Sony ICD-SX78, ICD-SX68 Operating Instructions

For customers in Europe

Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product shall not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring

you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local Civic Oce, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

this product is disposed of correctly,

Disposal of waste batteries (applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the battery or on the packaging indicates that the battery provided with this product shall not be treated as household waste. By ensuring these batteries are disposed

potentially negative consequences for the environment and human health which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of the battery. The recycling of the materials will help to conserve natural resources. In case of products that for safety, performance or data integrity reasons require a permanent connection with an incorporated battery, this battery should be replaced by quali ed service sta only. To ensure that the battery will be treated properly, hand over the product at end-of-life to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. For all other batteries, please view the section on how to remove the battery from the product safely. Hand the battery over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of waste batteries. For more detailed information about recycling of this product or battery, please contact your local Civic O ce, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

of correctly, you will help prevent

Notice for the customers in the countries applying EU Directives

The manufacturer of this product is Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Authorized Representative for EMC and product safety is Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedel nger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany. For any service or guarantee matters please refer to the addresses given in separate service or guarantee documents.

Notice for users

All rights reserved. This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form without prior written approval from Sony Corporation.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF.

Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modication to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice. The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement.

This software is for Windows and cannot be used



for Macintosh. The supplied connecting cable is for the IC recorder



ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88. You cannot connect other IC recorders.

Checking the contents of the

package ...............................................................7

Index to Parts and Controls .....................8

Getting Started

Step 1: Preparing a Power Source .......13

Charging the batteries ...................... 13

When charging/replacing the

batteries......................................................14

Step 2: Setting the Clock ...........................17

Step 3: Preparations Required

before Recording ...........................................19

Basic Operations

Recording Messages....................................21

Various Recording Modes

Manual Recording Mode ..........................25

Starting to Record Automattically in Response to Sound

– the VOR Function ......................................26

Adding a Recording to a Previously

Recorded Message .......................................27

Adding an Overwrite Recording

during Playback ..............................................29

Dividing a Message into Two

during Recording ..........................................30

Recording with an External

Microphone ......................................................31

Recording from Other Equipment......32

Recording sound from a

telephone or a cell phone ..............33

Playback/Erasing

Playing Back Messages ...............................34

Adjusting the playback sound by amplifying inaudible sound

– the Digital Voice Up function ....37

Adjusting the playback speed – DPC (the Digital Pitch

Control function) ..................................38

Playing Back a Specied Section

Repeatedly – A-B Repeat .................38

Adding a Bookmark ............................39

Playing Back a Message at a

Desired Time with an Alarm ................... 40

Erasing Messages...........................................43

Erasing Messages one by one ......43

Erasing All Messages

in a Folder ..................................................44

Editing Messages

Dividing a Message into Two .................45

Moving Message to a Different

Folder ....................................................................46

Adding Priority Mark(s)

– the Priority Mark Function ...................46

System Requirements ........................59

Installing the Software ......................60

Connecting the IC Recorder to

your Computer.......................................64

Referring to the Help Files ...............65

Playing Back MP3 Files Using the

IC Recorder ........................................................66

Using the Digital Voice Editor

Software .....................................................66

Using Windows Explorer ..................67

Construction of folders

and les.......................................................68

Using the IC Recorder as a

USB Mass Storage Device .........................69

Utilizing the Menu Function

Making Settings for the Menu ...............47

Using the IC Recorder with Your Computer

Using the Supplied Digital Voice

Editor Software................................................58

What You Can Do Using the

Digital Voice Editor Software .........58

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting .............................................71

Error Messages (IC recorder) ..........79

System Limitations ..............................82

Additional Information

Recording with Other Equipment ......84

Using a USB AC Adaptor

(not supplied) ..................................................85

Precautions ........................................................87

Specifications ...................................................88

Index ......................................................................90

Checking the contents of the package

USB connecting cable (1)

IC Recorder (1)

Rechargeable batteries (2)

Stereo headphones* (1)

Application Software, Digital Voice Editor (CD-ROM)

Cradle* (1)

Stand* (1)

Carrying pouch (1)

Operating Instructions

* The stereo headphones, the cradle and

the stand are supplied with some models in some regions only.

