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If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, contact your Sony dealer. • Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if you do not intend to use it for an extended period of time.
Table of contents Getting Started Step 1: Unpacking Step 2: Setting up the remote commander Step 3: Hookups 31 Selecting a language 32 Setting the clock 38 Setting up cable box control 43 Presetting channels 47 Setting up VCR Plus+* Basic Operations 52 Playing a tape 54 Recording TV programs...
Getting Started Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Size AA (R6) batteries • Audio/video cable (3-phono, 1 mini to 3-phono, 1-mini) Getting Started • Cable Mouse (cable box controller) •...
Using the remote commander You can use this remote commander to operate this VCR and a Sony TV. The buttons on the remote commander marked with a dot ( ) can be used to operate your Sony TV. To operate...
TV. You can also use the buttons marked with a dot ( ) to control a Sony TV. To control the VCR, reset TV / VTR to VTR . • If you set your TV‘s code number correctly while the TV is turned on, the TV turns off automatically.
• If your TV doesn’t match any of the examples provided, see your nearest Sony dealer or qualified technician. * DSS is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Audio/video (A/V) hookup, then follow one of the hookups below.
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9. If you want to record off-air or off your cable TV system, complete these connections first, and then go to the following pages for antenna or cable hookups. * S-Link is a trademark of Sony Corporation. A Use this hookup if your TV has stereo jacks AUDIO VIDEO LINE-1 IN...
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C Use this hookup if your TV has the S-Link function AUDIO VIDEO LINE-1 IN S-LINK LINE OUT Audio/video cable (supplied) A/V hookup: VCR setup After you’ve connected your TV and completed antenna or cable hookup, use the following procedure to set up the VCR. Press MENU and select ADVANCED OPTIONS.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 1 Using cable box control Recommended use You should use this hookup if you have a cable box, especially if your cable system scrambles all or most channels. This hookup allows the VCR’s cable box control feature to control the channel on the cable box, simplifying the recording process.
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Hookup 1: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 6 Select your cable box output channel and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Hookup 1: VCR Plus+ channel setup Press MENU and select SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS. Push Joystick to ?// to select AUTO and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Press POWER to turn off the VCR.
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Hookup 2 No cable box, or incompatible cable box with only a few scrambled channels Recommended use Use this hookup if you do not have a cable box. Also use this hookup if your cable company cannot supply a cable box that is compatible with the VCR’s cable box control feature, and your cable system scrambles only a few channels.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 2: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
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6 The AUTO PRESET starts. Hookup 2: VCR Plus+ channel setup Press MENU and select SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS. Push Joystick to ?// to select AUTO and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Press POWER to turn off the VCR. The VCR receives the program information signal from 0:00 am to 5:00 am while the VCR is turned off, and set up the channel for VCR Plus+ recording.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 3 Antenna hookup Make the following connections if you’re using an antenna (if you don’t have cable TV). A Use this hookup if you’re using: • VHF/UHF antenna (you get channels 2–13 and channels 14 and higher) •...
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Hookup 3: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 6 The AUTO PRESET starts. Hookup 3: VCR Plus+ channel setup Press MENU and select SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS. Push Joystick to ?// to select AUTO and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Press POWER to turn off the VCR. The VCR receives the program information signal from 0:00 am to 5:00 am while the VCR is turned off, and set up the channel for VCR Plus+ recording.
Hookup 4 Hookup 4 Hookup 4 Incompatible cable box with many scrambled channels Recommended use Use this hookup if your cable company cannot supply a cable box that is compatible with the VCR’s cable box control feature, and your cable system scrambles all or most channels.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 4: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
5 The AUTO PRESET starts. Hookup 4: VCR Plus+ channel setup Find the VCR Plus+ Channel Listing in your program guide. For details, see page 47. Enter all the channels you want to record and the cable box output channel (usually 2, 3, or 4). For details, see page 50. 1 Press MENU and select SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Automatic clock setting To use the Auto Clock Set feature with this hookup, you need to manually select a channel that carries a time signal: Tune the cable box to a channel that carries a time signal. Select AUTO in the CLOCK SET menu to turn on the Auto Clock Set feature.
Hookup 5 DSS (Digital Satellite System) receiver Recommended use Use this hookup if you have a DSS receiver. It allows the VCR’s cable box control feature to control the channel on the DSS receiver, simplifying the recording process. A list of compatible DSS receivers is on page 40. DSS (Digital Satellite System) is a satellite broadcast that provides superior digital-quality video and crisp digital-quality audio.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 5: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
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5 Enter your DSS receiver code number and push Joystick to .. For details, see page 38. 6 Set your DSS receiver output channel (BOX OUTPUT CH) to LINE and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Automatic clock setting Once you’ve set up the VCR, it automatically sets the clock the first time you turn off the VCR.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 6 Incompatible cable box with only a few scrambled channels, using an A/B switch Recommended use By using an A/B switch (not supplied), this hookup allows you to record both scrambled and unscrambled channels conveniently. What you can do with this hookup •...
