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If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the outlet, contact your Sony dealer. Installing • Allow adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat buildup.
Table of contents Step 1: Unpacking Step 2: Setting up the remote commander Step 3: Hookups 9 Audio/video (A/V) hookup 11 Hookup 1: Using cable box control 15 Hookup 2: No cable box, or incompatible cable box with only a few scrambled channels 19 Hookup 3: Antenna hookup 23 Hookup 4: Incompatible cable box with many scrambled channels...
Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Cable Mouse (cable box controller) • 75-ohm coaxial cable with F-type • Size AA (R6) batteries connectors • Audio/video cable (3-phono, 1-mini •...
Using the remote commander Remote sensor You can use this remote commander to operate this VCR and a Sony TV or AV receiver. Buttons on the remote commander marked with a dot (•) can be used to operate your Sony TV.
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Now you can use the `/1, VOL +/–, CH +/–, and TV/VIDEO buttons to control your TV. You can also use the buttons marked with a dot (•) to control a Sony TV. To control the VCR, reset TV RECEIVER / VIDEO to VIDEO .
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If more than one code number is listed, try entering them one at a time until you find the one that works with your TV. Manufacturer Code Manufacturer Code Manufacturer Code number number number Sony 04, 10 Akai Sampo Magnavox 03, 08, 12 Sanyo Centurion Marantz 04, 13 Scott...
• Be sure you make connections firmly. Loose connections may cause picture distortion. • If your TV doesn’t match any of the examples provided, see your nearest Sony dealer or qualified technician. * DIRECTV is a trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation.
10. 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 Stereo receiver...
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) C Use this hookup if your TV has the S-Link™ function Stereo receiver AUDIO VIDEO LINE-1 AUX IN S-LINK LINE VIDEO AUDIO OUT AUDIO S-LINK Audio cable (not supplied) Audio/video cable (supplied) Note • To play a tape in stereo, you must use the A/V connection. A/V hookup: VCR setup After you’ve connected your TV and completed antenna or cable hookup,...
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Hookup 1 Pages 11 to 14 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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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 1: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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5 Enter your cable box code number and press m. SET UP CABLE BOX For details, see page 43. CABLE BOX CONTROL CABLE MOUSE BOX CODE NO. BOX OUTPUT CH En t e r y o u r CABLE BOX Cod e No.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Notes • To use the Smart Channel Mapping feature, leave the cable box on. • It takes about 1 hour to complete channel setup. • The VCR can receive the program information signal only while the VCR is turned off and no timer recordings are set.
Hookup 2 Pages 15 to 18 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 RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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5 The TUNER PRESET menu appears. Set SET UP TUNER PRESET ANTENNA/CABLE to CABLE and press OK. ANTENNA / CABLE For details, see page 48. CABLE t o s e l e c t Th e n p u s h Pu s h EASY SET UP t o q u i t 6 The AUTO PRESET starts.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Notes • It takes about 1 hour to complete channel setup. • The VCR can receive the program information signal only while the VCR is turned off and no timer recordings are set. • If the channels in your area don’t carry the program information signals, set the program guide channels manually.
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Hookup 3 Pages 19 to 22 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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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 3: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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5 The TUNER PRESET menu appears. Set SET UP TUNER PRESET ANTENNA/CABLE to ANT and press OK. For ANTENNA / CABLE details, see page 48. CABLE t o s e l e c t Th e n p u s h OK Pu s h EASY SET UP t o q u i t 6 The AUTO PRESET starts.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Notes • It takes about 1 hour to complete channel setup. • The VCR can receive the program information signal only while the VCR is turned off and no timer recordings are set. • If the channels in your area don’t carry the program information signals, set the program guide channels manually.
Hookup 4 Pages 23 to 26 Hookup 4 Hookup 4 Incompatible cable box with many scrambled Pages 19 to 21 Pages 19 to 21 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 RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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5 The TUNER PRESET menu appears. Set SET UP TUNER PRESET ANTENNA/CABLE to ANT and press OK. For ANTENNA / CABLE details, see page 48. CABLE t o s e l e c t Th e n p u s h OK Pu s h EASY SET UP t o q u i t 6 The AUTO PRESET starts.
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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.
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Hookup 5 Pages 27 to 29 DIRECTV digital satellite receiver Recommended use Use this hookup if you have a DIRECTV digital satellite receiver. It allows the VCR’s cable box control feature to control the channel on the DIRECTV digital satellite receiver, simplifying the recording process. A list of compatible DIRECTV digital satellite receivers is on page 45.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 5: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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5 Enter your DIRECTV digital satellite receiver SET UP CABLE BOX code number and press m. For details, see CABLE BOX CONTROL CABLE MOUSE page43. BOX CODE NO. BOX OUTPUT CH En t e r y o u r CABLE BOX Cod e No.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 6 Pages 30 to 34 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 •...
