Index A, B N Aerial hookup 7 AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 17 NTSC recorded tape T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z 19 O C Cancelling timer settings 29 Changing timer settings 29 Checking timer settings 29 Cleaning the video heads 36 Clock setting 12 Connecting the VCR and your TV 7 to a TV with a LINE (TV) connector 7 Colour system compatible colour systems 2 Counter 19 Disabling programme position 17 Dubbing.
3-861-456-13(1) Video Cassette Recorder Operating Instructions PAL NTSC 4.
WARNING 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. The mains lead must be changed only at a qualified service shop. Precautions Safety • This unit operates on 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz. Check that the unit’s operating voltage is identical with your local power supply.
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 Step 5: Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function Step 6: Setting the clock Manual setup — Selecting a language, Presetting channels Basic Operations 18 Playing a tape 21 Recording TV programmes 24 Recording TV programmes using the timer Getting Started 4 5 7 8 10 12 14 Additional Information 36 Troubleshooting 39 Specifications 40 Index to parts
Getting Started Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Aerial cable • R6 (size AA) batteries Checking your model name The instructions in this manual are for the 2 models : SLV-E180EG and E177EG. Check your model number by looking at the rear panel of your VCR. The SLV-E180EG is the model used for illustration purposes. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example, “SLV-E177EG only.
Step 2 Setting up the remote commander Inserting the batteries Getting Started Insert two R6 (size AA) batteries by matching the + and – on the batteries to the diagram inside the battery compartment. Insert the negative (–) end first, then push in and down until the positive (+) end clicks into the position. 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 Sony TV.
Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued) TV/VIDEO ON/STANDBY DISPLAY VOL+/– PROG+/– ; (TV) MENU/ > /. /? // TV control buttons To Press Turn the TV into standby or active mode ON/STANDBY Select an input source of the TV either from aerial in or from line in TV/VIDEO Select the programme position of the TV PROG +/– Adjust the volume of the TV VOL +/– Turn on the Sony TV ; (TV) Call up on-screen display DISPLAY Operate TV menu options MENU/> /.
Step 3 Connecting the VCR AERIAL IN AERIAL OUT AERIAL IN to mains : Signal flow 1 Aerial cable (supplied) Disconnect the aerial cable from your TV and connect it to AERIAL IN on the rear panel of the VCR. IN ENTREE AERIAL ANTENNE 2 3 Getting Started Mains lead Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR and the aerial input of your TV using the supplied aerial cable. OUT SORTIE IN ENTREE AERIAL ANTENNE OUT SORTIE Connect the mains lead to the mains.
Step 4 Tuning your TV to the VCR If you connect the VCR to your TV using the EURO-AV cable, skip this step. ON/STANDBY PROGRAM +/– RF CHANNEL 1 2 ON/STANDBY Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR. AUTO SET UP RF CHANNEL 3 The factory-preset RF channel appears in the display window. The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV. Turn on your TV and select a programme position for the VCR picture.
5 PROG Tune the TV to the same channel as that shown in the display window so that the picture on the right appears on the TV screen. SONY VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER Refer to your TV manual for tuning instructions. Getting Started 6 Press PROGRAM +/– (repeatedly) to select the correct TV system. If you watch the system B/G, select “G”. If you watch the system D/K, select “K”. If the picture does not appear clearly, see “To obtain a clear picture from the VCR” below. 7 AUTO SET UP Press RF CHANNEL.
Step 5 Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function AUTO SET UP Before using the VCR for the first time, set up the VCR using the Auto Set Up function. With this function, you can set the language for the on-screen display and TV channels, guided by the sequence indicated in the display window. 1 AUTO SET UP RF CHANNEL 2 PROGRAM TRACKING Hold down AUTO SET UP on the VCR for more than three seconds.
3 AUTO SET UP RF CHANNEL Press AUTO SET UP. The ATP function starts searching for all of the receivable channels and presets them in numerical order. Getting Started When no more receivable channels can be found, presetting stops and “SET UP” disappears from the display window. To cancel the Auto Set Up function Press AUTO SET UP. Tip • If you want to change the language for the on-screen display from the one preset in the Auto Set Up function, see page 14.