Index to Parts and Controls

Refer to the pages indicated in parentheses for details.

Front

 (headphone) jack* (21, 23, 34, 35,

84)

Built-in microphones (stereo/

directional) (21, 25, 26)

Operation indicator (21, 25, 27, 29, 53)

Display window (10, 11) DIVIDE/ (bookmark) button (31, 34,

39)

 (folder)/MENU button  (record/pause) button (21, 25, 26,

27, 30)

 (stop) button (18, 22, 26, 28, 30, 34,

41, 43, 46, 47)

 (cue/fast forward) button (35)  (play/stop/enter) button  (review/fast backward) button

(35)

VOL (volume) +/– button (23, 34)  (repeat) A-B/ (priority) button

(34, 38, 46)

ERASE button (43) Opning for a handstrap (A handstrap

is not supplied.)

* Connect stereo ear receiver or stereo

headphones supplied or not supplied to the

 (headphone) jack. If unwanted noise is

heard, wipe the headphones plug clean.

Rear

Speaker HOLD switch** V-UP (Digital Voice Up) switch (37, 57) DPC switch (38, 51) DIRECTNL (directional) switch (24)  (microphone) jack (31, 32)  (USB) connector (13, 64) Battery compartment (13)

** Slide the HOLD switch in the direction of

the arrow to lock all the functions of all the buttons. During stop, “POWER SAVING…” will be displayed and the display will be turned off to prevent battery power from exhausting.

Display window

Display during playback and stop

Operation mode indicator

Displays the following, depending on the current operation mode

: playback : stop

: review/fast backward,

cue/fast forward

: going backward/forward

continuously

Folder indicator Elasped time/Remaining time

indication/Recording date and time indication

Folder name/Message name/Artist

name indication

Remaining battery/Charging

indicator When dry batteries are used, the

indicator shows the remaining battery power. While charging the rechargeable batteries an animation appears.

Selected message number/Total

number of messages in the folder

Priority marks

Appear(s) when a message is set with priority mark(s).

Bookmark indicator

Appears when a bookmark is set for a message.

Alarm indicator

Appears when the alarm is set for a message.

Sound eect indicator

Displays the EFFECT setting in the menu. BA1 : The bass sound is reinforced. BA2 : The bass sound is further reinforced.

Recording mode indicator

Displays the recording mode set using the menu when the IC recorder is in the stop mode, and displays the current recording mode when the IC recorder is in the playback mode.

STHQ : Standard play stereo recording mode with high quality sound ST : Standard play stereo recording mode STLP : Long play stereo recording mode SP : Standard play monaural recording mode LP : Long play monaural recording mode MP3 : MP3 mode (during playback only)

Microphone sensitivity indicator

Displays the current microphone sensitivity.

(high) : To record at a meeting or

in a quiet/spacious place.

(low) : To record for dictation or in a noisy place. MAN (manual) : To record with microphone sensitivity set manually.

Remaining recording time indication

Display during recording

Operation mode indicator

Displays the following, depending on the current operation of the IC recorder.

: recording : recording standby/recording

pause

: recording with the VOR

function

: recording pause with the

VOR function

Recording level meter

Microphone sensitivity indicator

Displays the current microphone sensitivity when recording with AGC (Automatic Gain Control).

(high) : To record at a meeting or in a quiet/spacious place.

(low) : To record for dictation or in a noisy place. Displays the recording level during manual recording.

Elapsed recording time indication Alarm indicator Recording mode indicator

Displays the recording mode (STHQ, ST, STLP, SP, and LP) set in the menu.

LIM (limiter) indicator

Displays the LIMITER setting in the menu. When “REC LEVEL” is set to “AUTOAGC,” “---” is displayed.

