3-226-925-11(2)
Personal Network
Player
Operating Instructions
MC-S50
2001 Sony Corporation
European regulatory information
Directive: EMC Directive 89/336/EEC.
92/31/EEC
This equipment complies with the EMC
regulations when used under the
following circumstances:
• Residential area
• Business district
• Light-industry district
(This equipment complies with the EMC
standard regulations EN55022 Class B.)
For the customers in the
Netherlands
Voor de Klanten in Nederland
Gooi de batterij niet weg, maar
lever hem in als KCA
Notice for users
On the supplied software
• Copyright laws prohibit reproducing the software
or the manual accompanying it in whole or in part,
or renting the software without the permission of
the copyright holder.
• In no event will SONY be liable for any financial
damage, or loss of profits, including claims made
by third parties, arising out of the use of the
software supplied with this player.
• In the event a problem occurs with this software as
a result of defective manufacturing, SONY will
replace it.
However, SONY bears no other responsibility.
• The software provided with this player cannot be
used with equipment other than that which is so
designated.
• Please note that, due to continued efforts to
improve quality, the software specifications may
be changed without notice.
• Operation of this player with software other than
that provided is not covered by the warranty.
Program ©2001 Sony Corporation
Documentation ©2001 Sony Corporation
Sony, VAIO, the VAIO logo, Music Clip, OpenMG
and the OpenMG logo are trademarks of Sony
Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, Windows
Media, Windows Millennium Edition and their logos
are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries.
US and foreign patents licensed from Dolby
Laboratories.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
Note
We do not assure trouble-free operations for
computers other than Sony VAIO
®
computers.
2
Table of Contents
Overview .......................................... 4
What you can do with your Music
Clip™ Personal Network Player
.................................................. 4
Getting Started
Unpacking ........................................ 5
Parts and controls ............................ 6
Inserting the battery ........................ 7
Installing the Neck strap................. 8
Basic Operations
Transferring songs from the
computer to Music Clip player
(Check-out)................................. 9
Listening to music with Music Clip
player ........................................ 10
Using the display information
................................................ 11
Advanced Operations
Playing songs repeatedly (MODE)
.................................................... 12
Emphasizing the bass sound
(MEGA BASS) .......................... 13
Protecting your hearing
(AVLS)....................................... 14
Locking the controls (HOLD) ...... 15
Playing back time-limited music
(timeout contents) ................... 15
Using Music Clip player in
combination with Windows
Media™ Player 7 ..................... 16
Other Information
Precautions ..................................... 18
Specifications.................................. 19
Troubleshooting............................. 20
Glossary .......................................... 22
Index ................................. Back cover
This manual explains how to operate Music Clip player. For details on how to use the
supplied software (OpenMG Jukebox), refer to the OpenMG Jukebox Operating Instructions.
3
Overview
What you can do with your Music Clip™ Personal Network Player
Music Clip Personal Network Player lets you transfer digital audio files from your
computer to the product’s built-in flash memory and carry it anywhere to enjoy.
MP3 and WAV
and
WMA* files
EMD Services
Audio CDs
1 Store digital
audio files on
your computer.
2 Transfer the files
to Music Clip
player.
USB connection
* To transfer a file in WMA format to
your Music Clip player, you need
the Microsoft® Windows Media
Player 7. (It is not included in
Music Clip player. See page 16 for
details.)
3 Listen to your
Music Clip player.
4
TM
Getting Started
Unpacking
Your Music Clip player comes with the following items.
Getting Started
• Music Clip player (1)
• LR03 (Size AAA) alkaline battery (1)
• Headphones (1)
• Headphones/earphones
extension cord (1)
• USB cable (1)
• CD-ROM (OpenMG Jukebox
installation disc) (1)
• MC-S50 Operating Instructions (1)
• OpenMG Jukebox Operating
Instructions (1)
About the Serial Number
The serial number provided for your
device is required for the customer
registration. The number is located
inside the battery compartment.
• Neck strap (1)
Serial Number
5
Parts and controls
Refer to the page numbers indicated in parentheses for details.
