Sony SLV-E480EG User Manual

Index

A, B

Aerial hookup 7
AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 20

C

Cancelling timer settings 41
Changing timer settings 41
Checking timer settings 41
Cleaning the video

heads 48
Clock setting 12
Connecting

the VCR and your TV 7

to a TV with a LINE (TV)

connector 7

Colour system

compatible colour

systems 2

Counter 25

D

Disabling programme

position 20
Dubbing. See Editing

E, F, G, H, I, J, K

Editing 46

L, M

LINE (TV) connection 7
LP mode 26, 28

N

NTSC recorded tape 25

O

OPC (Optimum Picture

Control) 43

P

Picture adjustment 43
Playback 24

at various speeds 38
frame-by-frame 38
slow motion 38

Presetting channels 18

Q

Quick timer 40

R

Recording 27

saving 29
while watching another

programme 29
Remote commander 5
RF channel 8

S

Safety tab 29
Searching at various

speeds 38

SP mode 28

T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Timer recording 35

cancelling timer

settings 41

changing timer

settings 41

checking timer

settings 41

daily/weekly

recording 33, 37

overlapping timer

recordings 42

Tracking adjustment 43

Sony Corporation

3-861-455-13(1)

Video Cassette
Recorder

Operating Instructions

PAL NTSC 4.43

SLV-E480EG
SLV-E477EG
SLV-E380EG

©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.
The mains lead must be changed only at a
qualified service shop.

Caution

Television programmes, films, video tapes and
other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such material may
be contrary to the provisions of the copyright
laws. Also, use of this recorder with cable
television transmission may require
authorization from the cable television
transmitter and/or programme owner.

Precautions

Safety

• This unit operates on 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz.
Check that the unit’s operating voltage is
identical with your local power supply.

• If anything falls into the cabinet, unplug the
unit and have it checked by qualified
personnel before operating it any further.

• The unit is not disconnected from the mains
as long as it is connected to the mains, even
if the unit itself has been turned off.

• Unplug the unit from the mains if you do
not intend to use it for an extended period of
time. To disconnect the lead, pull it out by
the plug, never by the lead.

Installing

• Allow adequate air circulation to prevent
internal heat buildup.

• Do not place the unit on surfaces (rugs,
blankets, etc.) or near materials (curtains,
draperies) that may block the ventilation
slots.

• Do not install the unit near heat sources
such as radiators or air ducts, or in a place
subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust,
mechanical vibration or shock.

• Do not install the unit in an inclined
position. It is designed to be operated in a
horizontal position only.

• Keep the unit and cassettes away from
equipment with strong magnets, such as
microwave ovens or large loudspeakers.

• Do not place heavy objects on the unit.

• If the unit is brought directly from a cold to
a warm location, moisture may condense
inside the VCR and cause damage to the
video head and tape. When you first install
the unit, or when you move it from a cold to
a warm location, wait for about one hour
before operating the unit.

Compatible colour systems

• This VCR is designed to record and play
back using the PAL and MESECAM colour
systems (TV systems B/G and D/K) and
play back using the NTSC 4.43 colour
system. Recording of video sources based
on other colour systems cannot be
guaranteed.

• Tapes recorded with the NTSC colour
system can be played back on this unit using
a TV or a colour monitor for the PAL colour
system.

Introduction

2

Table of contents

Getting Started

4 Step 1: Unpacking
5 Step 2: Setting up the remote commander

7 Step 3: Connecting the VCR
8 Step 4: Tuning your TV to the VCR
10 Step 5: Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
12 Step 6: Setting the clock
17 Manual setup —

Selecting a language, Presetting channels, Setting up ShowView*

Getting Started

Basic Operations

24 Playing a tape
27 Recording TV programmes
31 Recording TV programmes using

ShowView

35 Setting the timer manually

Additional Information

48 Troubleshooting
51 Specifications
52 Index to parts and controls
Back cover

Index

Additional Operations

38 Playing/searching at various

speeds

40 Recording TV programmes using

the quick timer

41 Checking/changing/cancelling

timer settings

43 Adjusting the picture
44 Changing menu options
46 Editing with another VCR

* ShowView is a trademark applied for by Gemstar Development Corp. ShowView system is

manufactured under license from Gemstar Development Corporation.