Hookup 6: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 76. If you made A/V connections (from page 8), you can skip this step.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 5 The TUNER PRESET menu appears. Set ANTENNA/CABLE to CABLE and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). For details, see page 43. 6 The AUTO PRESET starts. Preset the cable box output channel (usually 2, 3, or 4). For details, see page 38.
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Hookup 6: VCR Plus+ channel setup Press MENU and select SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS. Push Joystick to ?// to select AUTO and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). Press POWER to turn off the VCR. The VCR receives the program information signal from 0:00 am to 5:00 am while the VCR is turned off, and set up the channel for VCR Plus+ recording.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 3 Push Joystick to ?// to select MANUAL. 4 Enter the program guide channel, then the cable box output channel. 5 Press the Joystick (EXECUTE). 6 Press MENU. Automatic clock setting Once you’ve set up the VCR, it automatically sets the clock the first time you turn off the VCR.
Selecting a language You can change the on-screen display language. • MENU Press MENU, then push Joystick to >/. to move the cursor to LANGUAGE and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). When using the EASY SET UP procedure, skip this step. EXECUTE Push Joystick to >/.
Setting the clock Using the Auto Clock Set feature Some TV and cable channels transmit time signals with their broadcasts. Your VCR can pick up this time signal to automatically set the clock. The Auto Clock Set feature works only if a channel in your area is broadcasting a time signal.
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To activate the Auto Clock Set function, turn off the VCR. The VCR automatically sets the clock by searching for a channel that carries a time signal and sets your time zone and Daylight Saving Time (if applicable). If your clock is set to the wrong time zone or Daylight Saving Time, you can adjust these settings without turning off the Auto Clock Set feature (page 34).
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Setting the clock (continued) If the clock is not activated Follow steps 1 and 2 in “Using the Auto Clock Set feature.” The AUTO CLOCK SET menu is displayed. Push Joystick to ?// to select NO for FULL AUTO. EXECUTE Getting Started Number buttons...
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Push Joystick to >/. to highlight the item you want to set, then push Joystick to ?// to make the setting. EXECUTE • For CLOCK SET CH Leave the setting to “– –” to have the VCR automatically search for a channel that carries a time signal.
Setting the clock (continued) Using Manual Clock Set • MENU Press MENU, then push Joystick to >/. to move the cursor to CLOCK SET and press the Joystick (EXECUTE). When using the EASY SET UP procedure, skip this step. EXECUTE Push Joystick to ?// to select MANUAL, then press the Joystick (EXECUTE).
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Set the year, hour and minutes in the same way as the day. EXECUTE Press the Joystick (EXECUTE) to start the clock. EXECUTE Getting Started...
Setting up cable box control (Skip this section if you are using Hookup 2, 3, 4, or 6.) Your VCR includes a cable box control feature that allows the VCR to control most brands of cable boxes/DSS receivers via the Cable Mouse. With cable box control, the VCR controls channels on the cable box/DSS receiver for timer recording.
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Press the number buttons to enter the cable box/DSS receiver code number, then push Joystick to .. Find your cable box/DSS receiver code number from the chart below. EXECUTE If you want to control a cable box, push Joystick to ?// to select the output channel for the cable box, then press the Joystick (EXECUTE).
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To ensure correct operation • Place the Cable Mouse so that it hangs out over the cable box/DSS receiver front. • Do not place the cable box/DSS receiver on top of the VCR. • Position the cable box/DSS receiver away from the VCR. •...
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Setting up cable box control (continued) If you cannot get your VCR to control the cable box/DSS receiver • Check that the Cable Mouse is connected to the CABLE BOX CONTROL jack on the VCR. • Check the position of the Cable Mouse. •...
Presetting channels (Skip this section if you are using cable box/DSS receiver control.) This VCR is capable of receiving VHF channels 2 to 13, UHF channels 14 to 69 and unscrambled CATV channels 1 to 125. First, we recommend that you preset the receivable channels in your area using automatic presetting.
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Presetting channels (continued) • To preset cable TV channels: Push Joystick to ?// to set ANTENNA/CABLE to CABLE. EXECUTE • To preset VHF and UHF channels: Push Joystick to ?// to set EXECUTE ANTENNA/CABLE to ANT. Push Joystick to >/. to select AUTO PRESET then press the Joystick (EXECUTE).
Presetting/disabling channels manually • MENU Press MENU and select TUNER PRESET, then press the Joystick (EXECUTE). EXECUTE •To preset a channel: 1 Press the number buttons to enter the channel number, then press ENTER. 2 Push Joystick to ?// to set MANUAL SET to ADD.
