3-058-427-12 (1) Video Cassette Recorder Operating Instructions PAL NTSC SLV-ED85PS/TH SLV-ED55PS © 2000 by Sony Corporation G
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 only be changed at a qualified service shop. Precautions Safety • This unit operates on 110 – 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Check that the unit’s operating voltage is identical with your local power supply.
Table of contents Getting Started Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Unpacking Setting up the remote commander Connecting the VCR Tuning your TV to the VCR8 Selecting a language Presetting channels Setting the clock Basic Operations 19 Playing a tape 23 Recording TV programmes 26 Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function 32 Setting the timer manually Additional Operations 34 Playing/searching at various speeds 35 Setting the recording duration time 36 Synchronised recordi
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 3 models: SLV-ED85PS, ED85TH and ED55PS. Check your model number by looking at the rear panel of your VCR. SLV-ED85PS is the model used for illustration purpose. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example,“SLV-ED55PS 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 position. Using the remote commander Remote sensor 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 3 Connecting the VCR Connect the aerial to your VCR and TV as shown below to watch TV programmes and VCR pictures on your TV. In addition, if your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, we recommend you connect the VCR to your TV using an audio/video cable to get a better picture and sound.
Additional connections To a TV that has audio/video input jacks This additional connection improves picture and sound quality. Connect the TV as shown on the right. If you want to use the Trinitron TV Synchro Play function (see page 22), this connection is necessary. (If your TV has two or more inputs, connect the audio/video cable to the VIDEO IN 1 jacks.
Step 4 Tuning your TV to the VCR If you have connected your VCR to the TV using the audio/video cable, skip this step. ?/1 ON/STANDBY RF CHANNEL 1 ON/STANDBY 2 PROGRAM +/– Press ?/1 ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR. Press RF CHANNEL on the VCR. RF CHANNEL The factory-preset RF channel flashes in the display window for about three seconds. Press RF CHANNEL again while the RF channel is flashing. The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV.
5 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 Getting Started Refer to your TV manual for tuning instructions. If the picture does not appear clearly, see “To obtain a clear picture from the VCR” below. 6 Press RF CHANNEL. RF CHANNEL You have now tuned your TV to the VCR. From now on, whenever you want to play a tape, set the TV to the video channel.
Step 5 Selecting a language You can change the on-screen display language from English to Arabic. Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. ?/1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU OK M/m 1 2 • ]/1 MENU Press ?/1 (on/standby) to turn on the VCR. Press MENU, then press M/m to move the cursor (B) to LANGUAGE and press OK. LANGUAGE / • ENGLISH PLAY SELECT END OK 3 PLAY Press M/m to select the desired language, then press OK.
Step 6 Presetting channels PROGRAM +/– Presetting all receivable channels using the One Touch Tuning function Getting Started First, we recommend that you preset the receivable channels in your area using the One Touch Tuning function or the AUTO PRESET in the TUNER PRESET menu. Then, if some channels could not be preset automatically, set them manually; if there are any unwanted channels among the preset ones, you can disable the channels.
Step 6: Presetting channels (continued) Presetting all receivable channels automatically Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. MENU OK M/m/
4 PLAY OK Press M/m to move the cursor (B) to AUTO PRESET, then press OK. PROG 1 •B / G D / K I SYSTEM NORMAL / CATV • NORM CATV AUTO PRESET CHANNEL SET 1 OFF AFT • ON FINE TUNING PLEASE WAIT Getting Started 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.
Step 6: Presetting channels (continued) Presetting channels manually PROG +/– Before you start… • Turn on the VCR and the TV. • Set the TV to the video channel. MENU OK M/m//. to move the cursor (B) to CHANNEL SET.
4 PROG Press PROG +/– to select the programme position. Selected programme position TUNER PRESET PROG14 5 PLAY OK Press , repeatedly until the channel you want is displayed. Pressing < goes back to the previous channels.
