Sony ST-SDB900 User Manual

DAB/FM/AM Tuner

Operating Instructions

4-255-834-12(1)

ST-SDB900

WARNING

To prevent fire, do not cover the ventil at ion of the apparatus with news papers, table-cloths, curtains, etc. And don’t place lighted candle s on the apparatus.

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place obje c ts filled with liquids, such as vases , on the ap pa ratus.

Don’t throw away batter ie s w ith general house waste; dispose of them correctly as chemical waste.

Precautions

On safety

Should any liquid or solid object fall into the unit, unplug the unit and have the unit checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further.

On power sources

• Before operating the un it, be sure that the operating voltage of your unit is identical with that of your local power su pply.

• Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if it is not to be used for an e xtended period of time . To disconnect the cord, pull it out by grasping the plug. Never pull the cord itself.

• AC power cord must be changed only at the qualified service shop.

• The unit is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet, even if th e unit itself has been turned of f.

On placement

• Place the unit i n a l ocati on wi th a dequa te venti lati on to prevent heat buildup and prolong the life of its components.

• Do not place the unit near heat sources, or in a place subject to direct sunlight, exce ssive dust or mechanical shock.

• Do not place anything on top of the cabinet which might block the ventilation hole s a nd c aus e malfunctions.

• Do not install the appliance in a confine d space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabine t.

On cleaning the cabinet

Clean the cabinet, panels and controls with a soft cloth lightly moistened wi th a mild detergent solution. D o not use any type of abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent such as alcohol or benzine .

On repacking

Do not throw away the c arton and the pac king materia l. This makes an ideal container when tra nsporting the unit. When shipping the unit, repack it as it was packed at the factory. If you have any questions or problems concerning your unit that is not covered in this manual, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

About This Manual

The instructions in this manual are described using the controls on the tuner. You may also use the controls on the remote if they ar e of the same or similar name as those on the tuner.

About area codes

The area code of the tuner you purchased is shown on the lower portion of the rear panel (see the illustration below).

4-XXX-XXX-XX AA

Area code

Any differences in op eration, according to t he area code, are clearly ind icated in the text, for example, “Models of area code AA only”.

Overview of DAB

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a new multimedia broadcasting system that replaces the current FM/AM broadcast to tra ns mit audio programmes with a quality comparable to that of CDs*. Each DAB multiplex radio station converts programmes (services) into an ense mble, which it then broadcasts. Each service contains one or more components. All service s and compone nts are identified by name, so you can access any of them without having to know their frequencies. Furthermore, additional information (called programme asso ci at ed data) can be broadcast along with the se rvices in the form of text.

With DAB digital radio, you can enjoy:

– CD sound quality without any hiss or crackle to

spoil the sound

– both music and data se rv ices from a single tuner

(this tuner does not suppor t da ta services)

– the same radio stations of the same frequency from

anywhere in the country

– multiple progr a mmes (services) from a single

frequency

* Some service components may not match CD quality

sound.

Notes

• The status of the DAB broadcast depends on your country or region. It may not be broadcasted or may be in test phase.

• DAB programmes are broadcast in Band-III (174 to 240 MHz) and/or L-Band (1,452 to 1,491 MHz), with each band divided into channe ls. Each of these channels has its own channel label. For details on the channel labels and frequencies that this tuner supports, see the Frequency Table on page 22.

• This tuner supports Band-III only.

• This tuner does not support data services.

• This tuner does not support reception in countries outside of Europe.

