Sony RDR-GX257 User Manual 2

©2008 Sony Corporation

Printed in Indonesia

4-111-178-11(1)

Connecting a component video cord
or an HDMI cord

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DVD Recorder

to COMPONENT

VIDEO IN

to HDMI OUT

b

a

Television

to HDMI IN

to COMPONENT

VIDEO OUT

Connect one of the following cords (not supplied) instead of the video cord. (One
audio/video cord is supplied.) You will enjoy high quality images.

a

HDMI cord or b Component video cords

For further explanations, refer to the Operating Instructions.

Connecting an AV amplifier (receiver)

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a

b

to DIGITAL IN

(COAXIAL)

to LINE IN

(AUDIO)

AV Amplifier

DVD Recorder

to DIGITAL OUT

(COAXIAL)

AUDIO OUT

L/R

Connect one of the following cords (not supplied).

a

audio cords or b coaxial digital cord

Connecting to an AV amplifier (receiver) with digital cords will enable you to listen
to Dolby Digital or DTS surround effects. For further explanations, refer to the
Operating Instructions.

Connecting the Set Top Box controller

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 for

Place it so that the tip of the
controller is near the remote
control reception window on
your set top box.

Cable Box/
Satellite Receiver

DVD
Recorder

to SET TOP

BOX CONTROL

You can have the recorder control channels on the cable box or satellite receiver
for timer recording. Connect the Set Top Box controller (supplied), and select “On”
in step 5 of “Set top box settings” on the next page.

Follow the three steps below to connect, setup and make
recordings on your DVD recorder.

RDR-GX257

Before hookup

This DVD recorder does not include a tuner.
To record TV programs on the DVD recorder from a connected device, you need
to connect the DVD recorder to a tuner that has audio/video output jacks.

You have :

Cable Box With Video/Audio Output

– or –

Satellite Receiver With Video/Audio Output

hint

If you have been using your VCR connected to an antenna, connect this DVD
recorder to the VCR using an audio/video cord. This way, you can record TV
programs.

If you have neither of the above tuners :

You have :

Cable Box/Satellite Receiver Without Video/Audio
Output



Please contact your cable service or satellite service company

to ask cable box or satellite receiver with video/audio output.

Cable With No Cable Box



Please contact your cable service to ask cable box with video/

audio output.

Antenna Only (No Cable TV/No Satellite Receiver)



You need to subscribe to a cable TV or satellite TV service
and to get a cable box or satellite receiver with video/audio

output.

hint

For any inquiry, please visit the Sony web site : http://esupport.sony.com/

See right

: Hookup for Playback and

Recording

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Connect power
cords last!

DVD Recorder

to LINE OUT

to LINE IN

Television

to an

AC outlet

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UT

to VIDEO OUT/

AUDIO OUT

Connect all
power cords last!

DVD Recorder

Cable Box /

Satellite Receiver

to an

AC outlet

to VHF/UHF IN

to LINE IN

Television

to an

AC outlet

to OUT TO

TV

to LINE 1 IN

to your antenna
wall jack

to CABLE IN

4

2

1

4

3

Select a connection

To enjoy DVD playback, select connection A. In addition, if you want to record TV programs from a connected tuner, make
additional connections by referring to connection B.

: Hookup for Playback

X1

You will need:

(one audio cord is supplied)

X2

You will need:

(one audio cord is supplied)

X2

(antenna cable: not supplied)

to LINE OUT

X1

(one video cord is supplied)

X2

(one video cord is supplied)

2

1

11 22 33

44 55 66

77 880099

MARKER

DISPLAY

NEXT

PLAY

PAUSE

REC

REC STOP

VOL CH

TV

CHAPTER

MARK REC MODE

ADVANCE

RETURN

PREV

STOPSEARCH

REPLAY

PLAY

MODEANGLE

SUBTITLE

INPUT

MENU

CH

OPEN/

CLOSE

INPUT

ZOOM

CLEAR

SYSTEM

MENU

TITLE

LIST

TOP MENU

TIMER

ENTER

THUMBNAIL

AUDIO

Setting language
and clock

1

Turn on the recorder and the connected

cable box/satellite receiver.

2

Turn on your TV and switch the input

selector on your TV so that the signal
from the recorder appears on your TV
screen.

3

Select a language for the on-screen

displays, and press ENTER.

Select the language.

Exit Select

Next

English

LANGUAGE

4

Set the month, date, year, and time using

///

or the number buttons and

press ENTER to start the clock.

Date Year Time

Prev. Next

Move

00

19

:

2008

12

10 /

Clock Setting

PM

5

Press ENTER to close the display.

Initial Setup is Completed.

Prev. Select

Exit

Finish

When using the supplied set top box controller, make
necessary settings and check that the controller
works correctly (

See right

).

11

22

33

44

55

66

77

88

00

99

E

N

T

E

R

 RETURN

/

(on/standby)

SYSTEM MENU

//

/

ENTER
Press ENTER to
make a selection

Number buttons

Label side facing up

Test the set top box
controller

1

Select [Test] and press ENTER.

2

Check the overall connection and press
ENTER.

Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

OK

Please check
IR cable connection
for device control.

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Prev.

3

Turn on the cable box/satellite receiver (if

turned off), and press ENTER.

Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

OK

Make sure that your
device is powered on.

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Prev.

4

Select a code for the recorder's remote

and press ENTER.

Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

IR Code 17

Connected device has
multiple IR codes for
remote control.
Please select one.

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Move Prev.

5

Press /// to enter a channel (any

channel), select [OK], and press ENTER.

Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

1

0

OKCh.

Cable Box
ABC
IR Code 17
2 Digit Type

Select Ch.