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 of a channel is not clear, you can also use the manual tuning function. • MENU Press MENU and select TUNER PRESET, then press the Joystick (EXECUTE).
Setting up VCR Plus+ How VCR Plus+ works Whenever you want to record a TV program, all you need to do is look up the program’s “PlusCode,” a number assigned to each program published in the TV section of most newspapers, cable TV listings, and even TV GUIDE magazine.
Setting up VCR Plus+ (continued) Setting up VCR Plus+ automatically (Smart Channel Mapping) The VCR can automatically set the guide channels in your area from ZIP CODE you entered in EASY SET UP. The VCR receives the program information signal and renews the data everyday after you complete the following procedure.
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If the program information signal in your area has several channel map patterns, the Choose your Cable CH MAP menu appears, and you must select the channel map. See “To select the channel map” on this page. Press POWER to turn off the VCR. •...
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Setting up VCR Plus+ (continued) Setting up VCR Plus+ manually To set the guide channels manually, use the Channel Line-up Chart to check that the guide channel numbers match the TV channel your VCR receives. For example, if HBO is listed in the Channel Line-up Chart on channel 33, and your VCR receives HBO on channel 5, you need to coordinate these numbers using...
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• If you made Hookup 1, 2, or 3: Enter the actual number on your TV (and VCR) and press ENTER. • If you made Hookup 4: Enter the cable output channel (usually 2, 3, or 4) and press ENTER. •...
Basic Operations Playing a tape Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Insert a tape. The VCR turns on and starts playing automatically if you insert a tape with its safety tab removed. Press the Joystick ·. When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically.
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Additional tasks Push Joystick to Stop play p STOP Pause play P PAUSE Resume play after pause P PAUSE or press Joystick · Search forward ) FF # during playback Search backward 0 REW 3 during playback Fast-forward the tape ) FF # during stop Rewind the tape 0 REW 3 during stop...
Recording TV programs Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. To record from a cable box, turn it on. Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Press INPUT SELECT until a channel number appears in the display INPUT SELECT window.
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TAPE Press TAPE SPEED to select the tape speed, SP or EP. SPEED EP provides recording time three times as long as SP, however, SP produces better picture quality. Press r REC to start recording. To stop recording Press p STOP. To check the remaining tape length Press DISPLAY.
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Recording TV programs (continued) Tips • To select a channel, you can use the number buttons on the remote commander. Enter the channel number, then press ENTER. • You can select a video source form the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks using INPUT SELECT.
Locating a channel by station ID You can select the TV program from station ID. Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. To record from a cable box, turn it on. Press ENTER. The station ID appears on the TV screen. •...
Recording TV programs using VCR Plus+ Just enter the program’s PlusCode listed in the TV program guide. The date, times and channel number of that program are set automatically. You can preset up to eight programs at a time. Before you start… •...
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Press TAPE SPEED to select SP or EP. TAPE SPEED Select ONCE, DAILY, or WEEKLY by pushing Joystick to ?//, then press SET: EXECUTE To record Only once Everyday Monday to Friday Once a week The date, start and stop times, channel number and tape speed TIMER CLEAR appear on the TV screen.
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Recording TV programs using VCR Plus+ (continued) To lock the VCR after setting the timer (Child Lock) Hold down POWER on the VCR until the VCR beeps. The VCR turns off and the “LOC” indicator appears in the display window. The VCR will not work except for timer recording.
Setting the timer manually If VCR Plus+ is not available in your area, follow the instructions below to set the timer to record programs. Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.
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Setting the timer manually (continued) Push Joystick to / to confirm the setting. The cursor appears at the beginning of the line. To enter another EXECUTE setting, move the cursor to the next line and repeat step 2. Press the Joystick (EXECUTE). EXECUTE •...
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds Using the remote commander Playback options Fast-forward/rewind View the picture during fast- forward or rewind Play at high speed Play at twice the normal speed Play in slow motion Play frame by frame Rewind and start play Operation During stop, push the Joystick to ) FF # or 0 REW 3.
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Playing/searching at various speeds (continued) Using the Shuttle ring on the VCR With the Shuttle ring on the VCR, you can operate a variety of playback options. There are two ways for using the Shuttle ring, normal mode and jog mode. To use the Shuttle ring in normal mode During playback or pause, turn the Shuttle ring clockwise or counterclockwise.
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To resume normal playback Press Joystick ·. • Adjust the picture using the TRACKING +/– buttons on the VCR if: – Streaks appear while playing in slow motion. – The picture shakes while pausing. Notes • The sound is muted during these operations. •...
Recording TV programs using the quick timer After starting recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. While recording, press QUICK TIMER once. Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set the duration. Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes.
Checking/ changing/ cancelling timer settings Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Press POWER to turn on the VCR. Press MENU and select TIMER SET/CHECK: • If you want to change a setting, go on to the next step.
