Sony SLV-788HF - Video Cassette Recorder User manual

SONY.
STE
Video Cassette
Recorder
Operating Instructions
Owner's record
The model and serial numbers are located at the rear of the
unit. Record these numbers in the spaces provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer
tegarding this product.
Model No.
Serial No.
VHS
li (Fa
vcrilisy-
SLV-788HF
©1988 by Sony Corporation

2
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do
not expose the unit to rain or
moisture.
4 RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.
OO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK)
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIEO SEAVICE PERSONNEL.
This symbol is intended to alert the
auser to the presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage” within the
product's enclosure that may be of sufficient
magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock
to persons.
/\ user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance
(servicing) instructions in the literature
accompanying the appliance.
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.
WARNING
The AC power cord must be changed at
qualified service shop.
Precautions
Safety
Operate the unit only on 120 V AC, 60 Hz.
If anything falls into the cabinet, unplug the unit and
have it checked by qualified personnel before
operating it any further.
¢ This unit is not disconnected from the AC power
source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall
outlet, even if the unit itself has been turned off.
One blade of the plug is wider than the other for the
purpose of safety and will fit into the power outlet
only one way. If you are unable to insert the plug
fully into the outlet, contact your Sony dealer.
¢ Unplug the unit from the wall outlet if you do not
intend to use it for an extended period of time. To
disconnect the cord, pull it out by the plug, never by
the cord.
Installing
¢ Allow adequate air circulation to prevent internal
heat buildup.
This symbol is intended to alert the
°
Introduction
* Do not place the unit on surfaces (rugs, blankets, etc.)
or near materials (curtains, draperies) that may block
the ventilation slots.
* Do not install the unit near heat sources such as
radiators or air ducts, or in a place subject to direct
sunlight, excessive dust, vnethowtical vibration or
shock.
¢ Do not install the unit in an inclined position. It is
designed to be operated in a horizontal position only.
¢ Keep the unit and cassettes away from equipment
with strong magnets, such as microwave ovens or
large loudspeakers.
* Donot place heavy objects on the unit.
¢ Ifthe unit is sett directly from a cold to a warm
location, moisture may condense inside the VCR and
cause damage to the video head and tape. When you
first install the unit, or when you move it from a cold
toa warm location, wait for about one hour before
operating the unit.
Information
For customers in the USA
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
NOTE:
This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur ina
oe installation. If this equipment does cause
armful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to a to correct
the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
* 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.
You are cautioned that any changes or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void
your authority to operate this equipment.
Caution
Television programs, films, video tapes and
other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such material may
be contrary to the provisions of the copyright
laws. Also, use of this recorder with cable
television transmission may require
authorization from the cable television
transmission and /or program owner.

Table of contents
Getting Started
4 Step 1: Unpacking
5 Step 2: Setting up the remote commander
7 Step 3: Hookups 2
30 Selecting a language
31 Setting the clock
38 Setting up cable box control
a
®
3
3
a
uw
&
e
a
43 Presetting channels
47 Setting up VCR Plus+*
Basic Operations 72 Adjusting the picture
50 Playing a tape 73 Changing menu options
52 Recording TV programs 74 Editing with another VCR
56 Recording TV programs using
VCR Plus+ Additional Information
59 Setting the timer manually 76 General setup information
78 Troubleshooting
61 Playing/searching at various 81 Index to parts and controls
speeds 86 Index
64 Searching for a selected point on back cover
the tape
Quick reference to using the VCR
66 Skip searching automatically
67 Recording TV programs using the
quick timer
68 Checking / changing / canceling
timer settings
70 Recording stereo and bilingual
programs
“VCR Plus+ and PlusCode are trademarks of Gemstar Development Corporation. VCR Plus+
system is manufactured under license from Gemstar Development Corporation.
Introduction | 3

Getting Started
Unpacking
Check that you have received the following items with the VCR:
¢ Remote commander ¢ Cable Mouse (cable box controller)
¢ Size AA (R6) batteries ¢ 75-ohm coaxial cable with F-type
connectors
¢ Audio/ video cable (3-phono, 1 mini to * Jack cover
3-phono, 1 mini)
4 | Getting Started
|
*t>

