Sony SLV-M20HF User Manual

Page 1

Video Cassette Recorder

Operating Instructions

Owner’s record

The model and serial numbers are located at the rear of the unit. Record these numbers in the spaces provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

3-861-574-11 (1)

Model No. Serial No.

For hookup and setup, see the supplied hookup/setup manual.

SLV-M20HF

Page 2

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the

sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

accompanying the appliance.

CAUTION

To prevent electric shock, do not use this polarized AC plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.

WARNING

The AC power cord must be changed at qualified service shop.

Precautions

Safety

• Operate the unit only on 120 V AC, 60 Hz.

• If anything falls into the cabinet, unplug the unit

• This unit is not disconnected from the AC

• One blade of the plug is wider than the other for

• Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if you do

Installing

• Allow adequate air circulation to prevent

• Do not place the unit on surfaces (rugs,

Introduction

product’s enclosure that may be of

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature

and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.

power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.

the purpose of safety and will fit into the power outlet only one way. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, contact your Sony dealer.

not intend to use it for an extended period of time. To disconnect the cord, pull it out by the plug, never by the cord.

internal heat buildup.

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.

Information

For customers in the USA

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment. 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.

For customers in Canada

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this VCR may not cause interference, and (2) this VCR must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the VCR.

Caution

Television programs, 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 transmission and/or program owner.

Page 3

Table of contents

Basic Operations

4 Playing a tape 6 Recording TV programs

10 Locating a channel using the

channel list

12 Recording TV programs using

VCR Plus+*

15 Setting the timer manually

Additional Operations

18 Playing/searching at various

speeds

21 Searching for a selected point on

the tape

23 Skip-searching automatically 24 Creating a favorite channel list 26 Recording TV programs using the

quick timer

27 Checking/changing/canceling

the manual timer settings

30 Recording stereo and bilingual

programs

32 Searching using the index

function

33 Adjusting the picture 34 Changing menu options 36 Editing with another VCR

SmartFile Function

38 About the SmartFile function 40 Recording using the SmartFile

function

45 Selecting and playing a program 46 Checking the contents of a tape 47 Labelling a recorded program

and tape

52 Protecting a recorded program 54 Erasing the data of an unwanted

program

55 Storing program data from the

DSS receiver (Program Data Download)

GUIDE Plus+* System

57 About the GUIDE Plus+ system 60 Overview of the GUIDE Plus+

62 Using the Grid menu 67 Using the Sort menu 70 Using the Schedule menu 74 Using the Editor menu 76 Using the Demo menu

Additional Information

77 Troubleshooting 80 Specifications 81 Index to parts and controls 87 Index back cover

Quick reference to using the VCR

* VCR Plus+, PlusCode and GUIDE Plus+ are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation. The

VCR Plus+ and GUIDE Plus+ systems are manufactured under license from Gemstar Development Corporation and VCR Index Systems B.V., respectively.

Introduction

Page 4

Basic Operations

Playing a tape

You can play back both VHS and S-VHS tapes on this VCR. However, you cannot obtain the original resolution quality of S-VHS (simplified playback).

6 EJECT

COUNTER RESET

DISPLAY

SMART CUE

) FF P PAUSE

0 REW

· PLAY p STOP

1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. 2 Insert a tape.

The VCR turns on and starts playing automatically if you insert a tape with its safety tab removed.

3 Press · PLAY.

PLAY

When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically.

Basic Operations4

Page 5

Additional tasks

Stop play Pause play Resume play after pause Fast-forward the tape Rewind the tape Eject the tape

Press

p STOP P PAUSE P PAUSE or · PLAY ) FF during stop 0 REW during stop 6 EJECT

To skip playback

You can skip a portion of playback you don’t want to watch such as a commercial and restart playback by pressing a single button.

1 Press SMART CUE during playback of the scene you want to skip. The

VCR starts searching.

2 Press SMART CUE again when you find the scene you want to watch.

The VCR stops searching, rewinds a few seconds, then resumes normal playback.

If you press and hold SMART CUE while the VCR is skip searching, the VCR will stop searching, and continue rewinding until you release SMART CUE.

Tip

• You can change the length of rewinding time on the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu. See page 35.

To use the time counter

At the point on the tape that you want to find later, press COUNTER RESET. The counter in the display window resets to “0:00:00.” Search for the point afterwards by referring to the counter.

EP VIDEO

Basic Operations

To display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLAY.

Notes

• Tapes recorded in LP mode on other VCRs can be played back on this VCR but the picture quality cannot be guaranteed.

• The counter resets to “0:00:00” whenever a tape is reinserted.

• The counter stops counting when it comes to a portion with no recording.

Basic Operations

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Recording TV programs

SP/EP INPUT SELECT TV/VIDEO

DISPLAY

CH +/–

COUNTER/ REMAIN

r REC

p STOP

Shuttle ring

1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

To record from a cable box, turn it on.

2 Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.

Basic Operations6

Page 7

INPUT

3 Press INPUT SELECT until a channel number appears in the display

SELECT

window.

VTR

EP VIDEO APC

4 Press CH +/– to select the channel you want to record.

•CH

SP / EP

5 Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or EP.

VTR

EP (Extra Play) provides recording time three times as long as SP (Standard Play); however, SP produces better picture quality.

