Sony MHC-VX55, MHC-VX99, MHC-VX77 User Manual

Mini Hi-Fi Component System

Operating Instructions

4-226-942-11 (1)

MHC-VX99 MHC-VX77 MHC-VX55

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.

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

This stereo system is equipped with the Dolby Btype noise reduction system*. (MHC-VX99 only). * Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. DOLBY and the double-D symbol ; are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing 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

About this manual

The instructions in this manual are for MHC-VX99/VX77/VX55. MHC-VX99 is the model used for illustration purposes only. The location of some buttons on MHC-VX77/ VX55 is different, but the name of the buttons is the same.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

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

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

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

Basic Operations

Playing a VIDEO CD ........................... 10

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

Recording a CD/VIDEO CD .............. 13

Listening to the radio........................... 14

Recording from the radio .................... 15

Playing a tape........................................ 16

Recording from a tape ......................... 18

Singing along: Karaoke ...................... 19

The VIDEO CD/CD Player

Playing a VIDEO CD with PBC

functions (Ver. 2.0) ........................ 21

Checking the remaining time ............. 22

Using the on-screen display ............... 23

Locating a specific part of a disc ........ 25

Resuming playback from the point you

stopped a VIDEO CD .................... 28

Adjusting the picture ........................... 29

Playing the CD tracks repeatedly ...... 30

Playing the CD tracks in random order

.......................................................... 31

Programming the CD tracks ............... 32

The Tape Deck

DJ Effects

Looping part of a CD ........................... 37

Flashing part of a CD ........................... 37

Sound Adjustment

Adjusting the sound ............................ 38

Selecting the audio emphasis ............. 39

Changing the spectrum analyzer

display ............................................. 40

Selecting the surround effect .............. 40

Adjusting the graphic equalizer......... 41

Other Features

Mixing and recording sounds ............ 42

Falling asleep to music ........................ 43

Waking up to music ............................. 43

Timer-recording radio programs ....... 45

Optional Components

Connecting audio components .......... 46

Connecting a VCR ................................ 47

Connecting external antennas ............ 48

Additional Information

Precautions ............................................ 49

Troubleshooting ................................... 50

Specifications ........................................ 53

Glossary ................................................. 55

Index....................................... Back Cover

Recording on a tape manually ........... 34

Recording a CD by specifying track

order ................................................ 35

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* (Right) Surround speaker* (Left)

FM antenna

AM loop antenna

Front speaker

(Right)

* MHC-VX77 only.

1 Connect the speakers.

Connect the speaker cords of front speakers to the SPEAKER jacks as below.

Insert only the stripped portion.

Black/Stripe (#)Red/Solid (3)

+ –

Front speaker

(Left)

2 Connect the surround speaker

(MHC-VX77 only).

Connect the speaker cords to SURROUND SPEAKER jacks.

Notes

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

• The type of speakers supplied varies according to the model you purchased (see “Specifications” on page 53).

3 Connect the FM/AM antennas.

Set up the AM loop antenna, then connect it.

Jack type A

Extend the FM lead

AM loop antenna

Jack type B

AM loop antenna

antenna horizontally.

FM75

COAXIAL

Extend the FM lead antenna horizontally.

FM75

COAXIAL

4 Connect the video input jack of your

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

S VIDEO OUT

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 cable to connect the S VIDEO input jack on your TV to the S VIDEO OUT jack.

5 For models with a voltage selector,

set VOLTAGE SELECTOR to the position of your local power line voltage.

VOLTAGE SELECTOR

230 - 240V

120V 220V

6 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.

If the supplied adaptor on the plug does not fit your wall outlet, detach it from the plug (only for the model equipped with an adaptor).

continued

Step 1: Hooking up the system (continued)

7 Follow the instructions below to set

the color system according to your TV. The factory setting is AUTO. Make sure the power is off each time before setting the color system. After you set the color system, the power turns on automatically and the function is set to CD.

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

Press ?/1 while holding down X. The color system is set to AUTO.

AUTO automatically changes the color system of the video output according to the color system of the current VIDEO CD.

If the color system of your TV is NTSC:

Press ?/1 while holding down >. The color

system is set to NTSC.

If the color system of your TV is PAL:

Press ?/1 while holding down .. The color

system is set to PAL.

Note

When you set color system to NTSC and play back a VIDEO CD recorded in the PAL color system, the picture image may be distorted depending on the disc. Similarly, when you set color system to PAL and play back a VIDEO CD recorded in the NTSC color system, the picture image may be distorted depending on the disc.

To connect optional components

See page 46.

To deactivate the demonstration

When you set the time (see “Step 2: Setting the time”), the demonstration is deactivated.

