3-861-928-11 (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. Mains lead must only be changed at 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 20 Playing a tape 23 Recording TV programmes 27 Recording TV programmes using the timer Getting Started 4 5 8 10 12 13 15 Additional Information 44 Troubleshooting 47 Specifications 48 Index to part
Getting Started Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • R6 (size AA) batteries 4 Getting Started • Aerial cable
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 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) ON/STANDBY AUDIO MONITOR DISPLAY WIDE TV/VIDEO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Programme number buttons 0 PROG+/– VOL+/– MENU OK >/.
Press Select the sound AUDIO MONITOR Use FASTEXT FASTEXT buttons Call up on-screen display DISPLAY Operate TV menu options MENU >/./?//, OK Switch to/from wide mode of a Sony wide TV. WIDE Notes • With normal use, the batteries should last about three to six months. • If you do not use the remote commander for an extended period of time, remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage. • Do not use a new battery with an old one together.
Step 3 Connecting the VCR AERIAL IN AERIAL OUT Mains lead AERIAL IN to mains Aerial cable (supplied) : Signal flow 1 Disconnect the aerial cable from your TV AERIAL and connect it to AERIAL IN on the rear ANTENNE IN ENTREE panel of the VCR. OUT SORTIE 2 AERIAL Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR and ANTENNE IN the aerial input of your TV using the ENTREE supplied aerial cable. OUT SORTIE 3 8 Getting Started Connect the mains lead to the mains.
Additional connections This additional connection improves picture and sound quality. Connect the TV as shown below. Whenever you want to watch the VCR picture, press TV/VIDEO to display the VIDEO indicator in the display window. : LINE-1 (TV) EURO-AV (Scart) VMC-2121 EURO-AV cable (not supplied) To a TV that has LINE IN connector If your TV has LINE IN connector, connect your TV by using audio/video cable as shown on the right.
Step 4 Tuning your TV to the VCR If you have connected the VCR to your TV using the EURO-AV cable, skip this step. ON/STANDBY PROGRAM +/– RF CHANNEL 1 ON/STANDBY 2 Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR. RF CHANNEL The factory-preset RF channel appears in the display window. The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV. 3 Turn on your TV and select a programme position for the VCR picture. This programme position will now be referred to as the video channel.
5 – PROGRAM + 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 Press RF CHANNEL.
Step 5 Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function 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 TV channels guided by the sequence indicated on the TV screen. AUTO SET UP AUTO SET UP Hold down AUTO SET UP on the VCR for more than three seconds.
Step 6 Setting the clock You must set the time and date on the VCR to be able to use the timer recording features properly. MENU 1 • MENU Press MENU, then press >/. to select SETTINGS and press OK. >/./?// OK Getting Started Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PLAY 2 PLAY : : OK SELECT SET OK Press >/. to select CLOCK, then press OK. CLOCK 1 . 1 .
Step 6 : Setting the clock (continued) 4 PLAY Press / to flash the month and set the month pressing >/.. CLOCK 2 7 . 1 . 1 9 9 8 TU 0 : 00 OK SELECT SET END 5 PLAY OK Set the year, hour, and minutes in sequence, pressing / to flash the item to be set, and press >/. to select the digits. : : : OK CLOCK 2 7 . 1 1 . 1 9 9 8 FR 15 : 30 The day of the week is set automatically. SELECT SET END 6 Press / to start the clock. PLAY : : : OK CLOCK 2 7 . 1 1 .
Manual setup — Selecting a language MENU 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. >/./?// OK Getting Started You can change the on-screen display language. SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PLAY 2 PLAY : : OK SELECT SET OK Press >/. to select LANGUAGE and press OK. LANGUAGE ENGLISH OK SELECT SET 3 PLAY : : OK Press >/.
Manual setup — Presetting channels PROG +/– MENU If some channels could not be preset using the Auto Set Up function, you can preset them manually. 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. >/./?// OK SETTINGS OPTIONS TUNER CLOCK LANGUAGE PLAY SELECT SET OK 2 Press >/. to select TUNER and press OK.