Ensemble

Service

Component Component

Component

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Unpacking...............................................5

Hooking up the system...... ... ...................5

Basic menu operation..............................9

Before you can receive DAB stations.....9

— DAB INIT SCAN

Storing FM stations automatically........10

— AUTOBETICAL

Receiving Broadcasts

Receiving DAB/FM/AM broadcas ts.....11

Storing stations manually......................12

Receiving preset stations.......................13

Using the Radio Data System (RDS)....14

Description of program types f or DAB

and FM RDS...................................15

Advanced Tuner Operations

Naming preset stations..........................16

Tips for better FM reception.................17

Listening at low volumes......................17

— DRC (Dynamic Range Control)

Checking reception sensit ivit y..............18

— DAB TUNE AID

Changing the display.............................18

About the indications in the display......20

Additional Information

Troubleshooting....................................21

Specifications........................................22

List of button locations and refer e nce

pages...............................................23

Index .....................................................25

Getting Started

Unpacking

Check that you received the following items with the tuner:

• Audio cord (1)

•AM loop aerial (1)

• FM wire aerial (1)

• DAB wire aerial (1)

• Remote commander (1)

• R6 (size AA) batteries (2)

Hooking up the system

Getting Started

Before you get started

• Turn off the power to all components before making any connections.

• Do not connect the AC power cord until all of the connections are completed.

• Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid hum and noise.

• When connecting an audio cord, be sure to match the colour-coded pins to the appropriat e jacks: White (lef t) t o White; and Red (right) to Red.

AM aerial hookups

This section describes how to connect the supplied AM loop aerial to the AM ANTENNA terminals. For the specific location of the terminals, see the illustratio n below.

AM ANTENNA

What will I need?

• AM loop aerial (supplied) (1)

1 Unwrap 2 lengths of the braided lead

wire from around the frame of the aerial. Be careful to unwrap only the braided section of the lead wire. Do not unwrap more than 2 l engths of the lead wire. Also, be careful not to unbraid the lead wire.

continued

2 Assemble the supplied aerial as shown

below.

3 Connect the AM loop aerial to the AM

terminals on the back of this unit.

AM loop aerial

ANTENNA

75Ω

COAXIAL

AMFM

DAB

75Ω

COAXIAL

FM aerial hookups

With an FM outdoo r aerial, you can obtain a higher FM broadca st sound quality. We recommend that you use the supplied FM wire aerial only temporarily until you install an FM outdoor aerial. For the specific loca t io n of the FM ANTENNA terminal, see the illustration below.

FM ANTENNA

What will I need?

• FM wire aerial (supplied) (1)

White

4 Adjust the aerial direction for the best

reception.

The AM loop aerial has a directivity which detects the sign al from some angles mo r e strongly than others. Set the aerial to the orientation which provides the best receiving condition. If a high pitched noise (beat noise) occurs when recording AM broadcasts, adjust the position of the AM loop aerial so that the noise disappears.

If you live in a building constructed of reinforced concrete, or with a steel frame, you may not be able to ac hieve good reception since th e radio waves becom e weaker indoors. In this case, we recommend connecting an optional aerial.

Tip

If you are having difficulty receiving stations, try repositioning the loop aerial while tuning. Placing the supplied AM loop aerial near a window will help improve reception quality.

• FM outdoor aerial (not supplied) (1) and 75-ohm coaxial cable with IEC female type connector (not supplied) (1)

Connect the supplied FM wire aerial or an FM outdoor aerial (not supplied) to the FM terminal on the back of this unit.

FM wire aerial

ANTENNA

75Ω

COAXIAL

FM outdoor aerial

75Ω

COAXIAL

ANTENNA

AMFM

DAB

75Ω

COAXIAL

DAB

75Ω

COAXIAL

DAB aerial hookups

With a DAB outdoor aerial, you can obtain a higher DAB broadca st sound quality. We recommend that you use the supplied DAB wire aerial only temporarily until you install a DAB outdoor aerial. Fo r the specific locatio n of the DAB ANTENNA terminal, see the illustration below.

DAB ANTENNA

What will I need?

• DAB wire aerial (s up plied) (1)

Black

• DAB outdoor aerial (not supplied) (1) and 75-ohm coaxial cable with F male type connector (not su pplied) (1)

Connect the supplied DAB wire aerial or a DAB outdoor aerial (n ot supplied) to the DAB terminal on the back of this unit.