1 VOL (volume) +/– (page 10)
2 Display (page 11)
3 MODE button (pages 12)
4 N/x (play/stop) button
(page 10)
5 ./> buttons (pages 11)
6 MEGA BASS/AVLS button
(page 13, 14)
7 Battery compartment
(page 7)
8 Clip
9 Headphones jack (page 10)
0 HOLD switch (page 15)
qa USB connector (page 9)
6
Inserting the battery
Notes
• If you do not use the
battery correctly, it may
become damaged from
leakage and corrosion.
For best results:
- Make sure the polarity
is correct.
- Do not charge a dry
cell battery.
- Remove the battery, if
you do not intend to
use the player for an
extended period of
time.
- If you have battery
leakage, replace the
battery with a new one
after cleaning the
battery compartment.
• The mark
indicates that the
battery has run out.
Music Clip player will
not function after it
beeps and the display
turns off. Please change
the battery.
• Be sure to use the
specified battery.
• Dispose of properly at
end-of-life.
• In some areas the
disposal of batteries in
household or business
waste may be
prohibited. Please use
the public collection
system.
• Keep away from
children.
1 Open the battery compartment lid.
2 Insert the LR03 (size AAA) alkaline battery
(supplied) matching the + and - ends on the
battery to those inside the battery compartment.
3 Close the lid holding it down until locked.
Battery duration
About 6 hours*.
* The battery life may be shorter due to operating conditions, the
temperature of the location and battery type.
When to replace the battery
Replace the battery when the battery indicator on the
display (page 11) reads empty (r).
Getting Started
Note
Take care that you do not
shut in this part with
batteries when you close
the lid.
7
Installing the Neck strap
You can carry the player attaching with the supplied
neck strap,
1 Insert the leading loop string of the neck strap into
the hole on the clip.
2 Turn back the neck strap and pull it through the
loop string .
Fixing ring
Leave it in
position.
Note
If you pull the neck
strap too firmly or in the
event of an accident, the
fixing protector of the
neck strap is to be
detached.
If you tighten the fixing
ring moving too higher
position on the neck
strap or tie the neck
strap with itself, the
fixing protector can not
be detached and which
may cause a damage in
the player. Do not move
the position of the fixing
ring and tie up the neck
strap.
8
Move up the fixing
ring.
Fixing protector.
Tie with itself.
Basic Operations
Transferring songs from the computer to Music Clip player (Check-out)
Notes
• Be sure to install
OpenMG Jukebox
before connecting
Music Clip player.
• When you connect
Music Clip player to
the computer for the
first time, the window
for installing the
driver appears.
Follow the
instructions in the
window.
• Click OK when the
dialog box that says
the driver is not
digitally signed
appears in Windows
2000.
• Music Clip player is
inactive while
connected to the
computer.
• Use of this player with
a USB hub or a USB
extension cable is not
guaranteed.
• Music Clip player
may not work if
certain USB devices
are connected at the
same time.
• Some computers may
not work correctly
after recovering from
the suspended mode.
Disconnect the USB
cable and reconnect it.
• When you close the
lid of USB connector,
push it securely until
it is locked.
In order to check out digital audio files from your
computer, first you must install the supplied OpenMG
Jukebox software and then import digital audio files to
OpenMG Jukebox.
For details, refer to the OpenMG Jukebox Operating
Instructions.
1 Connect Music Clip player to your computer.
You can see "PC" on the display when you connect
Music Clip player to your powered PC. This means
that the power to Music Clip player is supplied from
the PC.
To the USB
connector
USB cable (supplied)
Face the SONY
logo upward
To the USB
connector
2 Transfer the music file to Music Clip player
(Check-out).
For details on how to operate, refer to the Open MG
Jukebox Operating Instructions.
zTip
To transfer the song back to the computer (check-in), refer to
the OpenMG Jukebox software instruction manual or the
online help.
Basic Operations
9
Listening to music with Music Clip player
Please insert the battery before use (see page 7).
Note
When using Music Clip player, be sure to disconnect it from
the computer. The player is deactivated while it is connected
to your computer.
Nx (play/stop)
./>VOL +/–
z Tip
The player does not have
a power switch. The
player automatically
turns off several seconds
after it stops playing.