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Move

Prev.

6

Check if the same channel is selected on

the cable box/satellite receiver.

Prev.Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

Yes

No

IR Code 17

Connected device's
channel will be changed
automatically.
Was the channel changed?

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Move

If the same channel is not selected, return to step 4
by pressing  RETURN repeatedly and try one of
the other code(s) until you find the one that works.

7

Select [Yes] and press ENTER.

8

Press ENTER to close the display.

Select

Set-Top Box Edit

A

Exit

Congratulations!
Connected device control
test is complete.

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Prev.

7

Select from the following options and

press ENTER.

[Device Type]: Selects the type of cable

box/satellite receiver.

ExitSelect

Move

Set-Top Box Edit

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

Cable Box

Satellite Box

Digital Video Recorder

Other Set-Top Boxes

A

[Brand]: Press / to select the initial

of the brand name , press ENTER, and
then press / to select the brand.

ExitSelect

Move

Set-Top Box Edit

ABC

Adelphia

Allegro

Americast

Antronix

Archer

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

A

[Number of Digits]: Selects the number

of digits for your cable box/satellite
receiver's channel.

ExitSelect

Move

Set-Top Box Edit

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

2 Digit Type

3 Digit Type

4 Digit Type

A

Example: Ch.12

[ENTER key]: Selects whether you need

to press the ENTER button each time
after entering the channel number.

ExitSelect

Move

Set-Top Box Edit

Off

On

A

If your device needs
ENTER key to change
channels. please select ON.
ON. use ENTER key
OFF. do not use ENTER key

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

[Key Speed]: Selects the speed to send

commands to the cable box/satellite
receiver.

ExitSelect

Move

Set-Top Box Edit

Slow

Normal

Fast

A

Device Type

Brand

Number of Digits

ENTER Key

Key Speed

Test

After making changes, check if the cable box/satellite
receiver control works correctly (

See right

).

Set top box
settings

1

Press SYSTEM MENU.

2

Select [Setup] and press ENTER.

SystemMenu

Timer Record

Setup

Media

Photo

Music

Video(Title)

3

Select [Video] and press .

Disc Record Mode

DV Input

Auto Chapter

Set-Top Box Control

Set-Top Box Edit

Exit

4

Select [Set-Top Box Control] and press



.

5

Select [On] and press ENTER.

Disc Record Mode

On

DV Input

Auto Chapter

Set-Top Box Control

Set-Top Box Edit

Off

ExitSelect

Prev.

6

On the [Current Setting] display, select

[Edit] and press ENTER.

Current Setting

Device Type : Cable Box
Brand : ABC
Description : IR Code 17
Number of Digits : 2 DigitType
ENTER Key : Off
Key Speed : Normal

Exit

Set-Top Box Control

Edit

Be sure to make the following settings beforehand as they are
necessary for general TV viewing and timer setting.

hint

You can use "Setup" options (audio, video, etc.) to better adjust your viewing
environment. Refer to "Settings and Adjustments" in the Operating Instructions.

Record a TV Program

1

Press INPUT to select input

source until “L1” appears in the
front panel display.

2

Select a channel on the

connected cable box or satellite
receiver.

3

Press REC MODE repeatedly to

select the recording mode.

HQ, SP, LP, EP, or ULP
HQ offers the best quality picture, but with
the shortest recording time. Recording time
increases with each successive mode, but
the picture quality gradually deteriorates.

4

Press  REC.

The recorder starts recording. To stop
recording, press  REC STOP.

Record a TV Program using Timer

1

Press TIMER.

ExitEdit

Erase

Timer List

Date Start

NEW

Length Mode

Check

1/2

Set-Top

Channel

Imput

SP OFF

Rec.OK30min7:20 PM10/12 Sun

L1

2

Select [NEW] and press ENTER.

Date Start Stop Mode

Set-Top

Channel

Imput

ExitOK

SP OFF7:50 PM7:20 PM10/12 SunL1

Timer Record 100 min Remain

3

Press /// to set input

source, date, start/stop time, and
channel.

If you do not use the set top box controller,
press CLEAR to select [OFF] in [Set-Top
Channel]. Be sure to select the channel on
the connected cable box/satellite receiver.

4

Press ENTER.

5

Press  RETURN to turn off the

Timer List.

Leave the cable box/satellite receiver turned
on.

Insert a DVD Disc

1

Press  OPEN/CLOSE and place

a recordable DVD on the disc
tray.

2

Press  OPEN/CLOSE again to

close the disc tray.

Wait until “REAd” disappears from the front
panel display.
Refer to “Recordable and Playable Discs” in
the Operating Instructions for details about
recordable discs.

Playback the Recorded DVD Disc

1

Press TITLE LIST.

The Title List menu appears.

Select

Playlist

ExitInfo.

Original

Title 1

1/7

12/07 0:45:00

Title 2
12/09 1:00:00

Title 3
12/10 0:15:00

Title 4
12/13 0:10:00

Title 5
12/16 0:10:00

Title 6
12/19 0:25:00

Title List

DVD-VR

2hour 45min

Remain

2

Press / to select the title you

want to play and press ENTER.

The sub-menu appears.

Select

Playlist

ExitInfo.

Original

Title 1

1/7

12/07 0:45:00

Title 2
12/09 1:00:00

Title 3
12/10 0:15:00

Title 4
12/13 0:10:00

Title 5
12/16 0:10:00

Title 6
12/19 0:25:00

Play

Search

Erase

Edit

Play List

DVD-VR

2hour 45min

Remain

Title List

3

Press / to select [Play] and

press ENTER.

Playback starts from the beginning of the
title.