4-255-834-12(1) DAB/FM/AM Tuner Operating Instructions ST-SDB900 ©2004 Sony Corporation
On repacking WARNING To prevent fire, do not cover the ventilation of the apparatus with news papers, table-cloths, curtains, etc. And don’t place lighted candles on the apparatus. To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus. Don’t throw away batteries with general house waste; dispose of them correctly as chemical waste.
Overview of DAB DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a new multimedia broadcasting system that replaces the current FM/AM broadcast to transmit audio programmes with a quality comparable to that of CDs*. Each DAB multiplex radio station converts programmes (services) into an ensemble, which it then broadcasts. Each service contains one or more components. All services and components are identified by name, so you can access any of them without having to know their frequencies.
Table of Contents Getting Started Unpacking ............................................... 5 Hooking up the system............................ 5 Basic menu operation..............................9 Before you can receive DAB stations ..... 9 — DAB INIT SCAN Storing FM stations automatically ........ 10 — AUTOBETICAL Receiving Broadcasts Receiving DAB/FM/AM broadcasts..... 11 Storing stations manually...................... 12 Receiving preset stations.......................
Getting Started Check that you received the following items with the tuner: • Audio cord (1) • AM loop aerial (1) • FM wire aerial (1) • DAB wire aerial (1) • Remote commander (1) • R6 (size AA) batteries (2) Before you get started • Turn off the power to all components before making any connections. • Do not connect the AC power cord until all of the connections are completed. • Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid hum and noise.
2 Assemble the supplied aerial as shown below. FM aerial hookups With an FM outdoor aerial, you can obtain a higher FM broadcast sound quality. We recommend that you use the supplied FM wire aerial only temporarily until you install an FM outdoor aerial. For the specific location of the FM ANTENNA terminal, see the illustration below. FM ANTENNA 3 Connect the AM loop aerial to the AM terminals on the back of this unit.
Connecting a ground wire DAB aerial hookups If you connect an outdoor aerial, be sure to connect an earth lead (not supplied) to the AM ANTENNA terminal with the “U” indication (in addition to the AM loop aerial) for lightning protection. Amplifier hookups Getting Started With a DAB outdoor aerial, you can obtain a higher DAB broadcast sound quality. We recommend that you use the supplied DAB wire aerial only temporarily until you install a DAB outdoor aerial.
MD/DAT hookups This section describes how to connect the tuner to a DAT deck or MD recorder for digital-todigital recording. With this connection, you can obtain the highest possible sound quality when recording DAB digital broadcasts, even if you use the analog outputs for listening purposes. For specific locations of the jacks, see the illustration below. Connecting the AC power cord Connect the AC power cord to a wall outlet after completing all of the previous connections.
Basic menu operation TUNING/SELECT MENU — DAB INIT SCAN Before you can receive DAB, you must register the contents of broadcasts (service components) so that they can be received by the DAB tuner using the DAB Initialization Scan procedure. POWER BAND MENU Getting Started This tuner uses a menu entry system which allows you to operate various functions by following messages on the display. Use the following controls for basic menu operation.
Storing FM stations automatically — AUTOBETICAL MENU TUNING/SELECT ENTER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Press POWER to turn on the tuner. Press BAND repeatedly to select FM. Press MENU. Turn TUNING/SELECT to display “AUTO-BETICAL”. Press ENTER. Turn TUNING/SELECT to display “Yes”. Press ENTER. Depending on the number of stations in your area, it may take longer than 5 minutes until storing is complete.
• Before you can receive DAB, you must complete the DAB INIT SCAN procedure (see “Before you can receive DAB stations” on page 9). Receiving Broadcasts If you cannot tune in the station you want (Manual Tuning) (FM/AM bands only) Receiving broadcasts by scanning stations (Automatic Tuning) With manual tuning you can search through all stations broadcasting on each band, and tune in stations with extremely weak signals that you might not be able to receive with automatic tuning.
Storing stations manually page 17). You will not have the stereo effect but the distortion will be reduced. Notes This section shows you how to store up to 99 of your favorite DAB, 30 of FM or 30 of AM stations manually onto preset numbers. BAND ENTER TUNING MODE 1 2 TUNING/SELECT MEMORY Press BAND repeatedly to select DAB, FM or AM for the desired type of broadcast. Press TUNING MODE repeatedly so that the tuner is set to automatic or manual tuning mode.
To store stations using the remote Using the remote’s number buttons. 2 Press DAB, FM or AM to select the desired broadcast type. This section shows you how to receive preset stations. POWER BAND TUNING/SELECT Press MEMORY. “MEMORY” flashes in the display. 3 Press the number button for which you want to store the preset. The tuner stores the station at the preset number.