When you press Nx
(play/stop) button again,
Music Clip player is
powered on automatically
and starts playing from
the last song you stopped
playing. (Pressing Nx
starts playback from the
first song if you connect
and disconnect the player
to the computer once.)
10
1 Connect the headphones (supplied).
To use the headphones/
earphones extension cord
to i jack
to i jack
Headphones/earphones
extension cord
2 Press Nx (play/stop).
Playback begins.
Adjust the volume with the VOL +/– buttons.
If playback does not start
The HOLD switch may be switched up. Please
release it down (page 15).
To stop playback
Press Nx (play/stop).
To
Go to the beginning of the
next track
Go to the beginning of the
succeeding tracks
Go to the beginning of the
present track
Go to previous tracks and/or
the beginning of the before tracks
Go forward
123
Go backward
123
Take the following action
Press > once
Press > repeatedly
Press . once
Press . repeatedly
During playback,
Press > and hold
During playback,
Press . and hold
Basic Operations
Note
The display turns off and
the power will go off
several seconds after
playback stops.
Using the display information
You can check play status, battery life, and other
information on Music Clip player display.
AVLS
(page14)
Remaining
battery life
AVLS
MEGA BASS
(page 13)
Repeat mode
(page 12)
BASS12
SHUF
1
VOL
Play/Volume indicators
While playing, the N icon
and the song number appear.
While changing the volume,
VOL and the volume level
appear.
Indication of
Timeout contents
Depending on the
time-limited rights
associated with
certain music
content, the
playback period
may expire. (The
indication flashes if
the playback period
has expired.)
11
Advanced Operations
Playing songs repeatedly (MODE)
There are three ways to play songs; "All Repeat",
"1 Repeat" and "Shuffle Repeat".
MODE
To play songs repeatedly, press MODE button
repeatedly.
Each time you press the MODE button, the repeat
mode indicator changes as follows:
12
H1
R
Repeat mode indicator
H1
H
SHUF
H
No indicator
t H t t (no indication)
SHUF
H
The player repeats
the current song (1 Repeat)
all songs continuously
(All Repeat)
all songs in random order
(Shuffle Repeat)
repeat mode off
To cancel Repeat Play
Press MODE button repeatedly until the repeat
indicator disappears.
Emphasizing the bass sound (MEGA BASS)
Note
If the sound becomes
distorted when
emphasizing the bass,
turn down the volume.
MEGA BASS function intensifies low frequency sound
for richer quality audio reproduction.
MEGA BASS/AVLS
Press MEGA BASS/AVLS button repeatedly.
Each time you press MEGA BASS/AVLS button, the
MEGA BASS indicator changes as follows:
BASS 1 B BASS 2 B (none)
R
Display indication
BASS 1
BASS 2
none
Sound quality
MEGA BASS (moderate effect)
MEGA BASS (strong effect)
normal play
Advanced Operations
To cancel the MEGA BASS effect
Press MEGA BASS/AVLS button repeatedly until the
MEGA BASS indicator disappears.
13
Protecting your hearing (AVLS)
The AVLS (Automatic Volume Limiter System)
function keeps down the maximum volume to protect
your ears.
MEGA BASS/AVLS
Press and hold the MEGA BASS/AVLS button
more than 2 seconds.
"AVLS" appears on the display.
This setting allows not to increase the volume above
fixed level.
To cancel AVLS
Press MEGA BASS/AVLS button until the AVLS
indicator disappears.
14
Locking the controls (HOLD)
The HOLD switch locks all controls to prevent
accidental operation.
To lock all controls
Slide the HOLD switch to ..
Controls will be locked.
To release the HOLD function
Slide the HOLD switch in the opposite direction of the
arrow.
Advanced Operations
HOLD switch
Playing back time-limited music (timeout contents)
Some music data distributed via the Internet (EMD
service) have playback time restriction.
When you playback a song with playback time
restriction, the timeout icon (page 11) goes on.
If you try to playback a song whose playback period is
already expired, the timeout icon flashes and playback
of the next song begins.
We recommended you to check-in or delete the
expired song in the player to the computer using the
OpenMG Jukebox software.
OpenMG Jukebox will not playback the expired song
and the expired song will not be available for checkout to Music Clip player. Delete these songs as needed.