4 PLAY Press >/. to move the cursor (”) to CHANNEL SET. OK TUNER PROG10 SYSTEM NORMAL / CATV CHANNEL SET [D/K ] [ NORM] [ C2 1 ] AFT FINE TUNING [ ON : : SELECT SET • PROG Selected programme position Press PROG +/– to select the programme position. TUNER [D/K ] [ NORM] [ C2 1 ] AFT FINE TUNING [ ON SELECT SET 6 PROG 4 SYSTEM NORMAL / CATV CHANNEL SET Getting Started 5 ] ] : : Press ?// repeatedly until the channel you want is displayed.
Manual setup –– Presetting channels (continued) 7 PLAY 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. TUNER [D/K ] [ NORM] [ C2 1 ] AFT FINE TUNING [ ON SELECT SET 8 PROG 4 SYSTEM NORMAL / CATV CHANNEL SET ] : : To allocate another channel to another programme position, repeat steps from 5 to 7. 9 Press OK.
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 +/– or the programme number buttons to select the programme number for which you cannot obtain a clear picture. 2 3 4 Press MENU, then select SETTINGS and press OK. Getting Started 1 Select TUNER, then press OK. Select FINE TUNING. The fine tuning meter appears.
Basic Operations Playing a tape 6 EJECT DISPLAY COUNTER RESET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 REPLAY · PLAY P PAUSE )# FF p STOP 03 REW 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 · PLAY. When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically. PLAY OK Additional tasks To Press Stop play p STOP Pause play P PAUSE Resume play after pause P PAUSE or · PLAY Fast-forward the tape )# FF during stop Rewind the tape 03 REW during stop Eject the tape 6 EJECT 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) To use the time counter At the point on the tape that you want to find later, press COUNTER RESET. The counter in the display window resets to “0:00:00.” Search for the point afterwards by referring to the counter. SP VIDEO To display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLAY. Notes • 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.
Recording TV programmes DISPLAY COUNTER/ REMAIN TV/VIDEO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 r REC PROG +/– INPUT SELECT p STOP 1 Basic Operations SP/LP Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. To record from a decoder, turn it on. 2 Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
Recording TV programmes (continued) 3 INPUT SELECT Press INPUT SELECT until a programme position number appears in the display window. SP VIDEO 4 • PROG Press PROG +/– to select the programme position you want to record. SP VIDEO 5 SP / LP Press SP/LP to select the tape speed, SP or LP. LP (Long Play) provides recording time twice as long as SP, however, SP (Standard Play) produces better picture and audio quality. VIDEO LP 6 REC Press r REC to start recording.
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. The remaining time with the indicator also appears in the display window. SP 0 : 00 : 22 Time counter 1H46M Remaining time To correctly check the remaining time of the tape, set TAPE SELECT in the TAPE OPTIONS menu according to the tape type you use (see page 39).
Recording TV programmes (continued) 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 (TV) or LINE 2 IN VIDEO/AUDIO L/R jacks using INPUT SELECT. • The display appears on the TV screen indicating information about the tape, but the information won’t be recorded on the tape.
Recording TV programmes using the timer 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. • To record from a decoder, turn it on. • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. ON/STANDBY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 INPUT SELECT >/./?// OK p STOP 1 • MENU Press MENU and select TIMER, then press OK. 9 .
Recording TV programmes using the timer (continued) 2 PLAY OK Set the date, programme position, start and stop times, and tape speed: 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. 9 . 1 2 WE TIMER DATE TODAY TIME – : –– – : –– PROG –– SP / LP SP SELECT SET OK : : : OK • To record the same programme every day or the same day every week, see “Daily/weekly recording” on page 29.
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 MOFR (Monday to Friday) n SA (every Saturday) ..... n MO (every Monday) n SU (every Sunday) n 1 month later n (dates count down) nTODAY To record satellite broadcasts If you connect the satellite tuner and the VCR, you can record satellite programmes.