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Hookup 6: VCR setup Set the RF UNIT switch to RF UNIT CH3 or CH4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. For details, see page 59. If you made A/V connections (from page 9), you can skip this step.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 5 The TUNER PRESET menu appears. Set SET UP TUNER PRESET ANTENNA/CABLE to CABLE and press OK. ANTENNA / CABLE For details, see page 48. CABLE t o s e l e c t Th e n p u s h Pu s h EASY SET UP t o q u i t 6 The AUTO PRESET starts.
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Hookup 6: The VCR Plus+ GOLD system channel setup Press MENU, then select SET VCR Plus+ MENU TIMER SET / CHECK CHANNELS and press OK. TUNER PRESET CLOCK SET LANGUAGE SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS CABLE BOX CONTROL ADVANCED OPTIONS SMARTFILE EDIT Select AUTO and press OK.
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Step 3: Hookups (continued) 2 Press MENU, then select SET VCR Plus+ MENU CHANNELS and press OK. TIMER SET / CHECK TUNER PRESET CLOCK SET LANGUAGE SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS CABLE BOX CONTROL ADVANCED OPTIONS SMARTFILE EDIT 3 Select MANUAL and press OK. SMART CHANNEL MAPPING AUTO MANUAL...
Selecting a language You can change the on-screen display language. MENU MENU Press MENU, then press M/m to select LANGUAGE LANGUAGE and press OK. ENGLISH ESPAÑOL When using the EASY SET UP procedure, FRANÇAIS skip this step. PLAY t o s e l e c t a n t e m, t h e n p u s h OK Press M/m to select ENGLISH, ESPAÑOL, or FRANÇAIS, then press OK.
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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Press </, to select AUTO, then press AUTO CLOCK SET FULL AUTO YES NO PLAY t o s e l e c t Pu s h MENU t o q u i t Press </, to select YES, then press OK. PLAY To activate the Auto Clock Set feature, turn off the VCR.
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Setting the clock (continued) If the clock is not activated Number buttons M/m/</, Follow steps 1 and 2 in “Using the Auto Clock Set feature”. The AUTO CLOCK SET menu appears. AUTO CLOCK SET FULL AUTO YES NO t o s e l e c t Pu s h MENU t o q u i t Press </, to select NO for FULL AUTO CLOCK SET...
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Press M/m to select the item you want to AUTO CLOCK SET set, then press </, to make the setting. FULL AUTO YES NO PLAY CLOCK SET CH TIME ZONE EASTERN • For CLOCK SET CH DAYLIGHT SAVING Leave the setting to “– –” to have the t o s e l e c t VCR automatically search for a channel Pu s h MENU t o q u i t...
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Setting the clock (continued) Using Manual Clock Set Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the VCR channel (channel 3 or 4). If your TV is connected to the VCR using A/V connections, set the TV to video input.
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Press </, to select MANUAL, then CLOCK SET press OK. 2 : 0 0 / 1 / 1 9 9 9 FRI PLAY t o s e l e c t c u r r e n t MONTH Th e n, p u s h Press M/m to set the month.
Setting up the 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/DIRECTV digital satellite receivers via the Cable Number Mouse.
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Press </, to select ON. CABLE BOX CONTROL CABLE MOUSE PLAY BOX CODE NO. – –– BOX OUTPUT CH En t e r y o u r CABLE BOX Cod e No. u s i n g 0 – 9 k e y s Re f e r t o t h e Ope r a t i n g...
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Setting up the cable box control (continued) Cable box Code numbers Cable box Code numbers brand brand Electus Samsung 051, 155 Focus Scientific Atlanta 017, 019, 028, 288 Garrard Seam GC Electronics 027, 067, 341 Sharp 243, 244 Signal Signature Gemini 026, 068, 081 SL Marx...
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038, 071, 074, 122, 222, 269, 300 Hitachi Zenith 011, 065, 536 Zentek Sony Wave Master Toshiba To ensure correct operation • Place the Cable Mouse so that it hangs out over the cable box/DIRECTV digital satellite receiver front. • Do not place the cable box/DIRECTV digital satellite receiver on top of the VCR.
