Sony SLV-EZ727AZ, SLV-EZ725AZ, SLV-EZ424AZ, SLV-EZ121AZ manual

Operating Instructions V ideo Cassette Recor der 3-074-911- 11 (1) GB © 2002 Sony Corporation SL V -EZ727AZ P AL NTSC SL V -EZ725AZ P AL NTSC4.43 SL V -EZ424AZ P AL NTSC4.43 SL V -EZ121AZ P AL NTSC4.43[...]

2 WARNING W ARNING T o pre vent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. T o av oid electr ical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only . The mains lead must only be changed at a qualif ied ser vice shop. Precautions Safety • This unit operates on 220 – 240 V A C, 50 Hz. Check that th[...]

3 T able of contents Getting Started T able of Contents Getting Star ted 4 Inde x to parts and contr ols 10 Step 1 : Unpacking 11 Step 2 : Setting up the remote commander 14 Step 3 : Connecting the VCR 16 Step 4 : Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function 18 Step 5 : Setting the clock 20 Step 6 : Selecting the TV system 21 Step 7 : Presettin[...]

4 Getting Started Getting Started Index to parts and contr ols Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses ( ) for details. Fr ont panel For SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ 1 ?/1 ON/ST ANDBY switch 2 Remote sensor (11) 3 T ape compartment 4 A EJECT button (30) 5 H PLA Y button* (30) (48) 6 x STOP b utton* (17) (30) (62) 7 z REC (recor d) b utton (33) (49[...]

5 Getting Started Getting Started For SL V -EZ424AZ and EZ121AZ 1 ?/1 ON/ST ANDBY switch 2 A EJECT button (30) 3 Remote sensor (11) 4 T ape compartment 5 m REW (re wind) b utton (30) (48) 6 H PLA Y button (30) (48) 7 M FF (fast-forward) button (30) (48) 8 z REC (record) button (33) (49) (62) 9 x STOP b utton (17) (30) (62) q; X P A USE button (30) [...]

6 Getting Started Displa y window 1 T ape indica tor 2 ST AR T indicator (37) 3 STOP indicator (37) 4 MONTH indicator (40) 5 YEAR indicator 6 NICAM indicator* (53) 7 STEREO indicator* (52) 8 Timer indica tor (39) (43) (46) 9 Recording indicator (33) q; Time counter/c loc k/line/pr ogr amme position indicator (31) (32) (62) qa T ape speed indicator [...]

7 Getting Started Getting Started Rear panel For SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ For SL V -EZ424AZ and EZ121AZ 1 (in from antenna) connector (14) 2 LINE IN 1 A UDIO R/L/VIDEO (audio right/audio left/video) jacks* 1 (61) LINE IN 1 A UDIO/VIDEO jacks* 2 (60) 3 Mains lead (14) 4 LINE OUT A UDIO R/L/VIDEO (audio right/audio left/video) jacks* 1 LINE OUT A UD[...]

8 Getting Started Remote commander 123 456 789 0 1 Z EJECT b utton (30) 2 INPUT SELECT button (32) (45) (62) 3 TV/VIDEO button ( for TV ) 4 CLEAR b utton (31) (42) (50) 5 Progr amme number b uttons* (42) 6 -/-- (ten’ s dig it) b utton 7 VOL (v olume) +/– buttons 8 z REC (record) button (33) (49) 9 REC SPEED (recording speed) button (32) q; MENU[...]

9 Getting Started Getting Started qs ?/1 (on/standby) switch (43) qd •TV/ VIDEO remote control switch (11) qf AUDIO MONIT OR b utton* 1 * 2 (52) qg G-CODE button* 3 (42) qh DISPLA Y button (31) (33) qj PROG (pr ogr amme) +/– b uttons* 1 (34) qk y SLO W b utton (48) ql × 2 button (48) w; ./> INDEX SEARCH buttons (55) * 1 The H PLA Y , A UDIO[...]