VTR

EP VIDEO APC

SP VIDEO APC

Basic Operations

6 Press r REC to start recording.

REC

The recording indicator lights up red in the display window.

Recording indicator

To stop recording

Press p STOP.

VTR

SP VIDEO APC

continued

Basic Operations

Page 8

Recording TV programs (continued)

To check the remaining tape length

Press DISPLAY. The white bar indicates the approximate length of tape remaining. With the display on, press COUNTER/REMAIN to check the remaining time. Each time you press COUNTER/REMAIN, the time counter and the remaining time appear alternately. The remaining time with the

indicator also appears in the display window.

0 : 00 : 22

Remaining tape length Time counter

TAPE REMAINING

1 : 46

To check the remaining time of a T-140 or T-180 tape, set TAPE SELECT in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu to “180.” (For details, see page 35.)

To watch another TV program while recording

1 Press TV/VIDEO to turn off the VIDEO indicator in the display

window.

2 If the TV is connected to the VCR’s LINE OUT jacks, set the TV to TV

input; if not, skip this step.

3 Select another channel on the TV.

To select a channel using the shuttle ring

To select a channel in step 4 above, you can also use the shuttle ring. During stop, turn the shuttle ring clockwise for higher channels or counterclockwise for lower channels. The VCR switches the channel in the preset order.

To save a recording

To prevent accidental erasure, break off the safety tab as illustrated. To record on a tape again, cover the tab hole with adhesive tape.

Safety tab

Basic Operations8

Page 9

Tips

• To select a channel, you can use the number buttons on the remote commander. Enter the channel number, then press ENTER.

• You can select a video source form the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks using INPUT SELECT.

• The display appears on the TV screen indicating information about the tape, but the information won’t be recorded on the tape.

• If you don’t want to watch TV while recording, you can turn off the TV. When using a cable box, make sure to leave it on.

• You can set the channel with the shuttle ring during stop. However, you cannot set the channel with the shuttle ring on the remote commander when:

– you set CABLE MOUSE in the CABLE BOX CONTROL menu to ON. – you press JOG so that the remote commander is in jog mode.

Notes

• The remaining time may not be indicated accurately for short tapes such as T-20 or T-30, or tapes recorded in LP mode.

• The display does not appear during still (pause) mode or slow-motion playback.

• It may take up to one minute for the VCR to calculate and display the remaining time after you press DISPLAY.

Basic Operations

Page 10

Locating a

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channel using the channel list

You can select the TV program from the channel list.

1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

When using a cable box, turn it on.

CH +/– ENTER

• ENTER

2 Press ENTER.

The channel list appears on the TV screen.

Basic Operations10

The selected channel

9 10 12 13 15 19 22 43 45

Page 11

3 Press CH +/– to select the channel you

• CH

want.

• ENTER

4 Press ENTER.

9 10 12 13 15 19 22 43 45

Basic Operations

Page 12

Recording TV

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programs using VCR Plus+

How VCR Plus+ works

Whenever you want to record a TV program, all you need to do is look up the program’s “PlusCode,” a number assigned to each program published in the TV section of most newspapers, cable TV listings, and even TV GUIDE magazine. Then, just enter the PlusCode of the program you want and the VCR is automatically programmed to record that show. It’s that simple. You can preset up to 20 programs with the GUIDE Plus+ timer for recording and/or viewing at one time.

Example of “PlusCode”

PlusCode

MOVIE Musical (2hrs.)

5:30

SPORT

CNN

WS 9974

6:30

DRAMA

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(1hr. 15min.) 73457

Golf (1hr. 25min.) 42060

Comedy (2hrs.) 17390

33044

POWER VCR Plus+

Number buttons

Green button

Cursor stick OK

p STOP

Before you start…

• Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time.

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on.

• Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer than the total recording time.

• If you insert a tape with the SmartFile function, make sure the total recording time doesn’t overlap any protected programs. For details about the SmartFile function, see pages 52 through 53.

Basic Operations12

SP/EP

Page 13

VCR Plus+

1 Press VCR Plus+.

When the Channel map selection menu appears on the TV screen, you have to select the channel map of your area. For details on how to select the channel map, see “To select the channel map” on page

59.

9:05pm

Panel

Schedule displays a list of shows set to watch or record. Shows may be removed or frequencies changed from here. Scroll down to use, right to view Messages, left to view Sort.

Grid Sort Schedule Messages

There are no programs

Enter Pluscode:

---------

or recorded.

2 Press the number buttons to enter the

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• CURSOR

program’s PlusCode, then press the cursor stick (OK).

The date, start time, program name, and recording pattern appear on the TV screen. The program is set to be automatically recorded in EP mode.

PUSH OK

SP / EP

3 Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or

EP.

4 Press the green (Change) button

repeatedly to select Once, Daily, or Weekly:

To record

Only once Everyday Monday to Friday Once a week

Select

Once Daily Weekly

9:05pm

Panel

9:05pm

Panel

9:05pm

Panel

Remove Change

Life in the fast lane

XYZ [11] 9:00pm (1h)iEP

Grid Sort Schedule Messages

9/24

9:00pm Life in the fast lane Once

Remove Change

Life in the fast lane

XYZ [11] 9:00pm (1h)iSP

Grid Sort Schedule Messages

9/24

9:00pm Life in the fast lane Once

Remove Change

Life in the fast lane

XYZ [11] 9:00pm (1h)iSP

Grid Sort Schedule Messages

9/24

9:00pm Life in the fast lane Daily

FrequencyWatch/Record Schedule

Basic Operations

FrequencyWatch/Record Schedule

• POWER

5 Press POWER to turn off the VCR.

indicator appears in the display window and the VCR

The stands by for recording. When using a cable box, leave it on.

continued

Basic Operations

Page 14

Recording TV programs using VCR Plus+ (continued)

To stop recording

To stop the VCR while recording, press p STOP.