Step 6 Setting the clock You must set the time and date on the VCR 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. > /. /? // OK 1 • MENU Press MENU, then press > /. to select SETTINGS and press OK. REW PLAY SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PAUSE FF OK SELECT SET : Vv : OK STOP 2 Press > /. to select CLOCK and press OK. PAUSE tCLOCK REW PLAY FF 1. OK 1.
4 Press / to flash the month and set the month using > /. . PAUSE tCLOCK 11. REW PLAY OK REW PAUSE PLAY FF Set the year, hour, and minutes in sequence, using / to flash the item to be set, and press > /. to select the digits. OK The day of the week is set automatically. REW Press / to start the clock. PAUSE PLAY FR 15 : 30 [OFF ] [ 1 ] : Bb : Vv : OK tCLOCK SELECT SET OK FR 15 : 30 [OFF ] [ 1 ] : Bb : Vv : OK Press OK. PAUSE PLAY 11. 12.
Manual setup — Selecting a language You can change the on-screen display language from the one you selected with the Auto Set Up function. MENU > /. Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. 1 Press MENU, then press > /. to select SETTINGS and press OK. • MENU PLAY SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PAUSE REW OK FF OK SELECT SET : Vv : OK STOP 2 REW Press > /. to select LANGUAGE, then press OK.
Manual setup — Presetting channels PROG +/– Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. 1 • MENU Press MENU, then press > /. to select SETTINGS and press OK. PLAY MENU > /. /? // OK SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PAUSE REW Getting Started If some channels could not be preset using the Auto Set Up function, you can preset them manually. FF OK SELECT SET : Vv : OK STOP 2 REW Press > /. to select TUNER, then press OK.
Manual setup — Presetting channels (continued) 4 REW Press > /. to move the cursor ( ) to CHANNEL SET. PAUSE PLAY TUNER FF OK PROG14 SYSTEM NORMAL/CATV CHANNEL SET [D/K ] [NORM] [S 0 1 ] AFT FINE TUNING [ON ] STOP SELECT SET 5 PROG Press PROG +/– to select the programme position. Selected programme position TUNER REW Press ? // repeatedly until the channel you want is displayed.
7 REW PAUSE PLAY FF OK If the TV sound is distorted or noisy, press > /. to move the cursor ( ) to SYSTEM, then select B/G or D/K so that you get the better sound. STOP 9 REW PROG 7 [B / G ] [NORM] [C02 ] AFT FINE TUNING [ON SELECT SET ] : Vv : Bb To allocate another channel to another programme position, repeat steps 3 to 7. PAUSE PLAY Press OK.
Basic Operations Playing a tape 6 EJECT DISPLAY COUNTER RESET REPLAY P PAUSE REW 03 p STOP )# Æ FF PLAY NTSC PB 1 2 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. 3 Press Æ PLAY OK 18 Basic Operations PLAY. When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically.
Additional tasks To Press Stop play p STOP Pause play P PAUSE Resume play after pause P PAUSE or Æ PLAY Fast-forward the tape )# FF during stop Rewind the tape 03 REW during stop Eject the tape 6 EJECT To replay a recently watched scene You can immediately rewind and playback the scene you want to watch again. During playback, press REPLAY up to four times. The VCR rewinds the tape about 10 seconds on the counter for each press of the button, and restarts playback.
Playing a tape (continued) Notes • Tapes recorded in the LP mode cannot be played back on this VCR. • The counter resets to “0:00:00” whenever a tape is reinserted. • The counter stops counting when it comes to a portion with no recording. • When you play back the tape recorded with the NTSC colour system, the counter does not appear on the TV screen. • Depending on your TV, the following may occur while playing an NTSC-recorded tape: – The picture becomes black and white. – The picture shakes.
Recording TV programmes TV/VIDEO DISPLAY PROG +/– INPUT SELECT COUNTER/ REMAIN r REC 1 2 3 Basic Operations p STOP Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. INPUT SELECT Press INPUT SELECT until a programme position number appears in the display window.
