 6 to 15 meter (20 to 50 feet)
insulated wire to the AM antenna terminal.
Leave the supplied AM loop antenna
connected.

Insulated wire (not supplied)

Screw clamp

FM75

AM

Ground wire (not supplied)

Important

If you connect an outdoor antenna, ground
from y terminal with the screw clamp. To
prevent a gas explosion, do not connect the
ground wire to a gas pipe.

y

11

Basic Operations

·∏

§

π

0)

+=

Playing a VIDEO CD

You can play both VIDEO CDs without PBC
functions (Ver 1.1) and VIDEO CDs with PBC
functions (Ver 2.0).

You can enjoy two kinds of playback
according to the disc type.

·∏

POWER

DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE

0/)

1/ALL
DISCS

3

p

jog dial

2

VOLUME

1 Turn on your TV and select the

video input.

Refer to the operating instructions
supplied with your TV if you need help.

2 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place

up to two VIDEO CDs on the disc
tray.

If a disc is not placed properly, it will not
be recognized.

With the label
side up. When
you play a
VIDEO CD
single, place it
on the inner
circle of the
tray.

To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

3 Press one of the DISC 1 – 3 buttons.

The disc tray closes and playback starts.
If you press ·∏ (or · on the remote)
when the disc tray is closed, playback
starts from the CD whose button is lit
green.

Disc tray number Playing time

12

TV POWER
TV VOL +/–

TV CH +/–
D.SKIP

·

PREV /
NEXT

∏

π
º/‚

VOL +/–

ALL1DISCS

Track number

VOLUME

To Do this

Stop playback Press p (or π on the remote).
Pause Press ·∏ (or ∏ on the

remote)*1.

Resume playback Press ·∏ (or · on the

remote).

Select a track or Press NEXT to go foward, or
scene PREV to go back.

Or during playback or pause,
turn the jog dial clockwise (to
go forward) or
counterclockwise (to go back)
and release it when you reach
the desired track*2.

Find a point in a Press and hold 0 or )
track or scene*2(or º/‚ on the remote)

during playback, and release
it at the desired point.

Select a CD Press one of DISC 1 – 3 button.
in stop mode Or press DISC SKIP EX-

CHANGE (or D. SKIP on the
remote).

Play only the Press 1/ALL DISCS repeatedly
VIDEO CD you until “1 DISC” appears.
have selected

Play all VIDEO Press 1/ALL DISCS repeatedly

3

CDs*

until “ALL DISCS” appears.

Remove or Press § OPEN/CLOSE.
change the
VIDEO CDs

Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press
volume VOL +/– on the remote.

*1There may be some disturbance in the video

image.

*2Only for VIDEO CDs without PBC functions (Ver

1.1).

3

*

This function cannot be used during menu
playback of a VIDEO CD with the PBC functions
(Ver 2.0).

Tips

•Pressing ·∏ when the power is off
automatically turns the power on and starts
VIDEO CD playback if there is a VIDEO CD in the
tray (One Touch Play).

•You can switch from another source to the VIDEO
CD player and start playing a VIDEO CD just by
pressing ·∏ or the DISC 1 – 3 buttons
(Automatic Source Selection).

•If there is no VIDEO CD in the player, “CD NO
DISC” appears in the display.

•When a disc is selected or the VIDEO CD placed
in that position is playing, the DISC 1 – 3 button
for that position lights green.

Basic Operations

13

Playing a CD

·∏

§

π

0)

+=

— Normal Play

You can play up to three CDs in a row.

1

POWER

0/)

2

p

·∏

1 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place

up to two CDs on the disc tray.

If a disc is not placed properly it will not
be recognized.

With the label
side up. When
you play a single
CD, place it on
the inner circle
of the tray.

To insert a third disc, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE to rotate the disc tray.

2 Press one of the DISC 1 – 3 buttons.

The disc tray closes and playback starts.
If you press ·∏ (or · on the remote)

when the disc tray is closed, playback
starts from the CD loaded on the tray
whose button is lit green.

Disc tray number Playing time

14

EX-CHANGE

D.SKIP

·

≠/±

1/ALL
DISCS

jog dialDISC SKIP

VOLUME

∏

π
º/‚

VOL +/–

ALL1DISCS

Track number

VOLUME

To Do this

Stop playback Press p (or π on the remote).
Pause Press ·∏ (or ∏ on the

remote). Press again to resume
playback.

Select a track During playback or pause,

turn the jog dial clockwise (to
go forward) or
counterclockwise (to go back)
and release it when you reach
the desired track. Or press
± (to go forward) or ≠
(to go back) on the remote.

Find a point in Press and hold down ) or
a track 0 (or º/‚ on the

remote) during playback and
release it at the desired point.

Select a CD Press a DISC 1 – 3 button or
in stop mode DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE (or

D. SKIP on the remote).

Play only the Press 1/ALL DISCS
CD you have repeatedly until “1 DISC”
selected appears.