To use the VCR after setting the timer

To use the VCR before a timer recording begins, just press POWER. The indicator turns off and the VCR switches on. Remember to press POWER to reset the VCR in timer recording standby after using the VCR.

You can also do the following tasks while the VCR is recording:

• Reset the counter.

• Display tape information on the TV screen.

• Check the timer settings.

• Watch another TV program.

To lock the VCR after setting the timer (Child Lock)

While the VCR turns on, hold POWER down indicator appears in the display window. The VCR turns off and the H indicator remains lit. The VCR will not work except for timer recording.

To unlock the VCR, hold POWER down on the VCR until the H indicator disappears from the display window. The VCR is unlocked and turns on.

To stop timer recording while the VCR is locked, press p STOP. The recording stops and the VCR is unlocked.

Tip

• To cancel VCR Plus+ recording, see “Canceling a VCR Plus+ or GUIDE Plus+ recording or viewing schedule” on page 71.

Notes

• If the VCR doesn’t accept the PlusCode, this means that the PlusCode is incorrect.

• You cannot select Daily or Weekly for a program that airs more than seven days ahead.

• The VCR will be unlocked when:

– you stop timer recording by pressing p STOP. – you insert a tape. – the AC power cord is disconnected or power supply stops.

on the VCR until the H

Basic Operations14

Page 15

Setting the timer manually

If VCR Plus+ and GUIDE Plus+ are not available in your area, follow the instructions below to set the timer to record programs. You can manually preset up to eight programs at one time not including those of VCR Plus+ and GUIDE Plus+ recording.

Before you start…

• Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time.

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on.

• Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer than the total recording time.

• If you insert a tape with the SmartFile function, make sure the total recording time doesn’t overlap any protected programs. For details about the SmartFile function, see pages 52 through 53.

POWER INPUT

SELECT

MENU Cursor stick

>/./?// OK

Basic Operations

• MENU

1 Press MENU and select TIMER SET/

CHECK.

TIMER SET / CHECK

DATE START STOP CH –

–

/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– –

Basic Operations

11 / 16

continued

MON

Page 16

Setting the timer manually (continued)

2 Set the date, start and stop times, channel

number and tape speed:

• CURSOR

PUSH OK

1 Push the cursor stick to / to highlight

each item in turn.

2 Push the cursor stick to ./> to set each

item.

To correct a setting, push the cursor stick

TIMER SET / CHECK

DATE START STOP CH 11 ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– –

to ? to return to that setting and reset. To record the same program every day or the same day every week,

push the cursor stick to . while the date is highlighting. For details, see “Daily/weekly recording” on the next page.

INPUT

SELECT

To record from a source connected to the LINE–1 IN or LINE–2 IN jacks, press INPUT SELECT to display “LINE1” or “LINE2” in the “CH” position.

• CURSOR

3 Push the cursor stick to / to confirm the setting.

The cursor appears at the beginning of the line. To enter another setting, move the cursor to the next line and repeat step 2.

PUSH OK

• CURSOR

4 Press the cursor stick (OK).

11 / 16

WED

/–:–– –:–– ––

MON

PUSH OK

• POWER

5 Press POWER to turn off the VCR.

indicator appears in the display window and the VCR

The stands by for recording.

When using a cable box, leave it on.

Basic Operations16

Page 17

Daily/weekly recording

In step 2 above, push the cursor stick to . to select the recording pattern. Each time you push the cursor stick to ., the indication changes as shown below. Push the cursor stick to > to change the indication in reverse order.

the current date n SUN-SAT n MON-SAT n MON-FRI n EVERY SAT .....

n EVERY MON n EVERY SUN n 1 month later n (date counts down) n

the current date

Tips

• To set the channel, you can also use the CH +/– or number buttons.

• You can set the channel with the shuttle ring during stop. However, you cannot set the channel with the shuttle ring on the remote commander when:

– you set CABLE MOUSE in the CABLE BOX CONTROL menu to ON. – you press JOG so that the remote commander is in jog mode.

• To set the tape speed, you can also use the SP/EP button.

• When you are recording a program in SP mode and the remaining tape becomes shorter than the recording time, the tape speed is automatically changed to EP mode. Note that some noises will appear on the picture when the tape speed is changed. If you want to keep the same tape speed, set AUTO TAPE SPEED to OFF in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu (page 35).

• To lock the VCR after setting the timer, see page 14.

Note

• If you are using cable box control, you cannot select “LINE1” or “LINE2.”

Basic Operations

Page 18

Additional Operations

Playing/searching at various speeds

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) FF JOG

0 REW

Playback options

View the picture during fastforward or rewind

Search forward Search backward Rewind and start play

· PLAY

) FF

Shuttle ring

JOG

Operation

During fast-forward, hold ) FF down. During rewind, hold 0 REW down.

Press ) FF during playback. Press 0 REW during playback. During stop, hold 0 REW on the VCR, and press · PLAY on

the VCR.

