3-861-448-11 (1) Video Cassette Recorder Operating Instructions SLV-478 ©1998 by Sony Corporation
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. CAUTION To prevent electric shock, do not use this polarized AC plug with an extension cord, receptacle or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure. Precautions Safety • Operate the unit only on 120 V AC, 60 Hz.
Table of contents Getting Started Getting Started 4 5 7 17 18 20 Step 1: Unpacking Step 2: Setting up the remote commander Step 3: Hookups Selecting a language Setting the clock Presetting channels Basic Operations 26 Playing a tape 28 Recording TV programs 31 Recording TV programs using the timer Additional Operations Additional Information 42 General setup information 44 Troubleshooting 46 Specifications 47 Index to parts and controls 51 Index back cover Quick reference to using the VCR 34 Playing/s
Getting Started Step 1 Unpacking Check that you have received the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • Size AA (R6) batteries 6 Getting Started • 75-ohm coaxial cable with F-type connectors
Step 2 Setting up the remote commander Getting Started Inserting the batteries Insert two size AA (R6) 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) Controlling other TVs with the remote commander The remote commander is preprogrammed to control non-Sony TVs. If your TV is listed in the table below, set the appropriate manufacturer’s code number. 1 2 Set TV / VIDEO at the top of the remote commander to TV . Hold POWER down, and enter your TV’s code number(s) using the number buttons. Then release POWER. Now you can use the POWER, VOL +/–, CH +/– and TV/VIDEO buttons to control your TV.
Step 3 Hookups There are many ways in which your VCR can be hooked up. To hook up your VCR so that it works best for you, first scan through the table below. Then use the accompanying diagrams and procedures on the following pages to set up your VCR. If you have Use Refer to TV that has audio/video input Audio/video (A/V) hookup, then follow one of the hookups below.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Audio/video (A/V) hookup Page 8 If your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, you will get a better picture and sound when you hook up your VCR using these connections. If your TV doesn’t have A/V inputs, see the following pages for antenna or cable hookups. If you’re not planning to use your VCR to record programs, you’re finished setting up the VCR after you’ve made the connections shown on this page.
Hookup 1 Pages 9 and 10 Antenna hookup A Use this hookup if you’re using: • VHF/UHF antenna (you get channels 2–13 and channels 14 and higher) • UHF-only antenna (you get channels 14 and higher) • Separate VHF and UHF antennas Getting Started Make the following connections if you’re using an antenna (if you don’t have cable TV). Rear of TV VHF/UHF A or VCR VHF Match the type of connector on your TV: A, B, or C.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 1: VCR setup 1 Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. RF UNIT CH3 CH4 For details, see page 42. If you made A/V connections (page 8), you can skip this step. 2 EASY SET UP Press EASY SET UP on the VCR. 1 The LANGUAGE menu appears. Change the on-screen display language to Spanish (ESPAÑOL) or French (FRANÇAIS) if desired, and press OK. For details, see page 17.
Hookup 2 Pages 11 and 12 Hookup 4 with many scrambled channels Cable box Pages 19 to 21 What you can do with this hookup • Record any channel by selecting the channel on the cable box What you can’t do • Record one channel while watching another channel Rear of TV Cable box Wall Getting Started Recommended use Use this hookup if your cable system scrambles all or most channels. VHF/UHF A IN OUT or VHF B or UHF VHF Match the type of connector on your TV: A, B, or C.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 2: VCR setup 1 Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. RF UNIT CH3 CH4 For details, see page 42. If you made A/V connections (page 8), you can skip this step. 2 3 EASY SET UP Turn on your cable box. Press EASY SET UP on the VCR. 1 The LANGUAGE menu appears. Change the on-screen display language to Spanish (ESPAÑOL) or French (FRANÇAIS) if desired, and press OK.
Hookup 3 Pages 13 and 14 No cable box, or cable box with only a few scrambled channels What you can do with this hookup • Record any unscrambled channel by selecting the channel on the VCR Getting Started Recommended use Use this hookup if you do not have a cable box. Also use this hookup if your cable system scrambles only a few channels.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 3: VCR setup 1 Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. RF UNIT CH3 CH4 For details, see page 42. If you made A/V connections (page 8), you can skip this step. 2 3 EASY SET UP Turn on your cable box. Press EASY SET UP on the VCR. 1 The LANGUAGE menu appears. Change the on-screen display language to Spanish (ESPAÑOL) or French (FRANÇAIS) if desired, and press OK.
