Sony SL-HF950ES User manual

AEP Model
E Model
September, 1985
System
SPECIFICATIONS
Video recording system
Rotary two-head helical scanning
Audio recording system
Video signal
Aerial input
Beta hi-fi PAL system (2 channels)
(Recording on the conventional audio
track is monaural.)
SL-HF950ES
CCIR standards, PAL and DDR
SECAM colour
SL-HF950E
CCIR standards, PAL colour
75-ohm, asymmetrical aerial socket
Stereo/bilingual system (SL-HF950ES only)
West-German two-carrier system
Channel coverage
SL-HF950ES
VHF: Western European channels
E2 - U20
UHF: Western European channels
E21 - E68
(Up to 30 programmes can be preset.)
SL-HF950E
VHF: Western European channels
E2-€12
UHF: Western European channels
E21 - E68
(Up to 30 programmes can be preset.)
RF output signal
UHF channels E30 to E39 (variable)
75 ohms, unbalanced
Video
Super Beta hi-ii
CX CHASSIS
Horizontal resolution
280 lines (Super Beta PRO mode)
Beta hi-fi PAL sound
Frequency response
20 Hz to 20 kHz (MPX FILTER OFF)
Wow and flutter
Dynamic range
Less than 0.005 % WRMS
More than 80 dB
Inputs and outputs
Video input
Video output-
Audio inputs
Beta
VIDEO
VIDEO IN: BNC connector
1.0 V (p-p) ~58 V (p-P)
75 ohms, unbalanced,
sync negative
VIDEO OUT: BNC connecter
1.0 V (p-p) +0.1 V (p-p)
75 ohms, unbalanced,
sync negative
AUDIO IN: 2 phono jacks
47 kilohms, —10 dBs
(OdBs = 0.775V rms)
Microphone: -60dBs, for ow-
impedance microphone
— Continuecoon page 2 —
CASSETTE REC) RDER
SONY.

Audio outputs AUDIO OUT: 2 phono jacks
Load impedance less than 10 kilohms
-10 dBs with 47 kilohms load,
unbalanced
Headphones: Stereo phone jack
—26 dBs, 8ohms
Video/audio output
21-pin EXROCONNECTOR
CONTROL § input
Minijack
CONTROL L input/output
5-pin connector
CONTROL L
GND
DC OUT (8 V, 100 mA)
Tape transport
Tape speed 18.73 mm/sec.
Maximum recording time
2 hours 10 min. (with Sony L-500 cas-
sette)
3 hours 15 min. (with L-750)
Fast forward/rewind time
Within 5 min. (with L-500)
Timer
Clock
Time indication
24-hour cycle
Timer setting Only for recording
6 events/3 weeks, adjustable for any
day or for all 7 days of the week or for
every week
Crystal lock
General
Power requirements
110 - 240 V AC + 10 %, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption
SL-HF950ES: 39W
SL-HF950E: 36W
Storage temperature
—20° C to +60° C (—4° F to +140° F)
Operating temperature
5° C to 40° C (41° F to 104° F)
Approx. 430 x 95 x 405 mm (w/h/d)
(17 x 3 4/4 x 16 inches)
including projecting parts and controls
Approx. 10.5 kg (23 Ibs) net
Dimensions
Weight
Accessories supplied
Video cassette tape (1)
75-ohm coaxial cable for recorder to TV connection (1)
Remote Commander RMT-223 with two IEC designation
R6 batteries (1)
RF channel adjustment screwdriver (1)
Design and specifications subject to change without
notice.
Note
This appliance conforms with EEC Directives 76/889 and
82/499 regarding interference suppression.