To activate/deactivate the demonstration again, press DISPLAY while the system is off.

To attach the front speaker pads

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

Positioning the speakers (MHC-VX77 only)

Before you connect them, determine the best location for your speakers.

1 Place the front speakers at an angle

of 45 degrees from your listening position.

Front speaker (L)

Surround speaker (L)

45º

Front speaker (R)

Surround speaker (R)

2 Place the surround speakers facing

each other at about 60 to 90 cm above your listening position.

Surround speaker

60 to 90 cm

Inserting two size AA (R6) batteries into the remote

Using the remote

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

TV/VIDEO

To Press

Turn the TV on or off TV ?/1 Switch the TV's TV/VIDEO.

video input Change the TV TV CH +/–.

channels Adjusts the volume TV VOL +/–.

of the TV speaker(s)

TV ?/1 TV VOL +/ TV CH +/

Step 2: Setting the time

You must set the time before using the timer functions.

2,4

NX x

1 Press CLOCK/TIMER SET.

The hour indication flashes.

xMm>.

1 3,5

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.

When carrying this system

Do the following to protect the CD mechanism.

1 Make sure that all discs are removed from

the unit.

2 Hold down CD and then press ?/1 so that

“LOCK” appears in the display.

3 Unplug the AC power cord.

2 Press . or > repeatedly to set

the hour.

continued

Step 2: Setting the time (continued)

Step 3: Presetting

3 Press ENTER.

The minute indication flashes.

4 Press . or > repeatedly to set

the minute.

5 Press ENTER.

The clock starts working.

Tip

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

To change the time

The previous explanation shows you how to set the time while the power is off. To change the time while the power is on, do the following:

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

SET CLOCK.

3 Press ENTER. 4 Perform steps 2 through 5 above.

Note

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

radio stations

You can preset 20 stations for FM and 10 stations for AM.

?/1

(Power)

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly

until the band you want appears in the display.

Every time you press this button, the band changes as follows: FM y AM

SHUTTLE

2 Press and hold + or – (or TUNING

+/– on the remote) until the frequency indication starts to change, then release.

Scanning stops when the system tunes in a station. “TUNED” and “STEREO” (for a stereo program) appear.

MHz

TUNED

3 Press TUNER MEMORY.

A preset number appears in the display. The stations are stored from preset number 1.

Preset number

TUNED

4 Press ENTER.

“COMPLETE” appears in the display. The station is stored.

5 Repeat steps 1 to 4 to store other

stations.

STEREO

To tune in a station with a weak signal

Press + or – (TUNING +/– on the remote) repeatedly to tune in the station manually.

To set another station to the existing preset number

Start over from step 1. After step 3, turn SHUTTLE until it clicks to select the preset number you want to store the other station.

You can add a new preset number after the last preset number.

To erase the preset station

1 Hold down TUNER MEMORY until a

preset number appears in the display.

2 Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks to select the

preset number you want to erase. Select “ALL ERASE” when you want to

erase all the preset stations.

3 Press ENTER.

“COMPLETE” appears.

When you erase a preset number, the preset number decreases by one and all preset numbers following the erased one are renumbered.

To change the AM tuning interval

(Except for Middle Eastern models)

The AM tuning interval is factory set to 9 kHz (10 kHz in some areas). To change the AM tuning interval, tune in any AM station first, then turn off the power. While holding down the ENTER 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 if a power failure occurs.

Basic Operations

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.

?/1

(Power)

DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

. >

VOLUME

PLAY

MODE

SHUTTLE

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 Z OPEN/CLOSE and place a

VIDEO CD on the disc tray.

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

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

To insert additional discs, 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 nN when CD is selected

as the function and the disc tray is closed, playback starts from the CD loaded on the tray whose disc pointer indicator is lit.

Disc pointer indicator

Track number

Playing time

D.SKIP

. >

NX x

VideoCD

sMm>.

m M

VOL +/–

indicator

Disc tray numberDisc presence

Stop play Pause

Select a track or

scene

Find a point in a track or scene (Lock Search function)

Select a VIDEO CD in stop mode

Play only the VIDEO CD you have selected

Play all VIDEO CDs

Remove the VIDEO CD

Exchange other VIDEO CDs while playing

Adjust the volume

Do this

Press x. Press X*1. Press again to

resume playback. Press NEXT or > to go

forward, PREV or . to go back. When you play VIDEO CDs with PBC functions (Ver 2.0), see page 21.