Pages 15 and 16 Hookup 4 Cable box with only a few scrambled channels, using an A/B switch What you can do with this hookup • Record any unscrambled channel by selecting the channel directly on the VCR (the A/B switch is set to A) • Record any scrambled channel by selecting the channel on the cable box (the A/B switch is set to B) Getting Started Recommended use By using an A/B switch (not supplied), this hookup allows you to record both scrambled and unscrambled channels conveniently.
Step 3: Hookups (continued) Hookup 4: VCR setup 1 Set the RF UNIT switch to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. RF UNIT CH3 CH4 For details, see page 42. If you made A/V connections (page 8), you can skip this step. 2 3 EASY SET UP Set the A/B switch to “A.” Press EASY SET UP on the VCR. SET UP LANGUAGE 1 The LANGUAGE menu appears.
Selecting a language 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Getting Started You can change the on-screen display language. 1 0 MENU OK >/./?// 1 • MENU PLAY Press MENU, then press >/. to move the cursor (z) to LANGUAGE and press OK. LANGUAGE ENGLISH ESPAÑOL FRANÇAIS When using the EASY SET UP procedure, skip this step. OK 2 PLAY Press >/. to select ENGLISH, ESPAÑOL, or FRANÇAIS, then press OK.
Setting the clock Set the time and date to use the timer feature for recording programs. 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. • Press TV/VIDEO to display the VIDEO indicator in the VCR’s display window. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU OK >/./?// 1 • MENU Press MENU, then press >/. to move the cursor (z) to CLOCK SET and press OK.
3 PLAY OK CLOCK SET 1 1 / 1 6 / 1 9 9 8 MO 1 2 : 0 0 AM The day of the week is set automatically. Set the year, hour, and minutes in the same way as the day. PLAY OK 5 Getting Started 4 Press / to flash the day and press >/. to set the day. Press OK to start the clock.
Presetting channels 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. Then, if there are any unwanted channels, disable them manually. If you have decided which channels you wish to preset, set them directly using manual presetting. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV.
3 • To preset cable TV channels: PLAY Press ?// to set ANTENNA/CABLE to CABLE. OK PLAY Press ?// to set ANTENNA/CABLE to ANT. OK 4 PLAY OK Press >/. to select AUTO PRESET, then press OK. All receivable channels are preset in numerical sequence. When no more receivable channels can be found, presetting stops and the picture from the lowest numbered channel is displayed on the TV screen.
Presetting channels (continued) Presetting/disabling channels manually 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Number buttons, ENTER 0 CH +/– MENU OK >/./?// 1 • MENU PLAY OK 24 Getting Started Press MENU and select TUNER PRESET, then press OK.
2 • To preset a channel: 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 7 TUNER PRESET CH5 ANTENNA / CABLE ANT • CABLE AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET • ADD ERASE AFT • ON OFF FINE TUNING Channel to be disabled • To disable a channel: • CH 3 PLAY 1 Press CH +/– to select the channel number. 2 Press ?// to set MANUAL SET to ERASE. TUNER PRESET CH5 ANTENNA / CABLE ANT • CABLE AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET ADD • ERASE AFT • ON OFF FINE TUNING Getting Started 0 1 Press the number buttons to enter the channel number, then press ENTER.
Presetting channels (continued) 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Number buttons, ENTER 0 MENU OK >/./?// 1 • MENU Press MENU and select TUNER PRESET, then press OK.
3 Press >/. to select FINE TUNING. PLAY The fine tuning meter appears. OK PLAY OK Press ?// to adjust to a clearer picture, then press OK. Note that the AFT setting switches to OFF. CH5 ANTENNA / CABLE ANT • CABLE AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET • ADD ERASE AFT • ON OFF FINE TUNING TUNER PRESET CH5 ANTENNA / CABLE ANT • CABLE AUTO PRESET MANUAL SET • ADD ERASE AFT ON • OFF FINE TUNING Getting Started 4 TUNER PRESET Tip • To select the channel in step 2 above, you can also use the CH +/– buttons.