SAFETY CHECK-OUT
After correcting the original service problem, perform the following
safety checks before releasing the set to the customer:
1. Check the area of your repair for unsoldered or
poorly-soldered connections. Check the entire
board surface for solder splashes and bridges.
2. Check the interboard wiring to ensure that no
wires are “pinched” or contact high-wattage
resistors.
3. Look for unauthorized replacement parts, par-
ticularly transistors, that were installed during a
previous repair. Point them out to the customer
and recommend their replacement.
SAFETY-RELATED COMPONENT WARNING !!
COMPONENTS IDENTIFIED BY SHADING AND MARK
ON THE SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS, EXPLODED
VIEWS AND IN THE PARTS LIST ARE CRITICAL TO
SAFE OPERATION. REPLACE THESE COMPONENTS
WITH SONY PARTS WHOSE PART NUMBERS APPEAR
AS SHOWN IN THIS MANUAL OR IN SUPPLEMENTS
PUBLISHED BY SONY. CIRCUIT ADJUSTMENTS
THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SAFE OPERATION ARE
IDENTIFIED IN THIS MANUAL. FOLLOW THESE PRO-
CEDURES WHENEVER CRITICAL COMPONENTS ARE
REPLACED OR IMPROPER OPERATION IS SUSPECTED.
4.
Look for parts which, though functioning, show
obvious signs of deterioration. Point them out
to the customer and recommend their replace-
ment.
Check the B+ voltage to see it is at the values
specified.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title
1. GENERAL
1-1. Precautions ....... flies oa Peay ete, Sana 6
1-2. Technical Information. ..............
1-3. Location and Function of Controls .......,
1-4.
On-Screen
Display
.................
1-5. Cassette Insertion .............0..0.
1-6. TV Programme Recording
(Beta hi-fi recording). ...............
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1-8.
Useofthe
Time
Counter
.............
1-9.
Index
Function.
..............004.
1-10. Timer-Activated Recording ............
1-11.
Tape
Editing
................0004
1-12.
TV
Station
Programming
............
i
1-13. Clock Setting. ...................

SECTION 1
GENERAL
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.
NOTE ON THE SL-HF950ES
AND SL-HF950E
This instruction manual covers the SL-HF950ES and SL-
HF950E.
The principal differences between the models are indi-
cated in the following table. The differences are clearly
mentioned in the text required.
SL-HF950ES SL-HF950E
E
Colour system cae ane SECAM PAL
TV channel VHF E2 - U20 VHF E2- E12
coverage UHF E21 - £68 UHF E21 - E68
Stereo/bilingual
TV programme Provided Not provided
reception
The illustrations used in this manual are of the SL-
HF9S5O0ES.
1-1. PRECAUTIONS
On safety
e This unit operates on 110 —- 240 V ac, 50/60 Hz.
eShould any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet,
turn off the unit and have it checked by qualified per-
sonnel before operating it any further.
e@To disconnect the mains lead (ac power cord), pull it
out by the plug. Never pull the lead itself.
e@ The unit is not disconnected from the mains (ac power
source) as long as it is connected to the mains outlet,
even if the unit itself has been turned off.
On installation
e@ Allow adequate air circulation to prevent internal heat
build-up. Do not place the unit on surfaces (rugs, blan-
kets, etc.) or near materials (curtains, draperies) that
may block the ventilation grille.
e Do not install the unit near heat sources such as radi-
ators or air ducts or in a place subject to direct sun-
light, excessive dust, mechanical vibration or shock.
e The unit is designed for operation in a horizontal posi-
tion. Do not install it in an inclined position.
eKeep the unit and cassette tapes away from equip-
ment with strong magnets, such as a microwave oven,
large loudspeakers, etc.
On operation
e@When the unit is not to be used for a long period, turn
the unit off to conserve energy and to extend the use-
ful life of your unit.
e@ Remove and store video cassettes after recording or
playback. Always store the cassette in its case to
keep the tape away from dust.
On cleaning
Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with a dry soft
cloth. Do not use a moistened cloth or any type of sol-
vent, such as alcohol or benzine, which might damage
the finish.
On repacking
Do not throw away the carton and packing materials.
They make an ideal container in which to transport the
unit. When shipping the unit to another location, repack
it as illustrated on the carton.
On colour broadcasting systems
This machine is designed to record and play back using
the PAL colour system (SL-HF950E) or the PAL and DDR
SECAM colour systems (SL-HF950ES). Recording and
playback of video sources based on other colour sys-
tems cannot be guaranteed.
If you have any questions about this unit, contact your
Sony dealer.

