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4-229-127-13(1)
FM Stereo
FM-AM Receiver
Operating Instructions
© 2000 Sony Corporation
STR-DB940
STR-DB840


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2
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose the
unit to rain or moisture.
For customers in the United States
This symbol is intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage"
within the product's enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended to alert the user to
the presence of important operating and
maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the appliance.
INFORMATION
This equipment has been tested and found to
comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the
following measures:
­ Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.
­ Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
­ Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
­ Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or
modification not expressly approved in
this manual could void your authority to
operate this equipment.
Note to CATV system installer:
This reminder is provided to call CATV
system installer's attention to Article 820-
40 of the NEC that provides guidelines for
proper grounding and, in particular,
specifies that the cable ground shall be
connected to the grounding system of the
building, as close to the point of cable
entry as practical.
Owner's Record
The model and serial numbers are located
on the rear of the unit. Record the serial
number in the space provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call upon
your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. STR-DB940/DB840
Serial No.
ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. registered mark.
As an
ENERGY STAR® partner, Sony
Corporation has determined that this
product meets the
ENERGY STAR®
guidelines for energy efficiency.
For customers in Canada
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG
WITH AN EXTENSION CORD,
RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET
UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY
INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE
EXPOSURE.
For customers in Europe
To avoid electrical shock, do not
open the cabinet. Refer
servicing to qualified personnel
only.
Do not install the appliance in a
confined space, such as a
bookcase or built-in cabinet.
Precautions
On safety
Should any solid object or liquid fall into
the cabinet, unplug the receiver and have it
checked by qualified personnel before
operating it any further.
On power sources
· Before operating the receiver, check that
the operating voltage is identical with
your local power supply. The operating
voltage is indicated on the nameplate at
the rear of the receiver.
· The unit is not disconnected from the AC
power source (mains) as long as it is
connected to the wall outlet, even if the
unit itself has been turned off.
· If you are not going to use the receiver
for a long time, be sure to disconnect the
receiver from the wall outlet. To
disconnect the AC power cord, grasp the
plug itself; never pull the cord.
· One blade of the plug is wider than the
other for the purpose of safety and will
fit into the wall outlet only one way. If
you are unable to insert the plug fully
into the outlet, contact your dealer.
· AC power cord must be changed only at
the qualified service shop.
On placement
· Place the receiver in a location with
adequate ventilation to prevent heat
buildup and prolong the life of the
receiver.
· Do not place the receiver near heat
sources, or in a place subject to direct
sunlight, excessive dust or mechanical
shock.
· Do not place anything on top of the
cabinet that might block the ventilation
holes and cause malfunctions.
On operation
Before connecting other components, be
sure to turn off and unplug the receiver.
On cleaning
Clean the cabinet, panel and controls with
a soft cloth slightly moistened with a mild
detergent solution. Do not use any type of
abrasive pad, scouring powder or solvent
such as alcohol or benzine.
If you have any question or problem
concerning your receiver, please
consult your nearest Sony dealer.


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3
Conventions
· The instructions in this manual describe the controls on
the receiver. You can also use the controls on the
supplied remote if they have the same or similar names
as those on the receiver. For details on the use of your
remote, refer to the separate operating instructions
supplied with the remote.
· The following icon is used in this manual:
z
Indicates hints and tips for making the task easier.
This receiver incorporates Dolby
* Digital and Pro Logic
Surround and the DTS** Digital Surround System.
* Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories.
"Dolby", "AC-3", "Pro Logic" and the double-D symbol ; are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Confidential unpublished Works. © 1992-1997 Dolby Laboratories.
All rights reserved.
**Manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems, Inc. US
Pat. No. 5,451,942 and other worldwide patents issued and pending.
"DTS" and "DTS Digital Surround" are trademarks of Digital
Theater Systems, Inc. © 1996 Digital Theater Systems, Inc. All
rights reserved.
4-XXX-XXX-XX AA
4
8
BA
LR
L
IMPEDANCE
SELECTOR
REAR
FRONT
CENTER
AC OUTLET
FRONT
SPEAKERS IMPEDANCE USE 4 ­ 16
RL
L
R
PRE OUT
REAR
SUB WOOFER CENTER
About This Manual
The instructions in this manual are for models
STR-DB940 and STR-DB840. Check your model number
by looking at the lower right corner of the front panel. In
this manual, the STR-DB940 is used for illustration
purposes unless stated otherwise. Any difference in
operation is clearly indicated in the text, for example,
"STR-DB940 only."
Type of differences
Model
DB940
DB840
Feature
5 audio inputs
z
4 audio inputs
z
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Hooking Up the Components
4
Unpacking 4
Antenna Hookups 5
Audio Component Hookups 6
Video Component Hookups 8
Digital Component Hookups 9
5.1CH Input Hookups 11
Other Hookups 12
Hooking Up and Setting Up the
Speaker System
15
Speaker System Hookup 16
Performing Initial Setup Operations 18
Multi Channel Surround Setup 19
Before You Use Your Receiver 23
Location of Parts and Basic
Operations
26
Front Panel Parts Description 26
Enjoying Surround Sound
31
Selecting a Sound Field 32
Understanding the Multi-Channel Surround
Displays 36
Customizing Sound Fields 38
Receiving Broadcasts
43
Storing FM Stations Automatically
(AUTOBETICAL)*** 44
Direct Tuning 45
Automatic Tuning 45
Preset Tuning 46
Using the Radio Data System (RDS)*** 47
***Models of area code CED only.
Other Operations
50
Naming Preset Stations and Program Sources 51
Recording 51
Using the Sleep Timer 52
Adjustments Using the SET UP Button 53
CONTROL A1 Control System 54
Additional Information
56
Troubleshooting 56
Specifications 58
Glossary 61
Tables of Settings Using SUR, LEVEL, EQ, and SET
UP buttons 62
Index (Back cover)
About area codes
The area code of the player you purchased is shown on the
lower portion of the rear panel (see the illustration below).
Any differences in operation, according to the area code, are
clearly indicated in the text, for example, "Models of area
code AA only".
Area code