10 Getting Started Step 1 : Unpacking Check that you ha ve r ecei ved the following items with the VCR: • Remote commander • R6 (size AA) batteries • Aerial cable Chec k y our model name The instr uctions in this man ual are f or the 4 models: SL V -EZ727AZ, EZ725AZ, EZ424AZ and EZ121AZ. Check your model name by looking at the rear panel of y[...]

11 Getting Started Getting Started Step 2 : Setting up the r emote commander Inserting the batteries Insert tw o R6 (size AA) batteries by matching the + and – on the batteries to the diagram inside the battery compartment. Insert the ne gativ e (–) end f ir st, then push in and do wn until the positiv e (+) end c licks into position. Using the[...]

12 Getting Started Notes • W ith normal use, the batteries should last about three to six months. • If you do not use the remote commander f or an extended per iod of time, r emo ve the batteries to av oid possib le dama ge fr om battery leakage. • Do not use a ne w ba ttery to gether with an old one. • Do not use different types of ba tter[...]

13 Getting Started Getting Started Tip • When you set your TV’ s code number cor rectly w hile the TV is turned on, the TV turns off automa tically . Notes • If you enter a ne w code number , the code n umber pr e viously enter ed will be erased. • If the TV uses a different remote control system from the one programmed to work with the VCR[...]

14 Getting Started Step 3 : Connecting the VCR Connect the aer ial to y our VCR and TV as shown belo w to watc h TV pr ogr ammes and VCR pictures on y our TV . In ad dition, if y our TV has audio/video (A/V) input jac ks, w e r ecommend you connect the VCR to y our TV using an audio/video cable to get a better picture and sound. Connecting the aeri[...]

15 Getting Started Getting Started Additional connections T o a TV that has audio/ video input jac ks This additional connection impro ves picture and sound quality . Connect the TV as sho wn on the r ight. T o a stereo system (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ only) Y ou can impr ove sound quality by connecting a stereo system to the LINE OUT A UDIO R/L j[...]

16 Getting Started OK PLAY MENU : PLEASE WAIT AUTO SET UP 40% EXIT Step 4 : Setting up the VCR with the Auto Set Up function Befor e using the VCR f or the f irst time, set up the VCR using the A uto Set Up function. With this function, you can set the TV channels automatically . 1 T urn on your TV and set it to the video c hannel. T une the TV to [...]

17 Getting Started Getting Started T o cancel the A uto Set Up function Press MENU. T o change the RF channel If the picture does not appear c learl y on the TV , chang e the RF c hannel on the VCR and TV . Select INST ALLA TION fr om the menu, then pr ess M / m to highlight VCR OUTPUT CH and press , . Select the RF channel by pr essing the M / m b[...]

18 Getting Started Step 5 : Setting the clock Y ou must set the time and date on the VCR to use the timer features properly . Before y ou start … • T urn on the VCR and the TV . • Set the TV to the video c hannel. • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 Press MENU, then press M / m / < / , to highlight CL[...]

19 Getting Started Getting Started 4 Set the day , month, and year in sequence by pressing , to select the item to be set, and press M / m to select the digits, then press , . The day of the week is set automatically . 5 Press MENU to e xit the menu. Tip • T o c hange the digits w hile setting , pr ess < to return to the item to be changed, an[...]

20 Getting Started Step 6 : Selecting the TV system Y ou must select the appr opria te TV system f or your area. Before y ou start … • T urn on the VCR and the TV . • Set the TV to the video c hannel. • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 Press MENU, then press M / m / < / , to highlight INST ALLA TION [...]

21 Getting Started Getting Started Step 7 : Pr esetting channels with the EASY G-CODE SET UP function (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ424AZ only) The EASY G-CODE SET UP function is a featur e tha t simplifies the G-CODE guide channel setting. Just choose your local area in the EASY G-CODE SET UP menu, and the VCR will automatically pr eset the G-CODE guide c [...]