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Setting up the cable box control (continued) To check the cable box control setting Press CH +/– on the remote commander. Does the channel indicator on the cable box/DIRECTV digital satellite receiver change? (Point the remote commander at the VCR, not at the cable box/DIRECTV digital satellite receiver.) Press all 10 number buttons (0 to 9) on the remote commander.
Presetting channels (Skip this section if you are using cable box/DIRECTV digital satellite 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: TUNER PRESET ANTENNA / CABLE CABLE Press </, to set ANTENNA/CABLE to PLAY AUTO PRESET CABLE. MANUAL SET ERASE FINE TUNING t o s e l e c t a n t e m, t h e n p u s h •...
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Presetting/disabling channels manually Number buttons, ENTER CH +/– MENU M/m/</, Press MENU, then press M/m to select MENU TUNER PRESET TUNER PRESET and press OK. ANTENNA / CABLE CABLE AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET ERASE FINE TUNING PLAY S e l e c t CH w i t h 0 –...
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Presetting channels (continued) • To preset a channel: Channel to be preset 1 Press the number buttons to enter the TUNER PRESET channel number, then press ENTER. ANTENNA / CABLE CABLE AUTO PRESET 2 Press </, to set MANUAL SET to MANUAL SET ERASE ADD.
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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. Number buttons, ENTER MENU M/m/</, Press MENU, then press M/m to select MENU...
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Presetting channels (continued) Press M/m to select FINE TUNING. TUNER PRESET The fine tuning meter appears. ANTENNA / CABLE CABLE PLAY AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET ERASE FINE TUNING Pu s h Press </, to adjust to a clearer picture. TUNER PRESET ANTENNA / CABLE CABLE Note that the AFT setting switches to OFF.
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Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system How the VCR Plus+ GOLD system works Example of “PlusCode” Whenever you want to record a TV PlusCode program, all you need to do is look up the “PlusCode” number, a number 5:30 MOVIE Musical (2hrs.) 33044 Golf (1hr.
Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system (continued) Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system automatically (Smart Channel Mapping) The VCR can automatically set the guide channels in your area from ZIP/ POSTAL 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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Press </, to select AUTO, then press VCR w i l l l o o k f o r PLAY h a n n e l a p p i n g s i g n a l The instruction shown on the right a f t e r y o u t u r n i t o f f appears on the TV screen for few seconds,...
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Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system (continued) Notes • When using a cable box, make sure to leave it on. • It takes about 1 hour to complete channel mapping. • The VCR can receive the program information signal only while the VCR is turned off and no timer recordings are set.
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Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system 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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Setting up the VCR Plus+ GOLD system (continued) Enter the guide channel number assigned SET VCR Plus+ CHANNELS in the program guide and press ENTER. GUIDE CH TV CH – Pu s h 0 – 9 k e y s t o s e t o u r TV CH Th e n p u s h ENTER...
General setup information Setting the RF unit 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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General setup information (continued) Attaching the external 300-ohm twin antenna connector lead cable When using a 300-ohm twin lead cable for VHF/UHF antenna, use the EAC-32 EAC-32 antenna antenna connector (not supplied) to connector (not connect the antenna to the VCR. supplied) Loosen the screws on the antenna connector.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details. Front panel qf z REC (record) button 1 `/1 POWER switch/indicator (59) qg x STOP button 2 Remote sensor (5) 3 SmartFile sensor qh Shuttle ring 4 SMARTFILE indicator qj X PAUSE button qk OK button (35)
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Index to parts and controls (continued) Display window STEREO SAP VIDEO LP SP EP APC EDIT BLANK AV INSERT 1 2 3 1 Timer indicator 8 EDIT indicator 2 Child Lock indicator 9 BLANK indicator 3 STEREO indicator 0 Tracking indicator 4 SAP (Second Audio Program) qa Line/channel indicator (36) indicator...
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Rear panel 1 AC power cord (8) 6 VHF/UHF IN connector (11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 30) 2 S-LINK (CONTROL S IN) jack (10) 7 VHF/UHF OUT connector (11, 15, 3 CABLE BOX CONTROL 19, 23, 27, 30) (CONTROL S OUT) jack (11, 27) 8 RF (Radio Frequency) UNIT switch 4 LINE-1 IN AUDIO R/L/VIDEO (59)
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Index to parts and controls (continued) Remote commander 1 TV RECEIVER / VIDEO switch (5) 2 Z EJECT button 3 TV/VIDEO button (6, 36, 59) 4 DISPLAY button (48) 5 SP (Standard Play)/EP (Extended Play) button 6 ×2/RECEIVER VOL (volume) + button (5) 7 z REC (record) button 8 MUTING button (5)