Play all CDs Press 1/ALL DISCS repeatedly

until “ALL DISCS” appears.
Remove the CD Press § OPEN/CLOSE.
Exchange other Press DISC SKIP

CDs while EX-CHANGE (or D. SKIP on
playing the remote).

Adjust the Turn VOLUME (or press
volume VOL +/– on the remote).

Tips

•Pressing ·∏ when the power is off
automatically turns the power on and starts CD
playback if there is a CD in the tray (One Touch
Play).

•You can switch from another source to the CD
player and start playing a CD just by pressing

·∏ or the DISC 1 – 3 buttons (Automatic Source
Selection).

•If there is no CD in the player, “CD NO DISC”
appears in the display.

•When a disc tray is selected or the CD placed on
that tray is playing, the DISC 1 – 3 button for the
respective tray lights green.

Basic Operations

15

·∏

§

π

0)

+=

Recording a CD/VIDEO
CD

— CD Synchro Recording

The CD SYNCHRO button lets you record
audio sources from a CD/VIDEO CD to a
tape easily. You can use TYPE I (normal) or
TYPE II (CrO2) tapes.

1 Press § and insert a blank tape into

deck B.

With the side
you want to
record facing
forward.

‚º



π

ª·

§

POWER

DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

4

2

2 Press § OPEN/CLOSE and place a

CD.

Then press again to close the disc tray.
If the indicator for the tray you want to

record is not lit green, press DISC SKIP
EX-CHANGE repeatedly so that it lights
green.

With the label
side up. When
you play a single
CD, place it on
the inner circle
of the tray.

3 Press CD SYNCHRO.

π

53

1

Deck B stands by for recording and the
CD player stands by for playback. ·
(for front side) lights up.

4 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side.
Select a (or RELAY) to record on

DOLBY NR

both sides.

5 Press ∏ PAUSE on deck B.

Recording starts.

16

To stop recording

Press π on deck B or p on the CD player.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press
ª so that ª (for reverse side) lights up.

• When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low­level high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR on
the remote so that “DOLBY NR B” appears after
pressing CD SYNCHRO.

Notes

• You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

• You cannot record from a VIDEO CD with PBC
functions (Ver 2.0).

Basic Operations

17

Listening to the radio

–– Preset Tuning

Preset radio stations in the tuner’s memory
first (see “Step 3: Presetting radio stations”).

POWER

3

STEREO /
MONOVOLUME

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in
the display.

Every time you press the button, the
band changes as follows:

FM n MW n SW

n

2 Press TUNING MODE repeatedly

so “PRESET” appears in the display.

MANUAL n AUTO n PRESET

n

3 Turn the jog dial (or press ≠ or

± on the remote) to tune in the

desired preset station.

21

POWER

TUNER
BAND

≠/±

VOL +/–

Turn
counterclockwise
(or press ≠
on the remote)
for lower preset
numbers.

Preset number Frequency

PRESET

To Do this

Turn off the radio Press POWER.
Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

VOL +/– on the remote).

Turn clockwise
(or press ±

+–

on the remote)
for higher
preset numbers.

TUNED
STEREO

MHz

VOLUME

18

To listen to non-preset radio
stations

Press TUNING MODE repeatedly so that
“MANUAL” appears in step 2, then tune in
the station by turning the jog dial.

Tips

• Pressing TUNER/BAND when the power is off
automatically turns the power on and tunes to the
last received station (One Touch Play).

• You can switch from another source to the radio
just by pressing TUNER/BAND (Automatic
Source Selection).

• If an FM program is noisy, press STEREO/MONO
so that “MONO” appears in the display. There
will be no stereo effect, but the reception will
improve. Press the button again to restore the
stereo effect.

• To improve broadcast reception, reorient the
supplied antennas.

Basic Operations

19

Recording from the

+–

radio

You can record the radio program on a tape
by calling up a preset station. You can use
TYPE I (normal) or TYPE II (CrO2) tapes.

POWER

123

1 Press TUNER/BAND to select the

band you want.

2 Press TUNING MODE so that

“PRESET” appears in the display.

3 Turn the jog dial to tune in a preset

station.

Turn
counterclockwise
for lower preset
numbers.

Preset number Frequency

PRESET

Turn clockwise
for higher
preset numbers.

TUNED
STEREO

VOLUME

MHz

4 Press § and insert a blank tape into

deck B.

With the side
you want to
record facing
forward.

‚º



π

ª·

20

657 4

π

§

5 Press r REC.

Deck B stands by for recording.

DOLBY NR

TUNER
BAND

6 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select A to record on one side.
Select a (or RELAY) to record on
both sides.

7 Press ∏ PAUSE on deck B.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press π on deck B.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press
ª so that ª (for reverse side) lights up.

• When you record on both sides, be sure to start
from the front side. If you start from the reverse
side, recording stops at the end of the reverse side.

• To record non-preset stations, select “MANUAL”
in step 2, then turn the jog dial to tune in the
desired station.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in low­level high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR on
the remote so that “DOLBY NR B” appears after
pressing r REC.

• If noise is heard while recording from the radio,
move the respective antenna to reduce the noise.

Basic Operations

21