REMOVAL OF THE TRANSIT
SCREWS
The cassette compartment is secured with three transit
screws to prevent it from sliding out while the unit is
being transported.
Before operating the unit, be sure to remove the transit
screws, using a screwdriver. Store the screws in the
screw holes at the rear, and put them back in the
original positions when transporting the unit.
Screw holes
Rear view
Transit screws
1-2. TECHNICAL INFORMATION
HIGH QUALITY SOUND
What is Beta hi-fi PAL recording?
In conventional recording, audio signals are recorded
on the audio track and the video signals on the video
track. On Beta hi-fi recording, audio signals are record-
ed on the video track together with the video signals.
In this recorder’s Beta hi-fi PAL system, audio signals
are recorded first, using the 2 audio heads, then video
signals are recorded over the audio signals with an azi-
muth offset, using the 2 video heads.
Beta hi-fi audio signals are frequency-modulated and
recorded on 2 channels, so you can record a stereo or bi-
lingual programme with sound clearly superior to that of
a conventiona! audio recording.
Conventional
audio track
(monaural)
Audio signal
Video + audio
FM track
Control track
Video signal
Video heads
For recording/playback of video signals
Audio heads
For recording/
playback of
Beta hi-fi audio
signals
Audio/controi heads
For recording/playback of conventi»mal audio
signals and control signals
Beta hi-fi recording on this recorder
This recorder simultaneously records audio sqnals on
the video track (Beta hi-fi recording) and on the conven-
tional audio track (in monaural), so that tapes recorded
with this recorder can be played back on an ordinary
video cassette recorder without a Beta hi-fi system.

HIGH QUALITY PICTURE
—Technology behind Super Beta (PAL)
Super Beta standard mode
Betamax provides a high-resolution picture thanks to its
high relative tape-to-head speed produced with the
large diameter head drum.
Super Beta standard made offers even sharper and de-
tailed picture reproduction by improving the emphasis
characteristics of video signals in recording and the
noise canceller characteristics in playback.
Super Beta PRO mode
In addition to the technology mentioned above, with the
use of the highest-grade tape, the FM carrier frequency
of the luminance signal is shifted up by 500 kHz. The re-
sults are higher resolution of the picture and improved
signal-to-noise ratio of the chrominance signal. (Fig. 1)
Other technical extras
This SL-HF950ES/E employs a compression circuit for
recording current of the chrominance signal for better
signal-to-noise ratio. (Fig. 2) In addition, the newly devel-
oped ‘‘DA (Double Azimuth) PRO 4 HEAD” reduces inter-
ference between adjacent video tracks resulting in high-
er quality picture reproduction. These technologies
contributes to overall picture quality of the SL-HF950ES/
E.
Notes
eSuper Beta PRO mode must be used with highest-
grade tapes such as Sony PRO-X or equivalent tapes
from other tape manufacturers.
eThe tapes recorded in Super Beta should be played
back in Super Beta mode.
Fig. 1 Frequency response
\ Super Beta PRO
mode
at high level signal
Conventional
Super Beta PRO
mode
at low level signal
Conventional
(MH2)
Fig. 2 Chrominance signal-to-noise ratio
SL-HF950ES/E
Chrominance S/N
Conventional
50 100 (%)
Chrominance signal level

