Symptoms caused by contaminated video heads
• Normal picture
• Rough picture
initial
contamination
Function
Problems
Playback
The sound drops out.
Recording
The cassette is ejected
when you press
REC r.
Recording does not
function.
Timer settings cannot
Timer
recording
be made.
The cassette is ejected
when you press
POWER to set the
timer.
The TIMER REC lamp
does not light up even
though you press
POWER to set the
timer.
Timer recording was
not made.
No sound is recorded
on the audio track.
Others
The picture turns off
and the STANDBY
lamp on the front
panel flashes (self-
diagnosis function)
A cassette cannot be
inserted.
The remote control
does not work.
The VCR does not
operate.
• Unclear picture
• No picture (or
black& white
screen appears)
terminal
Possible causes and remedies
• The tape is defective.
/ Use a new tape.
• The safety tab of the cassette has been removed.
/ Cover the tab hole with adhesive tape, or use another cassette
with a safety tab. (page 25)
• No cassette has been inserted.
/ Insert a cassette with the safety tab.
• The tape is at its end.
/ Rewind the tape.
• The clock has not been set.
/ Set the current time and date. (page 12)
• You made a mistake when setting the timer.
/ Check the setting steps. (pages 30 through 32)
• The safety tab of the cassette has been removed.
/ Cover the tab hole with adhesive tape, or use another cassette
with a safety tab.
• No cassette has been inserted.
/ Insert a cassette with its safety tab.
• No setting was made for the timer.
/ Set the timer to record a program. (pages 30 through 32)
• You did not press POWER to turn off the Video/TV and set the timer.
• There has been a power interruption lasting more than 30 minutes.
• The Multichannel TV Sound feature was set to SAP but a SAP program was
not being broadcast. (KV-20VS42 only)
/ Set the MTS setting to STEREO or MONO.
• The Video/TV is equipped with a self-diagnosis function. If there is a
problem with your Video/TV, the STANDBY lamp on the front panel will
flash repeatedly. Counting the number of flashes helps you inform qualified
Sony personnel of the Video/TV's condition.
/ Press POWER on the Video/TV to turn it off, then inform qualified Sony
personnel or the Direct Response Center (page 58) of the number of flashes.
• Another cassette is already inserted.
/Press EJECT 6 to eject the cassette.
• The batteries are low.
/Replace the batteries. (page 4)
• The batteries are installed incorrectly.
/Install the batteries with correct polarities. (page 4)
• Moisture condensation occurred.
/ Turn the power off, unplug the AC power cord and leave the Video/TV
to dry for over one hour.
Additional Information
59