Sony SLV-SX40EG User Manual

3-865-275-12 (1)

Video Cassette
Recorder

Operating Instructions

PAL NTSC 4.43

SLV-SX40EG

©1999 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 a
personnel only.

Mains lead must only be changed at a qualified
service shop.

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 wall outlet if you
do 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.

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 three hours
before operating the unit.

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.

Compatible colour systems

This VCR is designed to record using the PAL
(B/G or D/K) or MESECAM (B/G or D/K)
colour system and play back using the PAL (B/
G or D/K), MESECAM (B/G or D/K), and
NTSC 4.43 colour systems.

Introduction

2

Table of contents

Getting Started

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

8 Step 3: Connecting the VCR
11 Step 4: Tuning your TV to the VCR
13 Step 5: Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
15 Step 6: Setting the clock
17 Selecting a language
18 Presetting channels
22 Changing/disabling programme positions

Getting Started

Basic Operations

26 Playing a tape
29 Recording TV programmes
33 Recording TV programmes using

the timer

Additional Operations

36 Playing/searching at various

speeds

38 Setting the recording duration

time

39 Checking/changing/cancelling

timer settings

41 Searching using the Smart Search

function

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

Additional Information

50 Troubleshooting
53 Specifications
54 Index to parts and controls
Back cover

Index

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

Getting Started

4

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 position.

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.
If the TV does not have the g
symbol near the remote sensor,
this remote commander will
not operate the TV.

TV / VIDEO

Remote sensor

Getting Started

To operate

the VCR
a Sony TV

123
456

Set TV / VIDEO to

VIDEO and point at the remote sensor on the VCR
TV and point at the remote sensor on the TV

continued

Getting Started

5

Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued)

I/u

DISPLAY

?

WIDE

123
456
789

0

… TV/VIDEO

Programme
number
buttons

PROG+/–

Á +/–

Getting Started

6

TV control buttons

To

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

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

Press

I/u
… TV/VIDEO

Programme number buttons,
?, PROG +/–

To

Adjust the volume of the TV
Call up on-screen display
Switch to/from wide mode of a Sony wide TV.

Press

Á +/–

DISPLAY

WIDE

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 together.

• Do not use different types of batteries together.

• Some buttons may not work with certain Sony TVs.

Getting Started

Getting Started

7

Step 3

AERIAL

ANTENNE
IN

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

Connecting the VCR

If your TV has a EURO-AV connector, see page 9.

If your TV does not have a EURO-AV (Scart)
connector

Mains lead

to mains

Aerial cable (supplied)

: Signal flow

AERIAL IN

AERIAL OUT

AERIAL IN

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.

Note

• When you connect the VCR and your TV only with an aerial cable, you have to set

RF MODULATOR in the OPTIONS-2 menu to ON (initial setting) (see page 47).

Getting Started

8

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

AERIAL

ANTENNE
IN

If your TV has a EURO-AV (Scart) connector

AERIAL

ANTENNE
IN

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

AERIAL IN

AERIAL OUT

Mains lead

: LINE-1
(TV)

to mains

Aerial cable (supplied)

: Signal flow

EURO-AV cable (not 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.

AERIAL IN

AERIAL

ANTENNE
IN

ENTREE

OUT

SORTIE

Getting Started

EURO-AV
(Scart)

continued

Getting Started

9

Step 3 : Connecting the VCR (continued)

3 Connect LINE-1 (TV) on the VCR and

the EURO-AV (Scart) connector on the
TV with the optional EURO-AV cable.

This connection improves picture and
sound quality. Whenever you want to
watch the VCR picture, press … TV/
VIDEO to display the VIDEO indicator
in the display window.

4 Connect the mains lead to the mains.

Note

• If the TV is connected to the LINE-1 (TV) connector, setting the RF MODULATOR in

the OPTIONS-2 menu to OFF is recommended. In the OFF position, only the signal
from the aerial is output through the AERIAL OUT connector (see page 47). You do
not have to tune your TV to the VCR. Skip “Tuning your TV to the VCR” on page

11.

Getting Started

10

Step 4

Tuning your TV to the VCR

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

I/u ON/STANDBY

Getting Started

PROGRAM +/–

ON/STANDBY

1 Press I/u ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR.

RF CHANNEL

2 Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR lightly.

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.

RF CHANNEL

The TV system appears in the display window.

continued

Getting Started

11

SONY VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER

Step 4 : Tuning your TV to the VCR (continued)

–

PROGRAM

5 Press PROGRAM +/– (repeatedly) to select the appropriate TV

+

system for your area. Select “G” for the B/G TV system, or “K” for
the D/K TV system.

6 Tune the TV to the same channel as that

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

Refer to your TV manual for tuning
instructions.

