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.
Precautions
Safety
• The SLV-X842/X842ML/X821MKII operates on 110-240 V AC, 50/
60Hz.
• 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 outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.
• Unplug the unit from the mains 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 one hour
before operating the unit.
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 transmitter and/or program owner.
-EN
2
Introduction
Page 2
Table of contents
4Welcome!
4Checking your model name
Getting Started
5Step 1: Unpacking
6Step 2: Setting up the remote commander
7Step 3: Connecting the VCR
8Step 4: Channel setup map and chart
11Step 5: Tuning the TV to your VCR
13Step 6: Setting up the VCR sequentially (EASY SET UP)
15Setting the clock manually
17Tuning the VCR to TV channels manually
24Setting up G-CODE manually
26Changing the program positions of the stations
Basic Operations
27Playing a tape
30Recording TV programs
35Recording TV programs using G-CODE
37Setting the timer manually
39Checking/changing/cancelling timer settings
40Additional instructions about timer recording
EN
Additional Operations
41Playing/searching at various speeds
42Adjusting the picture
43Searching using the index function
44Game play
45Looking at menu options
Editing
46Editing with another VCR
48Audio dubbing
Additional Information
50Troubleshooting
52Specifications
53Index to parts and controls
56Index
Introduction
-EN
3
Page 3
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Sony Video Cassette Recorder (VCR).
Here are some of the features you'll enjoy with your VCR:
• EASY SET UP that guides you through necessary VCR setups
sequentially through the TV screen
• Adaptive Picture Control (APC) that automatically optimizes
recording and playback performance
• Dual Mode Shuttle (DMS) ring for easy playback and search
operations
• G-CODE* system that lets you quickly and easily preset the VCR to
record programs
* G-CODE is a trademark applied for by Gemstar Development Corp. G-CODE
system is manufactured under licence from Gemstar Development Corporation.
Note
• The G-CODE used in this VCR is for Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macao,
etc. and cannot be used in areas such as U.S.A., Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan,
and U.K.
Compatible color systems
• This VCR is designed to record and play back using the PAL (B/G,
D/K, and I), MESECAM (B/G, D/K, and K1), or NTSC (M) color
system. Recording of video sources based on other color systems
cannot be guaranteed.
Checking your model
name
The instructions in this manual are for the following three models.
Check your model number by looking at the rear panel of your VCR.
SLV-X842ML is used for the illustrations purposes. Any difference in
operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example, “SLV-X842ML
only.”
Types of differences
Feature
Recieving stereo and
bilingual programs in
NICAM system
Recieving stereo and
bilingual programs in
ZWEITON system
Model
X842/X842ML
•
•
X821MKII
–
–
-EN
4
Introduction
Page 4
Step 1
Unpacking
Check that you have the following items:
• Remote commander
• R6 (size AA) batteries
• Aerial cable
• Audio/video cable
Getting Started
• Mains lead
• Plug adaptor (SLV-X842/X821MKII only)
(SLV-X842ML only)
Use this type of mains lead in Hong
Kong.
Getting Started
-EN
5
Page 5
Step 2
Setting up the remote commander
Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries by matching the + and – on the batteries to
the diagram inside the battery compartment.
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 TV.
Remote sensor
TV / VTR
To operateSet TV / VTR to
the VCR VTR and point at the remote sensor on the VCR
a Sony TV TV and point at the remote sensor on the TV
Notes
• The TV/VIDEO button selects the TV input either from the aerial in or line in. This button does not
control the VCR input.
• With normal use, the batteries should last for approximately 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.
-EN
6
Getting Started
Page 6
Step 3
AERIAL
OUT
IN
Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
AERIAL IN
AC IN
to mains
: Signal flow
AERIAL OUT
Aerial cable
1Disconnect the aerial input cable from your TV and
connect it to AERIAL IN of the VCR.
2Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR and the aerial input
of your TV using the supplied aerial cable.
3Connect AC IN of the VCR and the mains supply
using the mains lead.
You’ve completed the basic hookup to watch and record TV
programs.
AERIAL IN
AERIAL
OUT
IN
Additional connections
To a TV that has audio/video input jacks
This additional connection can improve picture and sound quality.
Connect to the TV as shown on the right.
To a stereo system
You can improve sound quality by connecting to a stereo system as
shown on the right.
LINE OUTLINE IN
Audio/video cable
AUDIO OUT
Audio/video cable
Getting Started
LINE IN
-EN
7
Page 7
Step 4
,
,,,,
,,,,
,,,,
,,,,
,,,,
,,,
,,,
Channel setup map and chart
About color systems
Different countries use different color systems and TV systems. These systems handle such things as video playback
and recording differently. Using your VCR in a country that is on a color system not supported by this VCR may
cause problems such as playback without sound, a vertically rolling picture, etc.
Refer to the map above and the chart on the next page to determine which countries use which color and TV systems.
This VCR is compatible with most of the existing color systems (NTSC, PAL, and MESECAM) and TV systems (B/G,
D/K, I, and M) except for those used in France, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
If you have made TV-VCR connections using the aerial cable, complete the following steps for your TV:
• Set the NTSC PB switch to match your TV color sytem (see page 10).
• Set the TV system using the RF CH SET button on the VCR (see “Tuning the TV to your VCR” on page 11).
This unit displays the color system in the VCR display window.
Color system indicator
8
-EN
Getting Started
Page 8
Channel setup chart
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Map
pattern
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
,,
Color system
and TV system
PAL B/G
PAL I
PAL D/K
MESECAM B/G
MESECAM D/K
MESECAM K1
NTSC 3.58
Area
Western
Europe
Turkey
Kuwait
U.A.E.
Oman
Jordan
Australia
Indonesia
U.K.
Hong Kong
Ireland
South Africa
China
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Iraq
Libya
Egypt
Morocco
Greece
Syria
East Europe
Russia
Zaire
Senegal
Niger
New Caledonia
Tahiti
French Guiana
USA
Japan
Channels*
VL
2 – 4
S01 – S05**
S1 – S7**
2 – 4
0 – 5, 5A
1A, 2, 3
—
A – C
—
1 – 5
2 – 4
1 – 5
—
2 – 6
A5 – A1**
A – E**
1 – 3
M1 – M7**
VH
5 – 12
S8 – S41**
5 – 12
6 – 11
4 – 11
—
D – J
4 – 13
6 – 12
5 – 12
6 – 12
K4 – K9
7 – 13
F – W**
W+1 – W+28**
4 – 12
M8 – M10**
S1 – S41**
U
21 – 69
21 – 69
28 – 69
—
21 – 68
—
21 – 68
13 – 56
21 – 69
21 – 60
—
14 – 78
W+29 – W+58**
13 – 62
TV SYSTEM
(Set by the RF CH SET
button)
G
I
K
G
K
K
M
Getting Started
* VL = VHF low band, VH = VHF high band, U = UHF band
** CATV channels
Note
• The factory-preset RF output channel (which appears in the display window) is 32, and the
adjustable RF output channel range is 28 to 55 (the corresponding channels are different depending
on the area (see pages 20 to 23)). (See pages 11 and 12.)
Getting Started
-EN
9
Page 9
Step 4Channel setup map and chart (continued)
Setting the NTSC PB switch to match your TV system
NTSC PB switch
You have to set the NTSC PB switch on the rear of the VCR according to your TV system to
display the on-screen menus when there is no video signal input, and play back a tape
recorded in the NTSC 3.58 system properly.
Set the NTSC PB switch following the table below.
If your TV is compatible with
PAL, SECAM, or MESECAM
NTSC 4.43
NTSC 3.58
Tip
• If you are not sure of your TV’s color system, refer to the map and chart on pages 8 and 9.
Notes
• If a video signal is input to the VCR (via the line input, tuner, or playback), the on-screen menus will
appear on your TV regardless of the NTSC PB switch setting.
• If your TV is compatible with the SECAM system, the on-screen menus may be displayed in black and
white.
Set the NTSC PB switch to
ON PAL TV
NTSC 4.43
NTSC 3.58
10
-EN
Getting Started
Page 10
Step 5
PROGRAM
Tuning the TV to your VCR
If you have connected the VCR to your TV using the audio/video cable, skip
this step.
ON/STANDBY
RF CH SET
1Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR.
2Press RF CH SET on the VCR.
ON/STANDBY
RF
CH SET
The factory-preset RF channel appears in the display window.
The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV.