22 Getting Started Pr esetting channels If some channels could not be preset using the Auto Set Up function, you can preset them manually . Before y ou start… • T urn on the VCR and the TV . • Set the TV to the video c hannel. • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 Press MENU, then press M / m / < / , to[...]

23 Getting Started Getting Started 4 Press < / , repeatedly until the channel you w ant is displa yed. Select the appropr ia te TV system, if necessar y . 5 Press M / m to highlight N AME, then press , . 6 Enter the station name. 1 Press M / m to select a c haracter. Each time you press M , the character changes as sho wn below . A t B t … t Z[...]

24 Getting Started Presetting channels (continued) If the picture is not c lear If the picture is not clear , you may use the Manual F ine T uning (MFT) function. After step 4, pr ess M / m to select MFT . Press < / , to g et a clear pictur e , then press MENU to exit the menu. Notes • If the TV sound is distor ed or noisy , select the a pprop[...]

25 Getting Started Getting Started Changing/disabling programme positions After setting the channels, you can c hang e the progr amme positions as you like. If any pr ogramme positions ar e un used or contain unwanted channels, you can disable them. Y ou can also change the sta tion names. If the sta tion names ar e not displa yed, you can enter th[...]

26 Getting Started OK PLAY OK PLAY MENU OK PLAY SET MENU : : OK : END SELECT AUTO SET UP MANUAL SET UP TV SYSTEM 32 : G : VCR OUTPUT CH : EXIT MENU Changing/disabling pr ogramme positions (continued) 4 Pr ess OK, then press M / m to mo v e to the desired programme position. 5 Pr ess OK to confir m the setting . 6 T o change the progr amme position [...]

27 Getting Started Getting Started 2 Press M / m to highlight MANU AL SET UP , then press , . 3 Press M / m to highlight the r ow which you want to disa ble . T o display other pages for programme positions 6 to 80, press M / m repea tedly . 4 Press CLEAR. The selected ro w will be c leared as sho wn on the r ight. 5 Repeat ste ps 3 and 4 f or any [...]

28 Getting Started Changing/disabling pr ogramme positions (continued) Changing the station names Y ou can change or enter the station names (up to 4 character s). Before y ou start … • T urn on the VCR and the TV . • Set the TV to the video c hannel. • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 Press MENU, then [...]

29 Getting Started Getting Started 5 Enter the station name. 1 Press M / m to select a c haracter. Each time you press M , the character changes as sho wn below . A t B t … t Z t 0 t 1 t … t 9 t A 2 Press , to set the next c har acter . The ne xt space flashes. T o cor rect a char acter , pr ess < / , until the character you want to correct [...]

30 Basic Operations Basic Operations OK PLAY Playing a tape Before y ou start... • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 T urn on your TV and set it to the video c hannel. 2 Insert a tape. The VCR turns on and starts pla ying automatically if you insert a tape with its safety tab r emoved. 3 Pr ess H PLA Y . W hen[...]

31 Basic Operations Basic Operations Min ute Second Hour T o use the time counter Press CLEAR a t the point on the tape tha t you w ant to f ind later . T he counter in the displa y window resets to “0:00:00. ” Sear c h for the point afterwar ds by r ef er r ing to the counter. T o display the counter on the TV screen, press DISPLA Y . Notes ?[...]

32 Basic Operations • PROG Recor ding TV pr ogrammes Before y ou start... • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. 1 T urn on your TV and set it to the video c hannel. 2 Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. 3 • T o record a normal c hannel, pr ess PR OG +/– until the pr ogr amme position number you want [...]

33 Basic Operations Basic Operations 5 Press z REC to start recording. The recording indicator lights up red in the display windo w . REC Recording indicator T o stop recor ding Press x ST OP . T o check the remaining time Press DISPLA Y . Each time y ou press DISPLA Y , the display changes as sho wn belo w. Sound system, TV system, colour system, [...]