DAB wire aerial

ANTENNA

75Ω

COAXIAL

AMFM

DAB

75Ω

COAXIAL

Connecting a ground wire

If you connect an outdoor aerial, be sur e to connect an earth lead (not supplied) to the AM ANTENNA terminal with the “U” indica tion (in addition to the AM loop aerial) for lightning protection.

Amplifier hookups

Connect the tuner to an amplifier. Be sur e to turn off both components before connection. For the specific location of the terminals, see the illustration below.

ANALOG OUT

What cords will I need?

• Audio cord (s upplied) (1)

Connect the white plugs to the white (L) jacks and the red plugs to the red (R) jacks. Insert the plugs completely into the jacks; incomplete connections ma y cause noise.

ST-SDB900 Amplifier

ANALOG

OUT

TUNER IN

Getting Started

to DAB outdoor aerial

75Ω

COAXIAL

ANTENNA

AMFM

DAB

75Ω

COAXIAL

continued

MD/DAT hookups

This section describes how to connect the tuner to a DAT deck or MD recorder for digital-todigital recording. With this connection, you can obtain the highest possibl e sound quality wh en recording DAB digital broadcasts, even if you use the analog out p uts for listenin g pu rposes. For specific locations of the jacks, see the illustration below.

DAB OPTICAL OUT

Connecting the AC power cord

Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet after completing all of the previous connections.

to a wall outlet

Inserting batteries into the remote

What cables will I need?

• Digital optical cable (not supplied) (1)

ST-SDB900 MD/DAT

DIGITAL

DAB

OPTICAL OUT

Notes

• When you use a recorder which does not support the 48kHz sampling frequency mode, you cannot play or record the digital signals fro m the DIGIT AL DAB OPTICAL OUT jack.

• The DIGITAL DAB OPTICAL OUT jack has a retractable cover. Insert the plug into the jack.

• FM/AM broadcast signals are not output from the DIGITAL DAB OPTICAL OUT jack.

DIGITAL IN

OPTICAL

You can control this unit using the supplied remote. Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries by matching the + and – o n th e batteries. When using the remote, point it at the remote sensor on this unit.

Tip

With normal use, the batteries should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the tuner, replace both batteries with new ones.

Notes

• Do not leave the remote in an extremely hot or humid place.

• Do not drop foreign objects into the remote casing, particularly when replacing the batteries.

• Do not expose the remote sensor to direct sunlight or lighting apparatus. Doing so may cause a malfunction.

• If you will not use the remote for an extended period of time, remove the batterie s to a void possible damage from battery leaka ge and c or ro sion.

Basic menu operation

This tuner uses a menu entry system which allows you to operate various functions by following messa ges on the display. Use the following cont rols for basic menu operation.

TUNING/SELECT MENU

ENTER

Before you can receive DAB stations

— DAB INIT SCAN

Before you can receive DAB, yo u must reg is ter the contents of broadc asts (ser vice comp onents ) so that they can be received by the DAB tuner using the DAB Initialization Scan procedure.

POWER TUNING/SELECT

BAND MENU

Getting Started

Use the To

MENU button Enter/Exit menu mode. TUNING/SELECT

control ENTER button Select the currently displayed

Display different items or settings.

item or setting.

ENTER

1 Press POWER to turn on the tuner. 2 Press BAND repeatedly to select DAB.

“DAB Tuning” will appear in the display while the tuner is collecting DAB data. Please wait until this message disappears.

3 Press MENU. 4 Turn TUNING/SELECT to display “DAB

INIT SCAN”.

5 Press ENTER. 6 Turn TUNING/SELECT to display

“Yes”.

7 Press ENTER.

Scanning begins. Depending on the DAB services available in your area, this may take a few minutes.

8 When scanning is complete, “End”

appears in the display momentarily and the tuner returns to normal operation.

Turn TUNING/SELECT to select a service.

Notes

• Do not press any button on the tuner or suppl ie d remote during DAB INIT SCAN, except POWER.

• If you move to another area, repeat this procedure to store the stations for your new area.

• This procedure does not create any pres ets.

• This procedure clears all prev iously stored presets.

• For details on presets, see “Storing stations manually” on page 12.

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