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Caution WARNING Television programmes, films, video tapes and To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose other materials may be copyrighted. the unit to rain or moisture. Unauthorized recording of such material may To avoid electrical shock, do not open the be contrary to the provisions of the copyright cabinet.
Table of contents Getting Started Step 1 : Unpacking Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander Step 3 : Connecting the VCR Step 4 : Tuning your TV to the VCR 10 Step 5 : Presetting channels 25 Step 6 : Setting up the G-CODE system 28 Step 7 : Changing/disabling programme positions 32 Step 8 : Setting the clock Basic Operations...
Getting Started Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Aerial cable • R6 (size AA) batteries Getting Started...
Using the remote commander Remote sensor 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...
Step 3 Connecting the VCR Connect the aerial to your VCR and TV as shown below to watch TV programmes and VCR pictures on your TV. In addition, if your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, we recommend you connect the VCR to your TV using an audio/video cable to get a better picture and sound.
Additional connections Note • To play a tape in stereo, you must use either one of the connections shown below. To a TV that has audio/video input jacks This additional connection improves picture and sound quality. Connect the LINE OUT TV as shown on the right.
Step 4 Tuning your TV to the VCR If you have connected your VCR to the TV using the audio/video cable, skip this step. ?/1 ON/STANDBY RF CHANNEL PROGRAM +/– ON/STANDBY Press ?/1 ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR. The factory-preset RF channel flashes in the display window for about three seconds.
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VCR and TV using the audio/video cable (see “To a TV that has audio/video input jacks” on page 7). If the same symptom persists, consult your nearest Sony dealer. Note • If you set the wrong TV system, you may have no sound or sound may be distorted (noisy sound).
Step 5 Presetting channels First, we recommend that you preset the receivable channels in your area using the One Touch Tuning function or AUTO PRESET in the TUNER PRESET menu. Then, if some channels cannot be preset automatically, set them manually. If there are any unwanted channels among the preset ones, you can disable the channels.
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Presetting all receivable channels automatically Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. MENU M/m/</, MENU Press MENU, then press M/m to move the TUNER PRESET PROG 1 cursor (B) to TUNER PRESET and press SYSTEM •...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to TUNER PRESET PROG 1 AUTO PRESET, then press OK. PLAY SYSTEM • D / K B / G NORMAL / CATV • NORM CATV All receivable channels are preset in AUTO PRESET CHANNEL SET numerical sequence.
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Presetting channels manually PROG +/– Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. MENU • Set the TV to the video channel. M/m/</, MENU Press MENU, then press M/m to move the TUNER PRESET PROG10 cursor (B) to TUNER PRESET and press SYSTEM •...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) Selected programme Press PROG +/– to select the programme PROG position position. TUNER PRESET PROG14 SYSTEM • D / K B / G NORMAL / CATV • NORM CATV AUTO PRESET CHANNEL SET • FINE TUNING SELECT Press , repeatedly until the channel you TUNER PRESET...
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Disabling unwanted programme positions After presetting channels, you can disable unused programme positions. The disabled positions will be skipped later when you press the PROG +/– buttons. In step 5 on page 14, press programme number button “0” twice to display the number “0”...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) 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. Press PROG +/– to select the programme number for which you cannot obtain a clear picture.
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Channel numbers in the CHANNEL SET field and the corresponding channels TV system Country/ Western Australia Morocco Indonesia Europe Zealand Area Channel number Corresponding channels in the CHANNEL SET column 31, 32 continued Getting Started...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) TV system Country/ Western Australia Morocco Indonesia Europe Zealand Area Channel number in the CHANNEL Corresponding channels SET column 39, 40 47, 48 55, 56 63, 64 Getting Started...
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TV system Country/ Western Australia Morocco Indonesia Europe Zealand Area Channel number in the CHANNEL Corresponding channels SET column continued Getting Started...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) TV system Country/ Western Australia Morocco Indonesia Europe Zealand Area Channel number in the CHANNEL Corresponding channels SET column Getting Started...