To receive a preset station by using the remote Select the desired broadcast band by pressing the corresponding buttons on the remote, then specify the desired preset number using the number button on the remote. You can also switch to the next/previous preset number by pressing PRESET +/– instead of specifying the preset number directly. Using the Radio Data System (RDS) (FM band only) This tuner allows you to receive and display RDS (Radio Data System) information.
Description of program types for DAB and FM RDS Description Description Leisure & Hobby Programs on recreational activities such as gardening, fishing, cooking, etc.
Advanced Tuner Operations Naming preset stations You can assign a name of up to 16 characters long to each preset station except DAB and FM RDS stations. When the station is tuned in, the station name will appear. TUNING/SELECT MENU TUNING MODE ENTER MEMORY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Press TUNING MODE to display “PRESET”. Tune in the preset station you want to name. Press MENU. Turn TUNING/SELECT to display NAME. Press ENTER. Turn TUNING/SELECT to select a character.
Tips for better FM reception Listening at low volumes — DRC (Dynamic Range Control) (DAB only) Switching to monaural mode This feature is only available when using DAB service that carries DRC data. “DRC” lights in the display when it is activated. You can automatically adjust the signal level of broadcasts which have wide dynamic ranges: i.e. programmes that have soft as well as loud sounds. You will not have the stereo effect but the distortion will be reduced. 1 2 3 4 5 Press MENU.
Checking reception sensitivity Changing the display — DAB TUNE AID (DAB only) DISPLAY Allows you to check the DAB reception status. A numerical value is displayed as a guide for aerial adjustment. A higher numerical value indicates better reception. (Maximum value: 100) 1 2 3 4 5 When tuning in a DAB station Press MENU.
When tuning in an FM RDS station Each time you press DISPLAY, the display changes as follows: Frequencya) t PTY (Program Type)b) t Radio Textc) t Timed) (in 24-hour system) t Frequency t... a) Note The DISPLAY button is only available with DAB and FM RDS reception. Customizing the display Advanced Tuner Operations This information also appears for non-RDS FM stations. b) Type of program being broadcast (see “Description of program types for DAB and FM RDS” on page 15).
About the indications in the display 1 RDS 2 3 4 5 6 SECONDARY STEREOMONO DUAL DRC 7 8 9 TUNED 0 AUTO PRESET qa MANUAL qs qd PTY MEMORY DAB FM AM qj qh qg 1 RDS: Lights when receiving RDS information. This is only available with FM reception (page 14). 2 SECONDARY: Lights when a secondary service component is being received. This is only available with DAB reception. 3 STEREO: Lights during stereo broadcast reception.
Additional Information Troubleshooting If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the tuner, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer. You cannot tune in a frequency. • Adjust the position of the aerial. • Connect an external aerial for DAB/FM broadcasts. • Preset the stations again if you have moved. There is severe hum and/or background noise. • Adjust the position or direction of the aerial.
General Specifications DAB tuner section Frequency range Sensitivity Signal-to-noise ratio THD+N Channel separation Selectivity Frequency response Digital output Aerial terminal Analog output level 174.928 (5A) – 239.200 (13F) MHz For details, see “DAB frequency table” below. –99 dBm 97 dB 0.009% (1 kHz) 87 dB (1 kHz) 40 dB (at adjacent channel) +0.5/–0.
List of button locations and reference pages How to use this page Use this page to find the location of buttons and other parts of the system mentioned in the main text.
Remote 1 FM MODE (17) 2 >10 (14) 3 FM (11, 12, 14) 4 PRESET +/– (14) 5 DISPLAY (14, 18, 19) 6 Number buttons (13) 7 ENTER (9, 10, 12, 16-18) 8 MEMORY (12, 16) 9 DAB (11, 14) 0 AM (11, 12, 14) qa AUTO TUNING +/– (11, 14) FM MODE DISPLAY 1 2 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >10 ENTER 10/0 MEMORY AM FM 7 8 9 DAB 3 6 0 AUTO TUNING 4 24GB PRESET qa
Index A T Automatic tuning 11 Tuning Automatically 11 FM AUTOBETICAL 10 Manually 11 Preset 13 C D DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) DAB INIT SCAN 9 DAB tune aid 18 Dynamic label segment 18 Frequency table 22 Overview 3 DRC (Dynamic Range Control) 17 Additional Information Changing information in display 18 Connecting AC power cord 8 aerial 5 Amplifier 7 MD/DAT 8 E Ensemble 18 I Indications in the display 20 M Manual tuning 11 P Preset station 13 R RDS (Radio Data Service) 14 Receiving broadcasts
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