Sony RM-VL900T User manual

3-223-017-11 (1)
Integrated Remote
Commander
Operating Instructions
Bedienungsanleitung
© 2000 by Sony Corporation
RM-VL900T
GB
DE

2GB

3GB
Features
The RM-VL900T Remote Commander provides centralised control of
all your AV components from a single remote commander and saves
the trouble of operating different AV components with different
remote control devices. The following are its main features.
Centralised control of Sony AV components with this one
remote commander
This Commander is preset at the factory to operate Sony brand
components, so you can use it out of the box as a control centre for
your Sony AV components.
Remote control signals for non-Sony components are also
preset
This Commander is preset for most major brands components
including Sony. You can remote control your components by setting
their code numbers (page 8).
Learning function for programming other remote control
signals you need
This Commander has a Learning function, to “learn” remote control
signals to operate non-preset components or functions (page 15).
In addition, the Commander can “learn” remote control signals
(infrared signals only) of non-Audio Visual components such as air-
conditioners, lights, etc. (some specific appliances or functions may
not be available) (page 35).
Reassigning new components
You can assign other Component Select buttons to freely operate other
components. This is useful when you have more than two of the same
kind of AV components (page 32).
System Control function allows one-touch operation to execute
a series of commands
You can programme up to 16 consecutive operation steps to execute a
series of operations by pressing a single button (page 23).
Data can be transferred between remote commanders
You can transfer data such as learned signals, series of commands
assigned to SYSTEM CONTROL buttons and other settings between
this commander and another Sony RM-VL900T or RM-AV2100T
remote commanders.
GB

4GB
Table of Contents
Getting Started
Installing the Batteries .................................................................................6
When to replace the batteries ............................................................................ 6
Location of Controls .....................................................................................7
Basic Operations
Setting the Code for PresetAudio andVisual Components .........................8
Setting a component code .................................................................................. 8
Checking if the code number works .............................................................. 10
Setting a component code by the Search function ....................................... 11
OperatingYour Components with the Remote Commander ......................12
To control the volume ....................................................................................... 13
Notes on operating your components ........................................................... 14
Using Unpreset Remote Control Operations — Learning Function ............15
For accurate Learning....................................................................................... 18
Changing or erasing the function of a “learned” button ............................ 19
Advanced Features
Controlling theVolume of Visual Components Connected to anAudio
System......................................................................................................21
Executing a Series of Commands — System Control Function ..................23
Programming a series of commands to the SYSTEM CONTROL
buttons ............................................................................................................. 24
Notes on System Control Operation .............................................................. 27
Programming a series of commands to the Component Select buttons ... 27
Changing the interval between operation steps ........................................... 29
Adding an Extra Function to the Component Select Buttons.....................30
Programming the Power-On Command of the Selected Component
(for Sony Components only) ........................................................................ 30
Assigning Other Components to the Component Select Buttons ..............32
Copying the settings of a Component Select button to another button.... 34
Programming a Frequently Used Key Operation for SYSTEM CONTROL
Buttons.....................................................................................................35
Notes on the “learned” signals of an air-conditioner .................................. 37
Transferring Data between Remote Commanders......................................38
Transferring the data ........................................................................................ 38
Receiving the data ............................................................................................. 40

5GB
Using Other Functions
Locking the Controls — Hold Function.......................................................43
Additional Information
Precautions .................................................................................................44
Specifications..............................................................................................44
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................................45
Appendix
Table of Preset Functions............................................................................48
TV ........................................................................................................................ 48
VCR ..................................................................................................................... 49
CBL (Cable box)................................................................................................. 49
SAT ...................................................................................................................... 50
DVD .................................................................................................................... 50
VD (Video disc player) ..................................................................................... 51
CD ....................................................................................................................... 51
MD....................................................................................................................... 52
DAT ..................................................................................................................... 52
TAPE ................................................................................................................... 53
AMP .................................................................................................................... 53
Index ...........................................................................................................54