1-3. LOCATION AND FUNCTION OF CONTROLS
Front [5]
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[25] (24) [23] 22) [21] (20) {19
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18) (17) (46) (15) (14) [13
({]ON/STANDBY switch and indicator
Press to turn on the unit. The indicator will light up.
Press again to turn it off.
The timer section will continue to operate and the
time will be displayed even if the ON/STANDBY
switch is off.
(2) EJECT button
Press to remove the cassette. This button does not
function when the recorder is turned off.
(3)REMOTE SENSOR
Detects the remote control signal transmitted from
the supplied Remote Commander.
[4] Display window
Shows the recorder is in
© TIMER REC indicator:
timer standby mode. It is also displayed during
timer recording including quick timer recording.
© VTR indicator: Shows the recorder is in VTR
mode.
© Week indicators: Show the week in which the
timer recording will take place. See page 25.
© Day of the week indicators
© STEREO indicator (SL-HF950ES only):
a stereo broadcast is being received.
Shows
@ SC (simulcast) indicator: Shows the INPUT SE-
LECT switch is set to SIMUL.
PROG (programme) number: Shows the
programme number selected with the PROG +/—
buttons. When the INPUT SELECT switch is set
to LINE/PCM, the indication will change to ‘‘AU”.
Index indicators: Appear when the index func-
tion is activated. See page 22.
Cassette indicator: Shows a cassette is insert-
ed.
Turn-on time setting indicator
Event number
Turn-on time of a timer recording
Time counter: Shows the approximate tape run-
ning time.
Turn-off time setting indicator
Clock/turn-off time: Normally shows the current
time. Shows the turn-off time of a time: record-
ing during timer setting and checking.
BILINGUAL indicator (SL-HF950ES only) :
a bilingual broadcast is being received.
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[5] Cassette compartment
The compartment slides out when the & EJECT but-
ton or the VW OPEN/CLOSE button is pressed. To slide
it in, press the VW OPEN/CLOSE button.
[6] WOPEN/CLOSE button
Press to slide out the cassette compartment regard-
less of whether the tape is running or not. Press again
to slide in the cassette compartment.
—38—

Variable
speed
playback
buttons
and
indicators
During
playback
(in
normal,
still,
fast
motion
or
slow
motion
picture
mode),
press
one
of
these
buttons
to
select
the
desired
playback
speed.
The
indicator
on
the
button
lights.
When
the
indicator
of
the
>
FWD
FRAME
button
lights,
the
picture
advances.
When
the
indicator
of
the
REV
<
FRAME
button
lights,
the
pic-
ture
moves
in
the
reverse
direction.
plq
STILL
button:
For
still
picture
1/10
button:
For
slow
motion
picture
at
4/10
normal
speed
1/5
button:
For
slow
motion
picture
at
*/s
normal
speed
x 1 button: For normal speed picture
x 2 button: For double-speed picture
x9
button:
For
fast
motion
picture
at
9
times
normal
speed
FRAME buttons
During normal or variable speed playback, these but-
tons are used to select the direction of playback.
Press the > FWD button for forward picture, or the
REV < button for reverse picture.
These buttons are also used for frame-by-frame play-
back.
During
pause
of
playback
or
in
still
picture
mode, press the > FWD button to advance the picture
by one frame, or the REV < button to reverse the pic-
ture by one frame. If either button is kept depressed,
the picture moves frame by frame continuously.
[8] PROG (programme) +/— buttons
Press + to advance or — to reverse the programme
numbers. Also used for clock setting and timer set-
ting.
(10) Tuning compartment
All the switches and buttons for programming sta-
tions are in this compartment.
SEARCH
© RESET button: Toclear the programmed station,
press this button.
© AFT button and lamp: The AFT circuit activates
automatically after the stations are tuned and
memorized with automatic and manual pro-
gramming. The AFT famp will illuminate. If you
wish to restore the AFT on the station which has
been fine-tuned manually with the FINE buttons,
press the AFT button.
© FINE + and — buttons: Press to fine-tune the
station.
© AUTO PROGRAM (automatic programming) but-
ton: To preset the receivable stations automa-
tically, press this button.
© Tuning lamps: Lights to indicate the tuning
band.
@
SEARCH
+
and
-
buttons:
Press
to
tune
in
a
station.
Press
the
—
button
to
get
a station
of
lower
frequency
and
the
+ button
to
get
a station
of
higher
frequency.
(\4] INSERT indicators
The AUDIO indicator lights when the AUDIO INSERT
button is pressed, and the VIDEO indicator lights
when the VIDEO INSERT button is pressed.
{12} Function buttons
<q REW button: Press to rewind the tape.
® PLAY button: Press to play the tape back.
pe
FF
button:
Press
to
advance
the
tape
rapidly.
@ STOP button: Press to stop the tape.
1} PAUSE/pi@ STILL button: Press to stop the tape
for a moment during recording or playback. Press
again to release the pause mode.
@ RECORD button: Press to start recording.
(13) SUPER BETA indicator
This indicator lights when the SUPER BETA selector
is set to the SUPER BETA (STD or PRO) position.
[14] EDIT indicator
This indicator lights when the EDIT switch is set to
the lower position.
(15) INDEX button
This button is used for the index search or index scan
operation. See page 23.
(16) GO TO ZERO button
In stop mode, press this button to advance or rewind
the tape to approximately the “OHOOMO00S” point on
the time counter.
(17, COUNTER RESET button
Press to reset the time counter to “OHOOMO0S”.
{i8] TV/VTR select button
This button is operable when a TV is connected to the
recorder’s 21-pin EUROCONNECTOR.
To view a TV programme selected by the PROG but-
tons on the recorder or to monitor the picture being
recorded, press this button so that the VTR indicator
appears in the display window. When the p>» PLAY
button on the recorder is pressed, the recorder is au-
tomatically set in the VTR mode. To view a TV pro-
gramme in the usual manner, press this button so
that the indicator goes off. When the recorder is
turned
off,
the
recorder
is
automatically
set
in
the
TV
mode.
—9—