Recording TV programmes using the timer (continued) Tips • To set the programme position, you can also use the PROG +/– or programme number buttons. • To set the tape speed, you can also use the SP/LP button. • When you are recording a programme in the SP mode and the remaining tape becomes shorter than the recording time, the tape speed is automatically changed to the LP mode. Note that some interference will appear on the picture at the point the tape speed is changed.
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 · PLAY 03 REW )# FF ×2 & SLOW )# FF 03 REW Playback options Operation View the picture during fast- During fast-forward, press and hold )# FF. During rewind, forward or rewind press and hold 03 REW. Play at high speed • During playback, press )# FF or 03 REW. • During playback, press and hold )# FF or 03 REW. When you release the button, resume normal playback.
Playing/searching at various speeds (continued) To resume normal playback Press · PLAY. Tip • Adjust the picture using TRACKING +/– if: – Streaks appear while playing in slow motion. – Bands appear at the top or bottom while pausing. – The picture shakes while pausing. To set tracking to the centre position, press both buttons (+/–) at the same time. Notes • The playback sound is muted during the operations in the above table. • In the LP mode, noise may appear or there may be no colour.
Recording TV programmes using the quick timer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 After starting recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. 1 0 QUICK TIMER While recording, press QUICK TIMER once. The indicator appears in the display window. SP VIDEO 2 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU >/./?// OK 1 2 Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press MENU and select LIST, then press OK: • If you want to change or cancel 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. 34 Additional Operations LIST DATE 9. 12 28. 12 17.
3 Press >/. to select the setting you want to change or cancel, then press OK. The selected setting appears in the TIMER menu. 4 To change the setting, press ?// to flash the item you want to change, and press >/. to reset it. 9 . 1 2 WE TIMER DATE TODAY TIME PROG 19 : 00 20 : 00 35 SP / LP LP SELECT SET OK : : : OK To cancel the setting, press CLEAR. 5 Press OK. If any settings remain, turn off the VCR to return to recording standby.
Selecting stereo and bilingual programmes Selecting the sound during playback Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the sound you want. To listen to On-screen display Display window Stereo/main and sub (left and right channels) STEREO STEREO Left channel/main L STEREO Right channel/sub R STEREO Standard sound No indicator No indicator 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.
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 goes off), distortion may occur if the tape was recorded in poor condition. In this case, manually adjust the tracking. During playback, press TRACKING +/– on the VCR to display the tracking meter. The distortion should disappear as you press one of the two buttons (the indicator lights up).
Adjusting the picture (continued) Tip • To set tracking to the centre position, press the TRACKING + and – buttons at the same time. Notes • You can adjust the tracking for the NTSC-recorded tape but the tracking meter won’t be displayed. • With the Auto Tape Speed function on, the OPC function will work only in SP mode. If the tape speed automatically switches from SP to LP, the OPC function turns off. If, however, the entire programme is recorded in LP mode, the OPC function will work.
Changing menu options 1 2 Press MENU, then select SETTINGS. Select OPTIONS. OPTIONS TAPE OPTIONS VIDEO OPTIONS AUDIO MIX POWER SAVE RF MODULATOR SELECT SET 3 [ OFF [ OFF [ ON ] ] ] : : OK 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. TAPE OPTIONS VIDEO OPTIONS AUTO TAPE SPEED TAPE SELECT SELECT SET [ ON ] [ 195 ] : : OPC EDIT SYSTEM SELECT SET [ ON ] [ OFF ] [ AUTO ] : : 2 Press >/.
Changing menu options (continued) VIDEO OPTIONS menu choices 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. EDIT • ON to minimise picture deterioration when editing. • OFF to turn off EDIT. SYSTEM • AUTO to set the colour system automatically. • PAL to play back a tape recorded in the PAL colour system. • MESECAM to play back a tape recorded in the MESECAM colour system. For details, see page 21.
Editing with another VCR How to connect to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) TV LINE-2 IN Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT VMC-810 audio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flow Notes • Make sure you connect the plugs to jacks of the same colour. • If the other VCR is a monaural type, leave the red plugs unconnected. • If you connected this VCR to both the LINE IN and LINE OUT jacks of the other VCR, select the input correctly to prevent a humming noise.
