Sony SLV-SF99EN User manual

3-867-596-11 (1)
Video Cassette
Recorder
Operating Instructions
©1999 by Sony Corporation
SLV-SF99EN
PAL NTSC 4.43
Chlorine free paper

2WARNING
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.
Mains lead must only be changed at a qualified
service shop.
Precautions
Safety
• This unit operates on 220 – 240 V AC, 50 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 plugged in the wall outlet, even if the
unit itself has been turned off.
• 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.
• 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
VCR 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 three hours 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 VCR is designed to record using the PAL (B/G
or D/K) or MESECAM (B/G or D/K) colour system
and play back using the PAL (B/G or D/K),
MESECAM (B/G or D/K) and NTSC 4.43 colour
systems. Recording of video sources based on other
colour systems cannot be guaranteed.

3
Table of contents
Getting Started
Table of contents
Getting Started
4Step 1: Unpacking
5Step 2: Setting up the remote commander
11 Step 3: Connecting the VCR
17 Step 4: Tuning your TV to the VCR
19 Step 5: Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
21 Step 6: Setting the clock
26 Selecting a language
27 Presetting channels
31 Setting/changing the station names
33 Changing/disabling programme positions
37 Connecting the Satellite tuner
40 Setting the PAY-TV/Canal Plus decoder
Basic Operations
45 Playing a tape
48 Recording TV programmes
52 Recording TV programmes using the
ShowView system
57 Setting the timer manually
Additional Operations
60 Playing/searching at various speeds
63 Setting the recording duration time
64 Checking/changing/cancelling timer
settings
66 Recording stereo and bilingual
programmes
68 Searching using the index function
69 Adjusting the picture
71 Changing menu options
74 Editing with another VCR or stereo
system
76 Audio dubbing
SmartFile function
78 About the SmartFile function
80 Recording using the SmartFile
function
85 Selecting and playing a programme
86 Checking the contents of a tape
88 Labelling a recorded programme and
tape
96 Registeringthe contentsof arecorded
tape in the SmartFile label
98 Protecting a recorded programme
100 Erasing the data of an unwanted
programme
Additional Information
102 Troubleshooting
108 Specifications
109 Index to parts and controls
114 Menu chart
Back cover
Index
*ShowView is a registered trademark of Gemstar Development Corporation. ShowView
system is manufactured under license from Gemstar Development Corporation.

4Unpacking
Getting Started
Step 1 Step 1
Unpacking
Check that you have received the following items with the VCR:
•Remote commander •EURO-AV cable
•R6 (size AA) batteries
•Aerial cable
•Audio cable
•SmartFile labels

5
Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Getting Started
Step 2 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
positive (+) end clicks into
position.
Using the remote commander
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. If the TV does not have
the symbol near the remote
sensor, this remote commander
will not operate the TV.
g
123
456
789
0
Remote sensor
[TV]
/
[VIDEO]
To operate Set
[TV]
/
[VIDEO]
to
the VCR
[VIDEO]
and point at the remote sensor on the VCR
a Sony TV
[TV]
and point at the remote sensor on the TV
continued

6Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued)
TV control buttons
To Press
Turn the TV into standby
?
/
1
Select an input source of the TV either from aerial in or
from line in
t
TV/VIDEO
Select the programme position of the TV Programme number buttons,
–/––, PROG +/–
Adjust the volume of the TV
2
+/–
123
456
789
0
Programme
number
buttons
WIDE PROG +/–
c
/
C
?
/
1
AUDIO MONITOR
t
TV/VIDEO
2
+/–
/
FASTEXT buttons
–/– –
a
Menu
buttons
DISPLAY

Getting Started
7
Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Notes
•In 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 together.
•Do not use different types of batteries together.
•Some buttons may not work with certain Sony TVs.
Setting the COMMAND MODE switch
To remote control the Sony VCR
with this remote commander, set
COMMAND MODE on the
remote commander to the same
position as the one on the VCR.
Usually, it is set to VTR3. Change
the position as shown below to
control other Sony VCRs :
VTR1:For Sony Betamax format
VCRs
VTR2 : For Sony 8mm format
VCRs
VTR3 : For Sony VHS format
VCRs
Switch to TV (Teletext off)
a
(TV)
Switch to Teletext
/
(Teletext)
Select the sound AUDIO MONITOR
Use FASTEXT FASTEXT buttons
Call up on-screen display DISPLAY
Change the Teletext page
c
/
C
Operate TV menu Menu buttons
Switch to/from wide mode of a Sony wide TV (For other
manufacture’s wide TV, see “Controlling other TVs with
the remote commander”below.)
WIDE
To Press
123
456
789
0
COMMAND
MODE
continued

8Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued)
Controlling other TVs with the remote commander
The remote commander is preprogrammed to control non-Sony TVs. If your TV is
listed in the table below, set the appropriate manufacturer’s code number.
* These buttons may not work with all TVs.
Tip
•When you set your TV’s code number correctly while the TV is turned on, the TV turns off
automatically.
1Set TV/VIDEO at the top of the remote commander to TV.
2Hold down
?
/
1
, and enter your TV’s code number(s) using the programme
number buttons.Then release
?
/
1
.
Now you can use the following TV control buttons to control your TV:
?
/
1
, TV/VIDEO, programme number buttons, –/––(ten’s digit), PROG +/–,
2
+/–,
a
(TV),
/
(Teletext), FASTEXT buttons, WIDE*, MENU*, CURSOR
M
*/
m
*/
<
*/
,
*, and OK*.

Getting Started
9
Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Code numbers of controllable TVs
If more than one code number is listed, try entering them one at a time until you find
the one that works with your TV.
To make wide mode settings, see the footnotes below this table for the applicable
code numbers.
*1 Press WIDE to switch the wide picture modes.
*2 Press WIDE, then press
2
+/–to select the wide picture mode you want.
*3 Press WIDE. The menu appears on the TV screen.Then, press CURSOR
M
/
m
/
<
/
,
to
select the wide picture you want and press OK.
Manufacturer Code number
Sony 01*1, 02, 03, 04, 05
Aiwa 32
Akai 68
Blaupunkt 10, 21
Brionvega 40
C.G.M 09
Colonad 03
Dual 44
Emerson 03, 04
Fenner 30, 31
Ferguson 52
Goldstar 03, 04, 17
Grundig 10*1, 11*1
Hitachi 24
Hyper 31
Inno-Hit 41
Irradio 20
ITT 15, 16, 69*3
JVC 33
Loewe 45
Mitsubishi 27*1, 28*1, 50*1, 51*1
Mivar 09
NEC 66
Nokia 15, 16, 69*3
Nordmende 35, 42
Orion 47, 48
Panasonic 17*1, 49
Philips 06*1, 07*1, 08*1
Phonola 18, 19
Pioneer 26
Saba 12, 13
Samsung 22, 23
Sanyo 25
Schneider 46
Seleco 14
Sharp 29
Siemens 39
Sinudyne 37
TEAC 67
Telefunken 36
Thomson 43*2
Toshiba 38
White Westinghouse 34
Manufacturer Code number
continued

10 Setting up the remote commander
Getting Started
Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander (continued)
Notes
•If the TV uses a different remote control system from the one programmed to work with the
VCR, you cannot control your TV with the remote commander.
•If you enter a new code number, the code number previously entered will be erased.
•If you remove the batteries of the remote commander for more than a few minutes, the code
number may be reset to 01 (Sony). In this case, reset the appropriate code number.

11
Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
Getting Started
Step 3
Connecting the VCR
•If your TV has a EURO-AV connector, see below.
•If your TV does not have a EURO-AV connector, see page 14.
If your TV has a EURO-AV (Scart) connector
1Disconnect the aerial cable from your
TV and connect it to AERIAL IN on
the rear panel of the VCR.
2Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR
and the aerial input of your TV using
the supplied aerial cable.
Mains lead
i
LINE-1
(TV)
AERIAL IN
EURO-AV
(Scart)
to mains Aerial cable (supplied)
AERIAL OUT
: Signal flow
EURO-AV cable (supplied)
AERIAL IN
AERIAL
ANTENNE
IN
ENTREE
OUT
SORTIE
AERIAL
ANTENNE
IN
ENTREE
OUT
SORTIE
continued

12 Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
Step 3 : Connecting the VCR (continued)
Notes
•If the TV is connected to the LINE-1 (TV) connector, setting the RF MODULATOR in the
OTHER OPTIONS menu to OFF is recommended (initial setting). In the OFF position, only
the signal from the aerial is output through the AERIAL OUT connector (see page 73). You
do not have to tune your TV to the VCR. Skip “Tuning your TV to the VCR”on page 17.
•For correct connection of the SmartLink, please refer to your TV instruction manual.
3Connect LINE-1 (TV) on the VCR
and the EURO-AV (Scart) connector
on the TV with the supplied EURO-
AV cable.
This connection improves picture and
sound quality.Whenever you want to
watch the VCR picture, press
t
TV/
VIDEO to display the VIDEO
indicator in the display window. If
your TV does not have a EURO-AV
scart connector, see page 14.
4Connect the mains lead to the mains.
LIGNE-1 (TV)
LINE-1 (TV)