PROGRAM +/–
3Turn on your TV and select a program position for video playback.
Getting Started
RF
4Press RF CH SET.
RF
CH SET
The TV system indicator appears in the display window.
If the displayed TV system doesn’t match your TV, select the correct TV system by
pressing PROGRAM +/– according to the following table. If you don’t know your TV
system, please refer to the “Channel setup map and chart” on pages 8 and 9.
If your TV color system is PAL
If your TV system isSelect TV system
I I
D/K K
B/G G
Tune the TV to the same channel as that shown in the display window so that a gray
screen appears on the TV screen.
Refer to your TV manual for tuning instructions.
If the gray screen does not appear clearly, see “To obtain a clear gray screen” on the
next page.
RF
If your TV color system is NTSC
Select TV system
M
(continued)
Getting Started
11
-EN
Page 11
Step 5Tuning the TV to your VCR (continued)
5Press RF CH SET.
RF
CH SET
You have now tuned your TV to the VCR. Whenever you play a tape, set the TV to the
program position selected in step 3 above.
Note
• If you set the wrong TV system, you may have no sound or sound may be distorted.
To check to see if the TV tuning is correct
Select the program position for video playback on the TV and press PROGRAM +/–. If
the TV screen changes to a different program each time you press PROGRAM +/–, the
TV tuning is correct.
To obtain a clear gray screen
If the gray screen does not appear clearly in step 4 above, go to step 5 to finish this
procedure once. Then start again from step 2. After pressing RF CH SET in step 2, press
PROGRAM +/– while the RF channel is displayed, so that another RF channel (between
28 and 55) appears (see page 20 for reference). Then tune the TV to the new RF channel
until a clear gray screen appears.
12
-EN
Getting Started
Page 12
Step 6
Setting up the VCR sequentially
(EASY SET UP)
Before using the VCR for the first time, set up the VCR using the EASY SET UP
function. With this function, you can set the language, TV channels, and clock
guided by the sequence indicated on the TV screen.
u (on/standby)
CURSOR >/./ ?//
EXECUTE
1Press u (on/standby) to turn on the VCR.
Getting Started
EASY SET UP
2Turn on your TV, and select a program position for
video playback.
3Press EASY SET UP on the VCR.
EASY
SET UP
The language select menu appears on the TV screen.
To cancel starting the EASY SET UP function, press EASY SET
UP.
4Press CURSOR >/. to highlight the desired on-screen
CURSOR
EXECUTE
display language, then press EXECUTE.
The AUTO TUNER PRESET menu appears on the TV
screen.
EASY SET UP
LANGUAGE/
ENGL ISH
:
SELECT
:
NEXT
CANCEL
EASY SET UP
AUTO TUNER PRESET
SELECT
NEXT
I
D/K
B/G
M
EXECUTE
:
EASY SET UP
:
:
EXECUTE
(continued)
–––5–
1234
–––
1234
–
5
Getting Started
13
-EN
Page 13
Step 6Setting up the VCR sequentially (EASY SET UP) (continued)
EASY SET UP
CH 4
PLEASE
WAIT
2
AUTO TUNER PRESET
B/G
1234
–––5–
CURSOR
EASY SET UP
CLOCK SET
END
SET
:
:
SELECT
:
EXECUTE
1MON.1 1.996
0:00
1234
–––5–
5Press CURSOR >/. to highlight the desired system,
CURSOR
EXECUTE
then press EXECUTE.
The VCR starts searching for all the receivable channels in your
area and presets the located channels in numerical order.
When all the channels are preset, the following screen appears.
Even if various TV systems coexist in your area, the AUTO
TUNER PRESET function picks up most of the channels on the
TV systems other than the one you selected. But you need to
manually reset the proper TV system for the unmatched
channels. See “Resetting the TV system” on page 19.
If necessary, you can add or disable the channels manually.
See “Tuning the VCR to TV channels manually” on page 17.
EASY SET UP
PROG
13 –
2
3
4
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
6Using CURSOR >/./?//, set the G-CODE guide
channels, and change the program positions of the
stations.
If not necessary, skip this step.
The setting procedures are the same as those described in
“Setting up G-CODE manually” on page 24 and “Changing
the program positions of the stations” on page 26.
–––5–
1234
GU
CH
9
12
27
5
6
IDE
CH
–
–
–
–––
–
–––
–
––
–
–
––––
:
:
4
–
:
CH
7Press EXECUTE.
EXECUTE
The CLOCK SET menu appears.
8Using CURSOR >/./?//, set the date and clock.
CURSOR
EXECUTE
The setting procedures are the same as described in “Setting
the clock manually” on page 15.
9Press EXECUTE to finish the EASY SET UP operation.
Notes
• Do not exit EASY SET UP while AUTO TUNER PRESET is presetting channels. If you do so, repeat
the EASY SET UP operation from the beginning.
• The channel numbers appearing after AUTO TUNER PRESET may not be the same as your local
channel numbers. This is because this VCR’s channel search system is based on the fixed TV system
with the widest channel coverage.
In this case, you can apply your local channel numbers to the program positions. See “Changing the
program positions of the stations” on page 26.
• If the received channel is on cable TV, “C” appears on the left of the channel in step 5 in most areas.
However, this won’t be applied in some areas. See pages 20 to 23 for reference.
EASY SET UP
CLOCK SET
7WED.111.996
:
SELECT
:
SET
:
END
EXECUTE
–––5–
1234
5:3021
-EN
14
Getting Started
Page 14
Setting the clock
You must set the time and date on the VCR to be able to use the timer
recording features properly. You can set the VCR clock using the menu.
manually
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
1 Press MENU.
The main MENU appears on the TV screen.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
UP MENU
SET
TUNER
PRESET
SET
UP CH AND G–CODE
CLOCK
SET
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
EXECUTE
2 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to CLOCK SET, then
press EXECUTE.
The CLOCK SET menu appears.
CLOCK SET
0:00
:
:
:
EXECUTE
MON.1 1.996
1
SELECT
SET
END
3 Press CURSOR >/. to set the day.
The day of the week is set automatically.
CLOCK SET
0:00
72
SAT.1 1.996
Getting Started
Tip
• To change the digits during
setting, press CURSOR ?
to return to the item to be
changed, and select the
digits using CURSOR >/..
Note
• The menu disappears
automatically if you don’t
proceed for more than a
few minutes.
:
SELECT
:
SET
:
END
EXECUTE
4 Press CURSOR / to highlight the month and set the month using
CURSOR >/..
CLOCK SET
0:00
:
:
:
EXECUTE
WED.111.996
72
SELECT
SET
END
5 Press CURSOR / to highlight the year and set the year using
CURSOR >/..
CLOCK SET
0:00
:
:
:
EXECUTE
WED.111.996
72
SELECT
SET
END
(continued)
Getting Started
15
-EN
Page 15
Setting the clock manually
(continued)
6 Press CURSOR / to highlight the hours and set the hours using
CURSOR >/..
CLOCK SET
5:00721
WED.111.996
:
SELECT
:
SET
:
END
EXECUTE
7 Press CURSOR / to highlight the minutes and set the minutes
using CURSOR >/..
CLOCK SET
5:30721
WED.111.996
:
SELECT
:
SET
:
END
EXECUTE
8 Press EXECUTE to start the clock.
16
-EN
Getting Started
Page 16
Tuning the VCR to TV
channels manually
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
PROG+/–
You may have preset the receivable channels in your area in the EASY
SET UP procedure (page 14). But if:
• some channels could not be preset automatically, preset them
manually. See “Presetting channels manually” on this page.
• there are unwanted channels among the preset ones, disable the
channels. See “Disabling unwanted program positions” on page 19.
• you live in the area where various TV systems coexist, and have
channels that don’t match the TV system you selected in AUTO
TUNER PRESET in the EASY SET UP procedure, reset the TV system
for those channels. See “Resetting the TV system” on page 19.
If the channels don’t match the TV system, the sound may be
distorted or noisy, or the color TV program may become black and
white, etc.
Presetting channels manually
1 Press MENU.
The main MENU appears on the TV screen.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
SET
UP MENU
TUNER
PRESET
UP CH AND G–CODE
SET
SET
CLOCK
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
EXECUTE
Getting Started
Notes
• The menu disappears
automatically if you don’t
proceed for more than a
few minutes.
• Even if you choose CATV
in step 3, normal channels
may be tuned in, and vice
versa depending on the
area. See pages 20 to 23 for
reference.
