Sony RM-VL600 User Manual

2-674-860-12 (1)

Integrated Remote Commander

Operating Instructions

RM-VL600

For the customers in the U.S.A. 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. You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Features

The RM-VL600 Remote Commander provides centralized control of all your AV components from a single remote commander and saves the trouble of operating different AV components with different remote control devices. The following are its main features.

Centralized control of Sony AV components with this one remote commander

This Commander is preset at the factory to operate Sony brand components, so you can use it out of the box as a control center for your Sony AV components.

Remote control signals for non-Sony components are also preset

This Commander is preset for most major brands components as well as Sony. You can remote control your non-Sony components by setting the type and code number of each component (page 10).

Learning function for programming various other remote control signals

This Commander has a Learning function, to “learn” the remote control signals needed to operate other non-preset components or functions. (To “teach” such signals to this Commander, use the remote control supplied with the non-preset components.) (page 16) In addition, the Commander can “learn” remote control signals (infrared signals only) of non-Audio Visual components such as air-conditioners, lights, etc. (Some specific appliances or functions may not be available.) (page 24)

Reassigning new components

You can assign Component Select buttons to freely operate other components. This is useful when you have more than two of the same kind of AV component (only if a Component Select button is free.) (page

33) You can only assign TVs to the TV Component Select button. You can only assign an amplifier or DVD/Receiver combo to the AMP Component Select button.

Startup Guide

This guide shows you how to set the Remote Commander to operate your components.

First, find the four-digit component code number for your component, referring to the supplied “Component code numbers.”

If you have the code number

Example: To set up a TV of the code number “8011”

1 Set the Remote

Commander for code input mode.

SET

Press SET and MENU.

2 Press the desired

Component Select button.

SET

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR AMP

3 Enter the code number.

8 0 1 1

If you cannot find the code number

You can search for the component code available for your component.

1 Set the Remote

Commander for code input mode.

SET

Press SET and MENU.

2 Press the desired

Component Select button.

SET

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR AMP

3 Transmit code number

signals in turn.

4 Finish setting.

ENT

Press ENT.

For more details, see page 10.

POWER

Press CH + or CH –, and then POWER. Repeat until your component reacts.

4 Finish setting.

ENT

Press ENT.

For more details, see page 13.

Learning function

If your component does not work as supposed even if the code number is set, make the RM-VL600 “learn” the functions of your component’s remote control.

Example: To “teach” the N (play) signal of your video cassette recorder to the VCR N button of the RM-VL600

1 Place the RM-VL600 head to

head with your VCR’s remote control.

VCR’s remote control

2 – 4 inches (5 – 10 cm) away (approx.)

RM-VL600

2 Set the RM-VL600 for

“learning” mode.

Press and hold SET for at least 3 seconds until the SET indicator flashes.

SET

3 Press the desired

Component Select button.

VCR

4 Press the button you

want to “teach.”

5 Press and hold the N

(play) button of your VCR’s remote control until the VCR button of the RM-VL600 lights up.

6 Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to

“teach” other functions.

7 Finish setting.

SET

Press SET.

For more details, see page 16.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Installing the Batteries ................................................................................. 8

When to replace the batteries ............................................................................ 8

Location of Controls ..................................................................................... 9

Basic Operations

Setting the Code for non-Sony Preset Audio and Visual Components

— Setting component codes ...................................................................10

Setting a component code ................................................................................ 10

Checking if the code number works .............................................................. 12

Setting a Component Code by the Search Function ...................................13

Operating Your Components with the Remote Commander ...................... 14

To control the volume....................................................................................... 15

Programming Signals of Another Remote Control — Learning Function ... 16

For accurate Learning ....................................................................................... 19

Programming remote control signals to the

Component Select buttons and System Control buttons .......................... 20

Changing or erasing the function of a “learned” button ............................ 22

Notes on programming the signals for an air-conditioner ......................... 24

Advanced Features

Controlling the Volume of Visual Components Connected to an Audio

System ...................................................................................................... 25

Adding an Extra Function to the Component Select Buttons .....................27

Programming the Power-On Command of the Selected Component just

by pressing that Component Select button

(for Sony Components only) ........................................................................ 27

Executing a Series of Commands — System Control Functions .................29

To clear programmed commands ................................................................... 31

Programming a Series of Commands to on the Component Select

Buttons .....................................................................................................32