6GB
Getting Started
Installing the
Batteries
Slide open the battery
compartment lid and insert four
R6 (size AA) batteries (not
supplied). Be sure to match up the
+ and – indications on the
batteries with the + and –
indications on the battery
compartment.
When to replace the
batteries
Batteries for remote control
operation (Four R6 (sizeAA)
batteries)
Under normal conditions, the
batteries will last up to five
months. If the Commander does
not operate properly, the batteries
might be drained. When this
happens, replace the batteries with
new ones.
Note
Do not take more than one hour to
replace the batteries; otherwise, your
setting of the code numbers (page 8)
and “learned” remote control signals
(page 15) will be erased.
Notes on batteries
• Do not mix old batteries with new
ones or mix different types of
batteries together.
• If the electrolyte inside the battery
should leak, wipe the contaminated
area of the battery compartment with
a cloth and replace the old batteries
with new ones. To prevent the
electrolyte from leaking, remove the
batteries when you plan not to use
the Commander for a long period of
time.
Insert the batteries negative-and-
first through the guide clamp
within each compartment as
shown above.

7GB
Location of Controls
1S (set) button
2Set indicator
3Component Select buttons
Light or flash during operation.
4Number buttons/AMP INPUT
select buttons
5-(1–) button
6tbutton
7/button
8Player Control buttons or
Fastext buttons
9Cursor Control & OK buttons
0MENU button
qa 2+/– buttons*
qs %button*
qd SYSTEM CONTROL buttons
qf 1button
qg ENT (enter) (2–) button
qh abutton
qj GUIDE button
qk PROGR +/– buttons
ql button
*Note on the 2+/– and %
buttons
The Commander controls or mutes the
TV’s volume when you select a visual
component. The Commander controls
or mutes the amplifier’s volume when
you select an audio component.
You can change this setting also
(page 21).
NOTE
The function of control buttons vary depending on settings/operating modes.
“Table of Preset Functions” (page 48) shows how the Commander generally
operates for each component at preset mode.
These settings can be changed, and some buttons are used specifically in the setup
procedure as described in the following pages.

8GB
Example:To set up a Philips’ TV
1See the tables in the
supplied “Component
Code Numbers”, and find
the three-digit code number
for the desired component.
If more than one code number
is listed, use the number that is
listed first.
For example, to set up a
Philips’ TV, you would use the
code number 011.
2Press S (set).
All Component Select buttons
flash.
Basic Operations
Setting the Code for
Preset Audio and
Visual Components
The Commander is preset at the
factory to operate Sony brand AV
components (see the table below).
If you are using the Commander
with a factory-set Sony
components, skip the following
procedures.
You can use the Commander with
other preset AV components also.
To use with other AV components,
you need to follow the procedures
to set the correct codes for each
component.
*Analog audio compact cassette deck
NOTE
CBL and VD can be set to any of the
above Component Select buttons, and
so can the others respectively.
See “Table of Preset Functions” (page
48) for the functions of buttons as for
each component.
Setting a component code
Component
Select Button
TV
VCR
CBL/SAT
DVD
CD
MD
TAPE
AMP
Factory setting
Sony TV
Sony VHS
VCR
Sony SAT
Sony DVD
player
Sony CD
player
Sony MD deck
Sony cassette
deck
Sony amplifier
Preset
component(s)
TV
TV/VCR
Combo
VCR
Satellite
tuner (SAT)
DVD player
(DVD)
CD player
MD deck
Cassette
deck*
Amplifier

9GB
3Press the Component Select
button for the desired
component.
The selected Component
button lights up, and all other
buttons turn off.
4Press the Number buttons
to enter the three-digit
component code number.
The selected Component
button turns off each time you
press a Number button.
5Press ENT.
The Component button turns
off.
If the Component button
flashes five times before
turning off, it means that the
setup is incomplete. Start over
from Step 2.
Continued
Notes
• If you press a component code
number that is not on the table in the
supplied “Component Code
Numbers”, or if you press a button in
an improper order, the Component
button flashes five times, and then
turns off. Check the component code
number, and try setting again.
• If you don’t input anything into the
Commander for over 20 seconds
between each step, the setup
procedure will be canceled. To set the
code, start over from Step 2.
• If you press S (set) while setting the
component code, all code numbers
will be lost, and the setup procedure
will be canceled. Start over from Step
2.
To cancel setup, press S (set).