Remaining recording time indication Remaining battery/Charging

indicator

LCF (Low Cut Filter) indicator

Displays the LCF setting in the menu.

Getting Started

Step 1: Preparing a Power Source

Charging the batteries

To use the supplied Digital Voice Editor software, it is recommended that you install the software before step 3.

1 Slide and lift the battery

compartment lid.

2 Insert two rechargeable batteries

with correct polarity, and close the lid.

3 Charge the batteries by connecting

the USB connector of the IC recorder to your computer.

Getting Started

USB connecting cable (supplied)

While the batteries are charging, “CONNECTING” and the charging indicator are displayed in an animation. When the charging indicator indicates “ ,” charging is completed. (Charging time: approx. 4 hours*) When you use the IC recorder for the rst time, or after you have not used the IC recorder for a certain time, it is recommended that you charge the batteries repeatedly until “ ” is displayed.

If the charging indicator is not displayed, charging has not been done properly. Proceed from step 1 again.

* This is an approximation for the time it takes

to charge from no remaining battery power to full battery power at room temperature. It varies depending on the remaining power and the condition of the batteries. It also takes more time if the temperature of the batteries is low, or if the batteries are changed while you are transferring data to the IC recorder.

When using fully charged batteries or LR03 (size AAA) alkaline batteries

Follow the steps 1 and 2.

Tip



You can charge the rechargeable batteries by connecting the IC recorder to an AC outlet using a USB AC adaptor (not supplied) (page

85).

Notes



While “ ” or “ ” is being displayed



instead of the remaining battery/charging indicator, you cannot charge the batteries. Charge the batteries in an environment with a temperature of 5 °C – 35 °C (41 ˚F – 95 ˚F).

If “USB CHARGE” in the menu “DETAIL



MENU” is set to “OFF,” you cannot charge the batteries using your computer. Set “USB CHARGE” to “ON” (page 57).

Do not use manganese batteries for this IC



recorder.

Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the rst time, or when you insert batteries after the IC recorder has been without batteries for a certain period of time. Please refer to step 4 in “Step 2: Setting the Clock” on page 18 to set the date and time.

When charging/replacing the batteries

The battery indicator on the display window shows the battery condition.

Battery remain indication

: Charge both batteries or replace the

old batteries with new ones.



: “LOW BATTERY“ appears and the IC

recorder will stop operation.

Battery life

When using Sony NH-AAA rechargeable batteries

Recording

STHQ

mode

Recording Approx. 13 hr.

30 min.

Playback*2 through

Approx. 16 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 14 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 17 hr.

speaker

Playback

Approx. 22 hr. Approx. 23 hr. using the headphones

Recording

STLP

mode

Recording Approx. 16 hr.

Approx. 17 hr.

30 min.

Playback*2 through

Approx. 17 hr.

30 min.

Approx. 19 hr.

speaker

Playback using the

Approx. 24 hr.

30 min.

Approx. 27 hr. 30 min.

headphones

Recording mode

MP3 (128 kbps/

44.1 kHz)

Recording Approx. 19 hr. –

Playback*2 through

Approx. 19 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 17 hr. 30 min.

speaker

Playback using the

Approx. 28 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 24 hr.

headphones

(hr. : hours/min. : minutes)

When using Sony LR03 (SG) (size AAA) alkaline batteries

Recording

STHQ

mode

Recording Approx. 13 hr.

30 min.

Playback*2 through

Approx. 16 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 14 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 17 hr.

speaker

Playback

Approx. 22 hr. Approx. 23 hr. using the headphones

Getting Started

Recording

STLP

mode

Recording Approx. 16 hr.

Approx. 17 hr.

30 min.

Playback*2 through

Approx. 17 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 19 hr.

speaker

Playback using the

Approx. 24 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 27 hr. 30 min.

headphones

Recording mode

MP3 (128 kbps/

44.1 kHz)

Recording Approx. 19 hr. –

Playback*2 through

Approx. 19 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 17 hr. 30 min.

speaker

Playback using the

Approx. 28 hr. 30 min.