15
Using Music Clip player in
combination with Windows
TM
Media
Player 7
If you install Microsoft Windows MediaTM Player 7,
you can transfer a WMA file to your Music Clip player
and play it back. Refer to the online help for Windows
Media Player 7 for detailed operations.
Playing back WMA files with Music
Clip player
Installing Windows Media Player 7 and the
dedicated plug-ins
• Refer to Microsoft download website for the details
on how to obtain Windows Media Player 7.
• To use Windows Media Player 7 in combination
with your Music Clip player, you need to install the
dedicated plug-in software. This software has been
already installed when the MC-S50 driver was
installed using the enclosed OpenMG Jukebox CDROM.
Transferring (copying) a WMA file to your
Music Clip player
Music Clip player can only playback those WMA files
that are listed in the "Available File Formats" in the
"Options" dialog box on Windows Media Player 7 and
are of 64 to 160 kbps.
16
Notes
• If you check "Enable Personal Rights Management" on
the "CD Audio" tab in the "Options" dialog box when
recording a CD using Windows Media Player 7, the
music cannot be transferred to Music Clip player. To
enable the music transfer, remove the check mark when
recording the CD.
• It may be impossible to transfer the music contents
with copyright management information such as those
purchased via EMD.
Notes
• Songs checked-out
using the OpenMG
Jukebox (ATRAC3
and MP3) can also be
listened on the
Portable Device
screen of Windows
Media Player 7, but
they can not be played
back nor checked-in to
Windows Media
Player 7.
• The transferred
(copied) WMA files to
Music Clip player
from Windows Media
Player 7 are shown on
the OpenMG Jukebox
with a (
you can not playback
nor check-in them to
the OpenMG Jukebox.
) mark and
1 Start Windows Media Player 7 and click on the
"Portable Device" tab.
The "Portable Device" screen appears.
Copy Music button
Portable
Device tab
2 Connect your Music Clip player to the computer
(See page 9).
The computer recognizes your Music Clip player and
the songs downloaded in Music Clip player are shown
on the "Music On Device" window of Windows Media
Player 7. If the computer can not recognize your Music
Clip player, press the F5 key.
3 Transfer (copy) the songs to your Music Clip
player.
Select a WMA file you want to transfer (copy) to your
Music Clip player and click on the "Copy Music"
button on Windows Media Player 7 window.
This starts copying the selected song and its title is
added to the "Music On Device" window.
Refer to the online help of Windows Media Player 7
for details on copying music to a portable device.
Portable
Device
screen
Advanced Operations
17
Other Information
Precautions
Safety
Do not drop or vigorously shake the
player. It may damage the unit.
Installation
Do not place the player in a location
where it is:
• On an unstable surface.
• Very humid or no ventilation.
• Subject to excessive dust.
• Subject to direct sunlight or extreme
heat.
• In a car with its windows closed.
• In a magnetized location (near a
magnet, speaker, or TV).
Operation
If Music Clip player is brought directly
from a cold to a warm location, or if it is
placed in a very damp environment,
moisture may condense on the parts
inside Music Clip player. Should this
occur, Music Clip player may not work
properly.
Remove the battery and let Music Clip
player sit for approximately two or
three hours or until the moisture
evaporates.
Headphones
• Road Safety
Do not use headphones while
driving, cycling, or operating any
motorized vehicle. It may create a
traffic hazard and is illegal in many
areas. It can also be potentially
dangerous to play your player at high
volume while walking, especially at
pedestrian crossings. You should
exercise extreme caution or
discontinue use in potentially
hazardous situations.
• Preventing hearing damage
Avoid using headphones at high
volume. Hearing experts advise
against continuous, loud and
extended play. If you experience
aringing in your ears, reduce the
volume or discontinue use.
• Caring for others
Keep the volume at a moderate level.
This will allow you to hear outside
sounds and to be considerate of the
people around you.
Cleaning
Clean the casing with a soft cloth lightly
moistened with water or a mild
detergent solution. Do not use any type
of abrasive pad, scouring powder or
solvent such as alcohol or benzene as it
may damage the finish of the casing.
