3-862-095-12(1) Getting Started FM Stereo FM-AM Receiver Operating Instructions STR-SE581 STR-SE381 © 1998 by Sony Corporation 1
Getting Started WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. - Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. - Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. - Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. - Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Getting Started For detailed safety precautions, see the “IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS” leaflet. TABLE OF CONTENTS If you have any question or problem concerning your receiver, please consult your nearest Sony dealer. Getting Started About This Manual The instructions in this manual are for models STR-SE581 and STR-SE381. Check your model number by looking at the upper right corner of the front panel or lower right corner of the remote.
Getting Started Unpacking Hookup Overview Check that you received the following items with the receiver: • FM wire antenna (1) • AM loop antenna (1) • Remote controller (remote) (1) • Size AA (R6) batteries (2) The receiver allows you to connect and control the following audio/video components. Follow the hookup procedures for the components that you want to connect to the receiver on the pages specified. To learn the locations and names of each jack, see “Rear Panel Descriptions” on page 21.
Getting Started Connecting a ground wire Antenna Hookups Overview This section describes how to connect AM and FM antennas to the receiver. If you want to receive radio broadcasts with the receiver, complete these connections first, then go to the following pages. For specific locations of the terminals, see the illustration below. To prevent hum, connect a ground wire (not supplied) to the y ground terminal. If you’ve connected an outdoor antenna, be sure to connect the ground for lightning protection.
Getting Started Hookups DVD player/AC-3 decoder (STR-SE581 only) The arrow ç indicates signal flow. CD player Receiver CD player CD OUTPUT IN LINE L Receiver If you have a Dolby Digital AC-3 decoder you can amplify a decoded Dolby Digital AC-3 soundtrack with the following connections. L R Turntable You can play decoded Dolby Digital AC-3 soundtracks through the speakers connected to the amplifier R Turntable PHONO OUTPUT IN LINE L FRONT 5.
Getting Started For optimum surround sound effect, place your speakers as shown below. Rear speaker If you have an additional front speaker system Connect them to the FRONT SPEAKERS B terminals. If your TV monitor uses separate speakers You can connect one of them to the SURROUND SPEAKER CENTER terminals for use with Dolby Pro Logic Surround sound (see page 15).
Getting Started AC Hookups Before You Use Your Receiver Connecting the AC power cord Connect the AC power cord from this receiver and from your audio/video components to a wall outlet. If you connect other audio components to the SWITCHED AC OUTLET on the receiver, the receiver can supply power to the connected components so you can turn on/off the whole system when you turn on/ off the receiver.
Receiver operations Receiver Operations Selecting a Component To listen to or watch a connected component, first select the function on the receiver or with the remote. Before you begin, make sure you have: • Connected all components securely and correctly as indicated on pages 5 to 8. • Turned MASTER VOLUME to the leftmost position (0) to avoid damaging your speakers. 1/u (power) Function buttons 5.1/DVD INPUT BASS BOOST MASTER VOLUME To Do this Mute the sound Press MUTING on the remote.
Receiver Operations 1 Press one of the SYSTEM CONTROL/FUNCTION buttons to select the component you want to use.
Receiver Operations If the STEREO indicator remains off Now you can use the TAPE/MD button to control a second CD player. Press FM MODE when an FM stereo broadcast is received. To reset the setting to the factory setting If an FM stereo program is distorted Repeat the above procedure. The STEREO indicator flashes. Press FM MODE to change to monaural (MONO). You will not have the stereo effect but the distortion will be reduced. To return to stereo mode, press this button again.
Receiver Operations To change a preset station Presetting Radio Stations Preset a new station on the number you want to change. You’ll most likely want to preset the receiver with the radio stations you listen to often so that you don’t have to tune in the station every time. The receiver can store a total of 30 FM or AM stations. You can store the stations on preset numbers combining 3 characters (A, B, C) and numbers (0 - 9). For example, you can store a station as preset number A1, B6 or C9, etc.