Approx. 24 hr.

headphones

The battery life may shorten depending on

how you operate the IC recorder

When playing back music through the internal speaker with the volume level set to VOL19

STHQ : Stereo high quality recording mode

ST : Stereo standard recording mode

STLP : Stereo long play recording mode

SP : Standard play recording mode

LP : Long play recording mode

(hr. : hours/min. : minutes)

Note on the “UPDATING DATABASE…” message

The IC recorder is accessing data while “UPDATING DATABASE…“ appears in the display window or the operation indicator ashes in orange. While accessing, do not remove the batteries or USB AC adaptor (not supplied). Doing so may damage the data.

Note



If the IC recorder is required to process excessive amount of data, “UPDATING DATABASE…” may be displayed for an extended period of time. This is not a malfunction of the IC recorder. Wait until the message disappears before starting operation.

Step 2: Setting the Clock

1 Select “DATE & TIME” in the menu.



Press and hold /MENU. The menu mode will be displayed in the display window.



/



/MENU

You need to set the clock to use the alarm function or record the date and time. Clock setting display appears when you insert batteries for the rst time, or when you insert batteries after the IC recorder has been without batteries for a certain period of time. In this case, proceed from step 4.



Press  or  to select “DETAIL MENU” and press .



Press  or  to select “DATE & TIME” and press .

2 Press  or  to select “AUTO”

or “MANUAL” and press .

When you selected “AUTO,” the clock is automatically adjusted using the clock in the computer connected to the IC recorder and on which the supplied Digital Voice Editor software is started.

When you select “MANUAL,” proceed to the next steps.

Getting Started

3 Press  or  to select

“08y1m1d” and press .

4 Press  or to set the year,

month, day, hour, and minute in sequence, and then press .

“EXECUTING….” appears and the clock is set.

5 Press  to return to the normal

display.

Note



If you do not press  within one minute of entering the clock setting data, the clock setting mode is cancelled and the window will return to the normal display.

Step 3: Preparations Required before Recording

Recording at a meeting

Set “MIC SENS” to “HIGH ” in the menu



(page 50). Slide the DIRECTNL switch to “ON” to



record a voice coming from a specic direction (page 24).

Set “LCF (LOW CUT)” to “ON” in the



menu to prevent noise caused by a projector, etc. (page 50).

By placing the IC recorder on the



stand*, you can record with clear sound, without accidental noise caused when you rub a desk, etc.

Recording a musical performance

Set “REC LEVEL” to “MANUAL” in the



menu (page 51) to record more realistic sound, distinguishing dynamic sound and soft sound.

Set “LIMITER” to “ON” in the menu (page



55), to prevent distortion when a loud sound is suddenly input.

By attaching a tripod (not supplied)



using the stand*, you can adjust the angles of the IC recorder and the builtin microphones more precisely.

Tripod (not supplied)

Getting Started

* The stand is supplied with some models in

some regions only.

Recording dictation (using the voice recognition software)

Set “MIC SENS” to “LOW ” in the menu



(page 50). Slide the DIRECTNL switch to “ON” to



record a voice coming from a specic direction (page 24).

To transcribe a message recorded on



the IC recorder using voice recognition software (not supplied), set “REC MODE” to “STHQ,” “ST,” “STLP,” or “SP” (page 50).

Microphone

Before you can transcribe recorded



messages, you have to create a user file specifically adapted to the sound of your recorded speech. This procedure is called “training.” For details on “training,” refer to the help files supplied with the voice recognition software you are using.

To obtain maximum recognition accuracy,



hold the IC recorder so that the microphone is about an inch (2 - 3cm) from the corner of your mouth.

To minimize the sound of your breath in the



recordings, do not hold the microphone directly in front of your mouth.

To obtain maximum recognition accuracy,



avoid recording in a noisy place. You cannot transcribe a message recording



the voices of more than one person. You can transcribe the following messages



recorded using your IC recorder or files saved on your computer.