0 REW

· PLA Y

Shuttle ring

Additional Operations

Page 19

Using the shuttle ring

With the shuttle ring, you can operate a variety of playback options. There are two ways for using the shuttle ring, normal mode and jog mode.

To use the shuttle ring in normal mode

During playback or pause, turn the shuttle ring clockwise or counterclockwise. Each change in the shuttle ring position changes the playback mode, and the corresponding mark appears on the TV screen for a few seconds in the following way if the on-screen display function is on:

Playback mode Normal speed Double speed High speed

Mark on the TV screen

Slow motion Pause Slow motion

High speed Double speed Normal speed

in reverse in reverse in reverse

X2–X1–

in reverse

To use the shuttle ring in jog mode

Use this mode for frame-by-frame playback. Press JOG to enter jog mode. The JOG button lights up. If you change to jog

mode during any playback mode, the playback pauses so you can see a still picture. Each change in the shuttle ring position shifts the picture one frame. To shift frames in reverse, turn the shuttle ring counterclockwise. The frame shift speed depends on the speed you turn the shuttle ring. To resume normal playback, press JOG again. The JOG indicator goes off.

To resume normal playback

Press · PLAY.

continued

Additional Operations

Page 20

Playing/searching at various speeds (continued)

Tip

• Adjust the picture using the TRACKING +/– buttons if:

– streaks appear while playing in slow motion. – bands appear at the top or bottom while pausing. – the picture shakes while pausing.

Notes

• The sound is muted during these operations.

• Tapes recorded in LP mode on other VCRs can be played back on this VCR but the

picture quality cannot be guaranteed.

• The picture may have snow:

– when playing at high speed in reverse. – when playing in reverse slow motion. – when playing in reverse.

• If the playback mode mark doesn’t appear on the TV screen, press DISPLAY.

• The picture may flutter a bit when playing in slow motion.

Additional Operations

Page 21

Searching for a selected point on the tape

You can easily find a specific point by moving the pointer on the TV screen. The VCR fast-forwards or rewinds to the point you indicate and starts playback automatically.

1 Press DISPLAY repeatedly until the bar

indication appears on the TV screen. A cursor ( ) indicating the current position

of the tape appears on the bar indication. If the cursor does not appear, play the tape a few moments (by pressing · PLAY, ) FF or 0 REW) until the cursor appears.

2 Push the cursor stick to ?// to move the

pointer (+) to the point where you want to start playback.

The VCR starts searching and the cursor (

) moves toward the pointer. When the VCR locates the marked point, playback starts.

To cancel searching

Press · PLAY or p STOP.

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DISPLAY

Cursor stick ?//

0 120

To turn off the bar indication

Press DISPLAY again.

continued

Additional Operations

Page 22

Searching for a selected point on the tape (continued)

Notes

• The figure on the bar indication represents the total time length of the inserted tape as shown below. The total time length may not be displayed correctly for:

– tapes other than T-60, T-120, or T-160 – tapes recorded in more than one tape speed mode.

Tape type

T-60 or shorter from T-80 to T-140 T-160 or longer

• If you move the pointer (+) on the bar indication during search, the VCR searches for the new reset point.

Total time length

120

240

120

320

160

180 360 480

Additional Operations

Page 23

Skip-searching automatically

You can spot check a whole tape quickly. At intervals, the VCR skips playback while searching forward or backward.

Press ) FF (or 0 REW) for more than two seconds during stop. “SKIP” appears on the TV screen.

The VCR searches forward (or backward) for about two minutes on the counter, then fastforwards (or rewinds) for about ten minutes on the counter. The VCR repeats this operation until it stops at the end (or beginning) of the tape.

search forward

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) FF

0 REW

SKIP

search forward

) fast-forward

To cancel skip-search

Press · PLAY or p STOP.

Note

• The VCR automatically fast-forwards (or rewinds) any portion with no recording.

Additional Operations

Page 24

Creating a

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favorite channel list

You can create your favorite channel list from the TV channels. You can store up to 10 channels and select the channel from your favorite channel list.

Before you start…

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on.

Creating your favorite channel list

1 Press SET.

The FAVORITE CH screen appears on the TV screen.

2 Press CH +/– to select the channel you want

to replace. You can also use the cursor stick (>/.) instead.

CH +/–

SET

Cursor stick >/./?//

The selected channel

FAVORITE CH

12 15

9 13 19

3 45 43 22 10

Additional Operations

3 Push the cursor stick to ?// to select the

channel you want to set.

4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 to set the channels as

required.

5 Press SET.

FAVORITE CH

12 15 27 13 19

3 45 43 22 10

Page 25

Selecting a channel from your favorite channel list

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CH +/–

ENTER SET

Cursor stick >/. OK

1 Press SET.

Your FAVORITE CH screen appears on the TV screen.

2 Press CH +/– to select the channel you want

to select. You can also use the cursor stick (>/.) instead.

3 Press ENTER.

You can also use the cursor stick (OK) instead.

The selected channel

FAVORITE CH

12 15 27 13 19

3 45 43 22 10

12 15 27 13 19

3 45 43 22 10

Additional Operations

Page 26

Recording TV programs using the quick timer

After starting recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration.

1 While recording, press QUICK TIMER once.

The

indicator appears in the display window.

2 Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set the duration.

Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes.

