JVC MD-P500 User Manual

OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS

HHB MDP500 PORTABLE MINIDISC RECORDER

La versión en español del manual de operaciones la encontrará en la web de HHB – www.hhb.co.uk
La version Française de ce manuel d’utilisation est disponible sur le site web de HHB à www.hhb.co.uk
Eine deutsche Version dieser Bedienungsanleitung ist im Internet unter der Adresse www.hhb.co.uk erhältlich.

2

CONTENTS

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Main Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

TOP PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

FRONT PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

SIDE PANELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LCD DISPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NOTATION GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

AC Adaptor
Nickel Metal Hydride Rechargeable Batteries
Alkaline Batteries
Power Management
Battery Life Indicator

Date & Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Date and Time Setting
Date and Time Confirmation
Time Stamp Data Confirmation

Initialising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Initialising Procedure
Factory Default Settings

Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Connecting Microphones to the XLR Input
Analog Source Recording via the XLR Input
Sending Analog Audio to External Analog Equipment
Connecting to Digital Equipment via Coaxial or Optical
Sending Digital Audio to External Digital Equipment via
Coaxial or Optical Outputs
Connecting With a Computer via the USB Interface
Remote Control

LCD Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14

Display During Stop Mode
Display During Play Mode
Display During Record Mode
Display Back Light
Display Contrast

RECORDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-19

Recording From a Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Mic Attenuation Mode
Basscut Mode
Limiter Mode

Phantom Mode

Recording From Line Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Recording From Digital Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Recording From Mono Internal Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Basic Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17

Mono Recording

Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

One Touch Setup
How To Save
How To Open

Useful Recording Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17-18

6 Seconds Pre-Recording
Input Monitor Function
Peak Hold Meter
Overwrite Mode

Threshold Level Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

Record Threshold Level Setting
Auto Increment Function
Auto-Start/Cut Recording Function
Silence Trim

PLAYBACK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Normal Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Fast Search Function
Direct Track Select Function

Repeat Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Repeat One or Repeat All Function
Repeat A-B

Auto Pause Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

EDITING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-23

Erase Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Erase Only One Track
Erase All the Tracks At Once

Erase Part of a Track

Divide Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-22

Combine Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Move Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23

Disc & Track Naming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

OTHER FUNCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Headphone Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Digital Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Key Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Copy Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

USB INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Windows 98 / Windows 2000 Users . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Mac Users (OS 9) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

MENU OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-27

DISPLAY MESSAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

TROUBLESHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

MD SYSTEM INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

TECHNICAL DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

3

INTRODUCTION

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

Thank you for purchasing the HHB PORTADISC MDP500. This manual explains in detail how to use the MD

recorder and also contains important advice on how to use it efficiently and safely. We recommend that you

read this manual first before you start using the PORTADISC. We also recommend that you keep this manual

in a safe place for easy access in the future.

MAIN FEATURES

• Versatile analog and digital in/out:

Analog XLR balanced mic/line input,

2 channels
RCA phono unbalanced line
output, 2 channels

Digital in (SPDIF) Coaxial

Optical

Digital out (SPDIF) Coaxial (ON or OFF switchable)

Optical (ON or OFF switchable)

• Imports and exports audio data with a Macintosh or
Windows PC via a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
interface.

• The PORTADISC caters for professional
microphones and is also equipped with a back-up
internal mono microphone. Features include
phantom power (+48V), attenuator, limiter, ganged
limiter, AGC and high-pass filter (bass cut).

• Conforms to the MD standard (Adaptive TRansform
Acoustic Coding – ATRAC version 4.5) in addition to
having a wide variety of MD recording functions:
auto start/cut, auto pause, time stamp and
6-second pre record buffer.

• Switchable auto power down function.

• You may recharge the supplied NiMH batteries in
the PORTADISC with the AC adaptor provided.

• Two recording modes: 80 minutes in stereo mode
or 160 minutes in mono mode.

• Automatic disc loading mechanism.

• Level margin display and peak hold level display.

• Date and time display.

• Parallel remote function.

• LCD display with back light.

• Internal monitor speaker.