Editing with another VCR (continued) This VCR (Recorder) TV … LINE-1 IN Other VCR (Player) EURO-AV (Scart) : Signal flow VMC-2121 EURO-AV cable (not supplied) Note • If the other VCR doesn’t have a EURO-AV (Scart) connector, use the VMC-2106 cable instead and connect the cable to the line out jacks of the other VCR.
Operation (when recording on this VCR) r REC Before you start editing • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. • Press INPUT SELECT to display “L2” (“L1”) in the display window. • Press SP/LP to select the tape speed, SP or LP. • On this VCR, set EDIT in the VIDEO OPTIONS menu to ON. If the other VCR has a similar function, turn it on also. P PAUSE 1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other (playback) VCR.
Additional Information Troubleshooting Symptom Remedy The ON/STANDBY switch does not function. • Connect the mains lead to the 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 one 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. • If the VCR is connected to the TV using only the aerial cable, make sure that RF MODULATOR in the OPTIONS menu is set to ON. TV reception is poor. • Adjust the TV aerial. • Make sure the TV system is correctly set for your TV. • Make sure SYSTEM (B/G or D/K) in the TUNER PRESET menu is set to the system in your area.
Troubleshooting (continued) Others Symptom 46 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 indicator does not appear on the screen.
Specifications System General Channel coverage VHS E2-E12, R1-R12 UHF E21-E69, R21-R69 CATV S1-S41, S01-S05 RF output signal UHF channels 21 to 69 Aerial out 75-ohm asymmetrical aerial socket Power requirements 220 – 240 V AC, 50 Hz Power consumption 23 W Operating temperature 5°C to 40°C Storage temperature –20°C to 60°C Dimensions Approx. 430 × 100 × 314 mm (w/h/d) including projecting parts and controls Mass Approx. 4.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.
Display window STEREO SP VIDEO OPC LP EP 1 Timer indicator (28) 6 Tracking indicator (37) 2 STEREO indicator (36) 7 Time counter/clock/line/ programme position indicator (22, 24, 43) 8 Remaining time indicator (25) 3 Tape speed indicators (24) 4 VIDEO indicator (9, 25) 5 OPC (Optimum Picture Control) indicator (37) 9 Tape/recording indicator (22, 24) continued Additional Information 49
Index to parts and controls (continued) Rear panel 50 1 Mains lead (8) 4 NTSC PB (playback) switch (21) 2 AERIAL IN ANTENNE ENTREE connector (8) 5 : LINE-1 (TV) : LIGNE-1 (TV) connector (9) 3 AERIAL OUT ANTENNE SORTIE connector (8) 6 LINE-2 OUT VIDEO/AUDIO L/R jacks (9) Additional Information
Remote commander 1 TV / VIDEO remote control switch (5) 2 6␣ EJECT button (21) 3 COUNTER RESET button (22) 4 DISPLAY button (25) 5 WIDE button (7) 1 2 3 6 TV/VIDEO button (9, 25) 4 5 6 7 ? (ten’s digit) button (26) 7 8 9 8 QUICK TIMER button (33) 0 9 r␣ REC (record) button (24) 0 SP (Standard Play)/LP (Long Play) button (24) !¡ INPUT SELECT button (24, 28) !™ &␣ SLOW button (31) !£ Tape/menu operation buttons (13, 21, 31, 34, 39) MENU button P PAUSE/> button p STOP/.
Index A, B L Accessories supplied 4 Adjusting picture 19, 32, 37 tracking 32, 37 Aerial hookup 8 AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 19 ATP (Auto Tuner Preset) 12 Audio track 36 Auto Set Up 12 Auto Tape Speed 39 Language selecting LP mode 24 C Cleaning the video heads 44 Clock setting 13 Colour system compatible colour systems 2 setting 21 Connecting the VCR and your TV 8 to a TV with a EURO-AV connector 9 to a TV with LINE IN connector 9 Counter 22 M Safety tab 25 Searching at various speeds 31 SP mode 24 Monito