REC LEVEL (recording level) controls
Used to adjust the audio recording level of Beta hi-fi
recording. Normally set-these controls to 5 (green po-
sition) for recording TV programmes.
(20)PEAK PROG (programme) METER/BETA HI-FI
TRACKING meters
When the LEVEL METER selector is set to ON, these
meters show the peak input levels of the left and right
channels during Beta hi-fi recording, and recorded
levels during playback.
When the LEVEL METER selector is set to BETA HI-FI
TRACKING, the meters show the audio tracking ad-
justment. Adjust the audio tracking for optimum
sound reproduction of a tape on which only the sound
has been recorded in Beta hi-fi.
(21} Beta hi-fi lamp
Lights to show Beta hi-fi recording, or playback of a
Beta hi-fi recorded tape regardless of the BETA HI-FI
selector’s position.
(22} SOUND lamp
When the RECORD mode selector is set to SOUND,
this lamp lights to show audio recording. It also lights
when a tape with audio signals only is being played
back.
23} MIC (microphone) jack (minijack)
Connect a microphone to record the sound from it on
the conventional audio track.
PHONES jack (stereo phone jack)
Connect headphones to monitor the sound.
[25] PHONE LEVEL control
Adjust the sound volume of the headphones.
Inside the front panel
TIMER REC
pi
CLOCK SET button: Press to initiate clock set-
ting.
CLEAR button: Press to erase the memory of the
timer setting.
CHECK button: Press to check timer settings.
TIMER SET button: Press to initiate timer set-
ing.
NEXT button: Press to advance to the next item
to be set during clock or timer setting.
TIMER REC ON/OFF button: Press to activate
timer recording. Press it again to deactivate
timer recording or quick timer recording in timer
standby mode or while recording.
eo 0 860 8 O
[27] QUICK TIMER button
Press to set the recording duration up to 4 hours in
units of 30 minutes.
(28) TONE selector
Normally set to HIGH. If the high frequencies of the
playback sound recorded on the conventional audio
track seem exaggerated, set to LOW.