There are two types of searching: 1 Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks during playback and hold. According to the length of turning the shuttle, speed changes as follows (press and hold down m/M on the remote): 1 (slow) t 2 (normal) t 3 (high) Release SHUTTLE at the desired speed and the search goes on at the speed. Press nN to stop searching and start playback at the desired point. 2 Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks during playback. Each time it is turned, speed changes as follows (press m/M on the remote): 1 (slow) t 2 (normal) t 3 (high) t 1 (slow) … Press nN to stop searching and start playback at the desired point.

Press a DISC 1~3 button or DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE (or D.SKIP on the remote).

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until “CONTINUE 1 DISC”*2, “PBC 1 DISC”*3 or “SHUFFLE 1 DISC”*4 appears.

Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until “CONTINUE ALL DISCS”*2, “PBC ALL DISCS”* or “SHUFFLE ALL DISCS”*

appears. Press Z OPEN/CLOSE.

Press DISC SKIP EXCHANGE.

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

*1There may be some disturbance in the video

image.

Only when setting the PBC function to off or when

playing VIDEO CDs without PBC functions (Ver. 1.1).

Only for VIDEO CDs with PBC functions (Ver. 2.0) while the PBC function is set to on.

SHUFFLE means to playback in random order (see page 31). This function cannot be used during menu playback of a VIDEO CD with PBC functions (Ver. 2.0).

Tips

• You can switch from another source to the VIDEO CD player and start playing a VIDEO CD just by pressing one of 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 tray holding a VIDEO CD is selected (or the VIDEO CD in the disc tray is playing) the disc pointer indicator lights. When a disc tray holding a VIDEO CD is not selected, the disc presence indicator lights, but the disc pointer indicator does not light. When all disc trays are empty, both the disc presence indicator and disc pointer indicator light.

Note

When a tray has not been read by the unit, the disc presence indicator may light even though there is no disc on the tray.

Basic Operations

Playing a CD

— Normal play

You can play up to three CDs in a row.

DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

?/1

(Power)

VOLUME

PLAY

MODE

SHUTTLE

1 Press Z OPEN/CLOSE and place a

CD 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 CD single, place it on the inner circle of the tray.

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

2 Press one of the DISC 1~3 buttons.

The disc tray closes and play starts. If you press nN when CD is selected

as the function and the disc tray is closed, play starts from the CD loaded on the tray whose disc pointer indicator is lit.

Disc pointer indicator Track number Playing time

D.SKIP

. >

NX x

Disc presence indicator

sMm>.

m M

VOL +/–

Disc tray number

To Do this

DISC SKIP

EX-CHANGE

DOLBY NR

Stop play Press x. Pause Press X.

Select a track During play or pause, press

Find a point in Turn SHUTTLE clockwise (to a track go forward) or

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

Play only the Press PLAY MODE CD you have repeatedly until “CONTINUE selected 1 DISC” or “SHUFFLE 1

Play all CDs Press PLAY MODE repeatedly

Remove the CD Press Z OPEN/CLOSE. Exchange other

CDs while playing

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

Press again to resume play.

> (to go forward) or . (to go back).

counterclockwise (to go back) until it clicks and hold. Release it when you reach the desired point (or press and hold down M or m on the remote). Then press nN.

D. SKIP on the remote).

DISC” appears.

until “CONTINUE ALL DISCS” or “SHUFFLE ALL DISCS” appears.

Press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE.

Recording a CD/VIDEO CD

— CD Synchro Recording

The CD SYNC HI-DUB button lets you record from a CD to a tape easily. You can use TYPE I (normal) tape.

?/1

(Power)

Basic Operations

Tips

• You can switch from another source to the CD player and start playing a CD just by pressing 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 holding a CD is selected (or the CD in the disc tray is playing) the disc pointer indicator lights. When a disc tray holding a CD is not selected, the disc presence indicator lights, but the disc pointer indicator does not light. When all disc trays are empty, both the disc presence indicator and disc pointer indicator light.

Note

When a tray has not been detected by the unit, the disc pointer indicator may light even though there is no disc on the tray.

1 Press Z and insert a recordable tape

into deck B.

With the side you want to record facing forward

2 Press CD.

continued

Recording a CD/VIDEO CD (continued)

3 Press Z OPEN/CLOSE and place a

CD.

Then, press Z OPEN/CLOSE again to close the disc tray.

When the CD you want to record is not selected, press DISC SKIP EX-CHANGE repeatedly to select the CD you want.

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

4 Press CD SYNC HI-DUB.

Deck B stands by for recording and the CD player stands by for playback. The REC PAUSE/START button flashes.

5 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select g to record on one side. Select j (or RELAY) to record on both sides.

Listening to the radio

–– Preset Tuning

Preset radio stations in the tuner's memory first (see “Step 3: Presetting radio stations” on page 8).

?/1

(Power)

STEREO/

MONO

6 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press x.