QUICK TIMER

VTR

0:00 0:30 1:00 10:30 11:00

EP VIDEO APC

Additional Operations

The duration decreases minute by minute to 0:00, then the VCR stops recording and turns off automatically.

To extend the duration

Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set to the new duration.

To stop while recording

Press p STOP.

Using the quick timer during stop mode

1 Press QUICK TIMER. 2 Press CH +/– or INPUT SELECT to select the channel you want to

record.

3 Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set the recording duration.

The recording starts.

Page 27

Checking/ changing/ canceling the manual timer settings

Before you start…

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

1 Press POWER to turn on the VCR. 2 Press MENU and select TIMER SET/CHECK:

• If you want to change a setting, go on to the next step.

• If you do not need to change the settings, press the cursor stick (OK), then turn off the VCR to return to recording standby.

3 Push the cursor stick to >/. to select the setting you want to change:

• To change the setting, push the cursor stick to ?// to highlight the item you want to change, and push the cursor stick to >/. to reset it. Then, push the cursor stick to / repeatedly until the cursor appears at the beginning of the line.

• To cancel the setting, press CLEAR.

4 Press the cursor stick (OK).

If any timer settings remain, turn off the VCR to return to recording standby.

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POWER

CLEAR

MENU Cursor stick

>/./?// OK

TIMER SET / CHECK

DATE START STOP CH

/7:00 8:00 6

WED

2/2

SUN

–1:00 3:00

SATMON

EVERY 12

SUN ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– – ––/– –:–– –:–– –– –

11 / 16

AM AM

PM PM

15 50

AMPMAM

55 1:30 12

LINE1

MON

SP EP EP SP

continued

Additional Operations

Page 28

Checking/changing/canceling the manual timer settings (continued)

When the manual timer settings overlap

The program that starts first has priority and the second program starts recording only after the first program has finished. If the programs start at the same time, the program listed first in the menu has priority.

Program 1 Program 2

will be cut off

Program 1

Program 2

about 20 seconds

about 20 seconds will be cut off

When the manual timer setting and the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting overlap

When the manual timer setting and the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting (including VCR Plus+ recording) overlap, the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting has priority. If you want to make more than one timer setting at one time, we recommend that you use the same timer setting method at that time for all timer settings, either the GUIDE Plus+ timer or the manual timer setting.

• If the recording stop time of the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting and the recording start time of the manual timer setting are set at the same time, the manual timer setting is canceled.

The VCR will be in recording standby mode about 20 seconds before the preset recording start time.

Manual timer setting

GUIDE Plus+ timer setting

will be canceled

Additional Operations

Page 29

• If the manual timer setting and GUIDE Plus+ timer setting are scheduled to start at the same time, the VCR starts recording the program preset with the GUIDE Plus+ timer.

• If the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting is scheduled to start while the VCR is already recording a manual timer setting, the VCR stops recording the manual timer setting and starts recording the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting. If the recording stop time of the manual timer setting and the recording start time of the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting are set at the same time, the VCR stops recording of the manual timer setting about two minutes before the preset stop time.

will be cut short by about

Manual timer setting

GUIDE Plus+ timer setting

2 minutes

will be cut off

• If a manual timer setting is scheduled to start while the VCR is recording the GUIDE Plus+ timer setting, the manual timer setting is canceled.

Manual timer setting

GUIDE Plus+ timer setting

will be canceled

Additional Operations

Page 30

Recording stereo and bilingual programs

Recording stereo programs

This VCR automatically receives and records stereo programs. When a stereo program is received, the STEREO indicator lights up. If there is noise in the stereo program, set AUTO STEREO in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu to OFF. The sound will be recorded in monaural (on both hi-fi and normal audio tracks) but with less noise. For details, see page 34.

Recording bilingual programs

Normally, this VCR records only the main sound. When a SAP (Second Audio Program) is received, the SAP indicator lights up. To record only SAP sound, set TUNER AUDIO in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu to SAP. For details, see page 34.

Selecting the sound during playback

Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the sound you want. (The sound being recorded will not change.)

Additional Operations

To listen to

Stereo/main (left and right channels)

Left channel only Right channel only Monaural

On-screen display

STEREO

LEFT CH RIGHT CH No indicator

Display window

STEREO

STEREO STEREO No indicator

Page 31

How sound is recorded on a video tape

The VCR records sound onto two separate tracks. Hi-fi audio is recorded onto the main track along with the picture. Monaural sound is recorded onto the normal audio track along the edge of the tape.

Monaural sound

Normal audio track

Hi-fi audio track (main track)

Notes

• To play a tape in stereo, you must use the A/V connections.

• When you play a tape recorded in monaural, the sound is heard in monaural regardless of the AUDIO MONITOR setting.

• If the AUDIO MONITOR button does not function, check that AUDIO MIX in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu is set to OFF.

Stereo sound (left/right channels)

Additional Operations

Page 32

Searching using the index function

The VCR marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording begins. Use these signals as references to find a specific recording. The VCR can search up to 99 index signals ahead of or behind the current position.

1 Insert an indexed tape into the VCR. 2 Press =/+ INDEX SEARCH repeatedly to specify how many

index signals ahead or behind you want to search:

• To search ahead, press + INDEX SEARCH.

• To search backwards, press = INDEX SEARCH.

The VCR starts searching and the index number on the TV screen counts down to zero. Playback starts automatically from that point.