Step 6: Presetting channels (continued) Disabling unwanted programme positions After presetting channels, you can disable unused programme positions. The disabled positions will be skipped later when you press the PROG +/– buttons. 1 In step 5 on page 15, press programme number button “0” twice to display the number “0” beside CHANNEL SET. 2 Press OK. If the picture is not clear Normally, the Auto Fine Tuning (AFT) function automatically tunes in channels clearly.
Step 7 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 M/m to move the cursor (B) to CLOCK SET and press OK. OK Press M/m to set the date. PLAY CLOCK SET 1 . 1 . 2000 SELECT SET END PLAY 2 OK M/m/
Step 7: Setting the clock (continued) 4 PLAY OK Set the year, hour and minute in sequence, using , to flash the item to be set, and M/m to select the digits. CLOCK SET 2 5 . 1 2 . 2 0 0 0 MO SELECT SET END 5 15 : 30 ] :[ :[ ] : [ OK ] Press OK to start the clock. PLAY OK Tip • To change the digits during setting, press < to return to the item to be changed, and select the digits using M/m. Note • The menu disappears automatically if you do not proceed for more than a few minutes.
Basic Operations Playing a tape Z EJECT TRINITRON TV SYNCHRO PLAY CLEAR DISPLAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 H PLAY H PLAY m 3 REW M # FF M # FF x STOP Basic Operations X PAUSE m 3 REW COLOR SYSTEM 1 2 A EJECT x STOP X PAUSE 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.
Playing a tape (continued) 3 Press H PLAY. PLAY When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically. OK Additional tasks To Press Stop play x STOP Pause play X PAUSE Resume play after pause X PAUSE or H PLAY Fast-forward the tape M # FF during stop Rewind the tape m 3 REW during stop Eject the tape Z EJECT To set the colour system If streaks appear during playback, press COLOR SYSTEM on the VCR to conform to the system that the tape was recorded in.
To use the time counter At the point on the tape that you want to find later, press CLEAR. The counter in the display window resets to “0:00:00.” Search for the point afterwards by referring to the counter. SP APC To display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLAY. Basic Operations Notes • When you play back a tape recorded in the PAL or MESECAM colour system, streaks may appear even if the colour system setting is set to AUTO.
Playing a tape (continued) Turning on the VCR and TV, and starting playback automatically (Trinitron TV Synchro Play) You can only use this function if your TV is made by Sony (Trinitron TV). How to connect to use this function Connect the VCR and TV with the audio/video cable (see “To a TV that has audio/video input jacks” on page 7). Be sure to connect the audio/video cable to the VIDEO IN 1 jacks on the TV if the TV has two inputs or more.
Recording TV programmes DISPLAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 z REC PROG +/– SP/LP (SP/EP) 1 2 3 Basic Operations INPUT SELECT Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. PROG Press PROG +/– to select the programme position you want to record.
Recording TV programmes (continued) 4 SP/LP (SP/EP) Press SP/LP (SP/EP) to select the tape speed, SP or LP. LP (Long Play) provides recording time twice as long as SP (Standard Play), however, SP produces better picture and audio quality. LP 5 REC APC Press z REC to start recording. The recording indicator lights up red in the display window. Recording indicator LP APC To stop recording Press x STOP. To check the remaining tape length Press DISPLAY.
To record NTSC colour system programmes NTSC colour signals can be recorded on this VCR from the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN (for SLV-ED55PS only) jacks. To select the line input, press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– so that “L” (or “L1” or “L2” for SLV-ED55PS) appears in the display window. For tape speed, select SP or EP in step 4. EP provides recording time three times as long as SP, however, SP produces better picture and sound quality. When playing back, the VCR automatically detects the tape speed.
Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function The Easy Timer function allows you to make a timer recording of a programme without turning on your TV. Set the recording timer to record only one programme that will be broadcast within the next 24 hours using the EASY TIMER knob. If the VCR clock has not been set, you can also set the clock before setting the timer recording. Setting the Easy Timer PROGRAM +/– Before you start… • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place.
