Sony M-crew Operating Manual

M-crew

Version 1.05E

On-line Manual

4-231-460-12 (1)

PCLK-MN10A

2001 Sony Corporation

• Duplication of any or all of the contents of this software and instruction manual or lending of this software to third parties without the express permission of the copyright holder is strictly prohibited by copyright law.

• Sony cannot be held liable in any way for monetary losses, lost profits or claims from third parties arising from the use of this software.

• Should any manufacturing defects occur, Sony’s responsibility shall be limited solely to replacing said defective merchandise.

• This software is approved for use only with the specified equipment.

• Sony reserves the right to change software specifications without prior notice.

• M-crew, PictureGear and VAIO are the registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are the registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

• IBM and PC/AT are the registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

• Macintosh is the registrated trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

• Adobe and Adobe Acrobat Reader are the trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

• Other companies and product names are the trademarks or the registered trademarks of each company.

Table of contents

Preparation

Functional restrictions that vary with the

connected system stereo component ... 4

Display items and functions ........................... 5

Main bar ................................................... 5

Tool bar .................................................... 7

CD bar ...................................................... 9

CD window ........................................... 10

MD bar ................................................... 13

MD window .......................................... 14

TUNER bar ............................................ 18

TUNER window ................................... 19

OTHERS bar .......................................... 21

OTHERS window ................................. 22

PC-CD bar .............................................. 23

PC-CD window ..................................... 24

AudioFile bar ........................................ 27

File window ........................................... 28

Disc Library window ........................... 32

Rec window ........................................... 34

“Option” dialog box ............................. 38

Timer window.......................................39

Operating the CD player

Listening to a CD ............................................ 40

Listening to a CD using the CD or

PC-CD bar .................................... 40

Listening to a CD using the CD or

PC-CD window ........................... 40

Assigning names to CDs ............................... 42

Assigning track names with text data

from another application ........... 43

Using disc and track name data in

other applications ....................... 44

Adding an image to the CD or PC-CD

Jacket display .............................. 45

Performing MD operations

Listening to an MD ......................................... 46

Listening to an MD using

the MD bar ................................... 46

Listening to an MD using

the MD window .......................... 47

Assigning names to MDs...............................48

Assigning disc or track names ............ 48

Assigning track names with the text

data stored in the Disc

Library .......................................... 49

Assigning track names with text data

from another application ........... 50

Using disc and track name data in

other applications ....................... 52

Adding an image to the MD Jacket

display .......................................... 53

Recording to an MD ....................................... 54

Recording from a CD to an MD..........54

Recording from the tuner to

an MD ........................................... 59

Recording music files from the PC to

an MD ........................................... 60

Recording to an MD from other

audio sources...............................62

Editing recorded MDs....................................64

Moving tracks........................................64

Dividing tracks......................................66

Combining tracks..................................67

Erasing part of a track .......................... 69

Adding the fade-in effect after

recording ...................................... 71

Adding the fade-out effect after

recording ...................................... 73

Changing the recording level ............. 74

Erasing tracks ........................................ 76

Printing MD labels with Label Maker .........78

Launching Label Maker ....................... 78

Creating labels with Label Maker ...... 79

Operating the tuner

Listening to the radio ..................................... 86

Listening to the radio using the

TUNER bar .................................. 86

Listening to the radio using the

TUNER window ......................... 87

Assigning names to radio stations ............... 88

Adding an image to the TUNER Jacket

display .......................................... 89

Editing preset numbers ................................. 90

Operating the computer

Listening to file albums ................................. 92

Registering music files to a file

album ............................................ 92

Listening to file albums using

the AudioFile bar ........................ 93

Listening to file albums using

the File window .......................... 93

Editing a file album ........................................ 94

Creating a new file album or folder ... 94

Moving music files ............................... 95

Erasing file albums or folders ............. 96

Assigning names to file albums..........97

Adding an image to the File Jacket

display .......................................... 98

Using the disc library ..................................... 99

Viewing the disc library.......................99

Searching the disc library ..................100

Recording disc information in the

disc library .................................101

Erasing data in the disc library ......... 102

Setting optional items .................................. 103

Setting the audio input from the

computer .................................... 103

Choosing an Internet search

engine ......................................... 104

Creating an original genre.................105

Using the timers

How to use the timers .................................. 106

Setting the time ................................... 106

Setting the playback timer .................107

Setting the recording timer ............... 109

Enabling the timers ............................ 112

Preparation

Functional restrictions that vary with the connected system stereo component

The functions that can be used and the icons displayed on the M-crew Tool bar depend on the system stereo component connected to your computer. For example, M-crew may not support timer and CD-TEXT information display functions for certain system stereo components, even if those components have timer and CD-TEXT information display functions.