Introduction

3

Getting Started

Step 1

Unpacking

Check that you have received the following items with the VCR:

• Remote commander

• R6 (size AA) batteries

• Aerial cable

Checking your model name

Getting Started

4

The instructions in this manual are for the 3 models : SLV-E480EG,
E477EG, and E380EG. Check your model number by looking at the
rear panel of your VCR. The SLV-E480EG is the model used for
illustration purposes. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated
in the text, for example, “SLV-E477EG only.”

Step 2

Setting up the remote commander

Inserting the batteries

Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries by
matching the + and – on the batteries
to the diagram inside the battery
compartment.

Insert the negative (–) end first, then
push in and down until the positive
(+) end clicks into the position.

Getting Started

Using the remote commander

You can use this remote
commander to operate this
VCR and a Sony TV. Buttons on
the remote commander marked
with a dot (•) can be used to
operate your Sony TV.

To operate

the VCR
a Sony TV

Set [TV] / [VIDEO] to
[VIDEO] and point at the remote sensor on the VCR
[TV] and point at the remote sensor on the TV

Remote sensor

[TV]/[VIDEO]

1 2 3
4 5 6

continued

Getting Started

5

Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued)

DISPLAY

WIDE

1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

0

MENU/

> /. /? //

TV control buttons

ON/STANDBY
AUDIO MONITOR
TV/VIDEO

Programme
number
buttons

PROG+/–

VOL+/–

Getting Started

6

To

Turn the TV into standby or active mode
Select an input source of the TV either from

aerial in or from line in
Select the programme position of the TV

Adjust the volume of the TV
Select the sound type (stereo/mono) of your stereo

Sony TV (SLV-E477EG only)
Call up on-screen display
Operate TV menu options
Switch the wide mode

Notes

• With normal use, the batteries should last about three to six months.

• If you do not use the remote commander for an extended period of time, remove
the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.

• Do not use a new battery with an old one.

• Do not use different types of batteries.

• Some buttons may not work with certain Sony TVs.

Press

ON/STANDBY
TV/VIDEO

Programme number buttons
PROG +/–

VOL +/–
AUDIO MONITOR

DISPLAY
MENU/> /. /? //
WIDE

Step 3

IN

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

AERIAL

ANTENNE

IN

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

AERIAL

ANTENNE

Connecting the VCR

AERIAL IN

Getting Started

Mains
lead

to mains

: Signal flow

AERIAL OUT

Aerial cable (supplied)

1 Disconnect the aerial cable from your TV

and connect it to AERIAL IN on the rear
panel of the VCR.

2 Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR and

the aerial input of your TV using the
supplied aerial cable.

3 Connect the mains lead to the mains.

Additional connection

To a TV that has a EURO-AV (Scart)
connector

This additional connection improves
picture and sound quality. Connect the
TV as shown on the right. Whenever
you want to watch the VCR picture,
press TV/VIDEO to display the VIDEO
indicator in the display window.

This VCR TV

: LINE-1(TV)

VMC-2121 EURO-AV cable (not supplied)

AERIAL IN

EURO-AV (Scart)

Getting Started

7

Step 4

Tuning your TV to the VCR

If you connect the VCR to your TV using the EURO-AV cable, skip this step.

ON/STANDBY

PROGRAM +/–

RF CHANNEL

ON/STANDBY

1 Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR.

2 Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR.

AUTO SET UP

RF CHANNEL

The factory-preset RF channel appears in the display window.
The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV.

3 Turn on your TV and select a programme position for the VCR

picture.
This programme position will now be referred to as the video

channel.