• Internal mono microphone suitable for use when
identing tracks, etc.

• Five user set-up menus are available for storing
input and system settings.

• Headphone monitor functions include Stereo, Mono
L, Mono R and Mono Both.

• The PORTADISC has a built-in sample rate converter
that automatically converts sample frequencies
from 32kHz to 48kHz into the MD standard

44.1kHz.

• The editing facility offers editing options such as
Divide, Combine, Move and Erase in addition to
naming program titles and discs.

• The PORTADISC features 3-way power source
and power management, with external 12-14V DC,
8 x AA alkaline batteries or 8 x Nickel Metal
Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries (supplied).
The supplied batteries are high capacity 1550mAh
NiMH cells, for optimum performance.

4

PRECAUTIONS

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

The HHB PORTADISC is simple to use but, like all
electrical equipment, care must be taken to ensure
reliable, safe operation. The following points should
always be observed in order to reduce the risk of fire
or electric shocks:

• Do not expose the recorder to extreme conditions of
smoke, water, moisture or excessive vibration.

• Do not insert objects (other than MD discs or
batteries) or liquids into the recorder.

• Do not remove the PORTADISC’s covers (except the
battery compartment). This recorder employs a laser
and there are no user-serviceable parts inside.

• Do not apply pressure or mount heavy objects on the
recorder.

• Do not drop or apply extreme physical shock to the
recorder.

• Disconnect the AC adaptor and remove the batteries
when cleaning.

• Use only specified batteries, the AC adaptor and
connection cables.

• Turn off the power before connecting the AC adaptor
or replacing the batteries.

Please seek qualified service personnel advice if the
PORTADISC appears to be operating abnormally. Power
down the PORTADISC, disconnect the AC adaptor and
remove the batteries if you notice any of the following:

• Unusual mechanical noises from the recorder.

• Liquid has been spilled into the recorder.

• The recorder has been dropped or the casing
damaged in any way.

SERVICE

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

Should the HHB PORTADISC require service, it must be
taken or sent to an HHB authorised dealer. Please
retain the original packing for possible future use, and
ensure the unit is suitably protected during transit. The
manufacturer cannot accept responsibility for damage
caused during transportation. In order to register
ownership it is essential that you complete and return
the user registration card supplied with this product.

Please record the following details:

Serial number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date purchased: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

All components used in the HHB PORTADISC are
guaranteed against faulty materials or workmanship for a
period of one year from the date of purchase. This
warranty will become void if the product has been
misused, modified or tampered with in any way. HHB
shall not be liable for any consequential or incidental
damages due to the failure of this product. In the unlikely
event of a product failure please contact your local dealer.

Dealer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

TOP PANEL

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

1 BATTERY COMPARTMENT

This cover slides off (from right to left in this
view) and underneath is the battery caddy,
holding 8 x AA batteries.

2 KEYHOLD

Use this button to avoid any accidental operation
during recording. Each time you press the button
for more than two seconds, the hold function
changes from ‘Key Hold ON’ to ‘Key Hold OFF’ and
vice versa. The following buttons can still operate
even when the keyhold function is on: KEY HOLD,
LIGHT, MARK, DISPLAY and POWER. The remote
control connection will not be affected by this
function; i.e., it is always enabled.

3 OPEN

Press this button to eject the MD disc. This
function is disabled during recording.

4 EDIT

Use this button to enter the different edit modes.

5 AMS

Use the button to move back one or more
tracks and the button to move forward one
or more tracks. These buttons are also used in
editing and naming.

❙

▲

▲

▲

▲

❙

6 REWIND

Rewinds the track during playback.

7 PLAY

Use this button to start playing back the track.

8 FAST FORWARD

Fast forwards the track during playback.

9 STOP

Use this button to stop the playback or recording
operation.

10 RECORD VOLUME CONTROL

Dual concentric control for independent left and
right level adjustment.

11 INTERNAL MONO MICROPHONE

12 MONITOR SPEAKER

13 SHOULDER STRAP ATTACHMENT POINTS

6

FRONT PANEL

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

14 PHONE LEVEL

Adjusts the volume level for the headphones and
monitor speaker. The control will pop out if you
press it. The monitor speaker will not function
during recording or when the headphones are
connected.