For more information about the system stereo components that are compatible with M-crew and the functions that are supported, please go to the following URL on the World Wide Web.

http://www.sony.co.jp/en/Products/homeaudio/

Notes

• In this manual, the term “system stereo component” refers specifically to component stereo systems (incorporating CD and MD decks) and discrete MD decks that support PC-LINK connections.

• The displays shown in this manual are those for a CMT-PX3 stereo system.

Display items and functions

Main bar

The Main bar is referred to as the CD bar (page 9) when “CD” is selected in “2 Function Name display,” as the MD bar (page 13) when “MD” is selected, as the TUNER bar (page 18) when “TUNER” is selected, and as the OTHERS bar (page 21) when “OTHERS” is selected.

2 3

1 SONY logo

Drag the logo with the left mouse button to move the Main bar up or down. Right-click the logo to display a pop-up menu.

2 Function Name display

Displays the name of the selected function. Click to display and select a function. The selectable functions will depend on the nature of the system stereo components connected to your computer.

Preparation

568

3 URL button

Opens the website for the selected disc or radio station.

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

4 Volume control (only when connected to certain system stereo

components)

Adjusts the volume.

(continued)

5 Tool bar switch

Click to show or hide the Tool bar (page 7).

6 Help button

Click to open Help (see “Using Help” on page 29 of “Operating Instructions” for M-crew Version 1.05E).

7 Minimize button

Click to reduce the size of the window.

8 Close button

Click to exit M-crew.

Tool bar

Preparation

To view the Tool bar, click the Tool bar switch (page 6) in the Main bar. The icons displayed and their positions depend on the stereo system component connected. When you click a function icon in the Tool bar, the system switches to the selected function and the corresponding window appears. Note that only one window can be opened at a time.

Example 1

Example 2

1 CD icon

Click to display the CD window (page 10).

2 MD icon

Click to display the MD window (page 14).

3 TUNER icon

Click to display the TUNER window (page 19).

4 OTHERS icon

Click to display the OTHERS window (page 22).

5 TIMER icon

Click to display the Timer window (page 39). If the clock has not been set yet, the “Clock Set” dialog box (page 106) will appear. The time must be set before the Timer window can be displayed.

Note

M-crew does not support this function for certain system stereo components, even if those components have a timer function.

(continued)

6 File icon

Click to display the File window (page 28).

7 Disc Library icon

Click to display the Disc Library window (page 32).

8 Rec window icon

Click to display the Rec window (page 34).

9 Option icon

Click to display the “Option” dialog box (page 38).

0 PC-CD icon (only when connected to an MDS-series MD deck)

Click to display the PC-CD window (page 24).

CD bar

Preparation

To view the CD bar, click “CD” in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar during CD player operations (page 40).

1 2 3 4 5

1 Function Name display 2 Disc Information display

Click to select the CD to play. The name of the selected CD appears in the Disc Information display. (CDs other than CD1 are available only when your system stereo component is equipped with a CD changer.)

3 Track Number/Track Name display

Click to select the track to play.

4 Time display

Click to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks on the CD Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track Disc Remain Remaining playing time of the CD

5 CD operation buttons

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

CD window

To view the CD window, click the CD icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to operate the CD player (page 40).

3 2

6 7 8

1 CD operation panel

: Play button

: Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons : Reverse and fast-forward buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

2 EJECT button

3 Reload button

Click to refresh the “qa Track Name display” and “qs Disc Information display.”

4 Jacket display

Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) (page

45).

Click to select all tracks on the CD.

5 Function Tree display

Click on the icon of the CD to be played. The icon flashes while the selected disc is being loaded. During this time, no M-crew operations can be initiated. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

6 Disc property button

Click to enter the properties of the currently selected CD. Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the

URL button in the Main bar is clicked.

Genre : Enter the music genre.

7 Play mode button

(Play mode button appears only when your system stereo component is equipped with a CD changer.)

ALL DISCS : Plays all CDs loaded in the system stereo

component.

1 DISC : Plays a single CD.

Preparation

8 Repeat mode selector

Selects a repeat mode. REPEAT : Plays a single CD repeatedly. REPEAT 1 : Plays a single track repeatedly. REPEAT OFF : Turns off the repeat function.

9 Internet search button

Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box.

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

(continued)

0 Time display

Click

to select a time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

qa Track Name display

Displays the track names. Click the track number to select it. Click the track name to modify it (page 42). Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 44).

You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 42).

qs Disc Information display

Displays the disc number and disc name. Click the disc name to modify it (page 42). Right-click the disc name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc name track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 44).

You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 42).

qd Close button

Click to close the CD window.

Note

To deselect the currently selected track, click on an empty area (i.e., a place with no button or function key) in the Time display.

MD bar

Preparation

To view the MD bar, click MD in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar when performing MD operations (page 46).