To clear programmed commands ................................................................... 33

Assigning Other Components to the Component Select Buttons .............. 33

Using Other Functions

Locking the Controls — Hold Function .......................................................34

Erasing all settings — To reset the Commander to its factory settings .....35

Additional Information

Precautions ................................................................................................. 36

Maintenance ............................................................................................... 36

Specifications ..............................................................................................36

Troubleshooting .......................................................................................... 37

Appendixes

Table of Preset Functions............................................................................ 39

TV (ANALOG) .................................................................................................. 39

TV (DIGITAL) .................................................................................................... 40

VCR ..................................................................................................................... 41

CBL (Cable box) ................................................................................................. 41

SAT ...................................................................................................................... 42

DVD .................................................................................................................... 42

DVR (Digital video recorder) .......................................................................... 43

CD ....................................................................................................................... 44

MD ....................................................................................................................... 44

DAT ..................................................................................................................... 45

DECK .................................................................................................................. 45

AMP .................................................................................................................... 45

Digital Cable Box .............................................................................................. 46

DAV (DVD/Receiver combo) ......................................................................... 46

Digital TV TUNER ............................................................................................ 47

Index ........................................................................................................... 48

Getting Started

Installing the Batteries

Slide open the battery compartment lid and insert two size AA (R6) batteries (not supplied). Be sure to match up the + and – indications on the batteries with the + and – indications on the battery compartment.

Insert the batteries (negative end first) through the guide clamp within each compartment as shown above.

When to replace the batteries

Batteries for remote control operation (two size AA (R6) batteries)

Under normal conditions, the batteries will last up to six months. If the Commander does not operate properly, the batteries might be drained. When this happens, replace the batteries with new ones.

Note

Do not take more than one hour to replace the batteries. Otherwise, your code number settings (page 10) and “learned” remote control signals (page

16) will be erased.

Notes on batteries

• Do not use an old battery with a new one, or mix different types of batteries together.

• If the electrolyte inside the battery should leak, wipe the contaminated area of the battery compartment with a cloth and replace the old batteries with new ones. To prevent electrolyte from leaking, remove the batteries if you plan not to use the Commander for a long period of time.

Location of Controls

TV/VIDEO

2 3

4 wd

7 8

0 qa

SET

VIDEO12VIDEO23AUX

TUNER5CD6TAPE

MUTING

GUIDE MENU

EXIT

POWER

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR

AMP

7MD8TV9

VOL CH

ABCD

DVD

DIGITAL

/ANALOG

TWIN VIEW

SLEEP

INFO

SYSTEM CONTROL

PHONO

ENT

RECALL

TOOLS

1 SET indicator

2 SET button 3 Component Select buttons

Light or flash during operation.

4 Number buttons 5 DIGITAL/ANALOG button 6 VOL +/– buttons* 7 INFO button

8 MUTING button*

9 GUIDE button 0 EXIT button

qa Player Control buttons qs TV/VIDEO button

qd POWER button

qf ENT (enter) button qg TWIN VIEW button

qh CH (channel) +/– buttons

qj SLEEP button

qk RECALL button ql MENU button

w; Cursor Control buttons wa TOOLS button ws SYSTEM CONTROL buttons wd DOT button

About tactile dots

The number 5 button, the B button and CH + button each have a tactile dot for ease of use.

* Note on the VOL +/– and MUTING buttons

The Commander controls or mutes the TV’s volume when you select a visual component. The Commander controls or mutes the amplifier’s volume when you select an audio component. You can change this setting (page 25).

Note

The function of the control buttons varies depending on settings/operating modes. The “Table of Preset Functions” (page 39) shows how the Commander generally operates for each component in the factory preset mode.

Basic Operations

Setting the Code for non-Sony Preset Audio and Visual Components — Setting component codes

The Commander is preset at the factory to operate Sony brand AV components (see the table below). If you are using the Commander with a factory-set Sony components, skip the following procedures. You can use the Commander with other major brand preset AV components also. To use with other AV components, or Sony components which do not function with the Commander, you need to follow the procedures to set the correct codes for each component.

Component Select Button

DVD

SAT

CBL

VCR

TAPE

AMP

Note

An MD player and a DAV can be set to any of the above Component Select buttons. You can assign Component Select buttons to freely set signals of your desired components. For further information, see “Assigning Other Components to the Component Select Buttons” (page 33) . For the functions of buttons as for each component, see “Table of Preset Functions” (page 39).