Getting Started
13
Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
About the SMARTLINK features
If the connected TV complies with
SMARTLINK, NexTView Link,
MEGALOGIC*1, EASYLINK*2,
Q-Link*3, EURO VIEW LINK*4 or
T-V LINK*5 , you can use the
SMARTLINK function after you complete the steps on the previous page (the SMARTLINK
indicator appears in the VCR’s display window when you turn on the TV).You can enjoy the
following SMARTLINK features.
•Preset Download
You can download your TV tuner preset data to this VCR and tune the VCR according to that
data in Auto Set Up. This greatly simplifies the Auto Set Up procedure. Be careful, not to
disconnect the cables or exit the Auto Set Up function during the procedure.
See “Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function”on page 19.
•TV Direct Rec
You can easily record what you are watching on the TV (other than tapes being played on this
VCR). For details, see “Recording what you are watching on the TV (TV Direct Rec)”on
page 51.
•One Touch Play
With One Touch Play, you can start playback automatically without turning on the TV. For
details, see “Starting playback automatically with one button (One Touch Play)”on page 47.
•One Touch Menu
You can turn on the VCR and TV, set the TV to the video channel, and display the VCR’s on-
screen display automatically by pressing MENU on the remote commander.
•One Touch Timer
You can turn on the VCR and TV, set the TV to the video channel, and display the timer
recording menu (the TIMER METHOD menu, the TIMER menu, or the SHOWVIEW menu)
automatically by pressing TIMER on the remote commander. You can set which timer
recording menu is displayed using TIMER OPTIONS in the OTHER OPTIONS menu (see
page 73).
•Automatic Power off
You can have the VCR turn off automatically, if the VCR is not used for about 1 minute, after
you turn off the TV.
•NexTView Download
You can easily set the timer recording by using the NexTView Download function of your
TV. Please, refer to your TV’s instruction manual.
*1 “MEGALOGIC”is a registered trademark of Grundig Corporation.
*2 “EASYLINK”is a trademark of Philips Corporation.
*3 “Q-Link”is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation.
*4 “EURO VIEW LINK”is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.
*5 “T-V LINK”is a trademark of JVC Corporation.
Note
•Not all the TVs respond to the functions above.
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP VIDEO
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK
continued

14 Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
Step 3 : Connecting the VCR (continued)
If your TV does not have a EURO-AV (Scart) connector
Note
•When you connect the VCR and your TV only with an aerial cable, you have to set RF
MODULATOR in the OTHER OPTIONS menu to ON (see page 73).
1Disconnect the aerial cable from your
TV and connect it to AERIAL IN on
the rear panel of the VCR.
2Connect AERIAL OUT of the VCR
and the aerial input of your TV using
the supplied aerial cable.
3Connect the mains lead to the mains.
Mains lead
AERIAL IN
to mains
Aerial cable (supplied)
AERIAL OUT
: Signal flow
AERIAL IN
AERIAL
ANTENNE
IN
ENTREE
OUT
SORTIE
AERIAL
ANTENNE
IN
ENTREE
OUT
SORTIE

Getting Started
15
Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
Additional connections
To a stereo system
You can improve sound quality by
connecting a stereo system to the AUDIO
OUT R/L jacks as shown on the right.
To a TV that has phono type audio/
video input jacks (only if you don’t
connect the VCR and your TV using a
EURO-AV connector)
This additional connection improves picture
and sound quality. Connect the TV as shown
on the right using a commercially available
connecting cable like the Sony VMC-810. If
your TV has only one audio input jack, use a
connecting cable like the Sony VMC-
910MS.
To a satellite tuner
You can watch programmes from the satellite
tuner connected to this VCR on the TV even
when the VCR is turned off using the Line
Through function. When you turn on the
satellite tuner, this VCR automatically sends
the signal from the satellite tuner to the TV
without turning itself on.
AUDIO OUT
R/L LINE IN
Audio cable (supplied)
VMC-810 cable (not supplied)
LINE-2 OUT LINE OUT
EURO-AV cable (supplied)
DECODER/
LINE-4IN
LINE OUT
: Signal flow
1Connect the satellite tuner to the DECODER/LINE-4IN connector as shown
above.
2Set DECODER/LINE-4 to LINE-4 in the OTHER OPTIONS menu.
3Set POWER SAVE to OFF in the OTHER OPTIONS menu.
4Turn off the VCR.
To watch a satellite programme, turn on the satellite tuner and the TV.
For details, see page 37.
continued

16 Connecting the VCR
Getting Started
Step 3 : Connecting the VCR (continued)
Note
•You cannot watch satellite programmes on the TV while recording unless you record a
satellite programme.