Basic Operations Playing a tape 6 EJECT DISPLAY COUNTER RESET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 SMART CUE P PAUSE · PLAY ) # FF p STOP 0 3 REW 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. PLAY OK 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 · PLAY Fast-forward the tape ) # FF during stop Rewind the tape 0 3 REW during stop Eject the tape 6 EJECT Press SMART CUE during playback of the scene you want to skip. The VCR starts searching.
Recording TV programs TV/VIDEO DISPLAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 r REC CH +/– INPUT SELECT SP/EP p STOP 1 Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. To record from a cable box, turn it on. 2 30 Basic Operations Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
3 INPUT SELECT Press INPUT SELECT until a channel number appears in the display window. VIDEO EP 4 • CH Press CH +/– to select the channel you want to record. VIDEO EP 5 SP / EP Press SP/EP to select the tape speed, SP or EP. EP (Extra Play) provides recording time three times as long as SP (Standard Play), however, SP produces better picture and audio quality. Basic Operations VIDEO SP 6 REC Press r REC to start recording. The recording indicator lights up red in the display window.
Recording TV programs (continued) To check the remaining tape length Press DISPLAY. The white bar indicates the approximate length of tape remaining. S EP E 0 : 00 : 22 Remaining tape length Time counter To watch another TV program while recording 1 Press TV/VIDEO to turn off the VIDEO indicator in the display window. 2 If the TV is connected to the VCR’s LINE OUT jacks, set the TV to TV input; if not, skip this step. 3 Select another channel on the TV.
Recording TV programs using the timer You can preset up to eight programs at a time. Before you start… • Check that the VCR clock is set to the correct time. • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. When using a cable box, turn it on. • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer than the total recording time. POWER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 INPUT SELECT OK >/./?// p STOP 1 • MENU PLAY Press MENU and select TIMER SET/ CHECK, then press OK.
Recording TV programs using the timer (continued) 2 Set the date, start and stop times, channel number and tape speed: PLAY OK INPUT SELECT 3 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.
To use the VCR after setting the timer To use the VCR before a timer recording begins, just press POWER. The indicator turns off and the VCR switches on. Remember to press POWER to reset the VCR in timer recording standby after using the VCR. You can also do the following tasks while the VCR is recording: • • • • Reset the counter. Display tape information on the TV screen. Check the timer settings. Watch another TV program.
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds & SLOW ) # FF · PLAY 0 3 REW ) # FF 0 3 REW Playback options Operation View the picture during fastforward or rewind During fast-forward, hold ) # FF down. During rewind, hold 0 3 REW down. Play at high speed • During playback, press ) # FF or 0 3 REW. • During playback, hold ) # FF or 0 3 REW down. When you release the button, normal playback resumes. Play in slow motion During playback or pause, press & SLOW.
Recording TV programs using the quick timer After starting recording in the normal way, you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specified duration. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 QUICK TIMER 1 While recording, press QUICK TIMER once. The indicator appears in the display window. 2 VIDEO EP Press QUICK TIMER repeatedly to set the duration. Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes.
Checking/ changing/ canceling timer settings Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. POWER CLEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU OK >/./?// 1 2 Press POWER to turn on the VCR. Press MENU and select TIMER SET/CHECK: • If you want to change a setting, go on to the next step. • If you do not need to change the settings, press OK, then turn off the VCR to return to recording standby.
When the timer settings overlap The program that starts first has priority and the second program starts recording only after the first program has finished. If the programs start at the same time, the program listed first in the menu has priority.
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. 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 and select ADVANCED OPTIONS. ADVANCED OPTIONS • ON OFF APC TAPE SELECT • AUTO 1 8 0 AUTO TAPE SPEED • ON OFF SHARPNESS L– ––H 2 Press >/. to select the option to change, then press ?// to change the setting. 3 Press OK to return to the original screen. Menu choices Initial settings are indicated in bold print. Menu option Set this option to APC ON to switch on the APC (Adaptive Picture Control) function and improve picture quality. OFF to switch off APC.
Editing with another VCR How to hook up to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) TV LINE-1 IN Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT VMC-710M/720M audio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flow Notes • Make sure you connect the plugs to jacks of the same color. • 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.