34 Basic Operations T o watch another TV programme while recor ding 1 If the TV is connected to the VCR using an audio/video cable, set the TV to TV input. If the TV is connected to the VCR using only the aerial cable, skip this step. 2 Select another programme position on the TV . T o save a recording T o prevent accidental erasur e, br eak off th[...]

35 Basic Operations Basic Operations Notes • The DISPLA Y inf ormation does not appear during still (pause) mode or slow- motion playback. • If a tape has portions r ecorded in both P AL and NTSC systems, the time counter reading will not be correct. This discr epancy is due to the difference betw een the counting cycles of the tw o video syste[...]

36 Basic Operations Recor ding TV pr ogrammes using the Easy Timer The Easy Timer function allows y ou to make timer recor dings of pr ogrammes without turning on your TV . Set the recording timer to record up to eight programmes, including settings made with other timer methods, that will be broadcast within the next month. T he r ecording star t [...]

37 Basic Operations Basic Operations 3 Press EASY TIMER. ST AR T indicator and the curr ent time a ppear in the displa y windo w . 4 T urn EASY TIMER to set the recording star t time . Y ou can set the recor ding star t time in 15 minute interv als or adjust the time in one min ute intervals by pressing the PR OGRAM +/– b uttons. 5 Press EASY TIM[...]

38 Basic Operations 7 Pr ess EASY TIMER. The programme position or LINE input appears in the display windo w . 8 T urn EASY TIMER to set the programme position. T o record fr om other equipment connected to one or mor e of the LINE inputs, tur n EASY TIMER or pr ess INPUT SELECT to displa y the connected line in the displa y windo w . 9 Pr ess EASY[...]

39 Basic Operations Basic Operations 11 Press EASY TIMER to complete the setting. “OK” a ppears in the display window for a bout five seconds. The indicator appears in the display windo w and the VCR stands by for recording. T o record fr om other equipment, lea v e the connected equipment switched on. T o return to the previous step T o return[...]

40 Basic Operations T o set the cloc k 1 Hold down EASY TIMER so that “DA Y” appears in the display window . How ev er, if the clock has already been set, the curr ent setting appears. 2 Tur n EASY TIMER to set the day . 3 Press EASY TIMER. MONTH indicator and “1” appear in the display window . 4 Tur n and pr ess EASY TIMER to set the month[...]

41 Basic Operations Basic Operations About the Demonstration Mode The Easy T imer function has a Demonstration Mode that allows the user , suc h as a salesperson, to enter more than eight examples of timer settings when demonstrating the use of the Easy T imer . It cancels the “FULL” notice which appears if eight programmes ha ve already been s[...]

42 Basic Operations Recor ding TV pr ogrammes using the G-CODE ® system (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ424AZ only) The G-CODE system is the f ea ture that simplifies pr ogr amming the VCR to make timer recordings. Just enter the G-code number listed in the TV pr ogr amme guide . The date, times, and programme position of that pr ogramme are set automaticall[...]

43 Basic Operations Basic Operations MENU continued SET MENU : : OK : END SELECT –– –––– –– –– – –– – :: 3 5S A 2 91 90 02 0 0 0 :: –– –––– –– –– – –– – :: –– –––– –– –– – –– – :: –– –––– –– –– – –– – :: –– –––– –– –– [...]

44 Basic Operations Dail y/weekly recording In ste p 4 above, press m to select the recording pattern. Each time you press m , the indication changes as sho wn belo w . Press M to c hang e the indication in re ver se or der . toda y t DL Y (Monda y to Sunday) t W -SA (e ver y Satur day) ..... t W -SU (every Sunday) t 1 month later t (dates count do[...]

45 Basic Operations Basic Operations Recor ding TV pr ogrammes using the timer Y ou can preset a total of eight pr ogr ammes, including settings made with other timer methods. Before y ou start … • Check tha t the VCR clock is set to the correct time and date. • Insert a tape with its safety tab in place. Make sure the tape is longer than the[...]