• The channel numbers
besides CHANNEL SET
may not be the same as
those in your area. This is
because this VCR’s channel
search system is based on
the fixed TV system that
has the widest channel
coverage. If necessary,
apply your local channel
numbers to the program
positions. See “Changing
the program positions of
the stations” on page 26.
2 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to TUNER PRESET, then
press EXECUTE.
The TUNER PRESET menu appears.
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CATV/
CHANNEL
SET
AFT
F
I NE TUNI NG
:
SET
NORM
2
ON
01PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
1
OFF
3 Press CURSOR >/./?// to move the cursor (I) to NORMAL/
CATV, then highlight NORM.
To preset CATV channels, highlight CATV.
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CATV/
CHANNEL
SET
AFT
F
I NE TUNI NG
:
SET
NORM
2
ON
01PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
1
OFF
4 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to CHANNEL SET.
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CATV/
CHANNEL
SET
AFT
F
I NE TUNI NG
:
SET
NORM
2
ON
01PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
1
OFF
(continued)
Getting Started
17
-EN
Page 17
Tuning the VCR to TV
05
channels manually (continued)
5 Press PROG +/– to select the program position.
Selected program position
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
CATV/
NORMAL
SET
CHANNEL
AFT
I NE TUNI NG
F
:
SET
NORM
2
ON
41PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
1
OFF
6 Press CURSOR / to start tuning.
The VCR starts searching for a channel and displays the first one it
finds on the TV screen. Press CURSOR ?// repeatedly until the
channel you want is displayed.
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CATV/
CHANNEL
SET
AFT
F
I NE TUNI NG
:
SET
NORM
3
ON
41PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
5
OFF
The channels are scanned in the order shown in the table beginning
on page 20 to 23.
If you know the number of the channel you want, press the program
number buttons. For example, for channel 5, first press “0” and then
press “5.”
7 If the TV sound is distorted or noisy, or the color TV program
becomes black and white, etc., press CURSOR >/./?// to
move the cursor (I) to SYSTEM, then highlight I, D/K, B/G, or M
whichever is applicable in your area.
Refer to the “Channel setup map and chart” on pages 8 and 9, and
“Resetting the TV system” on page 19.
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CATV/
CHANNEL
SET
AFT
F
I NE TUNI NG
:
SET
NORM
3
ON
41PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
6
OFF
8 To allocate another channel to another program position, repeat
steps 5 and 6.
9 Press EXECUTE to store all the allocated channels.
18
-EN
Getting Started
Page 18
Disabling unwanted program positions
After tuning the TV channels, you can disable unused program
positions. The disabled positions will be skipped later when you press
the PROG +/– buttons.
1 Press MENU, then select TUNER PRESET and press EXECUTE.
2 Select CHANNEL SET.
3 Press PROG +/– until the program position you want to disable
appears beside “PROG” on the TV screen.
4 Press program number button “0” twice to display the number “0”
beside CHANNEL SET.
5 Repeat steps 3 and 4 for other positions you want to disable.
6 Press EXECUTE.
Resetting the TV system (only for areas where
various TV systems coexist)
If the sound is distorted or noisy, or the color TV program becomes
black and white, etc., that channel may not be matched to the proper TV
system. In this case, try the following steps.
1 Press MENU, then select TUNER PRESET and press EXECUTE.
2 Press PROG +/– to select the program position that has the channel
with above described conditions.
3 Select SYSTEM and select the TV system on which you can obtain
the best sound and picture.
4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 for other positions you want to preset the TV
system to.
5 Press EXECUTE.
Getting Started
If the picture is not clear
Normally, the Auto Fine Tuning (AFT) function automatically tunes in
channels clearly. If, however, the picture is not clear, you may also use
the manual tuning function.
1 Press PROG +/– to select the program position for which you cannot
obtain a clear picture.
2 Press MENU, then select TUNER PRESET and press EXECUTE.
3 Select FINE TUNING. The fine tuning meter appears.
Selected program position
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORMAL
CHANNEL
AFT
F I NE TUNI NG
SET
NORM
CATV/
SET
ON
:
4 Press CURSOR ?// to get a clearer picture, then press EXECUTE.
Note that the AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) setting switches to OFF.
51PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
8
OFF
Getting Started
19
-EN
Page 19
Tuning the VCR to TV
channels manually (continued)
Channel numbers in the CHANNEL SET field and the
corresponding channels
Note
• There may be a case that
the same area channel may
appear repeatedly as the
other channel number in
the CHANNEL SET field.
-EN
20
Getting Started
The shadow in the
table shows the
adjustable RF
output channel
range. (See page
12 for reference.)
The factory-preset
RF output channel
(See page 11 for
reference.)
G-CODE is a feature in Sony VCRs that simplifies the task of
programming the VCR to make timer recordings. Use the on-screen
display to coordinate the program position of each channel with the
guide channel (the number that’s assigned to each TV station in
advance). To get the guide channel numbers, look in the program guide
for your area that features G-CODE numbers.
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
PROG+/–
Setting the guide channels
1 Press MENU.
The main MENU appears on the TV screen.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
UP MENU
SET
TUNER
PRESET
SET
UP CH AND G–CODE
CLOCK
SET
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
2 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to SET UP CH AND
G-CODE, then press EXECUTE.
The SET UP CH AND G-CODE menu appears.
The preset channels are displayed on the screen. “---” in the GUIDE
CH column means that the guide channel has not been preset.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
3 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to the row on which you
want to set the guide channel.
To display program positions 6 to 50, press CURSOR >/.
repeatedly.
PROG
1
2
3
4
5
EXECUTE
CH
12
27
5
GU
3–
9
–
–
–
6
––––
:
:
1
–
:
CH
IDE
CH
–––
–––
–––
–––
Notes
• The menu disappears
automatically if you don’t
proceed for more than a
few minutes.
• The G-CODE used in this
VCR is for Singapore,
Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Macao, etc. and cannot be
used in areas such as
U.S.A., Canada, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, and U.K.
• If the preset channel is on
cable TV, “C” appears on
the left of the channel in
step 2 in most areas.
However, this won’t be
applied in some areas. See
pages 20 to 23 for
reference.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
12
3
27
4
5
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
GU
3–
9
6
IDE
–––
–
–––
–
–––
–
–––
––––
:
:
4
–
:
CH
CH
4 Press CURSOR / to highlight the TV channel and guide channel.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
3–
12
27
4–
5
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE CH
–
3
–
9
–
6–––
:
4
:
GU
IDE
CH
–––
–––
–––
–––
5 Press CURSOR / to highlight the guide channel only.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
3––––
12
27
4
5
SELECT
SET
GU
IDE
CH
–
3
9
65
–––
–
–––
–
–––
––––
:
:
24
-EN
Getting Started
Page 24
Notes
• If you inadvertently
entered a guide channel
number, press CURSOR
>/. repeatedly to reset the
”GUIDE CH” column to
”---”. ”---” appears between
1 and 255.
• The VCR does not allow
entering the guide channel
number, if the same
number has been set.
• If you leave the GUIDE CH
column blank (---), the VCR
will record the signal
through LINE IN when
recording with G-CODE.
6 Press CURSOR >/. to select the guide channel number assigned in
the program guide.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
3–
12–––
27
4
5
SELECT
SET
GU
IDE
CH
–
3
9
65
–––
–
–––
–
52
––––
:
:
7 Press CURSOR / to confirm the setting.
The cursor (I) appears in the leftmost column.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
12–––
3–
27
4
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
GU
IDE
–
–
–
––––
CH
–––
–––
52
–
3
9
65
:
:
3
:
CH
8 To set the guide channel of another station, repeat steps 3 to 7.
If you want to change the program positions of the stations, proceed
to step 2 of “Changing the program positions of the stations” on
page 26.
9 When you’ve finished, press EXECUTE to exit.
Getting Started
Note
• When you record a satellite
broadcast using G-CODE,
you need to select the
desired channel on the
satellite tuner manually.
Setting up G-CODE for satellite broadcasts
When your satellite tuner is connected via the AERIAL IN connector,
first you have to set the program position for each satellite channel
using the TUNER PRESET menu. Then set the guide channel number
for each satellite channel using the SET UP CH AND G-CODE menu.
1 Turn on the satellite tuner.
2 Press MENU, then select TUNER PRESET and press EXECUTE.
3 Press PROG +/– to select a program position you want to use for
watching a satellite channel.