18
Specifications
Audio specifications
Frequency response
20 – 20,000 Hz
Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N)
85 dB
Memory capacity
64 MB (including the system software:
61.1 MB available for music)
Available file format
ATRAC3
MP3
Bit rate*: 32–256 kbps
Sampling rate: 32/44.1/48 kHz
* Variable bit rate files are not
supported. Bit rate higher than 128
kbps is not guaranteed when you
select the sampling rate 32 or 48 kHz.
WMA**
Bit rate: 64–160 kbps
**The files applied with the Microsoft
Windows Media Right Manage are
not supported.
Output
Headphones jack
Stereo mini jack
Connector (special mini jack)
USB 1.0 compliant
General
Power requirements
LR03 (Size AAA) alkaline battery × 1
USB bus power
Battery life
Approx. 6 hours (varies depending on
bit rate, volume, etc.)
Power consumption
Approx. 145 mW
Dimensions (approx.)
Approx. 22.4 × 99.0 × 25.9 mm (
×1 inches) (w/h/d)
Mass
Approx. 33g (1.2 oz ) (including
battery)
29
Operating temperature
5°C to 35°C (41°F to 95°F) (not
condensed)
Environment temperature
–20°C to 60°C (–4°F to 140°F) (not
condensed)
Supplied accessories
See page 5.
Other Information
/32× 4
19
Troubleshooting
If you experience any of the following
difficulties while using Music Clip
player, use this troubleshooting guide
to help you remedy the problem.
Should any problem persist, consult
your nearest Sony dealer. For trouble
concerning operations while connecting
with your computer, please refer to the
supplied software‘s online help
"Troubleshooting" contents, too.
On the player
No sound, or noise is heard.
cCheck that the headphones are
connected securely.
cPlugs are dirty. Clean the plugs
with a dry soft cloth periodically.
cAdjust the volume with the
VOL +/– buttons.
The controls on the player do not
work.
cIf the player is connected to the
computer, disconnect it.
cMake sure that the HOLD function
is deactivated (page 15).
cCondensation may have developed
inside the player. Allow it to sit for
about 2 or 3 hours.
cIf the battery is weak, replace it with
a new one.
cCheck that the battery is inserted
correctly.
The volume does not increase.
cMake sure that the HOLD function
is deactivated (page 15).
cMake sure that the AVLS function is
deactivated (page 14).
The sound is distorted.
cCancel the MEGA BASS (page 13).
cImport audio files with a higher bps
value.
The player does not function.
cIf Music Clip player is connected to
the computer, disconnect it.
cMake sure that the HOLD function
is deactivated (page 15).
cIf the battery is weak, replace it with
a new one.
cCheck out songs to Music Clip
player if 00 appears on the display.
The selected music data can not be
played back.
cThe time-limit of the song may be
expired.
Some music data distributed via the
Internet (EMD service) have
playback time restriction (page 15).
When you playback a song with the
playback time restriction, the
timeout icon goes on.
If you try to playback a song whose
playback period is already expired,
the timeout icon flashes and
playback of the next song begins.
The commercially-available USB cable
cannot be connected.
cUse the supplied USB cable.
On the software
Cannot check out songs.
cThe USB cable is not fully plugged
in. Disconnect the USB cable and
reconnect it.
cThe available memory space in
Music Clip player may be
insufficient.
cThe song has already been checked
out the maximum permitted
number of times. If the remaining
number of times the song is allowed
to be checked out is zero, you
cannot check out that song (in
which case, the song is marked
).
20
cIf the song has a limited playing
period or playing count, you may
not be able to check it out to Music
Clip player, depending on the
restrictions set by the copyright
holders. For details on the settings
of each song, contact the service, or
see the OpenMG Web site.
cYou may be trying to check out 100
or more songs to Music Clip player.
The maximum number of songs that
can be checked out to Music Clip
player is 99.
Your computer does not authenticate
Music Clip player.
cThere is a communication error
between your computer and Music
Clip player. Disconnect the USB
cable, reconnect it, and then restart
OpenMG Jukebox.
cYou are using a USB hub. Music
Clip player may not work when
connected to certain USB hubs.
Connect the USB cable to your
computer’s USB port.