Recording TV programmes (continued) 4 5 PROG REC Press PROG +/– to select the programme position you want to record. Press r REC to start recording. The recording indicator lights up red in the display window. Recording indicator To stop recording Press p STOP. To check the remaining time Press DISPLAY. With the display on, press COUNTER/REMAIN to check the remaining time. Each time you press COUNTER/REMAIN, the time counter and the remaining time appear alternately.
To watch another TV programme while recording 1 2 Press TV/VIDEO to turn off the VIDEO indicator in the display window. If the TV is connected to the VCR using only the aerial cable, skip this step. Select another programme position on the TV. To save a recording To prevent accidental erasure, break off the safety tab as illustrated. To record on a tape again, cover the tab hole with adhesive tape. Tips • You can select a video source from the LINE-1 (TV) connector using INPUT SELECT or PROG +/–.
Recording TV programmes using the timer ON/STANDBY You can preset up to eight programmes at a time. Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • 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 set it to the video channel. INPUT SELECT MENU > /. /? // OK p STOP 1 Press MENU, then press > /. to select TIMER and press OK. • MENU tTIMER PAUSE DATE TODAY REW PLAY 11.
2 REW Set the date, start and stop times and programme position. PAUSE FF PLAY OK STOP 1 Press ? // to flash each item in turn. 2 Press > /. to set each item. To correct a setting, press ? to return to that setting and reset. tTIMER DATE TODAY 11. 12 TIME 19:00b20:00 SELECT SET OK FR PROG 35 : Bb : Vv : OK • To record the same programme every day or the same day every week, see “Daily/weekly recording” on page 26.
Recording TV programmes using the timer (continued) Daily/weekly recording In step 2 above, press . to select the recording pattern. Each time you press . , the indication changes as shown below. Press > to change the indication in reverse order. TODAY n SU-SA (Sunday to Saturday) n MO-SA (Monday to Saturday) n MO-FR (Monday to Friday) n SA (every Saturday) .....
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds Æ 03 REW PLAY )# & SLOW FF )# Æ 03 Playback options FF PLAY REW Operation View the picture during fast- During fast-forward, hold down )# forward or rewind down 03 REW. FF. During rewind, hold Play at high speed •During playback, press )# FF or 03 REW. •During playback, hold down )# FF or 03 REW. To resume normal playback, release the button. Play in slow motion During playback or pause, press & SLOW.
Recording TV programmes using the quick timer QUICK TIMER After starting recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. 1 While recording, press QUICK TIMER once. The 2 indicator appears in the display window. Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set the duration. Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes.
Checking/ changing/ cancelling timer settings ON/STANDBY CLEAR Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. MENU > /. /? // OK 1 2 Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press MENU, then press > /. to select LIST and press OK: • If you want to change a setting, go on to the next step. • If you do not need to change or cancel the settings, press OK, then turn off the VCR to return to recording standby. tLIST DATE TU 13. 12 11. 12 MO-FR MO-SA SU-SA ––. – 11.
Checking/changing/cancelling timer settings (continued) 5 Press OK. If any settings remain, turn off the VCR to return to recording standby. When the timer settings overlap The programme that starts first has priority and the second programme starts recording only after the first programme has finished. If the programmes start at the same time, the programme listed first in the menu has priority.
Adjusting the picture Adjusting the tracking Although the VCR automatically adjusts the tracking when playing a tape indicator flashes in the display window, then goes off), distortion (the may occur if the tape was recorded in poor condition. If so, manually adjust the tracking. During playback, press the TRACKING +/– buttons on the VCR to display the tracking meter. The distortion should disappear as you press one of the two buttons. (The indicator lights up.
Changing menu options 1 Press MENU, then press > /. to select SETTINGS and press OK. SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE SELECT SET 2 : Vv : OK Press > /. to select OPTIONS, then press OK. OPTIONS TAPE OPTIONS VIDEO OPTIONS POWER SAVE [OFF ] SELECT SET 3 Press > /. to select the option you want to change: • To change the TAPE OPTIONS or VIDEO OPTIONS 1 Press OK after selecting TAPE OPTIONS or VIDEO OPTIONS. 2 Press > /. to select the option, then press ? // to change the setting.