4 Select CHANNEL SET, then press CURSOR / to tune the VCR to
the satellite tuner.
The channel number displayed beside CHANNEL SET is used for
receiving all satellite broadcasts from the satellite tuner.
Selected program position
TUNER PRESET
SYSTEM
NORM
CATV/
NORMAL
SET
CHANNEL
AFT
I NE TUNI NG
F
SET
3
ON
:
5 Press PROG +/– to select another program position for another
satellite channel, and press the program number buttons to enter the
same channel number as the one displayed in step 4.
Repeat this step for all satellite channels.
6 Set the guide channel number for each program position
assigned to the satellite channel, following the procedures in “Setting
the guide channels” on pages 24 and this page.
6PROG
B/GD/KIM
CATV
0
OFF
Getting Started
25
-EN
Page 25
Changing the
After setting the channels and G-CODE guide channels, you can change
the program positions which are automatically assigned, as you like.
program positions of
the stations
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
1 Press MENU.
The main MENU appears on the TV screen.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
UP MENU
SET
TUNER
PRESET
SET
UP CH AND G–CODE
CLOCK
SET
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
EXECUTE
2 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to SET UP CH AND
G-CODE, then press EXECUTE.
The SET UP CH AND G-CODE menu appears.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
13
2
3
4
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
CH
12
27
GU
IDE
CH
–
1
–
9
65
1
CH
2
–
83
–
61
––––
:
:
–
:
3 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to the row on which you
want to change the program position, then press CURSOR /.
The TV channel and guide channel are highlighted.
To display other pages for program positions 6 to 50, press CURSOR
>/. repeatedly.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
3–83
12
4
27
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET
GU
IDE
CH
–
3
9
65
3
1
–
2
–
61
––––
:
:
4 Press CURSOR >/. until the channel and guide channel row moves
to the desired program position, then press CURSOR ?.
The two rows exchange the positions.
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
1
2
3–83
12
4
27
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET
SET UP CH AND G–CODE
PROG
CH
13
12
2
3
4
27
5
SELECT
MOVE PROG
SET GUI DE
3
9
65
9
3
65
TO PROG
3
1
CH
GU
IDE
CH
–
1
–
2
–
61
––––
:
1
:
GU
IDE
CH
–
8
–
2
–
1
–
61
––––
:
:
–
:
5 To change the program position of another station, repeat steps 3
and 4.
26
-EN
6 When you’ve finished, press EXECUTE to exit.
Getting Started
Page 26
Basic Operations
This section shows you how to play back a video tape.
Playing a tape
6 EJECT
1Turn on your TV and tune in to
the VCR:
• If the TV is connected to the VCR
using the audio/video cable, set the TV
to video input.
• If the TV is connected to the VCR using
only the aerial cable, set the TV to the
program position for the VCR.
2Open the drop down panel and
insert a tape.
The VCR turns on automatically. The
tape starts playing automatically if its
safety tab has been removed. (See
page 34.)
3Press · PLAY to start playing.
When the tape reaches the end, the VCR
automatically rewinds it to the
beginning. (The power remains on.)
Tip
• For further information on
searching and playback
functions, see “Playing/
searching at various
speeds” on page 41.
Note
• Tapes recorded in LP mode
can be played back on this
VCR, while playback
picture quality in modes
other than normal forward
speed is not guaranteed.
P PAUSE
· PLAY
DUAL MODE
SHUTTLE
(DMS)
p STOP
Additional tasks
To
Stop play
Pause play
Resume play after pause
Search forward
Search backward
Fast-forward the tape
Rewind the tape
Eject the tape
Press
p STOP
P PAUSE
P PAUSE or · PLAY
Turn the DUAL MODE SHUTTLE (DMS)
ring to # during playback
Turn the DMS ring to 3 during playback
Turn the DMS ring to ) FF during stop
Turn the DMS ring to 0 REW during stop
6 EJECT
Basic Operations
27
-EN
Page 27
Playing a tape (continued)
Note
• Depending on your TV, the
following may occur while
playing an NTSC-recorded
tape:
– the picture becomes black
and white
– the picture shakes.
– no picture appears on the
TV screen
– black streaks appear
horizontally on the TV
screen
– the color density
increases or decreases
– the display does not
appear properly during
search forward or search
backward.
To set the color system
If streaks appear during playback, set the COLOR SYSTEM switch on
the VCR to conform to the system that the tape was recorded in. (The
normal setting is AUTO.) You can check the present color system in the
display window. Refer to the page 8.
When your tape was recorded in
PAL
NTSC
MESECAM
Set COLOR SYSTEM to
PAL/MESECAM
NTSC
PAL/MESECAM
Notes
• The remaining tape length
will not appear while
playing an NTSC-recorded
tape.
• The display won’t appear
during still mode or slowmotion playback.
• When you insert a short
tape such as E-30 or a
nonstandard commercially
available tape, the
remaining tape length may
not be correct.
Notes
• When a tape is reinserted,
the counter returns to
“0H00M00S.”
• The counter will not work
on tape portions with no
recording.
• If a tape has portions
recorded in both PAL and
NTSC systems, the time
counter reading will not be
correct. This discrepancy is
due to the difference
between the counting cycles
of the two video systems.
Displaying the remaining tape length and time
counter
Press DISPLAY to turn the display on or off.
SE
0 : 00 : 22
Time counter
Remaining tape length
The white bar represents the
approximate length of tape
remaining.
Using the time counter
At the point on a tape that you want to find later, press COUNTER
RESET to reset the counter to “0H00M00S.” When you rewind or
advance the tape to this point, refer to the counter.
28
-EN
Basic Operations
Page 28
Playing stereo and bilingual programs
Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the desired sound. Each press of the
button changes the display on the VCR and TV screen.
Notes
• When you play a tape
recorded in monaural, the
sound is heard in monaural
regardless of the AUDIO
MONITOR setting.
• To play a tape in stereo,
you must use the AUDIO
OUT connection.
• If AUDIO MIX in the SET
UP MENU is set to ON, the
AUDIO MONITOR button
doesn’t work.
To listen to a
Stereo tape
Stereo
Bilingual
tape
Main and sub
Press AUDIO MONITOR until
The TV screen
shows
“STEREO”
The display window
indicator shows
“STEREO”
sounds
Left channel
Right channel
Standard
sound
Main sound
Sub sound
Standard
sound
CH”
“L
“R
CH”
No indication
“MAIN/L”
“SUB/R”
No indication
(monaural)
To check audio channel and sound level
You can check the audio channel and sound level visually with the
indicators in the display window.
Left channel indicator
Right channel indicator
L
dB151063036
R
Sound level indicator
MENU
AUDIO MONITOR
CURSOR>/ ./? / /
EXECUTE
How sound is recorded on a video tape
This VCR records sound onto two different tracks. High-fidelity sound
(usually stereo) 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
Main track
Hi-fi sound and
video signals
To listen to hi-fi and normal audio at the same time
1 Press MENU and select SET UP MENU.
2 Set AUDIO MIX to ON using CURSOR
> / . / ? / / .
The AUDIO MONITOR button becomes
inoperative, and the sound you hear is
mixed.
3 Press EXECUTE to store the setting. After
playing the tape, reset AUDIO MIX to OFF.
ex. SLV-X842/X842ML
MENU
SET UP
LANG /
BUZZER
D
AUDI O MI X
GU
HI F I AUD I O
SET
IMMER
DE LAMP
I
:
ENGLI SH
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
STD
NICAM
ex. SLV-X842/X842ML
SET UP
MENU
LANG /
BUZZER
D
AUDI O MI X
GU
HI F I AUD I O
SET
IMMER
DE LAMP
I
:
ENGLI SH
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
STD
NICAM
Basic Operations
29
-EN
Page 29
Recording TV
programs
TAPE
SPEED
PROG +/–
This section shows you how to record TV programs in the most basic
way: manual recording. With manual recording, you start the VCR
recording when the program begins, then stop it when the program ends.
The VCR also provides the following ways of recording:
• Manually start recording, then stop it automatically—“Recording
using the quick timer” (page 32)
• Automatically start and stop recording—“Setting the timer
manually” (page 37)
• Automatically start and stop recording by simply entering the
“G-CODE” number—“Recording TV programs using G-CODE”
(page 35)
1Turn on your TV and tune in to
the VCR:
• If the TV is connected to the VCR
using the audio/video cable, set the
TV to video input.