Other Information
21
Glossary
ATRAC3
ATRAC3, which stands for Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding3, is audio
compression technology that satisfies the demand for high sound quality and high
compression rates.
The ATRAC3 compression rate is approximately 10 times higher than that of the
Audio CD, resulting an increased data capacity for the media.
Bit rate
Indicates the data amount per second. The rate is reflected in bps (bit per second).
In OpenMG Jukebox, the bit rate for recording an audio CD or converting MP3 and
WAV format audio files into ATRAC3 format can be chosen from 132 kbps/105kbps/
66kbps. 105 kbps means 105000 bits of information per second. If the bit rate is large,
that means a large amount of information is used to play music. Comparing music of
the same format, a 105 kbps data offers better sound quality than 66 kbps data, and
132 kbps data offers better sound quality than 105 kbps data. However, audio files in
formats such as MP3 have different encoding methods, and thus sound quality cannot
be determined by simply comparing the bit rate.
Check-in/Check-out
Check-out is to transfer music files from a personal computer to an external device/
media (such as Music Clip player). Returning checked-out music files to the same
computer is to check in. (You cannot move checked-out music files to another
computer.)
You can check-out a music file, check it back in, and then check it out again an infinite
number of times. The SDMI rules provide that up to four copies of a music file can be
checked-out at one time. OpenMG employs a method whereby three copies of a song
can be checked-out simultaneously, while the fourth copy is maintained as a "master"
on your PC. If three copies of the same song are checked-out at a given time, one copy
of the song needs to be checked-in to the computer in order to create an additional
check-out.
MP3
MP3, which stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer3, a standard for audio files compression
determined by the Motion Picture Experts Group, an ISO (International Organization
for Standardization) working group. It enables compression of audio files to about 1/
10 of the data size of a standard compact disc. Since the MP3 encoding algorithm is
disclosed, there are various encoders/decoders that are compliant with this standard,
including freeware that is available for no charge. Thus, the MP3 standard is widely
used in the computer field.
22
SDMI
SDMI which stands for Secure Digital Music Initiative, is a forum that consists of over
130 companies in the fields of recorded audio content, computers, and consumer
electronics, dedicated to developing an integrated method of copyright protection
technology that can be used worldwide.
SDMI is working to create a framework for preventing improper usage of audio files
and to promote legal music distribution services. The copyright protection technology
OpenMG is based upon the SDMI standard.
Windows Media Audio
One of the audio file formats which can be played back on the Microsoft Windows
Media Player. Installing the dedicated plug-in software supplied with Music Clip
player to your PC allows transferring WMA files from the Windows Media Player 7
to your Music Clip player and playing them back with it.
Windows Media Technology
A technology including a contents management system called Windows Media Rights
Manager, which can encrypt contents and distribute them with their conditions for
usage, distribution, etc. Audio files supporting Windows Media Technologies (WMT)
downloaded via EMD can be imported into and managed by OpenMG Jukebox.
Other Information
23
Index
A
ATRAC3 .................................................. 22
AVLS ....................................................... 14
B
Battery .......................................................7
Bit rate .....................................................22
C
Check-in ..................................................22
Check-out............................................9, 22
Connecting................................................9
D
Display information ..............................11
E
EMD...............................................4, 15, 16
G
Go backward ..........................................11
Go forward .............................................11
H
Headphones ........................................... 10
HOLD ...................................................... 15
M
MEGA BASS ........................................... 13
MP3 .......................................................... 22
R
Repeat mode........................................... 12
S
SDMI........................................................ 23
Serial number ........................................... 5
Specifications.......................................... 19
T
Time-out contents .................................. 15
Transferring the songs ............................ 9
Troubleshooting..................................... 20
U
Unpacking ................................................ 5
USB ............................................................ 9
V
Volume .................................................... 10
W
WAV .......................................................... 4
Windows MediaTM Player 7 ........ 4, 16, 17
Window Media Technologies (WMT)
................................................................. 23
WMA ............................................. 4, 16, 23
24
N
Neck strap................................................. 8
O
OpenMG Jukebox ............ 9, 15, 16, 17, 23
P
Parts and controls .................................... 6
Playback .................................................. 10
Precautions ............................................. 18
Sony Corporation Printed in Japan
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