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TV system Country/ East China UK/Hong Ireland South U.S.A. Japan Europe Kong Africa Area Channel number in Corresponding channels CHANNEL SET column 2, C2 J-10 J-11 J-12 14, W+29, W+30 15, 16, W+31 J14, J15 17, W+32 18, W+33, W+34 19, 20, W+35 J18, J19 21, W+36...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) TV system Country/ East China UK/Hong Ireland South U.S.A. Japan Europe Kong Africa Area Channel number in Corresponding channels CHANNEL SET column 29, W+44 30, W+45, W+46 31, 32, W+47 J30, J31 33, W+48 34, W+49, W+50 35, 36, W+51 J34, J35 37, W+52...
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TV system Country/ East China UK/Hong Ireland South U.S.A. Japan Europe Kong Africa Area Channel number in Corresponding channels CHANNEL SET column 71, 72 75, 76 A-2, A-3 J-3, M1 M7, M8 E, F L, M (12) S4, S5 S, T S9, S10 W+1, W+2 S14, S15...
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Step 5: Presetting channels (continued) TV system Country/ East China UK/Hong Ireland South U.S.A. Japan Europe Kong Africa Area Channel number in Corresponding channels CHANNEL SET column W+5, W+6 S18, S19 W+9, W+10 S22, S23 W+11 W+12 W+13, W+14 S26, S27 W+15 W+16 W+17, W+18...
Step 6 Setting up the G-CODE system The G-CODE system is a feature included in Sony VCRs that simplifies MENU programming the VCR to make timer recordings. To use the G-CODE system, each programme position needs to be matched with its G-CODE guide channel.
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Step 6: Setting up the G-CODE system (continued) Press / twice to select the guide channel SET UP CH AND G-CODE column. GUIDE PROG PLAY – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –...
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Setting up the G-CODE system for satellite broadcasts (if applicable) When your satellite tuner is connected via the AERIAL IN connector, first you have to set the programme 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.
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Step 7 Changing/ disabling programme positions MENU After setting the channels and G-CODE guide channels, you can change the programme positions as you like. If any M/m/</, programme positions are unused or unwanted, you can disable them. Before you start… •...
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Press M/m until the selected channel and SET UP CH AND G-CODE guide channel row moves to the desired PROG GUIDE PLAY – programme position. – – The selected channel and guide channel – – – – – are inserted at the new programme SELECT SET GUIDE CH position and the intermediate channels are...
Step 7: Changing/disabling programme positions (continued) Disabling unwanted programme positions Note • Be sure to select the programme CLEAR position you want to disable correctly. If you disable a programme position by mistake, you need to reset that channel manually. Before you start…...
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CLEAR Press CLEAR. SET UP CH AND G-CODE PROG GUIDE The selected row will be cleared as shown – on the right. – – – – – – – – – – SELECT MOVE PROG ERASE PROG : [ CLEAR ] Repeat steps 2 and 3 for any other programme positions you want to disable.
Step 8 Setting the clock You must set the time and date on the VCR to be able to use the timer recording features properly. MENU Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. M/m/</, Press MENU, then press M/m to move the MENU...
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Set the year, hour and minute in sequence, CLOCK SET using , to select the item to be set, and PLAY 2 . 1 . 2 0 0 1 TUE 5 : 3 0 M/m to select the digits. SELECT : [ OK ] Press OK to start the clock.
Basic Operations Playing a tape EJECT CLEAR DISPLAY X PAUSE H PLAY M FF H PLAY x STOP M FF m REW m REW A EJECT X PAUSE x STOP COLOR SYSTEM Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Insert a tape.
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Press H PLAY. PLAY When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically. Additional tasks Press Stop play x STOP X PAUSE Pause play Resume play after pause X PAUSE or H PLAY M FF during stop Fast-forward the tape m REW during stop Rewind the tape Z EJECT...
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Playing a tape (continued) To use the time counter At the point on the tape that you want to find later, press CLEAR. The counter in the display window resets to “0:00:00.” Search for the point afterwards by referring to the counter. To display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLAY.
Recording TV programmes INPUT SELECT PROG +/– DISPLAY REC SPEED z REC Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Press PROG +/– to select the programme position you want to PROG record.
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Recording TV programmes (continued) REC SPEED Press REC SPEED to select the tape speed (SP or LP for the PAL colour system, and SP or EP for the NTSC colour system). LP (Long Play) provides recording time twice as long as SP (Standard Play).