4 Press RF CHANNEL.

Getting Started

8

AUTO SET UP

RF CHANNEL

The TV system appears in the display window.

PROG

5 Press PROGRAM +/– (repeatedly) to select the correct TV system.

If you watch the system B/G, select “G”. If you watch the system
D/K, select “K”.

6 Tune the TV to the same channel as that

shown in the display window so that
the picture on the right appears on the
TV screen.

Refer to your TV manual for tuning
instructions.

If the picture does not appear clearly,
see “To obtain a clear picture from the
VCR” below.

7 Press RF CHANNEL.

AUTO SET UP

RF CHANNEL

To check to see if the TV tuning is correct

Set the TV to the video channel and press PROGRAM +/– on the VCR. If
the TV screen changes to a different programme each time you press
PROGRAM +/–, the TV tuning is correct.

You have now tuned your TV to the VCR. Whenever you want to
play a tape, set the TV to the video channel.

SONY VIDEO CASSETTE
RECORDER

Getting Started

To obtain a clear picture from the VCR

If the picture does not appear clearly in step 6 above, go to step 7 to finish
this procedure once. Then start from step 2. After pressing RF CHANNEL
in step 2 to display the RF channel, press PROGRAM +/– so that another RF
channel appears. Then tune the TV to the new RF channel until a clear
picture appears.

Note

• If you set the wrong TV system, you may have no sound or sound may be distorted.

Getting Started

9

Step 5

Setting up the
VCR with the
Auto Set Up
function

Before using the VCR for the first time,
set up the VCR using the Auto Set Up
function. With this function, you can set
the language for the on-screen display
and TV channels, guided by the
sequence indicated in the display
window.

1 Hold down AUTO SET UP on the VCR for

AUTO SET UP

RF CHANNEL

more than three seconds.
The VCR automatically turns

on, and the country
abbreviation for the ATP
(Auto Tuner Preset) function
appears in the display
window.

AUTO SET UP

PROGRAM

2 Press PROGRAM +/– on the VCR to select the abbreviation of your

country.
The abbreviations of the

countries are as follows:

Abbreviation Contry

CZ Czech
H Hungary
PL Poland
RU Russia
ELSE Other countries

If your country does not appear, select
ELSE.

Getting Started

10

TRACKING

3 Press AUTO SET UP.

AUTO SET UP

The ATP function starts

RF CHANNEL

searching for all of the
receivable channels and presets
them in numerical order.

When no more receivable channels can be
found, presetting stops and “SET UP”
disappears from the display window.

(SLV-E380EG only)
The current time appears in the display
window for any stations that transmit a
time signal.

To cancel the Auto Set Up function

Press AUTO SET UP.

Tip

• If you want to change the language for the on-screen display from the one preset in
the Auto Set Up function, see page 17.

Note

• Do not cancel the Auto Set Up function during the ATP operations. If you do,
repeat the steps above.

Getting Started

Getting Started

11

Step 6

Setting the clock

You must set the time and date on the
VCR to use the timer recording features
properly.

SLV-E380EG only:
The Auto Clock Set function works only
if a station in your area is broadcasting a
time signal. If the Auto Set Up function
did not set the clock correctly for your
local area, try another station for the
Auto Clock Set function.

Before you start…

• Turn on the VCR and the TV.

• Set the TV to the video channel.

Setting the clock manually

MENU

1 Press MENU, then press >/. to select

SETTINGS and press OK.

PAUSE

FFREW

PLAY

OK

STOP

MENU

> /. /? //

OK

SETTINGS
OPTIONS

TUNER
SHOWVIEW
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

SELECT : Vv
SET : OK

2 Press >/. to select CLOCK and press OK.

Getting Started

12

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

FFREW

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

1. 1. 1998 TH 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

SELECT : Vv
SET : Bb
END : OK

3 (SLV-E380EG only):

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

Press >/. to move the cursor ( ) to
the clock row, then press / .

