Sony SLV-KF297MK2 User manual

Video Cassette
Player
Operating Instructions
3-862-843-21 (1)
SLV-KF297MK2
SLV-KF300
PAL NTSC
©1999 Sony Corporation

Introduction
2
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.
• If anything falls into the cabinet, unplug the
unit and have it checked by qualified
personnel before operating it any further.
• The unit is not disconnected from the mains
as long as it is connected to the mains, even
if the unit itself has been turned off.
• Unplug the unit from the mains 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.
• 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,
mechanical 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.
• Do not place heavy objects on the unit.
• If the unit is brought directly from a cold to
a warm location, moisture may condense
inside the unit and cause damage to the
video head and tape. When you first install
the unit, or when you move it from a cold to
a warm location, wait for about one hour
before operating the unit.
Caution
Television programmes, 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
transmitter and/or programme owner.
Compatible colour systems
• This unit is designed to record and play
back using the PAL (B/G and D/K),
MESECAM (B/G and D/K), NTSC 3.58, and
NTSC 4.43 colour systems. Recording of
video sources based on other colour systems
cannot be guaranteed.
• Tapes recorded with the NTSC colour
system can be played back on this unit using
a TV or a colour monitor for the PAL colour
system.
• To play back tapes recorded with the PAL
and MESECAM colour systems, you need a
TV or colour monitor compatible with these
systems.

Introduction 3
Table of contents
Getting Started
Getting Started
4Step 1: Unpacking
5Step 2: Setting up the remote commander
6Step 3: Connecting the unit
8Step 4: Tuning your TV to the unit
Basic Operations
10 Playing a tape
Additional Operations
14 Playing/searching at various
speeds
16 Karaoke sing-along
19 Enjoying the surround sound
(Virtual Sound) (SLV-KF300 only)
20 Adjusting the picture
21 Editing with another VCR
Additional Information
23 Troubleshooting
25 Specifications
26 Index to parts and controls
back cover
Index

Getting Started
4
Getting Started
Step 1
Unpacking
Check that you have received the following items with the unit:
• Audio/video cable (3-phono to 3-
phono)
• Microphone
Checking your model name
The instructions in this manual are for the 2 models: SLV-KF297MK2
and KF300. Check your model number by looking at the front panel
of your unit. The SLV-KF300 is the model used for illustration
purposes. Any difference in operation is clearly indicated in the text,
for example, “SLV-KF297MK2 only.”
• Remote commander
• R6 (Size AA) batteries
• Aerial cable

Getting Started 5
Getting Started
Step 2
Setting up the remote commander
Inserting the batteries
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 position (+) end
clicks into position.
Using the remote commander
You can use this remote
commander to operate the unit
and a Sony TV. To operate this
unit, point at the remote sensor
on the unit. To operate the TV,
point at the remote sensor on
the TV.
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 mix different types of batteries.
To
Turn the TV to standby or active mode
Turn on the TV power
Increase (+) or decrease (–) the TV volume
Change the TV programme position
Select an input source of the TV either from aerial in or from line in
Press
u(on/standby)
;(TV power)
VOL +/–
PROG (CH) +/–
TV/VIDEO
Remote sensor
;(TV power)
u
(on/standby)
TV/VIDEO
PROG (CH) +/–
VOL +/–
REC

Getting Started
6
Step 3
Connecting the unit
to mains
1Disconnect the aerial cable from your TV
and connect it to AERIAL IN on the rear
panel of the unit.
2Connect AERIAL OUT of the unit and
the aerial input of your TV using the
supplied aerial cable.
3Connect the mains lead to the mains.
: Signal flow
AERIAL IN
AERIAL OUT
AERIAL
OUT
IN
AERIAL
OUT
IN
Aerial cable (supplied)

Getting Started 7
Getting Started
Additional connections (A/V connection)
To a TV that has phono type
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 13),
this connection is necessary. (If
your TV has two or more inputs,
connect the audio/video cable to
the VIDEO IN 1 jacks.)
To a stereo system
You can improve sound quality by
connecting a stereo system as
shown on the right.
TV
This unit
Audio/video cable (supplied)
Audio cable (not supplied)
This unit Stereo system
AUDIO VIDEO
LINE 1 IN
LINE 1 OUT IN
VIDEO
AUDIO
AUDIO VIDEO
LINE 1 IN
LINE 1 OUT
AUX IN
Tip
(SLV-KF300 only)
• You can also use LINE 2 OUT jacks on the front of the unit.
Note
• To play a tape in stereo, you must use the A/V connection.