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Tips • To select a programme position, you can use the programme number buttons on the remote commander. For two-digit numbers, press the ? (ten’s digit) button followed by the programme number buttons. • You can select a video source from the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks. Press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/–...
Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function The Easy Timer function allows you to make a timer recording of a programme without turning on your TV. Set the recording timer to record only one programme that will be broadcast within the next 24 hours using the EASY TIMER knob.
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Set the recording stop time in the same way as in step 2, then push EASY TIMER the EASY TIMER knob. A programme number flashes. Turn the EASY TIMER knob clockwise or counterclockwise to select EASY TIMER the programme you want to record. To select the tape speed, press REC SPEED.
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Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function (continued) Setting or changing the Easy Clock When “–:– –” is displayed in the display window, the VCR clock has not been set. You need to set the clock using the Easy Programme Clock function before setting the timer.
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EASY TIMER Push the EASY TIMER knob to finish setting the clock. The VCR enters the timer recording setting mode. To continue the Easy Timer START setting, go to step 2 in “Setting the Easy Timer” on page 40. To quit the Easy Timer setting mode without changing any settings, push the EASY TIMER knob repeatedly until the t indicator appears in the display window.
Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function (continued) To stop recording To stop the VCR while recording, press x STOP. To check or change the timer setting Push the EASY TIMER knob repeatedly until the setting you want to check or change flashes.
Tips • To record from a source connected to the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks, press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– or turn the EASY TIMER knob to display “L1” or “L2” in the display window. • To record NTSC signals, set the tape speed to SP or EP. To record in the EP mode, set the tape speed to “LP”...
Recording TV programmes using the G-CODE system CLEAR G-CODE Just enter the G-CODE number, listed in the TV programme guide, for the programme you want to record. The Programme date, times and programme position of number that programme are set automatically. buttons You can preset up to eight programmes at a time.
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Press the programme number buttons to G–CODE enter the G-CODE number for the G–CODE NO. SP / LP programme you want to record. [ 8 2 4 7 7 6 9 1 – ] [ SP ] • ONCE DAILY WEEKLY If you make a mistake, press CLEAR and re-enter the correct number.
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Recording TV programmes using the G-CODE system (continued) To record satellite broadcasts If you connect the satellite tuner and the VCR, you can record satellite programmes using the G-CODE number when available. Turn on the satellite tuner. On the satellite tuner, select the satellite programme for which you wish to make a timer setting.
Setting the timer manually You can preset up to eight programmes at a time. INPUT SELECT Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
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Setting the timer manually (continued) To record the same programme every day or the same day every week, press m while the date is flashing. For details, see “Daily/ weekly recording” below. To record from a source connected to the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks;...
Search Operations Searching for the beginning of an Easy Timer recorded programme EASY TIMER knob If you record a programme using the Easy Timer function, you can easily find the beginning of the recording with the SEARCH MODE function. The SEARCH MODE indicator flashes when the VCR SEARCH MODE finishes making an Easy Timer...
Searching for the current position on a tape EASY TIMER knob This feature enables you to find the current position on a tape as well as the remaining time of the tape. SEARCH MODE Press SEARCH MODE repeatedly until the START REMAIN indicator appears in the display window as shown on the right.
Searching using the Blank Search EASY TIMER function knob This feature enables you to find a blank section on your tape. SEARCH MODE Press SEARCH MODE repeatedly until the START BLANK indicator appears in the display window. The SEARCH MODE indicator lights up. Push the EASY TIMER knob on the VCR.
Searching using the index function The VCR marks the tape with an index ./> INDEX signal at the point where each recording SEARCH begins. Use these signals as references to find a specific recording. The VCR can search up to 99 index signals ahead of or behind the current position.
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Using the SEARCH MODE EASY TIMER knob button and EASY TIMER knob on the VCR SEARCH MODE Press SEARCH MODE on the VCR repeatedly until “INDEX” appears in the display window (the SEARCH MODE indicator lights up). Turn the EASY TIMER knob to specify how many index signals ahead or behind you want to search: •...
Searching using the Time Search function EASY TIMER knob You can easily find a specific point on a tape by using the Time Search function. For example, you can find a recorded section 15 minutes ahead of or behind the current position of a tape by using the Time Search function.