FFREW

The day starts flashing.

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

1. 1. 1998 TH 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Bb

SET : Vv
END : OK

Getting Started

4 Press >/. to set the date.

5 Press / to flash the month and set the

6 Set the year, hour, and minutes in

7 Press / to start the clock.

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

FFREW

month using > /. .

FFREW

sequence, using / to flash the item to be
set, and press > /. to select the digits.

FFREW

The day of the week is set automatically.

FFREW

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

11. 1. 1998 SU 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Bb

SET : Vv
END : OK

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

11. 1. 1998 SU 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Bb

SET : Vv
END : OK

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

11. 12. 1998 FR 15 : 30
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Bb

SET : Vv
END : OK

e.g. SLV-E380EG

tCLOCK

11. 12. 1998 FR 15 : 30
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Vv

SET : Bb
END : OK

continued

Getting Started

13

Step 6: Setting the clock (continued)

8 Press OK.

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

FFREW

Tip

• To change the digits during setting, press ? to return to the item to be changed,

and select the digits using > /. .

Note

• The menu disappears automatically if you don’t proceed for more than a few

minutes.

Getting Started

14

Changing the station for

tCLOCK

1. 1. 1998 TH 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [OFF]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Vv

SET : Bb
END : OK

the Auto Clock Set function
(SLV-E380EG only)

MENU

1 Press MENU, then press >/. to select

SETTINGS and press OK.

PAUSE

FFREW

PLAY

OK

STOP

MENU

> /. /? //

OK

SETTINGS
OPTIONS

TUNER
SHOWVIEW
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

SELECT : Vv
SET : OK

Getting Started

2 Press >/. to select CLOCK and press OK.

3 Press / to select ON.

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

The cursor ( ) is on AUTO ADJUST.

FFREW

FFREW

tCLOCK

11. 12. 1998 FR 15 : 30
AUTO ADJUST [ON ]

CLOCK PROG [ 1 ]
SELECT : Vv

SET : Bb
END : OK

continued

Getting Started

15

Step 6: Setting the clock (continued)

4 Press . to move the cursor ( ) to CLOCK

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PROG, then press ? // repeatedly until

FFREW

the programme position of the station that
carries the time signal appears.

If the VCR does not receive the time signal
from any station, AUTO ADJUST returns
to OFF automatically.

5 Press OK.

PAUSE

FFREW

PLAY

OK

STOP

Tip

• If you set AUTO ADJUST to ON, the Auto Clock Set function is activated whenever

the VCR is turned off. The date and time is adjusted automatically by making
reference to the time signal from the station whose programme position is displayed
in the “CLOCK PROG” row.

If you do not need the Auto Clock Set function, select OFF.

Note

• The menu disappears automatically if you don’t proceed for more than a few

minutes.

tCLOCK

1. 1. 1998 TH 0 : 00
AUTO ADJUST [ON ]

CLOCK PROG [ 4 ]
SELECT : Vv

SET : Bb
END : OK

Getting Started

16

Manual setup —
Selecting a
language

You can change the on-screen display
language from the one you selected with
the Auto Set Up function.

Before you start…

• Turn on the VCR and the TV.

• Set the TV to the video channel.

MENU

1 Press MENU, then press >/. to select

SETTINGS and press OK.

PAUSE

FFREW

PLAY

OK

STOP

MENU

> /.

OK

SETTINGS
OPTIONS

TUNER
SHOWVIEW
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

SELECT : Vv
SET : OK

Getting Started

2 Press >/. to select LANGUAGE, then

3 Press >/. to move the dot (r ) to the

PAUSE

PLAY

OK

STOP

PAUSE

PLAY

STOP

press OK.

FFREW

desired language, then press OK.

FFREW

OK

LANGUAGE

SELECT
SET

: Vv
: OK

Getting Started

17