46 Basic Operations 4 Pr ess ?/1 to tur n of f the VCR. The indicator appears in the display windo w and the VCR stands by for recording. T o record fr om other equipment, lea v e the connected equipment switched on. T o stop recording T o stop the VCR while recording, pr ess x STOP . Dail y/weekly recording In ste p 2 above, press m to select the [...]

47 Basic Operations Basic Operations Tips • T o set the line input video source, y ou can also use the INPUT SELECT button. • T o c heck, c hange, or cancel the programme setting , see “Checking/changing/ cancelling timer settings” on page 50. • T o r ecord NTSC signals* in EP mode , set the ta pe speed to LP . Ev en when timer recording [...]

48 Additional Operations Additional Operations Playing/sear ching at various speeds Before y ou start … • Refer to “Index to par ts and controls” f or b utton loca tions. Pla yback options Operation V iew the picture during f ast-forward or rewind During f ast-forward, hold down M FF . Dur ing r ewind, hold do wn m REW . Play at high speed [...]

49 Additional Operations Additional Operations Setting the recor ding duration time After you hav e started recor ding in the normal w a y , you can have the VCR stop recording automatically after a specif ied duration. Before y ou start… • Refer to “Index to parts and controls” for button loca tions. 1 While recording, press z REC. T he in[...]

50 Additional Operations Checking/changing/cancelling timer settings Before y ou start … • T urn on your TV and set it to the video c hannel. • Refer to “Index to parts and contr ols” for b utton loca tions. 1 Press ?/1 to turn on the VCR. 2 Press MENU, then press M / m / < / , to highlight TIMER PROGRAMMING and pr ess OK. • If y ou [...]

51 Additional Operations Additional Operations When the timer settings overlap The pr ogr amme tha t star ts f ir st has priority and the second programme starts r ecor ding only after the f irst programme has finished . If the pr ogr ammes start at the same time, the progr amme listed f ir st in the menu has priority . Pr ogramme 1 about 20 second[...]

52 Additional Operations Recor ding ster eo and bilingual pr ogrammes (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ only) In the ZWEIT ON (German stereo) system This VCR automatically r ecei ves and recor ds ster eo and bilingual pr ogr ammes based on the ZWEIT ON system. When a stereo or bilingual pr ogr amme is recei ved, the STEREO indicator appears in the display[...]

53 Additional Operations Additional Operations In the NICAM system This VCR receiv es and r ecords stereo and bilingual programmes based on the NICAM system (NICAM appears on the TV screen). W hen a ster eo or bilingual programme is recei v ed, the STEREO indicator appear s in the display windo w . T o record a NICAM pr ogr amme, NICAM in the USER [...]

54 Additional Operations Selecting the sound during Hi-fi pla yback Pr ess A UDIO MONITOR to select the sound you w ant. T o listen to On-screen display Display windo w Stereo STEREO STEREO Left channel LCH STEREO Right channel RCH STEREO Mix sound* MIX STEREO Mono sound MONO No indicator * The mixed sound of left and r ight c hannels, and the nor [...]

55 Additional Operations Additional Operations Sear ching using the index function The VCR automatically marks the tape with an index signal at the point where each recording be gins. Use these signals as r ef er ences to f ind a specific recording. T o find a specific recording b y scanning (Inde x scan) 1 Insert an indexed tape into the VCR. 2 Pr[...]

56 Additional Operations Adjusting the pictur e Adjusting the trac king Although the VCR automaticall y adjusts the tracking when playing a tape, distortion may occur if the recording is in poor condition. In this case, manually adjust the tracking. During playbac k, pr ess TRA CKING +/– on the VCR to display the tracking meter . T he distortion [...]

57 Additional Operations Additional Operations Reducing the VCR ’ s power consumption Y ou can turn of f the indicator s in the display window w hen the VCR is of f (standb y mode) to reduce the VCR’s po wer consumption. 1 Press MENU, then press M / m / < / , to highlight USER SET and press OK. 2 Press M / m to highlight POWER SA VE. 3 Press[...]