Setting up the remote commander
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.
Remote sensor
Using the remote commander
You can use this remote
commander to operate this VCR
and a Sony TV or AV receiver.
Buttons on the remote
commander marked with a dot
(*) can be used to operate your
Sony TV.
The RECEIVER VOL +/- and
MUTING buttons can be used to
operate your Sony AV receiver.
{Tv|[RECEIVER
/\VIDEO
MUTING
RECEIVER
VOL +/-
To operate Set [TV|[RECEIVER]/[VIDEO] to
the
VCR
VIDEO}
and
point
at
the
remote
sensor
on
the
VCR
a
Sony
TV
or
TV
[RECEIVER]
and
point
at
the
remote
sensor
on
the
TV
or
AV receiver receiver
Notes
*
With
normal
use,
the
batteries
should
last
about
three
to
six
months.
«
If
you
do
not
use
the
remote
commander
for
an
extended
period
of
time,
remove
the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery leakage.
* Do not use a new battery with an old one.
* Do not use different types of batteries.
* Some Sony AV receivers may not be operated with the remote
commander.
continued
Getting Started
7)
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=
3
8
AA
y
a
a
5

SS a a a a a a ES
Step 2: Setting up the remote commander (continued)
Controlling other TVs with the remote commander
The remote commander is preprogrammed to centol non-Sony TVs. If y:
TV
is
listed
in
the
table
below.
set
the
approcriate
manufacturer's
code
number.
1 Set TV RECEIVER / VIDEO az the toc o¢ the remote commander ti
TVj|RECEIVER..
2 Hold POWER down, and enter vour T."s oode number(s) using the
number buttons. Then release MOWER
Now you can use the POWER. VOL - -—. CH + -. and TV/ VIDEO butto1
to control your TV. You can also use the butoms marked with a dot (¢) to
control a Sony TV. To control the VCR. reses TY RECEIVER]/{VIDEO} tc
[VIDEO].
Code numbers of controllable TVs
If more than one code number is listed, try entering them one at a time us
you find the one that works with vour TV.
Manufacturer. Code Manufacturer Code Manufacturer Code
number number numb«
Sony 01 Jvc ad RCA 04,10
Akar. 04 KMC a Sampo sd
AOC 04 Magnavo. C3. 12 Sanyo 11
Centurion 12 Marantz : MS Scott 12
Coronado 03 MGA/Mitsubishi GL IDIE17 Sears 07,10,1
Curis-Mathes 12 NEC a me TD Sharp 03,05,1
Daytron 12 Panasonic de. Ie Svivania 08,12
Emerson 03,04,14 Philco 5,0 Teknika 03,08,1
Fisher 1 Philips iS Toshiba 07
General Electric 06,10 Pioneer = Wards 03,04,1
Gold Star 03,04,17 Portland 3 Yor 12
Hitachi 02,03 Quasar Je, DS Zenith 15
J.C.Penny : 04,12 Radio Shack 25,04
Notes
¢ If the TV uses a different remote contro! swster: fram the one programmed to w:
with the VCR, you cannot control veur TW ws: the remote commander.
* If you enter a new code number, the cade mumcer preniously entered will be er:
¢ When you replace the batteries ef the remere coctenander, the code number
automatically resets to 01 (Senv). Reset te eprcomriat: code number,
6 | Getting Started

Hookups
Selecting the best hookup option
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 diagrants and procedures on the following is
pages to set up your VCR. re)
w
B
If you have Use Refer to a
TV that has audio/video inputs Audio/video (A/V) hookup, then Pages 8 and 9
follow one of the hookups below.
Cable box that is compatible with the Hookup 1 Pages 10 to 12
VCR’s cable box control feature
No cable box or incompatible cable box Hookup 2 Pages 13 to 15
with only a few scrambled channels
Antenna only, no cable TV Hookup 3 Pages 16 to 18
Incompatible cable box with many Hookup 4 Pages 19 to 21
scrambled channels
DSS" receiver Hookup 5 Pages 22 to 24
Incompatible cable box with only a few Hookup 6 Pages 25 to 29
scrambled channels, using an A/B
switch
After you've completed the connections, follow the instructions for setup.
During setup, if you need more details on the procedure described, page
numbers are provided where you can find complete, step-by-step
instructions.
After you've completed the setup, you’re ready to use your VCR.
Procedures differ depending on the hookup you used. For an overview,
refer to “Quick reference to using the VCR” on the back cover.
Before you get started
* Turn off the power to all equipment.
¢ Do not connect the AC power cords until all of the connections are
completed.
¢ Be sure you make connections firmly. Loose connections may cause
picture distortion.
¢ If your TV doesn’t match any of the examples provided, see your nearest
Sony dealer or qualified technician.
* DSS" is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation.
Getting Started | 7