VIDEO OPTIONS Menu option Set this option to OPC • ON to switch on the OPC (Optimum Picture Control) function and improve picture quality. • OFF to switch off OPC. SYSTEM • AUTO to automatically detect the colour system and play back the tape in the appropriate mode. If the picture’s colour is poor, manually select the colour system that the tape was recorded in. • PAL to play back a tape recorded in the PAL system. • MESECAM to play back a tape recorded in the MESECAM system.
Editing with another VCR Connecting to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) : LINE-1 (TV) TV Other VCR (Player) LINE (Scart) : Signal flow VMC-2121 LINE cable (not supplied) Operation (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 “L” in the display window. P PAUSE 34 r REC 1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other (playback) VCR.
To stop editing Press the p STOP buttons on both VCRs. Tips • To edit more precisely, press the P PAUSE buttons on the VCRs to release pause. • 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). Note • If you start recording following the procedure above, the VCR won’t start recording with the OPC function.
Additional Information Troubleshooting Symptom Remedy The ON/STANDBY switch does not function. • Connect the mains lead to mains securely. The power is turned on but the VCR does not operate. • Moisture condensation occurs. Turn the power off, unplug the mains lead and leave the VCR to dry for over one hour. The clock has stopped and “–:– –” lights in the display window. • The clock stops if the VCR is disconnected from the mains for more than an hour. Reset the clock (and timer).
Recording Timer recording Symptom Remedy No TV programme appears on the TV screen. • Make sure the TV is set to the video channel. If you are using a monitor, set it to video input. TV reception is poor. • Adjust the TV aerial. • Make sure the TV system (B/G or D/K) is set to the system in your area. The tape start playing as soon as it is inserted. • The safety tab has been removed. To record on this tape, cover the tab hole. The tape is ejected when you press r REC.
Troubleshooting (continued) Others Symptom 38 Remedy A tape cannot be inserted. • Check that a tape isn’t already in the tape compartment. The remote commander does not function. • 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. • Make sure the [TV] /[VIDEO] remote control switch is set correctly. The tracking meter does not appear on the screen.
Specifications System Supplied accessories Channel coverage PAL (D/K, B/G) VHF R1 to R12, E2 to E12 UHF R21 to R69, E21 to E69 CATV S01 to S05, S1 to S41 HYPER S21 to S41 RF output signal UHF channels 21 to 69 Aerial out 75-ohm asymmetrical aerial socket Remote commander (1) R6 (size AA) batteries (2) Aerial cable (1) Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.
Display window 1 2 8 3 4 5 7 6 1 Timer indicator (25, 28) 5 Tracking indicator (31) 2 Tape speed indicator 6 3 VIDEO indicator (23) Time counter/clock/line/ programme position indicator (10, 22, 34) 4 OPC (Optimum Picture Control) indicator (31) 7 Remaining time indicator (22) 8 Tape/recording indicator (22) continued Additional Information 41
Index to parts and controls (continued) Rear panel 1 2 5 42 4 3 1 Mains lead (7) 2 AERIAL IN ANTENNE ENTREE connector (7) 4 : : 3 AERIAL OUT ANTENNE SORTIE connector (7) 5 NTSC PB (PlayBack) switch (19) Additional Information LINE-1 (TV) LIGNE-1 (TV) connector (7, 34)
Remote commander 1 2 !` 3 !“ 1 TV/VIDEO button (23) 2 6 EJECT button (19) 3 DISPLAY button (22) 4 VOL (volume) +/– buttons (6) 4 !£ 5 PROG (programme) +/– buttons (16) 5 6 7 8 !¢ ! !⁄ !ƒ 6 COUNTER/REMAIN button (22) 7 QUICK TIMER button (28) 8 INPUT SELECT button (21) 9 r REC (record) button (22) 9 !… !… Tape/menu operation buttons MENU button (12, 32) P PAUSE/> button (12, 19) p STOP/.