• If the TV is connected to the VCR
using only the aerial cable, set the TV
to the program position for the VCR.
Tips
• To select program
positions, you can also use
the program number
buttons on the remote
commander. For two-digit
numbers, press the ?
(ten’s digit) button
followed by the program
number buttons.
• To cut out an unwanted
scene while recording,
press P PAUSE, turn the
DUAL MODE SHUTTLE
on the VCR to rewind
ring
the tape to the beginning of
the unwanted scene, then
press P PAUSE to resume
recording.
• Information about the tape
and VCR status will appear
on the TV screen, but it
won’t be recorded on the
tape.
(continued)
r REC
2Open the drop down panel and
insert a tape with its safety tab in
place.
3Select the desired program
position by pressing
PROG +/–.
STEREO
L
dB 151063036
R
SP
HMS
4Select the tape speed by pressing
TAPE SPEED.
• For PAL/MESECAM, select either SP or LP.
• For NTSC, select either SP or EP.
See “To select tape speeds” on the next
page.
STEREO
L
dB 151063036
R
LP
HMS
5Start recording by pressing
r REC.
When the tape reaches the end, the VCR
automatically rewinds it to the
beginning.
To stop recording
Press p STOP.
30
-EN
Basic Operations
Page 30
Tips (continued)
• If you don’t want to watch
TV while recording, you
can turn off the TV.
• To record a video source
from LINE 1 or LINE 2,
press INPUT SELECT to
display “L1” or “L2.”
Notes
• If you insert a tape with its
safety tab removed, the
VCR starts playing it
automatically. To record on
this tape, cover the tab hole
with adhesive tape.
• If you’ve inserted a tape
with its safety tab removed,
the VCR ejects it when you
press r REC.
• The VCR automatically
selects either the NTSC,
PAL, or MESECAM color
system when recording TV
broadcasts.
To select tape speeds
PAL color system
When recording, select either SP (Standard Play) or LP (Long Play). LP
provides twice as much recording time as SP. However, SP provides
better picture quality. You can mix SP and LP on the same tape. When
playing back, the VCR automatically detects the tape speed. See the
table below for the maximum recording/playback time in each speed.
Tape type
E-300
E-240
E-180
E-120
E-60
NTSC color system
Maximum recording/playback time
SP
5 hrs.
4 hrs.
3 hrs.
2 hrs.
1 hr.
LP
10 hrs.
8 hrs.
6 hrs.
4 hrs.
2 hrs.
When recording, select either SP (Standard Play) or EP (Extended Play).
EP provides three times as much recording time as long as SP.
However, SP provides better picture quality. You can mix SP and EP on
the same tape. When playing back, the VCR automatically detects the
tape speed. See the table below for the maximum recording/playback
time for each speed.
Tape type
T-160
T-120
T-60
T-30
Maximum recording/playback time
SP
2 hrs. 40 min.
2 hrs.
1 hr.
30 min.
EP
8 hrs.
6 hrs.
3 hrs.
1 hr. 30 min.
Basic Operations
31
-EN
Page 31
Recording TV programs
(continued)
Recording using the quick timer
The quick timer enables you to record for a specified period of time in
intervals of 30 minutes. Once you specify the recording time, the VCR
automatically stops recording. Before you begin, check that the clock is
set correctly.
After you start recording, press QUICK TIMER on the VCR until the
desired duration appears in the display window. The TIMER indicator
on the VCR lights up. Each press increases the recording duration in
increments of 30 minutes as shown below.
0:000:301:0010:3011:00
The recording duration decreases minute by minute to 0:00, then the
VCR turns off automatically.
To stop recording
To stop quick-timer recording while the VCR is recording a program,
press p STOP.
To extend the recording duration while recording
Press QUICK TIMER until the desired duration appears in the display
window.
Watching a TV program while recording another
You can watch a TV program and record another at the same time.
Select the desired program position on the TV.
32
-EN
Basic Operations
Page 32
Recording stereo and bilingual programs in NICAM
system (SLV-X842/X842ML only)
This VCR receives and records stereo and bilingual programs based on
the NICAM system. When NICAM broadcasts are received, the NICAM
indicator appears in the display window; when stereo programs are
received, the STEREO indicator appears in the display window; when
bilingual programs are received, the MAIN/L indicator appears in the
display window.
1 Press MENU.
The main MENU appears on the TV screen.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
UP MENU
SET
TUNER
PRESET
SET
UP CH AND G–CODE
CLOCK
SET
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
2 Press CURSOR >/. to move the cursor (I) to SET UP MENU, then
press EXECUTE.
The SET UP MENU appears.
SET UP
SET
MENU
LANG /
BUZZER
D
IMMER
AUDI O MI X
GU
DE LAMP
I
HI F I AUD I O
:
EXECUTE
ENGLI SH
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
STD
NICAM
Tip
• When you set HIFI AUDIO
to NICAM, the stereo or
bilingual sound is recorded
on the hi-fi audio track and
the standard sound is
recorded on the normal
audio track. (See page 29.)
3 Press CURSOR >/./?// to move the cursor (I) to HIFI AUDIO,
then highlight NICAM.
SET UP
MENU
LANG /
BUZZER
D
AUDI O MI X
GU
HI F I AUD I O
SET
IMMER
DE LAMP
I
:
ENGLI SH
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
STD
NICAM
4 Press EXECUTE to store the setting.
Using the NICAM setting, NICAM broadcasts are recorded as in the
following table.
Track
Hi-fi audio
Left channel
Hi-fi audio
Right channel
Normal audio
(monaural)
Sound recorded
Stereo
Left channel
Right channel
Standard (usually the mixed
sound of left and right channels)
Bilingual
Main
Sub
Standard (usually the main
sound)
Basic Operations
33
-EN
Page 33
Recording TV programs
(continued)
AUDIO
MONITOR
Recording stereo and bilingual programs
in ZWEITON (German stereo) system
(SLV-X842/X842ML only)
This VCR automatically receives and records stereo and bilingual
programs based on the ZWEITON system only when the SYSTEM (I,
D/K, B/G, or M) option in the TUNER PRESET menu is set to B/G.
When stereo programs are received, the STEREO indicator appears in
the display window; when bilingual programs are received,
the MAIN/L indicator appears in the display window.
To monitor bilingual programs while recording
Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the desired sound.
Note
• The AUDIO MONITOR
button doesn’t work while
receiving stereo programs
in ZWEITON system.
To listen to
Press AUDIO MONITOR until
The TV screen showsThe display window shows
Main sound“MAIN”“MAIN/L”
Sub sound“SUB”“SUB/R”
Main and sub sounds “MAIN/SUB”“MAIN/L, SUB/R”
Recording stereo and bilingual programs
for SLV-X821MKII
This VCR can only record stereo and bilingual programs through the
line input. When stereo or bilingual sound is input through the line
input , ”STEREO” appears on the screen and in the display window.
You cannot select the sound to listen.
Saving a recording
Video tapes have a safety tab to protect against accidental recording. To
prevent accidental erasure of a recording, break off the safety tab with a
screwdriver or other tool. A tape with its safety tab removed is ejected if
you try to record on it.
To record on a tape with its safety tab removed, cover the tab hole with
adhesive tape.
34
-EN
Adhesive tape
Safety
tab
Basic Operations
Page 34
Recording TV
programs using
G-CODE
TIMER CLEAR
u
(on/standby)
The G-CODE feature of this VCR simplifies the task of making timer
recordings. Using G-CODE, you can make all the necessary settings by
just entering the desired program’s 9-digit code, which is available in
your local program guide. To take advantage of this feature, you must
first set up your VCR and assign program positions to the various guide
channels. For details, see “Setting up G-CODE manually” on page 24.
Before you start...
• Check that the clock is set correctly.
• Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer
than the total recording time.
• Turn on your TV and tune in to the VCR.
G-CODE, ONCE,
DAILY, WEEKLY
program number
buttons
TAPE SPEED
1Press G-CODE.
The G-CODE menu appears on the TV
screen.
If the clock needs to be set, “PLEASE
SET THE CLOCK” appears on the
screen and the VCR automatically
enters the clock setting mode.
2Use the number buttons to enter
the desired program’s G-CODE
number.
If you make a mistake, press TIMER
CLEAR and enter the correct number.
3Select the tape speed, SP or LP, by
pressing TAPE SPEED.
See “To select tape speeds” on page 31.
G–CODE
G–CODE NO.
SET
SP LP/
G–CODE
G–CODE NO.