INDEX SEARCH

=/+ INDEX SEARCH

Additional Operations

To stop searching

Press p STOP.

Page 33

Adjusting the picture

Adjusting the tracking

Although the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape (the indicator flashes in the display window, then goes off), distortion may occur if the tape was recorded in poor condition. In this case, manually adjust the tracking.

Press the TRACKING +/– buttons to display the tracking meter. The distortion should disappear as you press one of the two buttons (the

indicator lights up). To resume automatic tracking adjustment, eject the tape and reinsert it.

About Adaptive Picture Control (APC)

Adaptive Picture Control (APC) automatically improves recording and playback quality by adjusting the VCR to the condition of the video heads and tape. To maintain better picture quality, we recommend that you set APC to ON in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu (with the APC indicator in the display window lit). For details, see page 35.

APC playback

The APC function automatically works on all types of tapes, including rental tapes and tapes that were not recorded with APC.

NORMAL TRACKING

Tracking meter

APC recording

Whenever you insert a tape and first start recording, the VCR adjusts to the tape using the APC function (the APC indicator flashes rapidly). This adjustment is retained until the tape is ejected.

Notes

• Auto tracking adjustment cannot be guaranteed to work with tapes recorded in LP

mode on other VCRs.

• The APC function does not work if the tape speed is automatically changed from SP

to EP mode during a manual timer recording, unless the tape has been recorded in EP mode with the APC function.

• There is a delay of a few seconds before the VCR actually starts recording while the

VCR analyzes the tape. To avoid the delay, first set the VCR to recording pause (the APC indicator flashes slowly) and press r REC to have the VCR analyze the tape (the APC indicator flashes rapidly). After the APC indicator stops flashing, press P P AUSE to start recording immediately.

If you want to start recording quickly without using the APC function, first set the VCR to recording pause (the APC indicator flashes slowly) and press P PAUSE to start recording.

Additional Operations

Page 34

Changing menu options

1 Press MENU and select ADVANCED 2 Push the cursor stick to >/. to select the

3 Press the cursor stick (OK) to return to the

Menu choices

Initial settings are indicated in bold print.

Menu option

AUTO ANT SEL

AUTO STEREO

AUDIO MIX

TUNER AUDIO

SHARPNESS

DEFAULT SPEED

OPTIONS.

option to change, then push the cursor

stick to ?// to change the setting.

The ADVANCED OPTIONS menu has 2

pages. To select page 2, push the cursor

stick to . repeatedly until page 2 appears.

To select page 1, push the cursor stick to >

repeatedly until page 1 appears.

original screen.

Set this option to ON if your TV is connected only to VHF/UHF OUT on the VCR. To

play a tape, set the TV to the VCR channel (channel 3 or 4). OFF if your TV is connected to both VHF/UHF OUT and LINE OUT on the VCR. To play a tape, set the TV to the VCR input.

ON to receive stereo programs, OFF to reduce noise. The sound changes to monaural.

ON to listen to the sound recorded on hi-fi and normal audio tracks at the same time. The AUDIO MONITOR button will not function. OFF to listen to hi-fi and normal audio tracks separately. Select the sound using the AUDIO MONITOR button.

MAIN to record the main sound on both hi-fi and normal audio tracks. SAP to record the SAP (Second Audio Program) sound on both hi-fi and normal audio tracks.

L (Low) through H (High) to adjust the sharpness of the picture. L to turn off the sharpness control.

EP to set the recording tape speed automatically back to EP after recording. SP to set the recording tape speed automatically back to SP after recording. FLOAT to set the recording tape speed to the last position selected from the SP/EP button.

Page 1

ADVANCED OPTIONS

AUTO ANT SEL

AUTO STEREO AUDIO MIX TUNER AUDIO SHARPNESS DEFAULT SPEED

se to se l ec t an

tem,then push

Page 2

ADVANCED OPTIONS

APC

DIMMER AUTO TAPE SPEED TAPE SELECT SMART CUE

se to se le c t an

tem,then push

page1

ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF MAIN SAP LH–– EP

page2

ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF AUTO

180

MEDIUM

Additional Operations

Page 35

Menu option

APC

DIMMER AUTO TAPE SPEED

TAPE SELECT

SMART CUE

Notes

• If you set the DEFAULT SPEED option to EP, you can still change the recording tape

speed to SP, or vice versa by pressing the SP/EP button only for that program. Next time you record a program, the recording tape speed is automatically set to the position you set in the DEFAULT SPEED option.

• The Auto Tape Speed function doesn’t work for the VCR Plus+ and the GUIDE

Plus+ recordings.

Set this option to ON to switch on the APC (Adaptive Picture Control) function and

improve picture quality, OFF to switch off APC. ON to make the display window dim, OFF to make it brighter. ON to change the manual timer recording tape speed automatically to

EP mode when the remaining tape becomes shorter than the recording time, OFF to keep the same tape speed.

AUTO or 180 (when using a T-140 or T-180) to select the tape length and display the remaining time correctly.

MEDIUM to set the automatic rewinding time on skip playback to a medium length, SHORT to set to short, LONG to set to long.

Additional Operations

Page 36

Editing with another VCR

How to hook up to record on this VCR

This VCR (Recorder)

LINE-2 IN

: Signal flow

Other VCR (Player)

LINE OUT

VMC-810 audio/video cable (not supplied)

How to hook up to a stereo system

Connect LINE-2 IN AUDIO on this VCR to the audio output jacks on the stereo system, using the RK-C510KS audio cable (not supplied).