Receiver Operations Recording on a video tape Recording This receiver makes it easy to record to and from the components connected to the receiver. You don’t have to connect playback and recording components directly: once you select a program source on the receiver, you can record and edit as you normally would using the controls on each component. Before you begin, make sure you’ve connected all components properly.
Using Surround Sound When you use the remote Choosing a Surround Mode Each time you press SURROUND MODE, surround mode changes as follows: You can take advantage of surround sound simply by selecting one of the three pre-programmed surround modes according to the type of music you wish to play. STR-SE581 only n PRO LOGIC* n C. STUDIO A n C. STUDIO B LARGE HALL** N SMALL HALL** N Surround MODE SURROUND ON/OFF STR-SE381 only n PRO LOGIC* n C. STUDIO n HALL * “DOLBY” appears in the display.
Using Surround Sound Getting the Most Out of Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound To obtain the best possible Dolby Pro Logic Surround sound, first select the center mode according to the speaker system you have. Then, adjust each speaker volume and delay time. Note that you must have at least one additional pair of speakers and/or one center speaker to do the following adjustments.
Using Surround Sound Adjusting the speaker volume Adjusting the delay time The test tone feature lets you set the volume of your speakers to the same level. (If all of your speakers have equal performance, you don’t have to adjust the speaker volume.) You can make the surround sound more effective by delaying the output from the rear speakers (delay time). You can select from three delay times, S (15 mS), M (20 mS), and L (30 mS).
Additional Information Troubleshooting If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the receiver, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer. There’s no sound or only a very low-level sound is heard. / Check that the speakers and components are connected securely. / Make sure you select the correct component on the receiver. / Make sure you set the SPEAKERS selector correctly.
Additional Information Specifications Frequency response PHONO: RIAA equalization curve ±0.5 dB TV/DBS, CD, TAPE/ MD, VIDEO, 5.1/DVD INPUT*: 10 Hz - 50 kHz ±1 dB Audio power specifications POWER OUTPUT AND TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION With 8-ohm load, both channels driven, from 40 20,000 Hz, rated 100 watts (STR-SE581), or 60 watts (STR-SE381) per channel minimum RMS power, with no more than 0.5 % total harmonic distortion from 250 milliwatts to rated output.
Additional Information • 3 CH LOGIC mode Glossary Center mode Setting of speakers to enhance Dolby Pro Logic Surround mode. To obtain the best possible surround sound, select one of the following four center modes according to your speaker system. Surround sound Select 3 CH LOGIC mode if you have front and center speakers but no rear speaker. The sound of the rear channel is output from the front speakers to let you experience some of the surround sound without using rear speakers.
Index A, B Adjusting delay time 16 speaker volume 16 tone 9 volume 9 Antenna hookups 5 Audio component hookups 5, 6 Automatic tuning 11 H, I, J, K, L, M Scanning preset stations 12 radio stations 11 Selecting a program source 9 using the remote 9 Speakers connection 6, 7 impedance 18 placement 6 selecting speaker system 7 Storing radio stations.
Rear Panel Descriptions 1 2 3 4 5 6 ANTENNA (AM/FM) y ground terminal PHONO CD TAPE/MD TV/DBS 7 VIDEO 8 5.
Remote Button Descriptions For buttons not described on previous pages and buttons with names different from the buttons on the main unit. Remote Button Operates Function Remote Button Operates Function 0-9 Receiver Selects preset numbers. ENTER TV/VCR/DBS Changes channels when used with 0-9 (Not applicable with CDP-C661 CD player). TV/VIDEO TV/VCR Selects input signal: TV input or video input. TV/VCR/ Turns on or off the power. LD Player/DBS/ DVD player CD player/MD Selects track numbers.
Quick Reference Guide Receiving Broadcasts Presetting Radio Stations (direct tuning) Example: Presetting a station as A7 Example: Receiving FM 102.50 MHz Selecting a Component Example 1: Playing a CD CD TUNER TUNER Turn on the CD player. Tune in the station you want. FM Select FM. MEMORY Start playing. Example 2: Watching a video tape DIRECT SHIFT 1 0 2 5 Select A. 0 VIDEO 7 Display Turn on the VCR. MHz Start playing.
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