4 EASY TIMER Set the recording stop time in the same way as in step 2, then press the EASY TIMER knob. A programme number flashes. 5 EASY TIMER SP APC Turn the EASY TIMER knob clockwise or counterclockwise to select the programme you want to record. To select the tape speed, press SP/LP (SP/EP). SP LP APC SP/ LP (SP/EP) EASY TIMER Press the EASY TIMER knob to confirm the setting. Basic Operations 6 The t indicator appears in the display window and the VCR stands by for recording.
Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function (continued) Setting or changing the Easy Clock When “–:– –” is displayed in the display window, the VCR clock has not been set. You need to set the clock using the Easy Clock function before setting the timer. You can also change the current time using the Easy Clock function. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Programme number buttons 0 EASY TIMER PROG +/– EASY TIMER knob 1 EASY TIMER • When “–:– –” is displayed in the display window, press EASY TIMER.
3 EASY TIMER Press the EASY TIMER knob to confirm the clock setting. The VCR enters the timer recording setting mode. To continue the Easy Timer setting, go to step 2 in “Setting the Easy Timer” on page 26. SP START APC To quit the Easy Timer setting mode without changing any settings, press the EASY TIMER knob repeatedly until the t indicator appears in the display window.
Recording TV programmes using the Easy Timer function (continued) To stop recording To stop the VCR while recording, press x STOP. To check or change the timer setting Press the EASY TIMER knob repeatedly until the setting you want to check or change flashes. Then re-enter the new setting, if necessary. If you do not want to change any of the settings, press the EASY TIMER knob repeatedly until the t indicator appears in the display window.
Tips • (SLV-ED85PS/TH) To record from a source connected to LINE-1 IN jacks, press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– or turn the EASY TIMER knob to display “L” in the display window. • (SLV-ED55PS) To record from a source connected to LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN jacks, press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– or turn the EASY TIMER knob to display “L1” or “L2” in the display window. • To record NTSC signals, set the tape speed to SP or EP. To set to the EP mode, display “LP” in the display window.
Setting the timer manually ?/1 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 PROG +/– INPUT SELECT MENU OK M/m/
To record the same programme every day or the same day every week, press m while the date is flashing. For details, see “Daily/ weekly recording” below. To record from a source connected to the LINE-1 IN or LINE-2 IN (for SLV-ED55PS only) jacks; press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– to display “L” (or “L1” or “L2” for SLV-ED55PS) in the “PROG” position. 3 Press , to confirm the setting. PLAY OK 4 The cursor (B) appears at the beginning of the line.
Additional Operations Playing/searching at various speeds ×2 H PLAY m 3REW M #FF y SLOW H PLAY M # FF m 3 REW Playback options Operation View the picture during fastforward or rewind During fast-forward, hold M # FF down. During rewind, hold m 3 REW down. Play at high speed • During playback, press M # FF or m 3 REW on the remote commander. • During playback, hold M # FF or m 3 REW down. When you release the button, normal playback resumes.
Setting the recording duration time After you have started 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 z REC 1 While recording, press z REC. The t indicator appears in the display window. SP APC 2 Press z REC repeatedly to set the duration. Each press advances the time in increments of 30 minutes.
Synchronised recording (SLV-ED85PS/ TH only) The Synchronised Recording feature enables you to record from the connected equipment such as a satellite tuner, a cable TV decoder or a TV that has a timer function. Once you set the timer on the other equipment, the VCR will start recording the programme synchronised with the timer. How to connect to use this function Connect the other equipment to the LINE-1 IN jacks of this VCR. This VCR (Recorder) Satellite tuner, etc.
4 Press SP/LP (SP/EP) to select the tape speed (SP or LP for the PAL colour system, and SP or EP for the NTSC colour system.) 5 Hold down SYNCHRO REC for more than two seconds. The SYNCHRO REC button lights up and the VCR stands by for recording. The VCR automatically turns on and starts recording when it receives video signals from the connected equipment. To cancel the Synchronised recording Press SYNCHRO REC so that the button’s light turns off. To stop recording Press x STOP while recording.