Getting Started
8
1Press ON/STANDBY to turn on the unit.
2Turn on your TV and select a programme position for video
playback.
Choose a channel between UHF 30 and 39 on the TV where there is
no picture and no sound or only a steady rustling sound.
This channel will now be referred to as the video channel.
3Insert a tape recorded in the colour system matching your TV into
the cassette compartment.
The unit starts playing automatically if you insert a tape with its
safety tab removed.
4Press ·PLAY on the unit.
5Tune the TV until the video playback picture is clearly displayed on
the TV screen.
Refer to your TV manual for tuning instructions.
You have now tuned your TV to the unit. From now on, whenever
you want to play a tape, set the TV to the video channel.
If the playback picture does not appear clearly, see “To obtain a clear
playback picture” on page 9.
Step 4
Tuning your TV to the unit
If you have connected your unit to the TV using the audio/video cable, skip
this step.
ON/STANDBY
ON/STANDBY
REC

Getting Started 9
Getting Started
To obtain a clear playback
picture
If the playback picture does not
appear clearly in step 5 above,
turn the RF CHANNEL screw on
the rear panel of the unit with a
screwdriver to a position where
the TV clearly displays the playback picture.
To select the TV system
For your TV to receive the correct
signal from your unit, you must
set the TV SYSTEM switch on the
rear panel of the unit to either G
(for system B/G) or K (for system
D/K). If this switch is set to the
wrong position, the sound will be
distorted.
RF CHANNEL
TV SYSTEM
K
G

Basic Operations
10
Basic Operations
Playing a tape
NTSC PB
COLOR SYSTEM
6EJECT
PPAUSE
3/#
SEARCH
)FF
·PLAY
0REW
pSTOP
PLAY
1Turn on your TV and set it to the video channel.
2Insert a tape.
The unit turns on, and starts playing
automatically if you insert a tape with its
safety tab removed.
3Press ·PLAY.
When the tape reaches the end, it will rewind automatically.
REC
REC

Basic Operations 11
Basic Operations
Additional tasks
To
Stop play
Pause play
Resume play after pause
Search forward
Search backward
Fast-forward the tape
Rewind the tape
Eject the tape
Press
pSTOP
PPAUSE
PPAUSE or ·PLAY
)FF or #SEARCH during playback
0REW or 3SEARCH during playback
)FF during stop
0REW during stop
6EJECT
To set the colour system
If streaks appear during playback, set COLOR SYSTEM on the unit to
conform to the system that the tape was recorded in. (Normally set the
switch to AUTO.)
If your tape was recorded in
PAL
NTSC
MESECAM
Set COLOR SYSTEM to
PAL/MESECAM
NTSC
PAL/MESECAM
continued
Set NTSC PB to
ON PAL TV
NTSC 4.43
NTSC 3.58
If your TV is
PAL
NTSC 4.43
NTSC 3.58
To play an NTSC-recorded tape
Set NTSC PB on the unit according to the colour system of your TV.
Notes
• Depending on your TV, the following may occur while playing an NTSC-recorded
tape:
– the picture is black and white,
– the picture shakes,
– no picture appears on the TV screen,
– black streaks appear horizontally on the TV screen, and
– the colour density increases or decreases.
• You can play back tapes recorded in the SP mode only.
• You can eject a tape even when the power is off. When you press 6EJECT, the unit
turns on automatically. After ejecting the tape, the unit turns off again.
• When the pause mode lasts for more than approximately five minutes, the unit will
automatically enter the playback mode.

Basic Operations
12
Playing a tape (continued)
To listen to a
Stereo tape’s
Stereo sound
Left channel
Right channel
Standard sound*1
Press AUDIO MONITOR until the
display window indicator shows
L/R
L
R
No indication
*1Usually the mixed sound of left and right channels (monaural)
*2Usually the main sound (monaural)
Bilingual tape’s
Main and sub sounds
Main sound
Sub sound
Standard sound*2
How sound is recorded on a video tape
The unit records sound onto two separate tracks. Hi-fi audio is recorded
onto the main track along with the picture. Monaural sound is recorded
onto the normal audio track along the edge of the tape.
Notes
• To listen to playback sounds in stereo, you must use the AUDIO OUT connections.
• When you play back a tape recorded in monaural, the sound is heard in monaural
regardless of theAUDIO MONITOR setting.
• You cannot select the sound to listen to while recording.
Hi-fi audio track
(main track)
Stereo sound
(left/right channels)
Usually mixed
left/right channels
Normal audio track
(monaural)
Stereo Bilingual
Main (left channel)
Sub (right channel)
Usually main
sound
AUDIO
MONITOR
Selecting the sound
during playback
Press AUDIO MONITOR to select
the sound you want. Each press
of the button changes the
indicator in the display window.
When you play a tape recorded in
stereo or with a bilingual sound
track, the Hi-Fi Stereo indicator in
the display window lights up.