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds ×2 H PLAY y SLOW m REW M FF H PLAY M FF m REW Playback options Operation View the picture during fast- During fast-forward, hold down M FF. During rewind, hold forward or rewind down m REW.
Setting the recording duration time After you have started recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. z REC While recording, press z REC. The t indicator appears in the display window. Press z REC repeatedly to set the duration.
Checking/ changing/ cancelling timer settings CLEAR Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. MENU M/m/</, Press ?/1 to turn on the VCR. Press MENU, then select TIMER SET/CHECK and press OK: • If you want to change or cancel a setting, TIMER SET / CHECK 2 5 .
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Checking/changing/cancelling timer settings (continued) Press M/m to select the setting you want to change or cancel: • To change the setting, press </, to select the item you want to change, and press M/m to reset it. Then, press , repeatedly until the cursor (B) appears at the beginning of the line.
Recording stereo and bilingual programmes In the ZWEITON (German stereo) system This VCR automatically receives and records stereo and bilingual programmes based on the ZWEITON system. When a stereo or bilingual programme is received, the STEREO indicator appears in the display window.
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Recording stereo and bilingual programmes (continued) Bilingual programme To listen to On-screen display Display window Main MAIN STEREO STEREO Main and sub MAIN/SUB STEREO Standard sound* No indicator No indicator * Usually the main sound (monaural) Selecting the sound during playback Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the sound you want.
Adjusting the picture Adjusting the tracking Although the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape (the indicator flashes in the display window, then turns off), distortion may occur if the tape was recorded in poor condition. If so, manually adjust the tracking.
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Adjusting the picture (continued) About the Adaptive Picture Control (APC) function The Adaptive Picture Control (APC) function SET UP MENU automatically improves recording and playback AUDIO MIX • quality by adjusting the VCR to the condition of HIFI AUDIO • NICAM •...
Changing menu options Press MENU, then select SET UP MENU. SET UP MENU AUDIO MIX • HIFI AUDIO • NICAM • PAL / MESECAM • MESECAM AUTO NTSC PB • ON PAL TV 4. 43 3. 58 SELECT Press M/m to select the option to change, then press </, to change the setting.
Connecting to a VCR or stereo system How to connect to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) LINE-2 IN Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT VMC-810HG audio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flow How to connect to a stereo system Connect LINE-2 IN AUDIO on this VCR to the audio output jacks on the stereo system, using the RK-C510HG audio cable (not supplied).
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Operation (when recording on this VCR) Before you start editing • Turn on your TV and set it to the X PAUSE video channel. • Press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– to display “L1” or “L2” in the display window. •...
If these cleaning cassettes are 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 liquid type cleaning cassette other than Sony’s, as they may damage the video heads.
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Symptom Remedy A TV programme does not • Make sure the TV is set to the video channel. If you are appear on the TV screen. using a monitor, set it to video input. • Select the correct source with the INPUT SELECT or PROG +/–...
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Troubleshooting (continued) Symptom Remedy A tape cannot be inserted. • Check that a tape is not already in the tape compartment. The remote commander does • Make sure you are pointing the remote commander at not function. the remote sensor on the VCR. •...
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“Adjusting the picture” on page 63). When playback is finished, be sure to clean the heads with a video head cleaning cassette. Be sure to use the Sony T-25CLD, T-25CLW or E-25CLDR video head cleaning cassette. If these cleaning cassettes are not available in your area, have the heads cleaned at your nearest Sony service facility (a standard service charge will be required).
Specifications System General Colour system Power requirements PAL, MESECAM, NTSC 3.58, NTSC 4.43 110 – 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz TV system Power consumption B/G, D/K, I, M 16 W Channel coverage Operating temperature B/G: VHF E2 to E12/UHF E21 to E69/ 5°C to 40°C CATV S01 to S05, S1 to S41 Storage temperature...
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One Touch Tuning 10 system 46 Easy Timer recording 40 Tracking adjustment 57, 63 Editing 66 Tuning your TV to the EP mode 38 VCR 8 (Reality Regenerator) 63 TV system 2, 8 Recording 37 bilingual programmes 61 Sony Corporation ZWEITON broadcasts 61...