Operation (when recording on this VCR) Before you start editing • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. • Press INPUT SELECT on the remote commander to display “L” in the display window. • Press SP/EP on the remote commander to select the tape speed, SP or EP. P PAUSE r REC 1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other (playback) VCR. Search for the point to start playback and set it to playback pause.
Additional Information General setup information Setting the 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. TV RF UNIT CH3 CH4 POWER CHANNEL +/– 1 Set the RF UNIT switch on the rear of the VCR to CH 3 or CH 4, whichever channel is not used in your area. If both are used, set the switch to either channel. 2 3 Press POWER to turn on the VCR.
Attaching the external antenna connector 300-ohm twin lead cable When using a 300-ohm twin lead cable for a VHF/UHF antenna, use the EAC32 antenna connector (not supplied) to connect the antenna to the VCR. 1 2 3 EAC-32 Antenna connector (not supplied) Loosen the screws on the antenna connector. Wind the twin leads around the screws on the antenna connector. Retighten the screws.
Troubleshooting Symptom Remedy The POWER switch does not function. • Connect the AC power cord securely. • Make sure the VCR is not locked. To unlock, hold POWER down on the VCR until the H indicator disappears. The power is turned on but the VCR does not operate. • Moisture condensation occurs. Turn the power off, unplug the AC power cord and leave the VCR to dry for over an hour. The clock has stopped and “–:– –” lights in the display window.
Recording Remedy A TV program does not appear on the TV screen. • Make sure the TV is set to the channel for the VCR. If you are using a monitor, set it to video input. TV reception is poor. • Adjust the TV antenna. The tape starts playing as soon as it is inserted. • The safety tab has been removed. To record on this tape, cover the tab hole. The tape ejects when you press r REC. • Check that the safety tab has not been removed. Nothing happens when you press r REC.
Specifications System Timer section Format VHS NTSC standard Video recording system Rotary head helical scanning FM system Video heads Double azimuth four heads Video signal NTSC color, EIA standards Tape speed SP: 33.35 mm/s (1 3/8 inches/s) EP: 11.11 mm/s (7/16 inches/s) LP: 16.67 mm/s (11/16 inches/s), playback only Maximum recording/playback time 8 hrs. in EP mode (with T-160 tape) Fast-forward and rewind time Approx. 3 min.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.
Index to parts and controls (continued) Display window VIDEO APC LP SP EP 1 Timer indicator (32) 5 Child Lock indicator (33) 2 Tape speed indicator (29) 6 Tracking indicator (38) 3 VIDEO indicator (30, 42) 7 Time counter/clock/line/channel indicator (27, 29, 41) 4 APC (Adaptive Picture Control) indicator (38) 8 Tape/recording indicator (29) Rear panel 1 AC power cord (7) 2 LINE-1 IN AUDIO/VIDEO jacks (40) 3 VHF/UHF IN/OUT connectors (9, 11, 13, 15) 50 Additional Information 4 RF (Radio Freque
Remote commander 1 TV / VIDEO remote control switch (5) 2 6 EJECT button (27) 3 TV/VIDEO button (30, 42) 4 DISPLAY button (30) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 5 COUNTER RESET button (27) 6 QUICK TIMER button (35) 7 r REC (record) button (29) 8 SP (Standard Play)/EP (Extra Play) button (29) 9 INPUT SELECT button (29, 30) 0 & SLOW button (34) !¡ Tape/menu operation buttons MENU button (17, 39) P PAUSE/> button (27) p STOP/.
Index to parts and controls (continued) !™ POWER switch (32) !£ CLEAR button (36) !¢ AUDIO MONITOR button (This button doesn’t work for this VCR.
Index A, B D R AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 24 Antenna hookup 9 APC (Adaptive Picture Control) 38 Audio/video (A/V) hookup 8 Disabling channels 22 Dubbing. See Editing.
Q uick reference to using the VCR Hookup 1 Hookup 2 Hookup 3 To play a tape To play a tape To play a tape 1 Set the TV to channel 3 or 4 (or to video input, if you made A/V connections.) 2 Insert a tape and press PLAY. If there’s no picture on your TV, press the VCR’s TV/VIDEO button until the VIDEO indicator comes on in the display window. 1 Set the TV to channel 3 or 4 (or to video input, if you made A/V connections.) 2 Insert a tape and press PLAY.
