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Tr oubleshooting
Additional Information
Troubleshooting
If you have any questions or problems not covered below, please consult your nearest
Sony service facility.
Symptom Remedy
Power
The ?/1 (on/standby)
switch does not function.
•Connect the mains lead to the mains securely.
The power is turned on
but the VCR does not
operate.
•Moisture condensation has occurred. Turn the power off,
unplug the mains lead and leave the VCR to dry for over
three hours.
The VCR is plugged in
but the display window
remains dark.
•Set POWER SAVE in the USER SET menu to OFF (see
page 69).
Clock
The clock has stopped
and “– –:– –” appears in
the display window.
•The clock stops if the VCR is disconnected from the mains.
Reset the clock (and timer).
Playback
The playback picture
does not appear on the
TV screen.
•Make sure the TV is set to the video channel. If you are
using a monitor, set it to video input.
•If the VCR is connected to the TV with the Scart cable,
make sure the VIDEO indicator is lit in the display
window. Use the t TV/VIDEO button on the remote
commander to light up the VIDEO indicator.
The picture is not clear. • Existing broadcasts may interfere with the VCR. Reset the
RF channel output of your VCR (see page 22).
•Adjust the tracking with the PROGRAM +/– buttons on the
VCR.
•The video heads are dirty (see the last page of
Troubleshooting). Clean the video heads using a Sony
video head cleaning cassette. If a Sony cleaning cassette is
not available in your area, have the heads cleaned at your
nearest Sony service facility (a standard service charge will
be required). Do not use a commercially available liquid
type cleaning cassette other than Sony’s, as it may damage
the video heads.
•The video heads may have to be replaced. Consult your
local Sony service facility for more information.
The picture has no
colour.
•The COLOUR SYSTEM option in the USER SET menu is
set to the wrong position. Set the option to conform to the
system that the tape was recorded in.
The picture rolls
vertically during picture
search.
•Adjust the vertical hold control on the TV or monitor.
78
Tr oubleshooting
Timer recording
The SHOWVIEW menu
or the TIMER
PROGRAMMING menu
does not appear.
•Check that TIMER METHOD in the EASY OPERATION
menu is set correctly (see page 71).
The VPS/PDC function
does not operate
properly.
•Check that the clock and the date are set correctly.
•Check that the VPS/PDC time you set is the correct one
(there might be a mistake in the TV programme guide). If
the broadcast you wanted to record did not send the good
VPS/PDC information, the VCR will not start recording.
•If the reception is poor, the VPS/PDC signal might be
altered and the VCR might not start recording.
Canal Plus
You cannot watch Canal
Plus programmes when
the VCR is in standby
mode.
•Check that DEC is set to ON for this channel in the TV
STATION TABLE menu.
•Make sure the Canal Plus Scart cable is plugged securely.
A Canal Plus programme
is always recorded
scrambled.
•Make sure the Canal Plus Scart cable is plugged securely.
•Check that DEC is set to ON for this channel in the TV
STATION TABLE menu.
Others
A tape cannot be
inserted.
•Check that a tape is not already in the tape compartment.
The remote commander
does not function.
•Make sure you are pointing the remote commander at the
remote sensor on the VCR.
•Replace all the batteries in the remote commander with
new ones if they are weak.
•Make sure the [TV] / [VIDEO] remote control switch is set
correctly.
The selected input line
connector number does
not appear in the display
window.
•Press INPUT SELECT to display the connected line.
The tracking meter does
not appear on the TV
screen.
•The recording condition of the tape is very poor and
tracking cannot be adjusted.
You cannot control other
TVs.
•Set your TV’s code number. The code number may change
when you replace the batteries of the remote commander.
The display window
becomes dim.
•The display window automatically becomes dim when the
VCR is in standby or timer recording mode.
The VCR needs to be
cleaned.
• Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with a dry, soft cloth,
or a soft cloth slightly moistened with a mild detergent
solution. Do not use any type of solvent, such as alcohol or
benzine.
Symptom Remedy
79
Tr oubleshooting
Additional Information
Others
The Line Through
function does not
operate.
•Set POWER SAVE in the USER SET menu to OFF (see
page 69).
Symptom Remedy
Symptoms caused by contaminated video heads
•Normal picture • Rough picture
initial
contamination
•Unclear picture
•No picture (or
black & white
screen appears)
terminal
77
Tr oubleshooting
Additional Information
Playback
The picture has no
sound.
•The tape is defective.
• If you made A/V connections, check the audio cable
connection.
The sound from a tape
recorded with the VCR is
not in stereo or the
STEREO indicator in the
display window is
flashing.
•Adjust the tracking.
•The video heads are dirty. Clean the video heads using a
Sony video head cleaning cassette as explained above.
Recording
No TV programme
appears on the TV
screen.
•Make sure the TV is set to the video channel. If you are
using a monitor, set it to video input.
•Existing broadcasts may interfere with the VCR. Reset the
RF channel output of your VCR (see page 22).
•Select the correct source with the INPUT SELECT button.
Select a programme position when recording TV
programmes; select a line input when recording from other
equipment.
TV reception is poor. • Make sure the aerial cable is connected securely.
•Adjust the TV aerial.
•Make sure the TV system is correctly set for your TV.
•Make sure TV SYSTEM (B/G or D/K) in the
INSTALLATION menu is set to the same system in your
local area.
The tape starts playing as
soon as it is inserted.
•The safety tab has been removed. To record on this tape,
cover the tab hole (see page 44).
The tape is ejected when
you press z REC.
•The safety tab has been removed. To record on this tape,
cover the tab hole (see page 44).
Nothing happens when
you press z REC.
•Make sure the tape is not at its end.
Timer recording
The timer does not
operate.
•Check that the clock is set.
•Make sure a tape has been inserted.
•Check that the safety tab has not been removed.
•Make sure the tape is not at its end.
•Make sure a programme has been set for timer recording.
•Make sure your timer settings are past the current time.
•Check that the decoder is turned on.
•Check that the satellite tuner is turned on.
•The clock stops if the VCR is disconnected from the mains.
Reset the clock and timer.
•Turn the power off and unplug the mains lead.
Symptom Remedy
continued
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