Basic Operations 13
Basic Operations
Turning on the unit 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 unit and TV with the audio/video cable (see “To a TV that has
phono type 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. The TV must be placed where it will respond to the remote
commander while you are pointing it at the unit.
Operation
Make sure that the TV’s power is in standby mode.
Press TRINITRON TV SYNCHRO PLAY and hold the remote commander in
place for about two seconds.
The unit and TV turn on, and the TV is set to the video channel. If there is a
tape in the unit, playback starts automatically.
Notes
• If the Trinitron TV Synchro Play function does not work properly:
- Wait a few moments, and press the button again.
- Replace both of the batteries in the remote commander with new ones, and press
the button again.
Note that this function may not operate some Sony TVs because of the remote
commander’s signal limitations.
• Do not press TRINITRON TV SYNCHRO PLAY while playing back a video tape. If
you do so, the TV’s input source will momentarily switch to the TV’s tuner.

Additional Operations
14
Additional Operations
Playing/searching
at various speeds
)#FF03REW
·PLAY
SLOW +/–
7FRAME
3/#
SEARCH
)FF
·PLAY
0REW
Playback options
Fast-forward/rewind
View the picture during fast-
forward or rewind
Play at high speed
Play in slow motion
Play frame by frame
Rewind and start play
Operation
During stop, press )FF or 0REW.
During fast-forward, hold )FF down. During rewind,
hold 0REW down.
During playback or pause, press #SEARCH or 3SEARCH .
During playback or pause, press SLOW+/–. Press the +/–
buttons to change the speed.
During pause, press 7FRAME to advance the picture one
frame. Hold the button down to play one frame each second.
During stop, hold 03REW on the unit down and press
·PLAY on the unit.
REC

Additional Operations 15
To resume normal playback
Press ·PLAY.
Tip
• If the picture shakes while in the still mode, adjust the picture using
$/4TRACKING NORMAL/SLOW STILLADJUST.
Notes
• Streaks or snow cannot be eliminated completely in the various playback
operations, especially in the slow motion mode.
• The sound is muted during these operations.
• If you press 7FRAME during playback, playback continues at the normal speed
but the sound is muted. Press ·PLAY to resume normal playback.

Additional Operations
16
Karaoke sing-
along
You can sing along with a karaoke
videotape, a TV broadcast, or music
played back on equipment connected to
the LINE 1 IN jacks on the rear panel of
the unit or LINE 2 IN jacks on the front
panel of the unit. You can sing duets if
you use an extra microphone (not
supplied).
Before you start...
• Turn on your TV and set it to the
video channel.
• Connect the supplied microphone to
the MIC IN 1 jack. To sing duets,
connect the optional microphone to
the MIC IN 2 jack.
Singing along with karaoke video tapes
1Set KARAOKE to ON.
2Insert a karaoke video tape.
The unit turns on and starts playing automatically if you insert a tape
with its safety tab removed.
3Press ·PLAY (if playback didn’t start in step 2).
If you want to playback a specific song, see “Searching with the AMS
function” on page 17.
4Set the ON/OFF switch on the microphone to ON.
Now you can enjoy playing karaoke.
To adjust the microphone volume
Turn MIC VOL 1 for the microphone connected to MIC IN 1.
Turn MIC VOL 2 for the microphone connected to MIC IN 2.
Setting the MIC VOL 1 and/or 2 control(s) to the centre position provides
the best microphone volume.
To control the echo effect
Turn ECHO. This controls both microphones’ echo effect in the same way.
To get the best effect, adjust the microphone volume to a slightly higher level
than the music volume.
Microphone
(supplied)
ON/OFF
KARAOKE MIC IN 1/2
·PLAY
MIC VOL 1
ECHO
REC
MIC VOL 2