CONFIRM
CANCEL
G–CODE
G–CODE NO.
CONFIRM
CANCEL
–––––––––
:
0–9
:
TAPE SPEED
69147782–
:
ONCE DA I L Y
WEEKLY
:
TIMER CLEAR
69147 782–
:
ONCE DA I L Y
WEEKLY
:
TIMER CLEAR
SP
LP/
SP
SP
LP/
SP
SP
LP/
LP
Notes
• To record NTSC signals in
EP mode, set the tape speed
to LP.
• The G-CODE used in this
VCR is for Singapore,
Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Macao, etc. and cannot be
used in areas such as
U.S.A., Canada, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, and U.K.
(continued)
Basic Operations
35
-EN
Page 35
LP
:
SP
69147782–
LP/
CANCEL
TIMER CLEAR
RECORDI NG T I ME
:
DATESTART STOP PROG
LP
850022:000212.0
SUN
1
G–CODE
G–CODE NO.
Recording TV programs using
G-CODE (continued)
Tip
• To exit from the G-CODE
mode, press G-CODE
before pressing ONCE,
DAILY, or WEEKLY in step
4.
Notes
• You cannot set G-CODE in
the following cases:
– when the VCR is turned
off
– while recording using the
timer or quick timer.
• The timer will not accept
settings in the following
cases:
– when you select DAILY
for a Saturday or Sunday
program
– when you select DAILY
or WEEKLY for a
program more than seven
days ahead
– when you enter the
G-CODE number of a
program that has already
ended.
• If the VCR doesn’t accept
the setting, check the GCODE number again and
enter the proper number
starting from step 1.
• If the power is interrupted
for more than one hour
while the VCR is standing
by for recording, the timer
settings are cleared. Reset
the timer.
4Press ONCE, DAILY or WEEKLY
according to the following
table.
To record the program
Only once
Monday to Friday at the same scheduled time
Every week at the same scheduled time
Press
ONCE
DAILY
WEEKLY
The recording information appears on
the TV screen: date, program start and
stop times, program position number
and tape speed.
Check that the information is correct. If
it is not, press TIMER CLEAR to cancel
the setting.
If you set the wrong G-CODE number,
the VCR sounds short beeps.
To preset another timer setting, repeat
steps 1 to 4.
5Press u (on/standby) to turn off the VCR.
The TIMER indicator on the VCR lights
up. The VCR turns off and enters timer
recording standby mode automatically.
The VCR automatically turns on and
starts recording at the start time, and
turns off at the stop time.
To stop recording
To stop while the VCR is recording a program, press p STOP.
To record satellite broadcasts using G-CODE
If you connect the satellite tuner and the VCR, you can record satellite
programs using G-CODE.
1 Turn on the satellite tuner.
2 On the satellite tuner, select the satellite program you want to make a
timer setting for.
3 Follow the steps in “Recording TV programs using G-CODE” above.
Keep the satellite tuner turned on until the VCR finishes the timer
recording.
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36
Page 36
Setting the timer
manually
u
(on/standby)
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
This section shows you how to let the VCR automatically start and stop
recording TV programs. You can preset up to eight programs within a
one month time frame.
Before you start...
• Check that the VCR’s clock is set correctly.
• Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer
than the total recording time.
• Turn on your TV and tune in to the VCR.
1Press MENU.
MENU
TI
MER SET / CHECK
UP MENU
SET
TUNER
PRESET
SET
UP CH AND G–CODE
CLOCK
SET
GAME
:
SELECT
:
SET
EXECUTE
2Press CURSOR >/. to move the
cursor (I) to TIMER SET/CHECK,
then press EXECUTE.
The TIMER SET/CHECK menu
appears.
If the clock needs to be set, “PLEASE
SET THE CLOCK” appears on the
screen and the VCR automatically enters
the clock setting mode.
3Set the date to start recording.
1 Press CURSOR / to highlight the
date.
Make sure today’s date is displayed.
If it isn’t, adjust the clock.
for more than one hour
while the VCR is standing
by for recording, the timer
settings are cleared. Reset
the timer.
the current date
SUN-SAT
MON-SAT
MON-FRI
EVERY SAT
EVERY MON
10 Press u (on/standby) to turn off the
VCR.
The TIMER indicator on the VCR lights up.
The VCR turns off and enters timer
recording standby mode automatically.
The VCR automatically turns on and starts
recording at the start time, and turns off at
the stop time.
To stop recording
To stop while the VCR is recording a program, press p STOP.
Daily/weekly recording
Daily recording records the same program every day of the week;
weekly recording records the same program on the same day, every
week.
When you set the date to start recording in step 3 above, press CURSOR
. until the desired day appears. Each time you press the button, the
indication changes as shown on the left.
EVERY SUN
1 month later
(cycles backward)
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38
Page 38
Checking/changing/
This section shows you how to check, change and cancel the timer
settings after you’ve stored them in the VCR.
cancelling timer
settings
u
(on/standby)
MENU
TIMER CLEAR
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
Before you start...
• Turn on your TV and tune in to the VCR.
1Press u (on/standby) to turn on the VCR.
2Press MENU and select TIMER SET/
CHECK.
3Check the timer settings in the list.
• If you don’t want to change or cancel
the settings, press u (on/standby) to
return to recording standby.
• If you want to change or cancel the
settings, press CURSOR >/. to move
the cursor (I) to the setting you want
to change or cancel.
4Change or cancel the timer
setting:
• To change the setting, press CURSOR
?// to highlight the item you want
to change, and reset it using CURSOR
>/.. Then, press CURSOR /
repeatedly until the cursor appears in
the leftmost column.
• To cancel the setting, press TIMER
CLEAR.
TSET
I MER/ CHECK
DATESTART STOP PROG
SAT
THU
12
.71
SUN
MON
MON
SAT
EVERY
SUN
TSET
I MER/CHECK
DATESTART STOP PROG
SAT
THU
12
.71
SUN
MON
MON
SAT
EVERY
SUN
9.12
:
:
:
510:038
11L
:
0021:8591.8
:
:
000:0032
:
:
9.12
:
:
:
510:038
11L
:
0021:8591.8
:
:
000:0032
:
:
SAT
SP
6008:0071.6
LP
05000:001212.82
LP
SP
2L
LP
720031:210––
SP
1L
–––––––:–––––.––
–––––––:–––––.––
SAT
SP
6008:0071.6
LP
05000:001212.82
LP
SP
2L
LP
720031:210––
SP
1L
–––––––:–––––.––
–––––––:–––––.––
5Press EXECUTE.
The VCR returns to the original screen.
If there are any other timer settings left
in the TIMER SET/CHECK menu, press
u (on/standby) to return to recording
standby.
To check the timer settings during timer recording
Press MENU and select TIMER SET/CHECK. After checking, press
EXECUTE to turn off the display.
Basic Operations
39
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Page 39
Additional
instructions about
timer recor ding
This section gives additional information about timer recording which
you need after you have stored timer settings in the VCR.
To use the VCR while recording
You can do the following tasks during timer recording.
To
Reset the counter to “0H00M00S”
Display tape information on the
TV screen
Check the timer settings
Watch another TV program
Press
COUNTER RESET
DISPLAY
MENU and select TIMER SET/
CHECK
See “Watching a TV program while
recording another” on page 32.
Using the VCR before timer recording begins
Press u (on/standby). The TIMER indicator on the VCR goes off and
the VCR is ready for use.
After using the VCR, press u (on/standby) again to turn on the TIMER
indicator on the VCR. Remember to reset the VCR to stand by for
recording before the time you’ve set the VCR to start recording, or the
timer setting will be cancelled.
Case 1
Program 1
(listed first)
Program 2
(listed next)
Case 2
Program 1
Case 3
Program 1
10:00
Will be cleared
10:0010:50
Program 2
10:00
Program 2
10:50
11:30
20 seconds will not be
recorded
11:40
Will be cut off
11:30
10:4512:15
When the timer settings overlap
The VCR will not record overlapping programs. If any of your timer
settings overlap, change the settings.
Case 1:If you preset two programs to start recording at the same
time...
The program listed first in the TIMER SET/CHECK menu has
priority over the other programs. The timer settings of lower
priority programs will be erased from the list when the first
program begins recording.
Case 2:If you preset program 2 to start recording at the same time
you preset program 1 to finish recording...
The last 20 seconds of program 1 will not be recorded because
the VCR will enter recording pause for program 2 before
program 1 is finished.