If the other VCR has a CONTROL S OUT jack for synchronized editing

Hook up to record on the other VCR, then connect the VCRs via the CONTROL S jacks. The CONTROL S connection lets you control (pause and release pause) both VCRs from the recording VCR.

Notes

• Make sure you connect the plugs to jacks of the same color.

• If the other VCR is a monaural type and connected to this VCR’s LINE-2 IN jacks, connect the audio plug to the AUDIO L (white) jack. The sound is recorded on both right and left channels. When connecting to the AUDIO R (red) jack, the sound is recorded only on the right channel.

• If you connected this VCR to both the LINE IN and LINE OUT jacks of the other VCR, select the input correctly to prevent a humming noise.

• You can also use the LINE-1 IN jacks instead. If the other VCR is a monaural type, the sound is recorded only on the channel whose jack is connected to the audio plug. To record on both right and left channels, connect the audio plugs to the AUDIO R/L jacks using a VMC-910MS audio/video cable (not supplied).

• If the CONTROL S IN jack is used for S-Link (A/V bus control) with a TV, the CONTROL S connection cannot be used for editing.

Additional Operations

Page 37

Operation (when recording on this VCR)

Before you start editing

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

• Press INPUT SELECT to display “L2” or “L1” in the display window.

• Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or EP.

1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other

(playback) VCR. Search for the point to start playback and set it to playback pause.

2 Insert a tape with its safety tab in place into this (recording) VCR.

Search for the point to start recording and press P PAUSE.

3 Press r REC on this VCR and set it to recording pause. 4 To start editing, press the P PAUSE buttons on both VCRs at the same

time.

To stop editing

Press the p STOP buttons on both VCRs.

Tips

• To edit more precisely, press the P PAUSE buttons on the VCRs to release pause.

• To cut out unwanted scenes while editing, press P PAUSE on this VCR when an unwanted scene begins. When it ends, press P PAUSE again to resume recording (Assemble Editing).

Note

• If you start recording following the procedure above, the VCR won’t start recording with the APC function. To record a tape with the APC function, press r REC again during recording pause in step 3 so that the VCR analyzes the tape. Then when you start recording in step 4, press P PAUSE immediately after the APC indicator stops flashing. If you press P PAUSE before the APC indicator stops flashing, the APC function is canceled.

P PAUSE

r REC

Additional Operations

Page 38

SmartFile Function

About the SmartFile function

SmartFile* allows you to view the contents of your video tape (recording date, channel, etc.) on the TV screen. It is no longer necessary to rewind, fast-forward, or play back a tape to find out what is recorded. You can also locate and start playback of a specific program, or find the position from which you want to start recording by using this list. Program data is stored in the memory of the SmartFile label attached to the tape.

The following functions are possible using SmartFile:

Recording using the SmartFile function (page 40)

To use the SmartFile function, attach the SmartFile label to the tape. If you record a program on a tape with a SmartFile label, the contents will appear on the SmartFile search list. With the SmartFile list, you can also easily find the beginning of the available recording space.

Selecting and playing a program (page 45)

To play back a recorded program, select the program you want to watch using the SmartFile search list. The VCR locates the program and playback starts automatically.

SmartFile search list

8/10/98~8/16/98 BLANK TIME SUN

6:30

16/8

13/8

80/8

0 0 0

THU

8:00

MON

2:30

START END

p . 1

M03H

M05H

M03H

M84H1EP

SmartFile Function

Checking the contents of a tape (page 46)

When you bring the SmartFile label close to the SMARTFILE sensor on the VCR, a summary of the recorded programs appears in the SmartFile check list. It is not necessary to insert the tape into the VCR and press · PLAY to find out what is recorded on it. This feature allows you to easily find the program you want to watch, or to quickly find a tape with enough recording space.

* SmartFile is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

SmartFile check list

8/10/98~8/30/98 BLANK TIME SUN

9:00

6:30 8:00 5:45 1:00 4:30

16 0/83

49/82

12 7/82

77/82

12 6/82

84/82

QUIT :

SAT THU THU WED MON

p . 1

M84H1EP

Page 39

Labelling a recorded program and tape (page 47)

You can attach an electronic “label” to the video tape and its programs on the SmartFile list. Labelling the recorded programs enables you to find a program easily when you want to play it back.

Protecting a recorded program (page 52)

You can protect a recorded program from accidental over-recording or erasure.

Erasing the data of an unwanted program (page 54)

By erasing a program from the SmartFile list, the VCR will record over the unwanted program.

Storing program data from the DSS receiver (Program Data Download) (page 55)

If you connect a DSS receiver equipped with the Program Data Download function, you can store the program and category name transmitted from the DSS on a SmartFile tape. The DSS receiver equipped with the Data Download function will be available in the future.

SmartFile Function

Page 40

Recording using the SmartFile

SMARTFILE SENSOR

function

To use the SmartFile function, attach the SmartFile label to the spine of the cassette tape. If you record a program on a tape with a SmartFile label, program data, such as the program name, category, date, and channel, is automatically stored in the memory of the SmartFile label.