1 Function Name display 2 Disc Information display

Click to select the MD to play. (MDs other than MD1 are available only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer.)

3 Track Number/Track Name display

Click to select the track to play.

4 Time display

Click to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks on the MD Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track Disc Remain Remaining playing time of the MD

5 MD operation buttons

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button

3 4

: AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

MD window

To view the MD window, click the MD icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to perform MD operations (page 46).

6 7 8

0qa

1 MD operation panel

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

qd qs

: Reverse and fast-forward buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

2 EJECT button

3 Reload button

Click to refresh the “qf Track Name display” and “qg Disc Information display.”

4 Jacket display

Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) (page

53).

Click to select all tracks on the MD.

5 Function Tree display

Click on the icon of the MD to play. The icon flashes while the selected disc is being loaded. During this time, no M-crew operations can be initiated. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

6 Disc property button

Click to enter the properties of the currently selected MD. Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the

URL button in the Main bar is clicked.

Genre : Enter the music genre.

7 Play mode button

(Play mode button appears only when your system stereo component is equipped with an MD changer.)

ALL DISCS : Plays all MDs loaded in the system

stereo component. 1 DISC : Plays a single MD. MD SEAMLESS ON/OFF: Selects seamless play mode or normal

play mode.

Preparation

8 Repeat mode selector

Selects a repeat mode. REPEAT : Plays a single MD repeatedly. REPEAT 1 : Plays a single track repeatedly. REPEAT OFF : Turns the repeat function off.

9 Print button

Click to activate the Label Maker software.

(continued)

0 Internet search button

Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box.

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

qa MD edit buttons

: Undo button

Click to cancel the most recent edit action performed (except during a data entry or S.F edit operation).

: MOVE button

Click to open the “Move” dialog box (page 64).

: COMBINE button

Click to open the “Combine” dialog box (page 67).

: A-B ERASE button

Click to open the “A-B Erase” dialog box (page 69).

: DIVIDE button

Click to open the “Divide” dialog box (page 66).

: FADE IN button

Click to open the “Fade in” dialog box (page 71).

: FADE OUT button

Click to open the “Fade out” dialog box (page 73).

: LEVEL SHIFT button

Click to open the “Level Shift” dialog box (page 75).

: ERASE (recycle bin) button

Click to open the “Erase” dialog box (page 76).

qs Disc Capacity display

Preparation

Disc space already used

Disc space to be used

Free space

qd Time display

Click

to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Remain Time Total remaining recording time of the MD Total Time Total playing time of all tracks on the MD Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track Disc Remain Remaining playing time of the MD

qf Track Name display

Displays the track names. Click the track number to select it. Click the track name to modify it (page 48). Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc name track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 52). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 48).

qg Disc Information display

Displays the disc number and disc name. Click the disc name to modify it (page 48). Right-click the disc name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 52). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 48).

qh Close button

Click to close the MD window.

Note

To deselect the currently selected track, click on an empty area (i.e., a place with no button or function key) in the Time display.

TUNER bar

To view the TUNER bar, select TUNER on the Function Name display in the Main bar (page 5). Use this bar when operating the tuner (page

86).

3 4

1 Radio Band display

Click to select a band.

2 Preset Number/Broadcasting Station Name display

Click to select a preset station.

3 Frequency display 4 Tuner operation buttons

: BAND button : Preset up button : Preset down button : URL button

Click to open the website set to the current preset number (page 90).

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

TUNER window

To view the TUNER window, click the TUNER icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to operate the tuner (page 86).

Preparation

1 Tuner operation buttons

: BAND button

Click to select a band.

: Preset up button

: Preset down button : EDIT button

Click to open the “Edit” dialog box (page 90). Use the “Edit” dialog box to edit the preset station settings.

2 Reload button

Click to refresh the system stereo component preset information displayed in “7 Preset display.”

(continued)

3 Jacket display

Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) for each preset number (page 89).

4 Function Tree display

Displays the currently selected band. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

5 Internet search button

Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box.

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

6 URL display

Displays the URL set to the selected preset station.

7 Preset display

Click a preset number to select the preset station. Click the station name to modify it (page 88).

8 Close button

Click to close the TUNER window.

OTHERS bar

To view the OTHERS bar, select OTHERS in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar when operating an external component connected to a system stereo component.

1 Function Name display

Preparation

Displays the name of the external component connected to the system stereo component.

OTHERS window

To view the OTHERS window, click the OTHERS icon in the Tool bar (page 7). Use this window to listen to the audio from external audio components connected to a system stereo component.

1 Function Tree display

Click the external audio component that you want to listen to. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

2 External Component display

The currently selected component is enclosed in a yellow box.

3 Close button

Click to close the OTHERS window.