Case 3:If you preset program 2 to start recording before program 1
is finished recording...
Program 2 will start recording before program 1 has finished.
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40
Page 40
Additional Operations
Playing/searching at
You can play back a tape at various speeds: high-speed, slow motion
and so on. These options are also useful for searching for a specific point
during playback. The sound is muted during these operations.
various speeds
· PLAY
SKIP
& SLOW +/–
' / 7
FLAME/</ >
3/# SEARCH
· PLAY
DUAL MODE
SHUTTLE
Playback optionsOperation
Playing at various
speeds:
One-fifth the normal
speed
The normal speed
Twice the normal
speed
High speed
Fast-forwarding/
Rewinding
Viewing the picture
during fast-forward or
rewind
Locking in a high-speed
picture
During playback, turn the
DUAL MODE SHUTTLE ring
right or left to:
1/5
1
× 2
# or 3
During stop, turn the DUAL
MODE SHUTTLE ring to
) FF or to 0 REW and
release.
During fast-forward, turn the
DUAL MODE SHUTTLE ring to
) FF.
During rewind, turn the ring to
0 REW.
During playback or pause, press
# SEARCH or 3 SEARCH.
To change direction, press <
(backward) or > (forward).
To resume
normal
playback
Release the ring.
Press · PLAY.
To return to the
previous mode,
release the ring.
Press · PLAY.
DUAL MODE SHUTTLE
Tip
• Adjust the picture using
$/4 TRACKING NORMAL/
SLOW STILL ADJUST if:
– streaks appear while
playing in slow motion
– bands appear on the top or
bottom while pausing
– the picture shakes while
pausing.
Notes
• If you use these functions in
the LP mode, noise may
appear or there may be no
color.
• When you view the picture of
an NTSC-recorded tape in EP
mode during fast-forward or
rewind, “LP” may be
displayed momentarily.
Locking in a slowmotion
picture
Playing frame by frame
Playing in reverse
Skipping a scene
Rewind and restart play
During playback or pause, press
& SLOW +/–.
You can increase the playback
speed with the + button and
decrease the speed with the –
button.
To change direction, press <
(backward) or > (forward).
During pause, press
7 FRAME to advance the
picture one frame or
' FRAME to reverse the
picture one frame.
Keep pressing the button to
advance or reverse one frame
every one second.
During playback, press <.
During playback, press SKIP.
Pressing once skips about 30
seconds.
During stop, press · PLAY
the VCR while holding the
DUAL MODE SHUTTLE ring
on the VCR at the 0 REW
position.
on
Press · PLAY.
Press · PLAY.
Press · PLAY.
The VCR
automatically
resumes normal
playback.
Additional Operations
41
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Page 41
Adjusting the picture
TRACKING
AUTO/MANUAL
$/4 TRACKING
NORMAL/SLOW
The VCR automatically adjusts the picture for the best possible
playback or recording. If, however, you find the automatic adjustment
unsatisfactory, you can adjust the picture manually.
Adjusting the tracking
Though the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape
(the AUTO TRACKING indicator flashes in the display window, then
lights steadily), distortion may occur if the tape was recorded in poor
condition. If so, manually adjust the tracking condition.
Press $/4 TRACKING NORMAL/SLOW to display the tracking meter.
The distortion should disappear as you press one of the two buttons. If
you cannot get a clear picture with manual adjustment, press
TRACKING AUTO/MANUAL to return to automatic adjustment.
NORMAL TRACKING
Tracking meter
APC
Notes
• Tapes recorded using the
APC function are played
back normally on VCRs
that do not have the APC
function.
• Press P PAUSE to start
recording
indicator stops flashing. If
you start recording before
the APC indicator stops
flashing, the APC function
is cancelled.
after the APC
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, press APC on the
VCR so the APC indicator in the display window lights.
APC
To use APC during playback
The APC function automatically works on all types of tapes, including
rental tapes. You can play a tape using the APC function even if the tape
was not recorded with it.
To use APC while 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. There is a short
delay before the VCR actually starts recording while the VCR analyzes
the tape.
If you want to start recording precisely the first time you record, set the
VCR to recording pause mode (the APC indicator flashes slowly) and
press r REC to let the VCR analyze the tape. When the APC indicator
stops flashing, press P PAUSE to start recording. Recording begins
immediately.
42
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To deactivate the APC
Press APC on the VCR. The APC indicator in the display window goes
off.
Additional Operations
Page 42
Searching using the
index function
= / +
INDEX SEARCH
The VCR automatically marks an index signal at the point where
recording starts (with the exception of when you start recording from
recording pause). Use this as a reference to find the beginning of the
recording. Since the index number indicates the relative position from
the current position, specify how many index signals ahead or behind
the specific index signal is from the current position.
1Open the drop down panel and
insert an indexed tape into the
VCR.
2Press =/+ INDEX SEARCH
INDEX
repeatedly until the index number
you want appears on the TV
screen:
• To locate succeeding programs,
press + INDEX SEARCH.
• To locate preceding programs,
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.
SEARCH
5
Additional Operations
43
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Page 43
Game play
MENU
CURSOR
> / . / ? / /
EXECUTE
One special feature that will add lots of enjoyment to the basic VCR
concept of recording and playback is this video game, The Tile Game.
The object
The object of the game is to collect as many points as possible by
removing tiles in pairs.
The game has a total of 255 stages, each stage becoming slightly more
difficult. Clear each stage by removing all the tiles on the screen.
Rules
• To remove the tiles, select pairs of matching tiles.
• You cannot select a tile if it is bordered with the tiles of the same color
on both the left and right sides.
The hidden tiles
The tiles may be arranged in layers up to three.
If the tiles are arranged in three layers, the surface layer is red. The
hidden middle and bottom layers are blue and gray respectively. If the
tiles are arranged in two layers the surface one is blue and the hidden
one is gray. If the tiles don’t have any hidden layers, the tiles are gray.
The hidden tile reveals itself after you remove the one above it. You
have to remove all the tiles to complete the stage (game), including the
hidden ones.
Notes
• Long game play sessions
consume much battery
power from the remote
commander, and reduce
battery life.
• Due to discrepancies
between television systems,
the size of the game screen
may differ between PAL
and NTSC monitors.
Collecting points
Your present score is shown under “YOU.” Your score is the total of the
present stage points and all the former stages you’ve cleared in the
game. The present stage number is shown under “STAGE.”
The highest score ever achieved is saved in the VCR memory and
shown under “BEST.”
Playing the game
1 Press MENU.
2 Select GAME and press EXECUTE.
The first stage appears on the TV screen.
3 Press CURSOR >/./?// to move the
arrow on the screen to a desired tile, and then
press EXECUTE to select the tile.
The selected tile is highlighted.
If it is not highlighted, the tile must be bordered with the tiles of the
same color on both the left and right sides.
To deselect the tile, place the arrow on the tile and press EXECUTE
again.
4 Select a matching tile in the same way.
The tiles will be removed from the screen, and you will receive one
point.
5 Repeat steps 3 and 4.
When all the tiles are removed, press EXECUTE to go to the next
stage.
GAME
A
B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N O P
A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N O P
BEST
YOU
STAGE
0
0
1
44
-EN
To exit the game
Press MENU.
Additional Operations
Page 44
Looking at menu
SET UP
D
BUZZER
GU
SET
:
I
ON OFF
IMMER
AUDI O MI X
DE LAMP
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
MENU
LANG /
ENGLI SH
options
The SET UP MENU provides you with various options to set up and
customize your VCR. See the table below for the available menu
choices. Initial settings are indicated in bold letters.
SLV-X842/X842ML
MENU
SET UP
LANG /
BUZZER
D
AUDI O MI X
GU
HI F I AUD I O
SET
IMMER
I
DE LAMP
:
ENGLI SH
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
ON OFF
STD
NICAM
SLV-X821MKII
Menu choices
Menu option
LANG/
BUZZER
DIMMER
AUDIO MIX
GUIDE LAMP
HIFI AUDIO
(SLV-X842/X842ML
only)
Set this option to
• ENGLISH to set the on-screen language to English.
•
to set the on-screen language to Chinese.
• ON to output a beep sound when an illogical
operation is made.
• OFF to deactivate it.
• ON to dim the VCR display.
• OFF to brighten it.
• ON to listen to the hi-fi and normal audio tracks at
the same time. The AUDIO MONITOR button
becomes inoperable.