Attaching the SmartFile label to the cassette tape

To use the SmartFile function, attach the supplied SmartFile label to the cassette tape. Remove any stains or dirt from the surface of the spine of the tape. Then, holding both edges of the SmartFile label so that it doesn’t bend, attach it along the guide line to the spine of the cassette tape. This tape is henceforth referred to as a SmartFile tape.

Note on the purchase of SmartFile labels

• For the customers in the USA

To order additional SmartFile labels, see the back page.

• For the customers in Canada

Additional SmartFile labels can be purchased at Sony of Canada Ltd. Authorized VHS Dealers.

Notes

• The SmartFile label is equipped with a memory chip. The memory chip may be damaged and cannot be used when you:

– twist or fold the SmartFile label. – remove the SmartFile label and re-attach it to a tape. – attach more than one SmartFile label to a tape. – attach some metal, or sticker which has metal, to the SmartFile label. – write too strongly on the SmartFile label using a ballpoint pen or similar sharp

instrument.

– disassemble or remodel a label.

• Do not leave the SmartFile label in a place subject to excessive dust or dirt, direct sunlight, humidity, mildew, strong magnetism, or near heat sources.

• If you attach the SmartFile label to a short length tape, such as T-30 or shorter, you cannot use the SmartFile function.

SmartFile Function

Page 41

Recording a program on the SmartFile tape

When recording a program on the SmartFile tape, no matter what method you use to record the program (normal recording, VCR Plus+ recording, GUIDE Plus+ recording, etc.), program data (date, channel, recording start time, etc.) is stored in the memory of the SmartFile label. If you record a program using VCR Plus+ or GUIDE Plus+, you can also store in memory the program and category name transmitted from certain TV stations. The SmartFile label can contain up to 12 programs’ data. When the number of the stored programs goes over 12, the oldest program data is erased from the SmartFile list. However, a program which lasts less than about 15 minutes in EP mode or about 5 minutes in SP mode cannot be stored in the memory. When you record a program on the SmartFile tape which already contains program data, see “Recording after locating the Blank Time space” on page 43.

Before you start…

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

123 456 789

SMARTFILE

1 Insert a SmartFile tape with its safety tab in

place.

BLANK TIME

The VCR turns on, the SMARTFILE indicator lights up, and the SmartFile search list automatically appears on the TV screen.

START END

2 Press SMARTFILE.

The SmartFile search list disappears.

3 Start recording a program.

Tip

• You can protect a recorded program from accidental over-recording or erasure (see page 52).

Note

• If you press the P PAUSE button one or more times during recording, thereby creating short lengths of recorded time between such pauses, program data may not be stored in the SmartFile label.

continued

SmartFile Function

p . 1

M––H–EP

Page 42

Recording using the SmartFile function (continued)

To check the information of a recorded program

Press SMARTFILE. The SmartFile search list appears. The recording day of the week, start time, channel, date, station ID, recording time, and tape speed appear on the list. The longest space which doesn’t have any program data (Blank Time space) appears as “BLANK TIME.”

Initial and latest dates of use for this SmartFile tape

Channel

80/8

M03H

p . 1

M03H5EP

Date Tape speed Recording time Station ID

8/10/98~8/10/98

Day of the week

BLANK TIME MON

2:30

XZY

Recording start time

START END

Estimated position of the recorded program

Tips

• When you record a program using VCR Plus+ or GUIDE Plus+, the program and

category name may appear on the list instead of the day of the week, recording start time, and channel.

• You can manually label a recorded program and select the category. You can also

label the SmartFile tape. See pages 47 through 51.

Notes

• The station ID appears only if the broadcaster sends this information.

• If you don’t set the clock or the clock isn’t set to the correct time, the recording time

won’t be stored correctly on the SmartFile list.

• When you record a program using the normal recording mode while the CABLE

MOUSE option is set to ON in the CABLE BOX CONTROL menu, the channel number is stored as “CH---.”

• When you set the AUTO TAPE SPEED option to ON in the ADVANCED OPTIONS

menu, and the tape speed automatically changes from SP to EP during manual timer recording, the VCR displays the entire recording time converted in SP mode to the SmartFile list.

• The recording time length in the SmartFile list is an estimation and may be slightly

different from the actual recorded time length.

SmartFile Function

Page 43

Recording after locating the Blank Time space

The SmartFile function identifies not only the largest amount of available blank space, but also recorded material that doesn’t have corresponding program data stored in the SmartFile label. The longest available recording space (including programs that are not stored on the SmartFile label) is referred to as “Blank Time space.” You can locate the beginning of the Blank Time space for recording. If there is a recorded program after the Blank Time space, the VCR will over-record on that program unless you stop recording. If there is a program you want to prevent from being recorded over or erased, protect that program before you start recording another program (see pages 52 through

53).

Before you start…

• Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.

SP/EP

Cursor stick

>/.

1 Insert a SmartFile tape with its safety tab in

place. The VCR turns on, the SMARTFILE indicator

lights up, and the SmartFile search list automatically appears on the TV screen. The Blank Time space appears in the “BLANK TIME” row.

The Blank Time space also appears in the display window.

2 Push the cursor stick to >/. to select BLANK

TIME. BLANK TIME is on page 1 of the SmartFile

search list.

16/8

13/8

80/8

16/8

13/8

80/8

p . 1

M03H

M05H

M03H

p . 1

M03H

M05H

M03H

8/10/98~8/16/98 BLANK TIME SUN