Tips

• If you want to record from the reverse side, press TAPE A/B to select deck B after step 1. Press nN to start playback of the reverse side, then press x where you want to start recording. TAPE B reverse side indicator lights up (see page 17).

• 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 so that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing CD SYNC HI-DUB (MHC-VX99 only).

Note

You cannot listen to other sources while recording.

NX x

VOLUME+/–

TUNER/BAND

xMm>.

PRESET +/– TUNING +/–

VOL +/–

1 Press TUNER/BAND repeatedly to

DOLBY NR

34,6

select FM or AM.

2 Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks (or

press PRESET +/– on the remote) to tune in the preset station you want.

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

Preset number* Frequency

Turn clockwise

(or press PRESET + on the remote) for higher preset

numbers.

MHz

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) tape.

?/1

(Power)

TUNED

* When only one station is preset, “ONE

PRESET” appears in the display.

To Do this

Turn off the radio Press ?/1. Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

To listen to non-preset radio stations

Use manual or automatic tuning in step 2. For manual tuning, press + or – (or TUNING +/– on the remote) repeatedly. For automatic tuning, press and hold + or – (or TUNING +/– on the remote).

Tips

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

• When 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.

VOL +/– on the remote).

STEREO

1 Press TUNER/BAND to select the

band you want.

2 Turn SHUTTLE until it clicks (or

press PRESET +/– on the remote) to tune in a preset station.

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

Preset number

TUNED

Turn clockwise

(or press PRESET + on the remote) for higher preset

numbers.

Frequency

continued

MHz

Basic Operations

STEREO

NX x

sMm>.

VOL +/–

nN x

. >

m M

TAPE A/B

Recording from the radio (continued)

Playing a tape

3 Press Z and insert a recordable tape

into deck B.

With the side you want to record facing forward

4 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Deck B stands by for recording.

5 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select g to record on one side. Select j (or RELAY) to record on both sides.

6 Press REC PAUSE/START.

Recording starts.

To stop recording

Press x.

Tips

• 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, use + and – (or TUNING +/– on the remote) in step 2 to tune in the desired station manually.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in lowlevel high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so that “DOLBY NR” appears after pressing REC PAUSE/START in step 4 (MHC-VX99 only).

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

You can use TYPE I (normal) tape. You can also use the ./> (AMS* function) button to quickly search for songs you want to hear. To select either deck A or B, press TAPE A/B repeatedly.

* AMS (Automatic Music Sensor)

?/1

(Power)

DOLBY NR

1 Press TAPE A/B repeatedly to select

deck A or B.

2 Press Z and insert a recorded tape

in deck A or B.

With the side you want to play facing forward

3 Press DIRECTION repeatedly to

select g to play one side. Select j to play both sides.

To play both decks in succession, select RELAY (relay play).*

4 Press nN.

Press nN again to play the reverse side. The tape starts playing.

Forward indicator

Reverse indicator

Tape presence indicator

To Do this

Stop play Press x. Pause Press X. Press again to

Fast-forward

Rewind

Remove the cassette Press Z. Adjust the volume Turn VOLUME (or press

resume play. Turn SHUTTLE clockwise until

it clicks (or press M on the remote) while playing the front side or counterclockwise until it clicks (or press m on the remote) while playing the reverse side.

Turn SHUTTLE counterclockwise until it clicks (or press m on the remote) while playing the front side or clockwise until it clicks (or press M on the remote) while playing the reverse side.

VOL +/– on the remote).

Tips

• The deck stops automatically after repeating the sequence five times.

• When you want to reduce the hiss noise in lowlevel high-frequency signals, press DOLBY NR so that “DOLBY NR” appears (MHC-VX99 only).

• When no tapes are inserted, all indicators light. When a tape (tapes) is (are) inserted, corresponding presence and forward/reverse indicators light.

Searching for the beginning of a track (AMS*)

During playback, press . or > repeatedly for the number of songs you want to skip forward (or backward).

The search direction, + (forward) or – (back), and number of songs being skipped (1~9) appear in the display.

Example: searching forward 2 songs

Basic Operations

* Relay Play always follows the following sequence:

t Deck A (front side) t Deck A (reverse side)

Deck B (reverse side) T Deck B (front side) T

* AMS (Automatic Music Sensor)

Note

The AMS function may not operate correctly under the following circumstances: – When the unrecorded space between songs is less

than 4 seconds long.

– If completely different information is recorded on

the left and right channels.

– When there are continuous sections of extremely

low level or low frequency sound (like those of a baritone sax).

– When the unit is placed near a television. (In this

case, we recommend moving the unit farther away from the television or turning off the television.)

+ 39 hidden pages