SSS a aaa a a es
Step 3: Hookups (continued)
PNT. [Coy Vire(-vom (Vad maverel.atls) Pages 8a
If your TV has audio/video (A/V) input jacks, you will get a better pict
and sound if you hook up your VCR using these connections. In additi
for a true “home theater” experience, you should connect the audio out
of your VCR or TV to your stereo system. If your TV doesn’t have A/V
inputs, see the following pages for antenna or cable hookups.
If your TV has the S-Link™* (A/V bus control) function, hook up your
using the connection shown on page 9. Your TV will automatically swi
the A/V inputs for your VCR when you play back or operate menu on
VCR.
If you’re not planning to use your VCR to record programs, you're finis
setting up the VCR after you've made the connections shown on pages
9. If-you want to record off-air or off your cable TV system, complete tl
connections first, and then go to the following pages for antenna or cab
hookups.
* S-Link™ is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
Use this hookup if your TV has stereo jacks
VCR Stereo receiver
AUDIO VIDEO
OO@ uwne-1 in
(2) @ @® LINE OUT
AUX IN
Audio/video cable (supplied) Audio cable (not supplie:
* Do not connect the miniplugs for this hookup.
EE] Use this hookup if your TV doesn’t have stereo jacks
VCR Stereo receive:
AUDIO VIDEO
OOO iine-1 iN
(g) (g) @® LINE OUT
AUXIN
Video cable (not supplied) Audio cable (not supplied)
8 | Getting Started

Use this hookup if your TV has the S-Link™ function
VCR Stereo receiver
AUDIO VIDEO
@©OE tine-1 in
@e@
AUX IN
Oo" @@@ encour PP
a
2
a
3
.
Audio/video cable (supplied) Audio cable (not supplied) #
a
2.
Note
¢ To play a tape in stereo, you must use the A/V connection.
Caution
Connections between the VCR’s VHF/UHF connector and the antenna terminals of
the TV receiver should be made only as shown in the following instructions. Failure
to do so may result in operation that violates the regulations of the Federal
Communications Commission regarding the use and operation of RF devices. Never
connect the output of the VCR to an antenna or make simultaneous (parallel) antenna
and VCR connections at the antenna terminals of your receiver.
Note to CATV system installer (in USA)
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer’s attention to Article 820-
40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular,
specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the
building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
continued
Getting Started | 9

athe
ie
Step 3: Hookups (continued)
Hookup 1 Pages 10 to
Using cable box control
Recommended use
You
should
use
this
hookup
if
you
have
a
cable
box,
especially
if
your
cab]
system
scrambles
all
or
most
channels.
This
hookup
allows
the
VCR’s
cab
box
control
feature
to
control
the
channel
on
the
cable
box,
simplifying
the
recording
process.
A
list
of
compatible
cable
boxes
is
on
page
39.
What you can do with this hookup
¢
Record
any
channel
using
the
VCR’s
cable
box
control
feature
to
select
channels
on
the
cable
box
What you can't do
* Record with the cable box turned off
* Record one channel while watching another channel
Cable Mouse
Cable box Rear of TV
VHF/UHF
—] A Match the type of
connector on your
TV: A, B, or C.
VHF
©]8 For connector type
© B and C, no UHF
UHF connection is
required.
VHF
i
UHF
Positioning the Cable Mouse
Place the Cable Mouse so that :
hangs out over the cable box
front.
Side view
10 | Getting Started