58 Additional Operations Changing menu options 1 Press MENU, then select USER SET or EASY OPERA TION and press OK. 2 Press M / m to select the option. 3 Press , to change the setting, then press OK. Men u choices Initial settings are indicated in bold print. USER SET Menu option Set this option to SET MENU : : OK : END SELECT OSD ON : ON : TAPE SEL[...]

59 Additional Operations Additional Operations Menu option Set this option to NICAM* 2 • ON to record NICAM broadcasts on the hi-fi audio track. • OFF to record standard sound on the hi-fi audio track. F or details, see page 53. POWER SA VE • ON to turn off the indicators in the displa y window to conserve the VCR’ s power . • OFF to turn[...]

60 Editing Editing TV Y our VCR (Recor der) LINE IN 1 Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT A udio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flo w Example B (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ only) Y our VCR (Recorder) TV LINE-2 IN LINE OUT VMC-820HG audio/video cable (not supplied) Other VCR (Player) : Signal flo w Connecting to a VCR or stereo system How to connect to r[...]

61 Editing Editing Example C (SL V-EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ onl y) Y our VCR (Recorder) TV LINE IN 1 Other VCR (Player) LINE OUT A udio/video cable (not supplied) : Signal flo w How to connect to a stereo system (SL V -EZ727AZ and EZ725AZ only) Connect the LINE-2 IN jac ks on this VCR to the audio output jacks on the stereo system, using the RK-C510HG a[...]

62 Editing Basic editing When recor ding on this VCR Before y ou start editing • T urn on your TV and set it to the video channel. • Press INPUT SELECT to display the connected line in the display windo w . • Press REC SPEED to select the tape speed. z REC 1 Insert a source tape with its safety tab remov ed into the other (playback) VCR. Sear[...]

63 Additional Inf ormation Additional Information Additional Inf ormation T roubleshooting If you have an y questions or problems not cov er ed belo w , please consult your nearest Sony service facility . Symptom Remedy Po wer The ?/1 ON/ST ANDBY switch does not function. • Connect the mains lead to the mains securely . The power is turned on but[...]

64 Additional Information Playback The sound from a tape recorded with the VCR is not in stereo or the STEREO indicator in the display windo w is flashing. Symptom Remedy • Adjust the tracking. • The video heads ar e dir ty . Clean the video heads using the Sony T -25CLD, E-25CLDR, or T -25CL W video head cleaning cassette as explained abov e. [...]

65 Additional Inf ormation Additional Information Timer recor ding Symptom Remedy The timer does not operate. • Check that the clock is set. • Mak e sur e a tape has been inser ted. • Check that the safety ta b has not been removed. • Mak e sur e the tape is not a t its end. • Mak e sur e a programme has been set for timer recording. • [...]

66 Additional Information Symptoms caused b y contaminated video heads • Normal picture • Rough picture • Unclear picture • No picture (or black & white screen appears) initial contamination terminal T roubleshooting (contin ued)[...]

67 Additional Inf ormation Additional Information Specifications System Colour system P AL, NTSC 3.58*, NTSC 4.43 TV system B/G, B/B Channel coverage B/G: VHF E2 to E12/UHF E21 to E69/ CA TV S01 to S05, S1 to S41 B/B: VHF R1 to R12/UHF R21 to R69 RF output signal UHF channels: 21 to 69 (B/G) 28 to 69 (B/B) Aerial out 75-ohm asymmetr ical aer ial so[...]

Sony Corporation AC68-01837E Index A Adjusting picture 56 tracking 56 Aerial hookup 14 ASC (Auto Sharpness Control) 56 Audio track 54 Audio/video hookup 15 Auto Set Up 16 C Changing the programme position 25 Changing the station name 28 Cleaning the video heads 63 Clock setting 18 Colour system compatible colour systems 2 setting 30 Connecting the [...]