Additional Operations 17
KARAOKE
Blank space
Present position
Reducing the playback
vocals (Karaoke Pon)
You can use ordinary music sources
with vocals for karaoke with this
function. Use hi-fi stereo music
sources.
Set KARAOKE to PON.
The singer’s voice will be reduced.
To cancel Karaoke Pon
Set KARAOKE to ON or OFF.
Searching with the
AMS function
The AMS (Automatic Music
Sensor) function searches for the
beginning of the next or previous
song by detecting a blank space
between songs.
1Press pSTOP.
2Press =/+AMS.
• To locate the beginning of the next song, press +AMS.
• To locate the beginning of the previous song, press =AMS.
The unit starts searching and plays back automatically when it locates
the beginning of the next or previous song.
·PLAY
=/+
AMS
pSTOP
continued
REC

Additional Operations
18
Tip
• When you sing along with music played back on equipment connected to the LINE
1/2 IN jacks on the unit, play the music source and follow steps 1 and 4 on page 16.
Notes
• If the sound is reproduced through a stereo amplifier, turn down the volume of
amplifier before operation.
• If streaks appear during playback, select the colour system that the tape was
recorded in (see “To set the colour system” on page 11).
• If feedback occurs, turn down the microphone or TV volume, or move the
microphone away from the speakers.
• The AMS may not work correctly when:
– the tape quality is poor,
– a song is very short (less than 40 seconds),
– the interval between songs is very short (less than 6 seconds),
– a high level sound is recorded between songs or at the beginning of a song,
– there are low level passages or passages without sound in a song,
– narration is recorded at the beginning of a song,
– fade-in or fade-out recording is made on the tape, or
– AMS starts from the very beginning of the tape or near an interval between
songs.
• Karaoke Pon does not work with the following tapes:
– tapes on which different vocal sounds are recorded on the left and right channels,
such as a duet;
– tapes recorded monaurally; or
– tapes on which sound sources are recorded with strong echo effects and chorus
effects.
Karaoke sing along (continued)

Additional Operations 19
Enjoying the
surround sound
(Virtual Sound)
(SLV-KF300 only)
You can use the Virtual Sound function to give stereo sources the surround
sound effect and monaural sources a simulated stereo effect.
1Select the type of sound source with the VIRTUAL SOUND switch.
Select SURROUND when listening to a stereo source; select
SIMULATED STEREO for a monaural source.
2Press EFFECT so the WIDE or WARP indicator lights up.
Virtual sound
Type
SURROUND (stereo)
SIMULATED STEREO
(monaural)
To cancel the Virtual Sound
Press EFFECT repeatedly until both WIDE/WARP indicators turn off.
Notes
• This function is available only when the sound is reproduced on a stereo TV (or
other stereo audio equipment). If the connected TV or other audio equipment is
monaural or simulates stereo, you cannot get a clear effect.
• We recommend that you do not use the surround effect function of this unit and
that of the connected TV (or other audio equipment) at the same time. If you do so,
the function may not work properly because the effects overlap each other.
Effect For
WIDE A sound effect that spreads out over a large area
WARP A sound effect that totally envelopes you in sound
WIDE A simulated stereo effect
WARP A wide ranging simulated stereo effect
VIRTUAL SOUND
EFFECT
WIDE/WARP indicators
EFFECT
REC

Additional Operations
20
Adjusting the
picture
Adjusting the tracking
Although the unit automatically
adjusts the tracking when
playing a tape, distortion may
occur if the tape was recorded in
poor condition. If so, manually
adjust the tracking.
Press $/4TRACKING
NORMAL/SLOW to obtain the
best possible picture. The
distortion should disappear as
you press one of the two buttons. If you cannot get a clear picture with
manual adjustment, press TRACKING AUTO/MANU to return to
automatic adjustment.
About OPC
OPC (Optimum Picture Control) automatically improves playback quality
by adjusting the unit to the condition of the video heads and tape.
The OPC function automatically works on all types of tapes, including rental
tapes and the tapes that were not recorded with OPC.
Notes
• The auto tracking function works automatically when you play back a tape just
after inserting it.
• Sufficient picture quality may not be obtained when playing back tapes recorded on
another VCR or tapes in poor condition.
• When a tape recorded with the copyguard system is played back, intermittent
distortion may appear in the upper portion of the picture. However, this is not a
malfunction of the unit.
TRACKING
AUTO/MANU
$/4
TRACKING
NORMAL/
SLOW