PC-CD bar

Preparation

To view the PC-CD bar, click “PC-CD” in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar to operate a CD in the CD-ROM drive of your computer (page 40).

54321

1 Function Name display 2 Disc Information display

The name of the selected CD appears in the Disc Information display. (CDs other than CD1 are available only when you use multiple CDROM drives on your computer.)

3 Track Number/Track Name display

Click to select the track to play.

4 Time display

Click to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks on the CD Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track

5 PC-CD operation buttons

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

PC-CD window

To view the PC-CD window, click the PC-CD icon in the Tool bar (page

7). Use this window to operate the CD loaded in the CD-ROM drive in your computer (page 40).

3 2

1 CD operation panel

: Play button

: Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons : Reverse and fast-forward buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

2 EJECT button 3 Reload button

Click to refresh the “0 Track Name display” and “qa Disc Information display.”

4 Jacket display

Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) (page

45). Click to select all tracks on the CD.

5 Function Tree display

Click on the icon of the CD to be played. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

6 Disc property button

Click to enter the properties of the currently selected CD. Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the

URL button in the Main bar is clicked.

Genre : Enter the music genre.

7 Repeat mode selector

Selects a repeat mode. REPEAT : Plays a single CD repeatedly. REPEAT 1 : Plays a single track repeatedly. REPEAT OFF : Turns off the repeat function.

Preparation

8 Internet search button

Initiates a search for websites based on keywords entered in the dialog box.

Notes

• To view websites, we recommend that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer (Ver.4.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (Ver.4.0 or higher) as your Internet browser.

• Internet access is necessary for viewing websites. For details on how to gain access to the Internet, consult the manufacturer of your computer.

(continued)

9 Time display

Click

to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks on the CD Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track

0 Track Name display

Displays the track name. Click the track number to select it. Click the track name to modify it (page 42). Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 44). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 42).

qa Disc Information display

Displays the disc number and disc name. Click the disc name to modify it (page 42). Right-click the disc name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file (page 44). You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 42).

qs Close button

Click to close the PC-CD window.

Note

To deselect the currently selected track, click on an empty area in the Time display.

AudioFile bar

To view the AudioFile bar, click “AudioFile” in the Function Name display (page 5) in the Main bar. Use this bar to operate music files stored on your computer’s hard disk (page 92).

1 File Information display

Click to select the file album to play. The name of the selected file album appears in the File Information display.

2 Track Number/Track Name display

Click to select the track to play.

3 Time display

Click to select the time display mode.

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks in the file album Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track

Preparation

4321

4 Music files operation buttons

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

File window

To view the File window, click the File icon in the Tool bar (page 7), and then click the file album in the Function Tree display. Use this window to play the music files stored on your computer’s hard disk (page 92).

4 5 6

qs qa 0

1 File album operation panel

: Play button : Pause button : Stop button : AMS* (PREV and NEXT) buttons : Reverse and fast-forward buttons

* AMS: Automatic Music Sensor. This function searches for the beginning of

a track.

2 Jacket display

Displays an image of your choice (bitmapped or JPEG file) (page

98).

Click to select all tracks in a file album.

3 Function Tree display

Click on the icon of the file album to play. You can drag the boundary to resize the display box.

4 Disc property button

Set the properties of the track or file album currently displayed. Click this button with no track name selected to set the properties of the file album. Click this button with a track name selected to set the properties of the track. Track properties can only be set in the File window.

Artist : Enter the name of the artist. URL : Enter the URL of the website that is displayed when the

URL button in the Main bar is clicked.

Genre : Enter the music genre.

5 File edit buttons

: Create new folder button

Click to create a new folder. Multiple File Album can be placed inside a folder.

: Create new file album button

Click to create a new File Album.

Preparation

: File registration button

Click to register a music file.

6 Repeat mode selector

Selects a repeat mode. REPEAT : Plays a single file album repeatedly. REPEAT 1 : Plays a single track repeatedly. REPEAT OFF : Turns the repeat function off.

(continued)

7 Cancellation (eraser) button

Click to display the “Erase” dialog box (page 96).

8 Time display

Click

Display mode Display contents

Total Time Total playing time of all tracks being displayed in

Elapsed Time Elapsed playing time of the current track Track Remain Remaining playing time of the current track

9 Track Name display

Displays the track name. Click the track number to select it. Click the track name to modify it (page 97). Right-click the track name to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the disc and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file. You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 97). You can also register a music file by dragging it from Explorer and dropping it into the Track Name display.

0 File Information display

Displays a folder name and an album name. Click the folder name or album name to modity it (page 97). Right-click to display a pop-up menu, and then select “Save to CSV file” to save the file and track names to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) formatted file. You can also copy and paste text that has already been entered (page 97).

to select a time display mode.

the Track Name display.

+ 83 hidden pages