15 INPUT

Changes the following input related settings:

• Input source: MIC, LINE, DIGITAL, INT MIC, OFF

• Options for MIC: MIC-Att, BASSCUT, LIMITER,
PHANTOM

• Options for LINE: LIMITER

• Options for DIGITAL: COAXIAL, OPTICAL, USB
input connections

16 DISPLAY

Changes the display menu through disc time, level
margin, time & date.

17 LIGHT

Illuminates the display back light for a few seconds.
Hold it down for more than two seconds in order
for it to be continuously lit. Press it again to switch
off the light.

18 MARK

Marks the track number manually during recording
and playback.

19 SYSTEM

Changes the following system settings: REC MODE,
TRACK-INCREMENT, THRESHOLD LEVEL,
AUTO-START/CUT, AUTO-PAUSE, PRE-RECORD,
HEADPHONE MONITOR, OVERWRITE MODE,
REPEAT MODE, DIGITAL OUTPUT and AUTO POWER
DOWN.

20 SETUP

Changes the following setup options: OPEN SETUP,
SAVE SETUP, CLOCK/DATE SETUP, DATE FORMAT,
PEAK HOLD METER and DISPLAY CONTRAST. Use
this button to save and recall set-ups. OPEN SETUP
consists of five user set-ups, which can be used to
store all the menu settings on the recorder, and
three recording presets – MIC REC, LINE REC and
DIGI REC.

21 REC LEVEL

Adjusts the analog recording level manually for mic
and line inputs. This control does not affect the
signal level when the AGC function is set to ‘ON’.
The outer control adjusts the left hand channel and
the inner control adjusts the right hand channel. A
friction lock between the two controls allows them
to move together but also be adjusted individually.

22 RECORD

Slide this button to the right to enter record mode.

23 POWER

Press this button for one second to power ON and
press for more than one second then release to
power OFF. This button does not turn the power off
during recording and TOC operations.

24 F1, F2, F3

Selects the parameters according to the
corresponding set-up functions on the display above.

25 LCD DISPLAY

Shows level metering, disc information, timing
information and all the menu select and control
displays.

26 REC LEVEL LOCK

Mechanically locks the REC LEVEL knob position in
order to avoid accidental adjustment. Slide this
button up to lock.

27 REC INDICATOR

This LED will light up red in record mode and blink
in record pause mode.

28 BAT CHG INDICATOR

This LED will light up green when charging the
NiMH rechargeable batteries.

29 PAUSE INDICATOR

This LED will light up yellow in pause mode.

30 PAUSE BUTTON

Use this button to pause the record or playback
operation. Pressing this button before pressing the
record button will put the recorder into record
pause mode, ready for recording.

7

SIDE PANELS

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

31 PHONES SOCKET

1/4" jack socket for headphone connection.

32 LINE OUT LEFT AND RIGHT CONNECTORS

(Unbalanced RCA phono.) To send analog output
signals to other equipment.

33 COAXIAL I/O CONNECTORS

(Unbalanced RCA phono.) SPDIF digital coaxial
connectors.

34 MIC/LINE CONNECTORS

(Balanced XLR.) To connect either MIC or LINE
inputs.

35 REMOTE CONNECTOR

Parallel remote control connector.

8

36 USB CONNECTOR

USB interface port for a compatible computer.

37 OPTICAL I/O CONNECTORS

(TOSlink.) SPDIF digital optical connectors.

38 BATTERY COMPARTMENT

39 DC INPUT CONNECTOR

To connect the standard accessory AC adaptor,
or an optional car adaptor. DC12-14V.

40 MINIDISC SLOT

A disc must be inserted into this slot with the
arrow on the disc casing facing into the recorder.

41 SHOULDER STRAP ATTACHMENT POINTS

LCD DISPLAY

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

42-3 LEVEL INDICATOR

The bar meter shows the audio level in playback
and record. (42) left hand channel (43) right
hand channel.