Checking/ changing/ cancelling timer settings Before you start… • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. ?/1 CLEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 MENU OK M/m/
3 Press M/m to select the setting you want to change or cancel: • To change the setting, press
Recording stereo and bilingual programmes (SLV-ED85PS/TH only) The VCR can record stereo and bilingual programmes only through the line input. When a stereo or bilingual sound is input through the line input, “STEREO” appears on the screen and in the display window. You cannot select the sound while recording. Selecting the sound while playing Press AUDIO MONITOR to select the sound you want.
Searching the beginning of an Easy Timer recorded programme If you record a programme using the Easy Timer function, you can easily find the beginning of the recording with this SEARCH function. The SEARCH indicator flashes when the VCR finishes the Easy Timer recording. EASY TIMER knob SEARCH Press the EASY TIMER knob. The VCR turns on, rewinds to the beginning of the recorded programme and starts playback automatically.
Searching using the index function ./> INDEX SEARCH The VCR marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording begins. Use these signals as references to find a specific recording. The VCR can search up to 99 index signals ahead of or behind the current position. You can either use the INDEX SEARCH buttons on the remote commander or the SEARCH button and EASY TIMER knob on the VCR. Using the INDEX SEARCH buttons on the remote commander 1 2 Insert an indexed tape into the VCR. Press .
Using the SEARCH button and EASY TIMER knob on the VCR EASY TIMER knob SEARCH 1 Press SEARCH on the VCR repeatedly until “INDEX” appears in the display window (the SEARCH indicator lights up). SP 2 APC Turn the EASY TIMER knob to specify how many index signals ahead or behind you want to search: • To search ahead, turn the EASY TIMER knob clockwise. • To search backwards, turn the EASY TIMER knob counterclockwise. SP START APC 3 Press the EASY TIMER knob. The VCR starts searching.
Searching using the Time Search function EASY TIMER knob You can easily find a specific point on a tape by using the Time Search function. For example, you can find a recorded portion 15 minutes ahead of or behind the current position of a tape by using the Time Search function. 1 SEARCH Press SEARCH repeatedly until “TIME” appears in the display window (the SEARCH indicator lights up).
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. If so, 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).
Adjusting the picture (continued) Tip • To set the tracking to the centre position, press the TRACKING + and – buttons at the same time. Note • There is a delay of a few seconds before the VCR actually starts recording while the VCR analyses the tape. To avoid the delay, first set the VCR to recording pause (the APC indicator flashes slowly) and press z REC to have the VCR analyse the tape (the APC indicator flashes rapidly).
Changing menu options 1 Press MENU, then select SET UP MENU. SET UP MENU AUDIO MIX ON • OFF OFF APC • ON PAL / MESECAM • AUTO PAL MESECAM NTSC PB • ON PAL TV 4. 43 3. 58 ] SELECT : [ SET :[ ] 2 Press M/m to select the option to change, then press
Editing with another VCR How to connect to record on this VCR This VCR (Recorder) TV LINE-1 IN Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT VMC-810HG audio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flow How to connect to a stereo system (SLV-ED85PS/TH only) Connect LINE-1 IN AUDIO on this VCR to the audio output jacks on the stereo system, using the RK-C510HG audio cable (not supplied). Tips • (SLV-ED55PS) Use the following audio/video cable according to the type of the other VCR.
Operation (when recording on this VCR) Before you start editing • Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel. • (SLV-ED85PS/TH) Press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– to display “L” in the display window. • (SLV-ED55PS) Press INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– to display “L1”or “L2” in the display window. • Press SP/LP (SP/EP) to select the tape speed (SP or LP for the PAL system, and SP or EP for the NTSC system). X PAUSE z REC 1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab removed into the other (playback) VCR.
Additional Information Troubleshooting Clock Power If you have any questions or problems not covered below, please consult your nearest Sony service facility. Symptom Remedy The ?/1 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 has occured. Turn the power off, unplug the mains lead and leave the VCR to dry for over four hours.