Messages recorded in the STHQ, ST, STLP



or SP mode (DVF)

44.1/16/11kHz 16-bit WAV files saved on



the computer

Basic Operations

Recording Messages

Built-in microphones

DIRECTNL

Operation indicator

This section explains how to record using the AUTO_AGC* setting, to which the IC recorder is preset at the factory.

* Auto Gain Control

1 Select a folder.



Press /MENU to display the folder selection window.



Press  or  to select the folder in which you want to record messages, and then press .

 (headphone) jack

2 Start recording.



Press  (record). The operation indicator lights in red and the window changes to the recording display (page 11). You do not need to press and hold

 (record) while recording. The

new message will be automatically recorded after the last recorded message.



Speak into the built-in microphone.

Basic Operations

3 Press  (stop) to stop recording.

The IC recorder stops at the beginning of the current recording.

Tips



When you purchase the IC recorder, there



are 5 folders already available, and you can record up to 999 messages in each folder.

By using the supplied Digital Voice Editor



software, you can make new folders or delete unnecessary folders (page 58).

Notes



While the operation indicator is flashing or is



lit in orange, do not remove the batteries or the USB AC adaptor. Doing so may damage the data.

Noise may be recorded if an object, such



as your finger, etc., accidentally rubs or scratches the IC recorder during recording.

Before making a recording, be sure to check



the battery indicator (page 14). To avoid replacing batteries during a long



recording session, use the USB AC adaptor (not supplied).

The maximum recording time and the



number of messages you can make varies, depending on the conditions of use.

To Do this

pause recording*

Press  (record). During recording pause, the operation indicator ashes in red and ““ ashes in the display window.

release pause and resume recording

Press  (record). Recording resumes from that point. (To stop recording after pausing recording, press  (stop).)

review the current recording instantly**

Press . Recording stops and playback starts from the beginning of the message just recorded.

review during recording**

Press and hold  during recording or recording pause. Recording stops and you can search backwards while listening to fast playback sound. After you release , playback starts from that point. You can add an overwrite recording from that point.

* One hour after you pause recording,

recording pause is automaticaly released and the IC recorder enters the stop mode.

** You cannot select this function in the

manual recording mode.

Selecting the recording mode

Select the recording mode in the “REC MODE” menu.

STHQ : High-quality stereo recording

mode; you can record with stereo high-quality sound.

ST : Standard play stereo recording

mode; you can record with stereo sound.

STLP : Long play stereo recording mode;

you can record for a longer time with stereo sound.

SP : Standard play monaural

recording mode; you can record with standard quality sound.

LP : Long play monaural recording

mode; you can record for a longer time with monaural sound.

To record with better sound quality, select the STHQ or ST mode.

Monitoring the recording

Connect the stereo headphones to the

 (headphone) jack and monitor the

recording. You can adjust the monitoring volume by pressing VOL + or VOL –, but the recording level is xed.

Maximum recording time

The maximum recording time of all the folders is as follows.

ICD-SX68

STHQ mode ST mode STLP mode

8 hr. 35 min. 22 hr. 50 min. 44 hr. 00 min.

SP mode LP mode

69 hr. 40 min. 185 hr. 55 min.

ICD-SX78

STHQ mode ST mode STLP mode

17 hr. 25 min. 46 hr. 5 min. 88 hr. 45 min.

SP mode LP mode

140 hr. 35 min. 374 hr. 55 min.

Basic Operations

ICD-SX88

STHQ mode ST mode STLP mode

35 hr. 30 min. 93 hr. 55 min. 180 hr. 45 min.

SP mode LP mode

286 hr. 10 min. 763 hr. 15 min.

(hr. : hours/min. : minutes)

Recording a sound centering on a specic direction

To record a sound centering on a specific direction, slide the DIRECTNL switch to the “ON” position. This is convenient when you want to record a particular sound at a conference/meeting, etc. In this case, even when you select the stereo recording mode (STHQ, ST, or STLP mode), the sound is recorded in the monaural mode. When you are using an external microphone, the DIRECTNL switch does not function.