• OFF to select the sound using the AUDIO
MONITOR button.
For details, see page 34.
• ON to illuminate the DMS ring, r REC button, and
TIMER indicator on the VCR.
• OFF to turn them off.
• STD to record standard sound on a hi-fi audio track.
• NICAM to record NICAM broadcasts on a hi-fi audio
track.
For details, see page 33.
Additional Operations
45
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Page 45
Editing
Editing with another
VCR
This section shows you how to edit to or from another VCR or
camcorder. You can make a copy of a tape using this VCR for recording
or playback.
How to hook up to record on this VCR
This VCR (Recorder)
LINE IN 2
: Signal flow
This VCR (Recorder)
TV
Other VCR
(Player)
LINE OUT
Audio/video cable
TV
Tips
• Make sure you connect the
plugs to jacks of the same
color.
• If the other VCR is a
monaural type, leave the
red plugs unconnected.
: Signal flow
LINE IN 1
Other VCR
(Player)
LINE OUT
Audio/video cable
46
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Editing
Page 46
How to hook up to record on another VCR
Tips
• Make sure you connect the
plugs to jacks of the same
color.
• If the other VCR is a
monaural type, leave the
red plugs unconnected.
P PAUSE
This VCR (Player)
: Signal flow
LINE OUT
Other VCR
(Recorder)
Audio/video cable
TV
LINE IN
Operation (when recording on this VCR)
Before you start …
• Press INPUT SELECT to display “L1” or “L2” in the display window.
• Press TAPE SPEED to select the recording tape speed (SP/LP for
PAL/MESECAM system or SP/EP for NTSC system).
Tips
• To make your editing more
precise, use the pause
buttons on both VCRs.
• 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).
r REC
1Insert 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.
2Open the drop down panel and insert
a tape with its safety tab into this
(recording) VCR. Search for the point
to start recording and press P PAUSE.
3Press r REC on this VCR and set it to
recording pause.
4To start editing, press the P PAUSE
buttons on both VCRs to release the
VCRs from pause.
For best results, press the pause button on
the other VCR before pressing P PAUSE on
this VCR.
To stop editing
Press the p STOP buttons on both VCRs.
Editing
47
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Page 47
Audio dubbing
A-DUB
COUNTER
RESET
AUDIO DUB
P PAUSE
You can add music and songs on the normal audio track. The monaural
sound previously recorded is replaced while the original picture and hifi sound on the main track are retained. (See page 29.)
How to hook up
TV
LINE IN 2
AUDIO
Stereo system
REC OUT
RK-C510 audio cable
(not supplied)
: Signal flow
Audio dubbing from a stereo system
Note
• You must be in playback
pause mode before pressing
AUDIO DUB. (If you are in
recording pause mode, you
cannot use the audio
dubbing function.)
Before you start editing
• Connect audio source equipment to the LINE IN 2 AUDIO jacks of
this VCR.
• Press INPUT SELECT to display “L2” in the display window.
1Play a recording source. Search for the point to start
playback and set it to playback pause.
2Open the drop down panel and insert the prerecorded
tape into this VCR.
Search for the end of the section you want to dub new
sound to and press P PAUSE.
Make sure that the tape has its safety tab in place so that you can
dub new sound onto it.
3Press COUNTER RESET to reset the counter to
“0H00M00S.”
4Rewind the tape to the beginning of the section.
This VCR pauses.
5Press AUDIO DUB.
The A-DUB indicator lights up in the display window.
48
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Editing
Page 48
6To start editing, press P PAUSE on this VCR and release
the pause mode of the stereo system at the same time.
When the counter of this VCR reaches “0H00M00S,” audio
dubbing stops automatically.
To stop editing
Press the p STOP buttons on this VCR and the stereo system.
Tip
• To listen to the sounds
recorded on the hi-fi audio
and normal audio tracks at
the same time, set AUDIO
MIX to ON using the SET
UP MENU option. (See
page 29.)
Listening to the dubbing sound
When audio-dubbing, you have choice of listening to the dubbing
sound. To do so, press AUDIO MONITOR. (See page 34)
Editing
49
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Page 49
Additional Information
Troubleshooting
SymptomRemedy
Power
Clock
Playback
The ON/STANDBY switch does
not function.
The clock has stopped and “-:--”
lights in the display window.
The playback picture does not
appear on the TV screen.
The picture is not clear.
The picture rolls vertically during
picture search.
The picture has no sound.
• Connect the mains lead securely.
• The clock stops if the VCR is disconnected from the mains for more
than an hour. Reset the clock (and timer).
• Make sure the TV is set to the program position for the VCR. If you are
using a monitor, set it to video input.
• Adjust the tracking with the TRACKING NORMAL/SLOW buttons.
• Make sure the COLOR SYSTEM switch is set to the position
corresponding to the color system with which the tape was recorded.
• Make sure the NTSC PB switch is set to the correct position to match
the TV system of your TV.
• The video heads are dirty (see below). Clean the video heads using the
Sony V-25CL video head cleaning cassette. If this cleaning cassette is
not available in your area, have the heads cleaned at your nearest Sony
service facility (a standard service charge will be required). Do not use
a commercially available wet-type cleaning cassette, as it may damage
the video heads.
• The video heads may have to be replaced. Consult your nearest Sony
service facility for more information.
• Adjust the vertical hold control on the TV or monitor.
• The tape is defective. Use a new tape.
The sound is unstable or has an
echo.
Symptoms caused by contaminated video heads
• Normal picture • Rough picture• Unclear picture • No picture (or
initialterminal
• When you play a tape with the same sound recorded on both the hi-fi
and normal sound tracks, make sure the AUDIO MIX option in the
SET UP MENU is set to OFF.
black & white
screen appears)
50
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Additional Information
Page 50
SymptomRemedy
Recording
Timer recording
Others
A TV program does not appear
on the TV screen.
TV reception is poor.
The tape is ejected when you
press the r REC button.
Nothing happens when you press
the r REC button.
The timer does not operate.
A tape cannot be inserted.
The remote commander does not
function.
• If the TV is connected to the VCR using only the aerial cable, make
sure the TV is set to the program position for the VCR.
If you are using a monitor, set it to video input.
• Adjust the TV aerial.
• Make sure the SYSTEM (I, D/K, B/G, or M) option in the TUNER
PRESET menu is set to the system in your area.
• Check that the safety tab has not been removed.
• Make sure the tape is not at its end.
• Select the correct source with the INPUT SELECT button. Select a
program position when recording TV programs; select “L1” or “L2”
when recording from other equipment.
• Check that the clock is set. The clock and timer stop if the VCR is
disconnected from the mains for more than one hour.
• Make sure a tape has been inserted.
• Check that the safety tab has not been removed.
• Make sure the tape is not at its end.
• Make sure a program has been set for timer recording.
• Check that a tape isn’t already in the tape compartment.
• Make sure you are pointing the remote commander at the remote
sensor on the VCR.
• Replace all the batteries in the remote commander with new ones if
they are weak.
The tracking indicator does not
appear on the screen.
The unit is dirty.
• The recording condition of the tape is very poor and tracking cannot
be adjusted.
• Clean with a dry soft cloth, or a soft cloth slightly moistened with a
mild detergent solution. Do not use any type of solvent, such as
alcohol or benzine.
If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit, please
consult your nearest Sony service facility.
VIDEO IN, Phono jack (1)
Input signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 ohms,
unbalanced, sync negative
AUDIO IN, Phono jack (2)
Input level: 327 mVrms
Input impedance: more than
47 kilohms
LINE IN 2
VIDEO IN, Phono jack (1)
Input signal: 1 Vp-p, 75 ohms,
unbalanced, sync negative
AUDIO IN, Phono jack (2)
Input level: 327 mVrms
Input impedance: more than
47 kilohms
LINE OUT
VIDEO OUT, Phono jack (1)
Output signal: 1Vp-p, 75 ohms,
unbalanced, sync negative
AUDIO OUT: Phono jack (2)
Rated output level: 327 mVrms
Load impedance: more than 47
kilohms
Output impedance: less than
10 kilohms
General
Power requirements
110 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption
27 W (SLV-X842/X842ML only)
25 W (SLV-X821MKII only)
Operating temperature
5 °C to 40 °C
Storage temperature
–20 °C to 60 °C
Dimensions
Approx. 430 × 103 × 323 mm
(w/h/d)
including projecting parts and
controls