Recording Remedy No TV programmes appear 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. • Select the correct source with the INPUT SELECT or PROG +/– buttons. Select a programme position when recording TV programmes; select “L” (or “L1” or “L2” for SLV-ED55PS) when recording from other equipment. TV reception is poor. • Adjust the TV aerial.
Troubleshooting (continued) Remedy A tape cannot be inserted. • Check that a tape is not 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 Colour system PAL, MESECAM, NTSC 3.58, NTSC 4.
Index to parts and controls Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details.
Front panel (SLV-ED55PS) 1 2 !¶ 3 !§ !∞!¢ 1 ?/1 ON/STANDBY switch (8) 2 Remote sensor (5) 3 Tape compartment 4 A EJECT button (20) 5 m 3 REW (rewind) button (20, 34) 6 H PLAY button (20) 7 M # FF (fast-forward) button (20, 34) 8 z REC (record) button (24) 9 x STOP button (20) 0 X PAUSE button (20) 45 6 7 !£ !™!¡ !º 98 qa SEARCH button/indicator (41, 43, 44) qs EASY TIMER knob (26, 41, 43, 44) qd PROGRAM/TRACKING +/– buttons (8, 45) qf SP (Standard Play)/LP (Long Play)/ EP (Extra Play) button (24) qg
Index to parts and controls (continued) Display window STEREO SP CLOCK START STOP LP APC EP 1 Timer indicator (27) 2 STEREO indicator (40) (SLV-ED85PS/TH only) 56 NTSC PAL 7 APC (Adaptive Picture Control) indicator (45) 8 Tracking indicator (45) 3 Tape speed indicator (24) 9 Colour system indicator (20) 4 CLOCK indicator (28) 5 START indicator (26) 0 Time counter/clock/line/ programme/TV system indicator (8, 21, 23, 28, 49) 6 STOP indicator (26) qa Tape/recording indicator (24) Additional Infor
Rear panel (SLV-ED85PS/TH) 1 2 6 1 Mains lead (6) 2 LINE-2 OUT AUDIO R/L jacks (7) 3 AERIAL IN connector (6) 3 5 4 5 LINE-1 IN AUDIO R/L/VIDEO jacks (36, 48) 6 LINE-1 OUT AUDIO R/L/VIDEO jacks (7) 4 AERIAL OUT connector (6) Rear panel (SLV-ED55PS) 1 2 3 5 4 1 Mains lead (6) 4 AERIAL OUT connector (6) 2 LINE-1 IN AUDIO/VIDEO jacks (48) 5 LINE-1 OUT AUDIO/VIDEO jacks (7) 3 AERIAL IN connector (6) continued Additional Information 57
Index to parts and controls (continued) Remote commander 1 TV / VIDEO remote control switch (5) 2 Z EJECT button (20) 3 DISPLAY button (24) 4 TRINITRON TV SYNCHRO PLAY button (22) 5 TV/VIDEO button (for TV) (5) 1 2 3 6 EASY TIMER button (29) 4 5 6 7 z REC button (24, 35) 7 8 9 8 SP (Standard Play)/LP (Long Play)/ EP (Extra Play) button (24) 0 9 ×2 button (34) 0 INPUT SELECT button (25, 33) qa Tape/menu operation buttons MENU button (10, 47) X PAUSE/M button (20) x STOP/m button (20) m 3 REW (r
Index A, B H Accessories supplied 4 Adjusting picture 16, 34, 45 tracking 34, 45 Aerial hookup 6 AFT (Auto Fine Tuning) 16 APC (Adaptive Picture Control) 45 Audio track 40 AV (audio/video) connection 7 Head Condition Sensor 52 Hi-fi audio track 40 C Cancelling timer settings 38 Changing timer settings 38 Checking timer setting 38 Cleaning the video heads 50 Clock setting 17 Colour system compatible colour systems 2 setting 20, 47 Connecting the VCR and your TV 6 to a stereo system 7 to a TV with audio/