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Checking/changing/cancelling timer settings (continued) When the timer settings overlap The program that starts first has priority and the second program starts recording only after the first program has finished. If the programs start at the same time, the program listed first in the menu has priority. Additional Operations Program 1 Program 2...
Recording stereo and bilingual programs Recording stereo programs This VCR automatically receives and records stereo programs. When a stereo program is received, the STEREO indicator lights up. If there is noise in the stereo program, set AUTO STEREO in the ADVANCED OPTIONS menu to OFF.
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Recording stereo and bilingual programs (continued) How sound is recorded on a video tape The VCR records sound onto two separate tracks. Hi-fi audio is recorded onto the main track along with the picture. Monaural sound is recorded onto the normal audio track along the edge of the tape. Normal audio track Hi-fi audio track (main track)
Searching using the index function The VCR marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording begins. Use these signals as references to find a specific recording. The VCR can search up to 99 index signals ahead of or behind the current position.
Adjusting the picture Adjusting the tracking Although the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape (the tracking indicator distortion may occur if the tape was recorded in poor condition. In this case, manually adjust the tracking. Press the TRACKING +/– buttons to display the tracking meter.
Changing menu options Press MENU and select ADVANCED OPTIONS. Push Joystick to >/. to select the option to change, then push Joystick to ?// to change the setting. The ADVANCED OPTION menu has 2 pages. To select page 2, push Joystick to . repeatedly until page 2 appears.
Editing Hooking up to a VCR or stereo system How to hook up to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) LINE-2 IN : Signal flow How to hook up to a stereo system Connect LINE-2 IN AUDIO on this VCR to the audio output jacks on the stereo system, using the RK-C510KS audio cable (not supplied).
Basic editing (when recording on this VCR) Before you start editing • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. • Press INPUT SELECT to display “L2” in the display window. • Press TAPE SPEED on the remote commander to select the tape speed, SP or EP.
Additional Information General setup information Setting the RF unit When connecting the VCR to the TV using only the antenna cable, you must set the RF UNIT switch on the rear of the VCR so that the TV can receive the correct signal from the VCR.
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Attaching a UHF/VHF band mixer When using both 75-ohm coaxial cable and 300-ohm twin lead cable for VHF/ UHF antenna, use the EAC-66 UHF/ VHF band separator/mixer (not supplied) to connect the antenna to the VCR. Loosen the screws on the mixer. Wind the twin leads around the screws on the mixer.
Sony T-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.
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Symptom A TV program does not appear on the TV screen. TV reception is poor. The tape starts playing as soon as it is inserted. The tape ejects when you press r REC. Nothing happens when you press r REC. The timer does not operate.
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Troubleshooting (continued) Symptom A tape cannot be inserted. The remote commander does not function. The channels on the VCR cannot be changed. The tracking indicator does not appear on the screen. You cannot control other TVs. The VCR needs to be cleaned. Additional Information Remedy •...
Specifications System Format VHS NTSC standard Video recording system Rotary head helical scanning FM system Video heads Double azimuth four heads Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards Tape speed SP: 33.35 mm/s (1 3/8 inches/s) EP: 11.11 mm/s (7/16 inches/s) LP: 16.67 mm/s (11/16 inches/s), playback only Maximum recording/playback time...
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details. Front panel 1 POWER switch/indicator 2 Tape compartment 3 CHANNEL TRACKING +/– buttons (54, 72) 4 6 EJECT button (53) 5 0 REW button (53) 6 ) FF button (53) 7 ·...
Index to parts and controls (continued) Rear panel 1 AC Power cord 2 S-LINK (CONTROL S IN) jack (9, 3 CABLE BOX CONTROL (CONTROL S OUT) jack (10, 23) 4 LINE-1 IN AUDIO L/R/VIDEO jacks (74) Additional Information 5 RF UNIT switch (76) 6 VHF/UHF IN connector (10, 13, 16, 19, 23, 26) 7 VHF/UHF OUT connector (10, 13,...
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Index to parts and controls (continued) Additional Information !∞ POWER button (59, 62) !§ TV / VTR button (55) !¶ AUDIO MONITOR button (69) !• VCR Plus+ button (58) !ª Number buttons and ENTER button (45, 50) @º SET button (59) @¡...
Index A, B Accessories supplied 4 Adjusting picture 72 tracking 72 AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 46 Antenna hookup 16 APC (Adaptive Picture Control) 72 Audio track 70 Audio/video (A/V) hookup 8 Auto Clock Set feature 32 Auto Tape Speed 73 Cable Box Control cable box code number chart 39...
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(usually 2, 3, or 4). If you have any questions about this product, you may call: Sony Customer Information Center 1-800-222-SONY (7669) or write to: Sony Customer Information Center Sony Drive, Mail Drop #T1-11, Park Ridge, NJ 07656...