17
Tuning your TV to the VCR
Getting Started
Getting Started
Step 4
Tuning your TV to the VCR
If you have connected the VCR to your TV using the EURO-AV cable, skip this step.
1Press
?
/
1
ON/STANDBY to turn on the VCR.
Pull down the drop down panel.
2Press briefly RF CHANNEL on the VCR.
The factory-preset RF channel appears in the display window.
The VCR signal is output through this channel to the TV.
3Turn on your TV and select a programme position for the VCR picture.
This programme position will now be referred to as the video channel.
4Press RF CHANNEL.
The TV system appears in the display window.
g
RF CHANNEL PROGRAM +/–
?
/
1
ON/STANDBY
•
ON/STANDBY
RF
CHANNEL
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP VIDEO
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK
RF
CHANNEL
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK
continued

18 Tuning your TV to the VCR
Getting Started
Step 4 : Tuning your TV to the VCR (continued)
To check if the TV tuning is correct
Set the TV to the video channel and press PROGRAM +/–on the VCR. If the TV
screen changes to a different programme each time you press PROGRAM +/–, the
TV tuning is correct.
To obtain a clear picture from the VCR
If the picture does not appear clearly in step 6 above, go to step 7 to finish this
procedure once. Then start from step 2. After pressing RF CHANNEL in step 2 to
display the RF CHANNEL, press PROGRAM +/–, so that another RF channel
appears.Then tune the TV to the new RF channel until a clear picture appears.
Notes
•When you connect the VCR and your TV only with an aerial cable, you have to set RF
MODULATOR in the OTHER OPTIONS menu to ON (see page 73).
•If you set the wrong TV system, you may have no sound or may be distorted.
5Press PROGRAM +/–(repeatedly) to select the correct TV system.
If you watch the system B/G, select "G". If you watch the system D/K,
select "K".
6Tune the TV to the same channel as the one
shown in the display window so that the
picture on the right appears clearly on the
TV screen.
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.
7Press 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.
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP VIDEO
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK
SONY VIDEO CASSETTE
RECORDER
RF
CHANNEL

19
Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
Getting Started
Getting Started
Step 5
Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up
function
Before using the VCR for the first time, set up the VCR using the Auto Set Up
function.With this function, you can set the language for the on-screen display, TV
channels, guide channels for the ShowView system, and VCR clock automatically.
Before you start ...
•Turn on the satellite tuner if it is connected to the VCR only by the aerial cable and not to the
EURO-AV cable.
1Hold down AUTO SET UP on the VCR for more than 3 seconds.
The VCR automatically turns on, and the country abbreviation appears in
the display window.
2Press PROGRAM +/–to highlight the abbreviation of your country.
For some countries, there is a selection of languages to choose from.
The abbreviations of the countries and languages are as follows :
g
PROGRAM +/–
AUTO SET UP
AUTO
SET UP
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP VIDEO
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK
- PROGRAM +
TRACKING
-+
continued

20 Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function
Getting Started
Step 5 : Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function (continued)
If your country does not appear in the list , select ELSE.
To cancel the Auto Set Up function
Press AUTO SET UP.
Tip
•If you want to change the language for the on-screen display from the one preset in the Auto
Set Up function, see page 26.
Notes
•Do not cancel the Auto Set Up function during step 3. If you do, repeat Auto Set Up from the
beginning.
•Sometimes, when you operate the Auto Set Up function, some of the settings (ShowView,
timer etc...) will be reset. In this case, you have to set them again.
Abbreviation Country Language
CZ Czech Czech
GR Greece Greek
HUN Hungary Hungarian
PL Poland Polish
RUS Russia Russian
ELSE Other countries English
3Press AUTO SET UP.
The VCR starts searching for all of the receivable channels and presets them
in the appropriate order for your local area.
If you use the SMARTLINK connection, the Preset Download function
starts and the SMARTLINK indicator flashes in the display window during
download.
After the search or download is complete, the current time appears in the
display window for any stations that transmit a time signal.
AUTO
SET UP
TV
STEREO
AUTO SET UP
SMH
LPEP
SP VIDEO
EDIT
NICAM
VPS
PDC
OPC
SMARTLINK