44 RECORD/PLAYBACK MODE INDICATOR

The icons indicate pause, play and record
modes.

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

Throughout these operating instructions, the following
notation will be used.

• When a button press is being illustrated in the text,
it will be written in bold type, for example:

Press the

RECORD button.

45 DISPLAY MODE INDICATOR

Displays the track number, record/play time,
remaining time, total recorded time, level
margin, date and time.

46 BATTERY INDICATOR

Indicates the battery capacity remaining or
whether the unit is connected to an external
power source (DC IN).

NOTATION GUIDE

• When a word that will be shown on the
PORTADISC’s display is being illustrated in the text,
it will be written in inverted commas, for example:

Press this button until ‘SOURCE’ is displayed.

9

PREPARATION

PORTADISC MDP500 MiniDisc Recorder

POWER SUPPLY

AC ADAPTOR

Use the AC mains power supply to operate the
PORTADISC by connecting the standard accessory AC
adaptor to the DC input connector. You can also use
the AC adaptor to charge the rechargeable batteries
within the recorder. If the rechargeable batteries are
loaded and the charge switch, which is located on the
back of unit underneath the battery caddy, is set to
the green charge LED on the front panel will light. The
light will reduce in intensity once the batteries are
charged.

NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

Remove the battery cover and load the 8 supplied AA
type NiMH batteries into the battery caddy in the
battery compartment as shown below.

Make sure the charging switch (located under the
caddy) is set to
green charge LED on the front panel will light. Other
types of rechargeable batteries can be used but may
not achieve the same high levels of performance.

CAUTION – Do not mix charged and discharged
batteries or batteries of a different type (alkaline and
NiMH). Ensure you install the batteries with the
correct polarity.

ON. When charging the batteries, the

ON,

BATTERY LIFE INDICATOR

When the PORTADISC is operated with batteries, the
battery icon will be shown in the bottom right hand
corner of the display. The PORTADISC will automatically
power down if there is insufficient battery life remaining.

Display Operation

DCIN Operating with external power source

99% Battery fully charged

40% Battery life low

CAUTION – Be aware that different batteries have
different discharge rates and, in some cases, the
battery level indication may reduce very rapidly.

Battery life Recording Playback

Alkaline 2.5 hours 3 hours
NiMH battery >3 hours >3.5 hours

NOTE – Times given are approximate. The recording
and playback time will be substantially shorter if
manganese or low capacity Nickel Metal Cadmium
(Ni-Cad) batteries are used.

Optimum performance will be achieved using the high
capacity 1550mAh NiMH batteries supplied. If you
choose to use alkaline batteries, we suggest you obtain
the best quality, highest capacity AA cells available.

DATE & TIME

ALKALINE BATTERIES

Remove the battery cover and load 8 standard AA type
alkaline batteries into the battery caddy in the battery
compartment. Switch

CAUTION – Before installing alkaline batteries, ensure
the charge switch is set to
used batteries or batteries of a different type
(alkaline and NiMH). Ensure you install the batteries
with the correct polarity. Do not attempt to recharge
alkaline batteries as damage to the batteries or the
PORTADISC may occur.

POWER MANAGEMENT

The PORTADISC can be set to automatically power
down if it is left in STOP mode and none of the buttons
have been touched for more than 10 minutes. This
function can be enabled by recalling ‘AUTO POWER
DOWN ?’ from the

OFF the charge switch.

OFF

. Do not mix new and

SYSTEM menu button.

10

Before using the PORTADISC for the first time, please
set the time and date, as this will enable the disc time
stamp function facility to work correctly. The date
format of your country may be set according to the
following procedure:

1. Recall date format by pressing the
until ‘DATE FORMAT’ is displayed.

2. The current format will be displayed in the bottom
left hand corner. Press the
format which you want is displayed:

DD/MM/YY
MM/DD/YY
YY/MM/DD

3. Press

F2 (‘SET’) to select the required format and
exit this page – should you wish to exit without
making any changes, press
the display page.

F1 button until the date

F3 (‘EXIT’) to return to

SETUP button