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4
Hooking Up
the
Components
This chapter describes how to connect
various audio and video components
to the receiver. Be sure to read the
sections for the components you have
before you actually connect them to
the receiver.
Unpacking
Check that you received the following items with the
remote:
· FM wire antenna (1)
· AM loop antenna (1)
Models of area code U, CA only
· Audio/video/control S connecting cord (1)
· Control S connecting cord (1)
STR-DB940 only
· Remote commander RM-LJ304 (remote) (1)
· LR6 (size-AA) alkaline batteries (3)
STR-DB840 only
· Models of area code CED only
­ Remote commander RM-PP404 (remote) (1)
­ R6 (size-AA) batteries (2)
· Models of other area codes
­ Remote commander RM-LP204 (remote) (1)
­ LR6 (size-AA) alkaline batteries (3)
Inserting batteries into the remote
Insert batteries with the + and ­ properly oriented in the
battery compartment. When using the remote, point it at
the remote sensor
on the receiver.
For details, refer to the operating instructions supplied
with your remote.
z When to replace batteries
Under normal conditions, the batteries should last for about
3 months. When the remote no longer operates the receiver,
replace all batteries with new ones.
Notes
· Do not leave the remote in an extremely hot or humid place.
· Do not use a new battery with an old one.
· Do not expose the remote sensor to direct sunlight or lighting
apparatuses. Doing so may cause a malfunction.
· If you don't use the remote for an extended period of time,
remove the batteries to avoid possible damage from battery
leakage and corrosion.
· This remote is designed for use with alkaline batteries only. Do
not use a combination of different battery types.
Before you get started
· Turn off the power to all components before making
any connections.
· Do not connect the AC power cord until all of the
connections are completed.
· Be sure to make connections firmly to avoid hum and
noise.
· When connecting an audio/video cord, be sure to
match the color-coded pins to the appropriate jacks on
the components: yellow (video) to yellow; white (left,
audio) to white; and red (right, audio) to red.


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5
Hooking
Up
the
Components
COAXIAL
AM
U
ANTENNA
FM
75
COAXIAL
FM
75
4
8
BA
RL
RL
­
IN
L
R
L
R
OUT
SIGNAL
GND
COAXIAL
AM
U
U
ANTENNA
TAPE
IMPEDANCE
SELECTOR
IN
PHONO
IN
CD
REAR
FRONT
CENTER
MONITOR
IN
OUT
MD/DAT
AUDIO
IN
IN
VIDEO
CTRL S
OUT
OUT
VIDEO
CTRL S
OUT
CTRL S
STATUS IN
CTRL S
IN
AUDIO
OUT
VIDEO 1
AUDIO
IN
TV/SAT
AUDIO
IN
DVD/LD
AUDIO
IN
AUDIO
OUT
VIDEO 2
FM
75
AC OUTLET
FRONT
DVD/LD
OPTICAL
IN
DVD/LD
COAXIAL
IN
TV/SAT
OPTICAL
IN
MD/DAT
OPTICAL
IN
MD/DAT
OPTICAL
OUT
DIGITAL
L
R
REAR
FRONT
CENTER
SUB
WOOFER
5.1CH INPUT
VIDEO
S-VIDEO
IN
VIDEO
S-VIDEO
IN
2ND AUDIO OUT
CONTROL A1
VIDEO
S-VIDEO
IN
VIDEO
S-VIDEO
OUT
VIDEO
S-VIDEO
OUT
SPEAKERS IMPEDANCE USE 4 ­ 16
RL
+
L
R
PRE OUT
REAR
SUB WOOFER CENTER
FM wire antenna
(supplied)
AM loop antenna
(supplied)
Important
If you connect the receiver to an outdoor antenna, ground
it against lightning. To prevent a gas explosion, do not
connect the ground wire to a gas pipe.
Note
Do not use the U SIGNAL GND terminal for grounding the
receiver.
Terminals for connecting the antennas
Connect the
To the
AM loop antenna
AM terminals
FM wire antenna
FM 75
COAXIAL terminal
Assembling the supplied FM antenna
(Models of area code U,CA only)
The supplied FM wire antenna must be connected to the
supplied FM antenna adaptor.
Antenna Hookups
Notes on antenna hookups
· To prevent noise pickup, keep the AM loop antenna
away from the receiver and other components.
· Be sure to fully extend the FM wire antenna.
· After connecting the FM wire antenna, keep it as
horizontal as possible.
z If you have poor FM reception
Use a 75-ohm coaxial cable (not supplied) to connect the receiver
to an outdoor FM antenna as shown below.
Outdoor FM antenna
Receiver
Ground wire
(not supplied)
To ground