10GB
Setting the Code for Preset
Audio and Visual Components
(continued)
Checking if the code
number works
1Press the corresponding
Component Select button
for the component you
have set up.
The Component button lights
up when you press it, and
turns off when you release it.
2Power on the component
with its power switch.
3Aim the Commander at the
component and press 1.
The selected Component
button lights up when you
press a function button, and
turns off when you release it.
The component should power
off.
4If you have succeeded,
check that the Commander
is operating the other
functions of your
component, such as
programme and volume
control.
See page 48 for details.
If the Commander does not
seem to be working
Try repeating the setup procedures
using the other codes listed for your
components, or try setting the code
number using the Search function
(page 11).
Note on the 2+/– and %
buttons
When you operate a visual
component, the TV button lights
up to indicate that the
Commander is controlling or
muting the TV’s volume.
When you operate an audio
component, the AMP button lights
up to indicate that the
Commander is controlling or
muting the amplifier’s volume.
It is recommended that you first
set the TV and AMP codes before
setting up any other components.
Note on buttons that have
already “learned” remote
control signals
If another signal has already been
programmed on that button using
the Learning function (page 15),
that “learned” signal will work
even after you set the component
code number. To use it as a preset
function button, first erase its
“learned” signal (page 19).

11GB
Setting a component code
by the Search function
You can find a code number
available for a component that
doesn’t have one in the supplied
“Component Code Numbers”.
Before starting the Search
function
Set each component to the
following status so that the Search
function works effectively.
TV: Power-on
VCR, SAT, CBL, DVD, AMP:
Power-off
VD, CD, MD, TAPE: Power-on
with a playback source (disc,
cassette tape, etc.)
1Press S (set).
All Component Select buttons
flash.
2Press the Component Select
button for the desired
component.
The selected Component
button lights up, and all other
buttons turn off.
3Press PROGR + or PROGR
– and 1in turn until the
component reacts as
decribed in the following.
Powers off: TV
Powers on: VCR, SAT, CBL,
DVD, AMP
Plays back: VD, CD, MD, TAPE
Press PROGR + to go to the
next code number.
Press PROGR – to go back to
the previous code number.
The Component button flashes
three times after the numbers
have turned one cycle.
Note
Always be sure to first press
PROGR +/– before pressing 1.
Otherwise the Search function does
not work properly.
Continued

12GB
4Press ENT.
The Component button turns
off.
5Check if the code number
works by following the
instructions on page 10.
To cancel setup, press S (set).
Setting the Code for Preset
Audio and Visual Components
(continued)
Example: To play a CD player
1Press the desired
Component Select button.
The Component button lights
up when you press it, and
turns off when you release it.
Operating Your
Components with the
Remote Commander
When you operate a non-Sony
component, make sure you set the
component code first (page 8).

13GB
To control the volume
Press 2+/– to control the
volume, and %to mute. When
you select a visual component, the
TV’s volume will be controlled
(the TV button lights up), and
when you select an audio
component, the amplifier’s
volume will be controlled (the
AMP button lights up). You can
change this setting also (page 21).
Notes
• If you have programmed any signal
on the 2+/– or %button of any
component by the Learning function
(page 15), that signal will be
transmitted instead of controlling the
volume of the TV or amplifier when
you select that component.
• If you have programmed any signal
on the 2+/– or %button of TV or
AMP by the Learning function, that
signal will be transmitted only when
you select TV or AMP. When you
select other components, the preset
volume control signals for TV or
AMP will be transmitted.
• If you have assigned another
component to the TV or AMP button
(page 32), the volume of the TV or
amplifier cannot be controlled even
when you select other components.
Continued
2Press any Player Control
button.
See “Table of Preset Functions”
(page 48) for the functions of
buttons for each component.
Note
The remote control signals may be
different for some components or
functions. In this case, programme the
remote control signals with the
Learning function (page 15). Note,
however, that components and
functions that do not support the
remote control of infrared signals will
not work with this Commander.