Various Recording Modes

Manual Recording Mode

3, 6

1, 2

1, 2, 4

Operation indicator

1, 2

1 Select the manual recording mode

in the menu.

Select “MANUAL” by pressing  or

 in the “REC LEVEL” menu, and then

press .

2 Select a folder.



Press /MENU to display the folder selection window.



Press  or  to select the folder in which you want to record

messages and then press .

3 Press and hold  (record).

The IC recorder enters the record standby mode. When you speak into the microphone, the level meter in the display window moves.

4 Adjust the recording level.

Adjust the maximum level of the sound source to about –12 dB on the recording level meter.

If “OVER” is displayed, press  or

 and adjust the recording level

down so that “OVER” is not displayed, to prevent sound distortion.

OVER indicator

Level meter

Various Recording Modes

Press and hold  or  to change the sound level continuously. The sound level is also displayed as a number below the level meter.

5 Make other settings for recording

such as “LCF (LOW CUT),” “LIMITER,” etc., in the menu.

6 Start recording.



Press  (record). The operation indicator lights in red and “REC” is displayed. You do not need to press and hold  while recording.



Speak into the built-in microphone.

7 Press  (stop) to stop recording.

Starting to Record Automattically in Response to Sound – the VOR Function

When recording with AUTO AGC, set the VOR (Voice Operated Recording) function to “ON” in the menu (page 51).

1 Press  or  to set “VOR” to

“ON” in the menu, and then press

.

“VOR” appears in the display window.

2 Press  (record).

The recording starts when the IC recorder detects sound. The recording pauses when no sound is detected and “VOR” and “” ash. When the IC recorder detects sound again, the recording starts again.

To cancel the VOR function

Set “VOR” to “OFF” in the menu.

Note



The VOR function is affected by the sound around you. Set “MIC SENS” in the menu according to the recording conditions. If recording is not satisfactory after you have changed the microphone sensitivity, or for an important recording, set “VOR” to “OFF” in the menu.

Adding a Recording to a Previously Recorded Message

Operation indicator

2, 3

Various Recording Modes

When “ADD/OVER” in the menu is set to “ADD,” you can add a recording to the message being played back. The added recording will be placed after the current message, and will be counted as a part of the message.

You cannot add a recording to an MP3



le.

During playback of Message 3

Message 3 Message 4

After adding a recording

Message 3 Message 4

Added recording

1 Press  or  to set “ADD/OVER”

to “ADD” in the menu, and then press .

2 During playback, press  (record).

“ADD REC? [REC] TO EXECUTE…” appears.

For details on playback, see page 34.

3 While “ADD REC? [REC] TO

EXECUTE” is displayed, press  (record).

The operation indicator will turn red. The new recording will be added at the end of the current message.

4 Press  (stop) to stop recording.

Adding an Overwrite Recording during Playback

Operation indicator

2, 3

When “ADD/OVER” in the menu is set to “OVER,” you can add an overwrite recording after a selected point in a recorded message. The part of the message after the selected point is deleted.

You cannot add a recording to an MP3



le.

The starting point of an overwrite recording

Message 2 Message 3 Message 4

Various Recording Modes

Message 2 Message 3 Message 4

Added overwrite recording in Message 2

The deleted part of Message 2

+ 67 hidden pages

Sony ICD-SX78, ICD-SX68 Operating Instructions

Table of Contents

Checking the contents of the package

Index to Parts and Controls

Getting Started

Step 1: Preparing a Power Source

Charging the batteries

When charging/replacing the batteries

Step 2: Setting the Clock

Step 3: Preparations Required before Recording

Basic Operations

Recording Messages

Various Recording Modes

Manual Recording Mode

Starting to Record Automattically in Response to Sound – the VOR Function

Adding a Recording to a Previously Recorded Message

Adding an Overwrite Recording during Playback