Preset component(s)

TV TV/VCR Combo

DVD player

Satellite tuner

Cable box

VCR

CD player

Cassette deck

Amplifier

Factory setting

Sony TV

Sony DVD player

Sony satellite tuner

Analog cable box

Sony VHS VCR

Sony CD player

Sony cassette deck

Sony amplifier

Setting a component code

TV/VIDEO

SET

VIDEO12VIDEO23AUX

TUNER5CD6TAPE

MUTING

GUIDE MENU

POWER

SATDVDTV CBL

TAP E

CDVCR

7MD8TV9

DVD

DIGITAL

VOL CH

/ANALOG

TWIN VIEW

SLEEP

INFO

AMP

PHONO

ENT

RECALL

4 5

EXIT

ABCD

TOOLS

SYSTEM CONTROL

Example: To set up a Philips’ TV

1 See the tables in the

supplied “Component Code Numbers,” and find the four-digit component code number for the desired component.

If more than one code number is listed, use the number that is listed first. For example, to set up a Philips’ TV, you would use the code number 8011.

2 Press and while holding

SET, press MENU.

SET

The SET indicator lights up.

SET

3 Press the Component Select

button for the desired component.

The SET indicator and the selected Component Select button lights up.

SET

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR AMP

4 Press the Number buttons

to enter the four-digit component code number.

5 Press ENT.

The SET indicator and the Component Select button light turns off.

TV TV

Notes

• If you press a component code number that is not on the table in the supplied “Component Code Numbers,” or if you press a button in the wrong order, the Component Select button flashes five times, and then turns off. Check the component code number, and try setting it again.

• If you don’t input anything into the Commander within 20 seconds between each step, the setup procedure will be canceled. To set the code, start over from Step 2. If you press SET while setting the

• component code, all code numbers will be lost, and the setup procedure will be canceled. Start over from Step 2.

To cancel setup, press SET.

If the Component Select button flashes five times before turning off, it means that the setup is incomplete. Start over from Step 2.

Continued

Setting the Code for non-Sony Preset Audio and Visual Components — Setting component codes (continued)

Checking if the code number works

1 Power on the component

with its power switch.

2 Press the corresponding

Component Select button for the component you have set up.

The Component Select button lights up when you press it, and turns off when you release it.

TV TV

3 Aim the Commander at the

component and press POWER.

The selected Component Select button lights up when you press a function button, and turns off when you release it.

POWER

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR AMP

The component should power off.

If the Commander does not seem to be working

Try repeating the setup procedure using the other codes listed for your component, or try setting the code number using the Search function (page 13).

Note on the VOL+/– and MUTING buttons

When you operate a visual component, the TV button lights up to indicate that the Commander is controlling or muting the TV’s volume.

When you operate an audio component, the AMP button lights up to indicate that the Commander is controlling or muting the amplifier’s volume.

AMP

It is recommended that you first set the TV and AMP codes before setting up any other components.

Note on buttons that have already “learned” remote control signals

If another signal has already been programmed on a button using the Learning function (page 16), that “learned” signal will continue to work even after you set the component code number. To use it as a preset function button, you must first erase its “learned” signal (page 22).

4 If you have succeeded,

check that the Commander is operating the other functions of your component, such as channel and volume control.

See page 14 for details.

Setting a Component Code by the Search Function

You can find a code number available for a component that doesn’t have one in the supplied “Component code numbers.”

Before starting the Search function

Set each component to the following status so that the Search function works effectively. TV, AMP: Power-on CD player, MD player*, cassette deck: Power-on with a playback source (disc, cassette tape, etc.) Other components: Power-off

* If any of these components are

assigned to any of the Component Select buttons (page

33), you can set a component code using the Search function.

TV/VIDEO

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR

7MD8TV9

DVD

DIGITAL

VOL CH

/ANALOG

TWIN VIEW

SLEEP

INFO

POWER

AMP

PHONO

ENT

RECALL

3 2

SET

VIDEO12VIDEO23AUX

TUNER5CD6TAPE

MUTING

GUIDE MENU

EXIT

ABCD

TOOLS

SYSTEM CONTROL

1 Press and while holding

SET, press MENU.