14GB
Notes on operating your
components
When you use a double cassette
deck
1If the remote control for your
deck has a Deck A/B select
control, the button on your
Commander has the
corresponding function.
2If you cannot select Deck A/B
with the button, first set the
number code for either one of
the decks, and
•set the function controls for
the other deck to other free
buttons (for example, the
Number buttons) using the
Learning function (page 15),
or
•assign the other deck to
another Component Select
button (page 32).
About the input select of a TV
Each time the tbutton is
pressed, the input is changed in
order. It is also possible to select
directly as follows when you are
connecting more than two VCRs.
“t” + “0”: TV tuner
“t” + “1”: VIDEO1
“t” + “2”: VIDEO2
“t” + “3”: VIDEO3
“t” + “4”: VIDEO4
“t” + “5”: VIDEO5
“t” + “6”: VIDEO6
If the above operations do not
work, programme the remote
control signals of your component
to the Commander using the
Learning function (page 15).
About the input select of a VCR
Each time the tbutton is
pressed, the input is changed in
order. It is also possible to select
directly as follows.
“t” + “0”: Tuner
“t” + “1”: LINE1
“t” + “2”: LINE2
“t” + “3”: LINE3
“t” + “4”: LINE4
“t” + “5”: DV in
When you use a Sony VCR, the
above commands are preset. For
other brands, it is possible to
“teach” the above sequential
button operations using the
Learning function (page 15).
Operating Your Components
with the Remote Commander
(continued)

15GB
Example:To programme the N
(Play) signal of your component
to the VCR N(Play) button of
the Commander
1Place the RM-VL900T head
to head with your
component’s remote
control.
2Press and hold S (set) for
over 3 seconds.
The S (set) indicator lights up,
and all Component Select
buttons flash.
about 5 – 10 cm
(2 – 4 inches) away
Remote control for
your component
RM-VL900T
Continued
Using Unpreset
Remote Control
Operations
— Learning Function
To operate unpreset components
or functions, use the following
Learning procedure to “teach” any
of the programmable buttons to
operate the functions of another
remote control. You can also use
the Learning function to change
the signals of individual buttons
after setting the component code
number (page 8).
It is recommended that you make
a note of the “learned” key
functions.
Note
Some specific remote control signals
may not be “learned”.

16GB
Using Unpreset Remote Control
Operations
— Learning Function (continued)
3Press the Component Select
button for the component
whose signals are to be
“learned”.
Both the S (set) indicator and
the selected Component button
light up, and all other buttons
turn off.
If another signal has already
been programmed on that
Component button, the
Component button of the
“learned” component remains
flashing. It stays that way until
you have changed the setting.
Example: If “CD” has been set
to VCR, VCR lights up and CD
flashes.
4Press the button on the
Commander you want to
“teach”.
Both the S (set) indicator and
the Component button flash
(Learning function standby).
If another signal has already
been “learned” by that
button
The S (set) indicator flashes
twice, and the Commander
returns to its state in Step 3.
Either “teach” to another free
button, or clear the already
“learned” function (page 19)
and start over from the
beginning.