If you select the wrong TV system in
step 5, the picture on the right may not
appear. Select the appropriate TV
system and tune the TV again.

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

7 Press RF CHANNEL.

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.

Getting Started

12

To obtain a clear picture from the VCR

If the screen does not appear clearly in step 6 above, go to step 7 to finish
this procedure once. Then start again from step 2. After pressing RF
CHANNEL, press PROGRAM +/– while the RF channel is displayed, 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.

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.

AUTO SET UP

PROGRAM +/–

AUTO

1 Hold down AUTO SET UP on the VCR for more than three seconds.

SET UP

The VCR automatically turns on, and the country abbreviation
appears in the display window.

–

PROGRAM

2 Press PROGRAM +/– to select the abbreviation of your country.

+

For some countries, there is a selection of languages to choose from.
The abbreviations of the countries and languages are as follows:

Getting Started

Abbreviation

CZ
H
PL
RU
ELSE

If your country does not appear, select ELSE.

Country

Checho
Hungary
Poland
Russia
Other

countries

Language

Czech
Hungarian
Polish
Russian
English

continued

Getting Started

13

Step 5 : Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
(continued)

AUTO

3 Press AUTO SET UP lightly.

SET UP

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

Note

• Do not cancel the Auto Set Up function during step 3. If you do, repeat the steps

The VCR starts searching for all of the receivable channels and
presets them according to the TV system you selected in “Tuning
your TV to the VCR.”

After the search or download is complete, the current time appears
in the display window for any stations that transmit a time signal.

the Auto Set Up function, see page 17.

above.

Getting Started

14

Step 6

CONFIRM :

SET :

OK

MENUEXIT :

CLOCK

8 .1 .1999 TUE 0: 00

SELECT :

2

Setting the clock

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

Before you start…

• Turn on the VCR and the TV.

• Set the TV to the video channel.

MENU

>/./?//
OK

Getting Started

MENU

1 Press MENU, then press >/. to

highlight SETTINGS and press OK.

PLAY

OK

2 Press >/. to highlight CLOCK, then

PLAY

OK

press OK.

3 Press >/. to set the date.

PLAY

OK

SETTINGS

TUNER
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

RETURN

SELECT :
SET :

OK

CLOCK

1 .1 .1999 FRI 0: 00

SELECT :
SET :
CONFIRM :

OK

MENUEXIT :

MENUEXIT :

continued

Getting Started

15

Step 6 : Setting the clock (continued)

4 Press / to highlight the month and set

PLAY

OK

the month pressing >/..

5 Set the year, hour, and minutes in

PLAY

OK

sequence, pressing / to highlight the
item to be set, and press >/. to select
the digits.

The day of the week is set automatically.

6 Press OK to start the clock.

PLAY

OK

Tips

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

and select the digits pressing >/..

• If you want to return to the previous menu, highlight RETURN and press OK.

Note

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

minutes.

CLOCK

8 .9 .1999 TUE 0: 00

2

SELECT :
SET :
CONFIRM :

OK

CLOCK

8 .9 .1999 TUE 8: 00

21

SELECT :
SET :
CONFIRM :

OK

MENUEXIT :

MENUEXIT :

Getting Started

16

Selecting a
language

MENU

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

highlight SETTINGS and press OK.

PLAY

OK

2 Press >/. to highlight LANGUAGE,

PLAY

OK

then press OK.

TUNER
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

RETURN

SELECT :
SET :

SELECT :
SET :

SETTINGS

OK

LANGUAGE

OK

>/.
OK

ENGLISH

POLSKI
ČESKÝ
MAGYAR

PУCCKИЙ

Getting Started

MENUEXIT :

MENUEXIT :

3 Press >/. to highlight the desired language, then press OK.

PLAY

OK

MENU

4 Press MENU to exit the menu.

Tip

• If you want to return to the previous menu, highlight RETURN and press OK.

Note

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

Getting Started

17

Presetting
channels

If some channels could not be preset
using the Auto Set Up function, you can
preset them manually.

Before you start…

• Turn on the VCR and the TV.

• Set the TV to the video channel.

MENU

1 Press MENU, then press >/. to

highlight SETTINGS and press OK.

PLAY

OK

TUNER
CLOCK
LANGUAGE

RETURN

SELECT :
SET :

PROG +/–

MENU

>/./?//
OK

SETTINGS

OK

MENUEXIT :

2 Press >/. to highlight TUNER, then

Getting Started

18

PLAY

OK

press OK.

TUNER

SYSTEM D / K
NORMAL / CATV
CHANNEL SET
AFT
FINE TUNING

RETURN

SELECT :
SET :

OK

NORMAL
C

12

ON

PROG. 1

MENUEXIT :