SET

The SET indicator lights up.

SET

2 Press the Component Select

button for the desired component.

The SET indicator and the selected Component Select button lights up.

SET

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR AMP

3 Press CH + or CH – and

POWER in turn until the component reacts as described in the following.

TV: Powers off VCR, CBL, DVD, AMP: Powers on CD player, MD player, cassette deck: Plays back

POWER

Press CH + to go to the next code number. Press CH – to go back to the previous code number. The Component Select button flashes three times after the numbers have turned one cycle. One cycle means, for example, the four-digit code numbers beginning from “8” are cycled through.

Continued

Setting a Component Code by

VCR VCR

the Search Function (continued)

4 Press ENT.

ENT

The SET indicator and the Component button turns off.

TV TV

If the Component Select button flashes five times before turning off, it means that the setup is incomplete. Start over from Step 1.

5 Check if the code number

works by following the instructions on page 12.

Notes

• If you don’t input anything into the Commander within 20 seconds between each step, the setup procedure will be canceled. To set the code, start over from the beginning.

• If you press any button other than CH +/– and POWER while setting the component code, all code numbers will be lost, and the setup procedure will be canceled. Start over from the beginning.

Operating Your Components with the Remote Commander

When you operate a non-Sony component, make sure you set the component code first (page 10).

TV/VIDEO

SET

VIDEO12VIDEO23AUX

TUNER5CD6TAPE

MUTING

GUIDE MENU

EXIT

POWER

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR

AMP

7MD8TV9

VOL CH

ABCD

DVD

DIGITAL

/ANALOG

TWIN VIEW

SLEEP

INFO

SYSTEM CONTROL

PHONO

ENT

RECALL

TOOLS

To cancel setup, press SET.

Example: To operate a video cassette recorder

1 Press the desired

Component Select button.

The Component Select button lights up when you press it, and turns off when you release it.

2 Press any Player Control

button.

See “Table of Preset Functions” (page 39) for the functions of buttons for each component.

Note

The remote control signals may be different for some components or functions. In this case, program the remote control signals with the Learning function (page 16). Note, however, that components and functions that do not support the remote control of infrared signals will not work with this Commander.

To control the volume

Press VOL +/– to control the volume. Press MUTING to mute the sound. When you select a visual component, the TV’s volume will be controlled (TV Component Select button lights up), and when you select an audio component, the amplifier’s volume will be controlled (AMP Component Select button lights up). You can change this setting (page 25).

Notes

• If you used the Learning function (page 16) to program the VOL +/– or MUTING button to send a signal to any other component, that signal will be transmitted instead of the volume or muting of the TV or amplifier when you select that component.

• If you used the Learning function (page 16) to program the VOL +/– or MUTING button for the TV or AMP buttons to send a signal to any other component, that signal will be transmitted only when you select TV or AMP. When you select another component, the preset volume control signals for TV or AMP will be transmitted.

• If you have assigned another component to the TV or AMP buttons (page 33), the volume of the TV or amplifier cannot be controlled even if you select another component.

Programming Signals of Another Remote Control — Learning Function

To operate components or functions which do not work even if you set a component code number, use the following Learning procedure to “teach” any of the programmable buttons of the Commander to operate the functions of another remote control. You can also use the Learning function to change the signals of individual buttons after setting the component code number (page 10). It is recommended that you make a note of the “learned” key functions. (It is possible to make a note on the back of the supplied “Component code numbers.”)

Notes

• Some specific remote control signals may not be “learned.”

• You can also use a display monitor for computer display (including a built-in tuner type), if the Commander is “learned.”

2,7

TV/VIDEO

SET

VIDEO12VIDEO23AUX

TUNER5CD6TAPE

MUTING

GUIDE MENU

EXIT

Example: To program the N (Play) signal of your video cassette recorder to the VCR N (Play) button of the Commander

1 Place the RM-VL600 head

to head with your component’s remote control.

POWER

SATDVDTV CBL

TAPE

CDVCR

AMP

7MD8TV9

VOL CH

ABCD

DVD

DIGITAL /ANALOG

TWIN VIEW

SLEEP

INFO

SYSTEM CONTROL

PHONO

ENT

RECALL

TOOLS

4 3

Remote control for your component

about 2 – 4 inches (5 – 10 cm) away

RM-VL600

+ 36 hidden pages