17GB
5Press and hold the button
on the other remote control,
until both the S (set)
indicator and the
Component button light up
again.
During data transfer, only the S
(set) indicator stays lit, and the
Component button turns off.
After data transfer is complete,
the Commander returns to its
state in Step 3.
6Repeat Steps 4 to 5 to
“teach” functions to other
buttons.
To “learn” another
component’s remote control
signal
After positioning the two remote
commanders as in Step 1 on page
15, press the corresponding
Component Select button, and then
follow Steps 4 to 5 to perform
Learning.
7Press S (set) to finish
setting.
remote control
of component
during data
transfer data transfer complete
Notes
• If you do not perform Learning steps
within 20 seconds at any point during
the process, Learning mode ends.
• If you do not perform Step 5 within
10 seconds after Step 4, Learning
mode ends.
To cancel setup, press S (set).
If the Commander does not
seem to be working
If the “learned” button does not
operate properly, “teach” once again.
(For example, if the volume becomes
very loud after pressing 2+ only once,
noise may have interfered during the
Learning procedure.)
If you set a component code
after “learning” a signal
If you have programmed any signal on
a button by the Learning function, that
signal will work even after you set a
component code.
When you “teach” the signals
for a double cassette deck
switchable A and B
Press to select DeckA
or B.
Note on the REC zsignal
You can only “teach” to one button at
at time. Therefore you cannot teach a
sequential button operation (for
example REC z+ B) to a single button
on your Commander.
Continued

18GB
Using Unpreset Remote Control
Operations
— Learning Function (continued)
When you “teach” signals to the
2+/– or %buttons
•If you have programmed any
signal on the 2+/– or %
button for components other
than TV and AMP using the
Learning function, that signal
will be transmitted only when
you select that component.
•If you have programmed any
signal on the 2+/– or %
button for TV or AMP using the
Learning function, that signal
will be transmitted only after
you select TV or AMP. When you
select other components, the
preset volume control signals for
TV or AMP will be transmitted
(for the difference between
visual components and audio
components, see page 21). To use
the “learned” signal, you need to
programme the 2+/– or %
button for each component using
the Learning function.
To “teach” the signals for an air-
conditioner
See “Programming a Frequently
Used Key Operation for SYSTEM
CONTROL Buttons” on page 35.
For accurate Learning
•Do not move the remote units
during the Learning procedure.
•Be sure to keep holding down
the “learning” button until your
Commander reacts as described.
•Use fresh batteries in both
remote units.
•Avoid Learning in places under
direct sunlight or a strong
fluorescent light.
•The remote control detector area
may differ depending on each
remote unit. If Learning does not
work, try changing the positions
of the two remote control units.
•When you teach signals of an
interactive signal exchange
system remote control unit
(supplied with some of Sony’s
receivers and amplifiers) to the
Commander, the response signal
of the main unit may interfere
with the learning of the
Commander. In such a case,
move to a place where the
signals will not reach the main
unit (e.g. other rooms, etc.).
IMPORTANT
Be sure to place the
Commander out of the reach of
small children or pets.
Components such as air
conditioners, heaters, electric
appliances, and electric
shutters or curtains receiving
an infrared signal can be
dangerous if misused.
Note
For details on the learnable remote
control signals, see “Specifications” on
page 44.

19GB
Continued
Changing or erasing the
function of a “learned”
button
To change the “learned” function,
clear it first and perform Learning
again.
To clear the “learned” function
of a single button
Example:To erase the “learned”
function from the Number
button 1 in VCR mode.
1Press and hold S (set) for
over 3 seconds.
The S (set) indicator lights up,
and all Component Select
buttons flash.
2While holding the desired
Component Select button
pressed, press the button
you want to erase.
The S (set) indicator turns off,
and the selected Component
button lights up.
Note
Be sure to press both buttons at
once. If you release the Component
Select button, the Commander
changes to Learning mode.
3Press S (set) to finish
setting.

20GB
Using Unpreset Remote Control
Operations
— Learning Function (continued)
To clear all function signals
“learned” for a specific
component
Example:To erase all functions
“learned” by VCR button.
1Press and hold S (set) for
over 3 seconds.
The S (set) indicator lights up,
and all Component Select
buttons flash.
2While holding xpressed,
press the desired
Component Select button.
The S (set) indicator turns off,
and the selected Component
button lights up.
Note
Through this operation, you can
only erase the “learned” functions
of all buttons for a specific
component. The “learned”
functions for the Component Select
buttons cannot be changed here.
You must be sure beforehand of
which “learned” function you want
to erase.
3Press S (set) to finish
setting.