Sony MDS-PC3 User Manual 2

4-230-661-11(1)

MiniDisc Deck

Operating Instructions

MDS-PC3

2000 Sony Corporation

WARNING

To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet.

This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT MARKING is located on the bottom exterior.

The following caution label is located inside the unit.

IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE, OR LOSSES OR EXPENSES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT OR THE USE OF ANY PRODUCT.

For the customers in the U.S.A.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

If you have any questions about this product, you may call: Sony Customer Information Services Center 1-800488-7669

The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Declaration of Conformity

Trade name: SONY Model No.: CAV-MN10 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 1 Sony Drive, Park Ridge,

Telephone No.: 201-930-6972

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

NJ. 07656 USA

INFORMATION

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modification not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom of the unit. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. MDS-PC3 Serial No.

For the customers in Canada

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony MiniDisc Deck. Before operating the deck, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference.

About This Manual

The instructions in this manual are for the MDS-PC3 MiniDisc Deck.

Conventions

• Controls in these instructions are those on the supplied remote; these may, however, be substituted by controls on the deck that are similarly named, or, when different, appear in the instructions within parentheses.

Example: Press x (or x/Z on the deck).

• z indicates hints and tips for making the task easier.

Table of Contents

Location and Function of Parts

Front Panel Parts

Description......................4

Remote Parts

Description......................5

Using the Display ..............6

Getting Started

Before You Start the

Hookup ...........................8

Hooking Up .......................9

Recording on MDs

Notes on Recording .........11

Recording on an MD .......12

Adjusting the Recording

Level ............................. 14

Recording for Long

Times ............................ 15

Recording Tips ................ 16

Marking Track Numbers

While Recording

(Track Marking)............18

Synchro-recording With the

Audio Component of Your

Choice (Music Synchro-

recording)......................20

Editing Recorded MDs

Erasing Tracks ................. 29

Dividing Tracks ............... 31

Combining Tracks ...........33

Moving Tracks ................ 34

Naming Tracks or MDs ... 35

Undoing the Last Edit......38

Changing the Track Level

After Recording

(S.F Edit).......................39

Other Functions

Fade In and Fade Out

Recording/Playback ...... 42

Additional Information

Precautions ...................... 43

Handling MDs .................44

System Limitations .......... 44

Troubleshooting...............46

Specifications .................. 47

Display Messages ............48

Edit Menu Table .............. 49

Setup Menu Table ...........50

Self-Diagnosis

Function ........................ 51

Index .................. Back cover

Playing MDs

Playing an MD.................21

Playing a Specific Track..22 Locating a Particular Point

in a Track ......................22

Playing Tracks

Repeatedly .................... 23

Playing Tracks in Random

Order (Shuffle Play)......24

Creating Your Own Program

(Program Play) .............. 25

Tips for Recording From

MDs to Tape ................. 27

Location and Function of Parts

Front Panel Parts Description

This chapter tells you about the location and function of the various buttons and controls on the front panel and the supplied remote. Further details are provided on the pages indicated in the parentheses.

It also tells you about the information that appears in the display window.

1723 4 5 6

?/1 z x/Z

1 ?/1 (power) switch (12, 21)

Press to turn the deck on. When you turn the deck on, the switch indicator turns off. When you press the switch again, the deck turns off and the indicator lights up red.

2 z button (13, 17, 18)

Press to record on the MD, monitor the input signal, or mark track numbers.

3 MD insertion slot

Insert the MD as illustrated below.

With the labeled side up

PUSHu

5 x/Z button (13, 21, 29)

Press to stop play, stop recording, or cancel the selected operation. Press to eject the MD while the deck is stopped.

6 ./> control, u button (13, 21,

22, 25, 28)

Turn to locate tracks. Press to start play, pause play, or pause recording. Press to carry out the selected operation.

7 Remote sensor

Point the remote towards this window ( ) for remote operations.

With the arrow pointing towards the deck

4 Display window (6, 7)

Shows various information.

Remote Parts Description

qh qg

qs qa

1 ?/1 (power) switch (12, 21)

Press to turn the deck on. When you turn the deck on, the ?/1 switch indicator on the deck turns off. When you press the switch again, the deck turns off and the indicator lights up red.

2 PLAY MODE button (24, 25)

Press to select Shuffle Play or Program Play.

3 DISPLAY button (6, 16, 25, 35)

Press to select the information to be displayed in the window, or to select the type of characters to be input.

4 MUSIC SYNC button (20)

Press to start Music Synchro-recording.

5 FADER button (42)

Press to perform Fade-in Recording/Playback or Fade-out Recording/Playback.

6 LEVEL +/– buttons (14, 21)

Press to adjust the recording level and the output level of the PHONES jack and ANALOG OUT jacks.

7 YES button (15, 25, 28)

Press to carry out the selected operation.

8 CLEAR button (26, 36)

Press to cancel the selection.

EJECT INPUT

(

MENU/NO NAME EDIT/

REPEAT AyB CLEAR

REC MODE

FADER

YES

SELECT

q; 98 7

1/u

PLAY MODE

DISPLAY

MUSIC SYNC

LEVEL

–

1 2

3 4

5 6

9 AyB button (23)

Press to select Repeat A-B Play.

0 REPEAT button (23)

Press to play tracks repeatedly.

qa NAME EDIT/SELECT button (37)

Press to add the name or change the name of a track or MD.

qs MENU/NO button (15, 25, 28)

Press to display “Edit Menu” or “Setup Menu.”

qd N button (13, 21)

Press to start play or recording.

X button (13, 21)

Press to pause play or recording. Press again to resume play or recording.

x button (13, 21, 29)

Press to stop play, recording, or cancel the selected operation.

./> buttons (13, 21, 22, 25, 28)

Press to locate tracks, select a menu item, or select a character to be input.

z button (13, 17, 18)

Press to record on the MD, monitor the input signal, or mark track numbers.

m/M buttons (22, 26, 36)

Press to locate a portion within a track, change the contents of a program, or shift the cursor.

qf EJECT Z button (13, 21)

Press to eject the MD.

qg INPUT button (12)

Press to select the input jack (or connector) of the program source to be recorded.

qh REC MODE button (15)

Press to select one of the following four recording modes: Mono (monaural recording), stereo (stereo recording), LP2 (2 times normal recording time), and LP4 (4 times normal recording time).

Location and Function of Parts

Using the Display

The display window shows information about the MD or track. This section describes the information that appears for each deck status.

While the deck is stopped

Press DISPLAY repeatedly to change the display.

Each press of the button changes the display as follows:

?/1

DISPLAY

–

Note

The type of information (e.g., total number of tracks, recorded time, remaining time, track or disc name) which was last displayed will continue to appear until you change it by pressing DISPLAY, even if you change the deck operation status. For example, if the remaining time was displayed when you stop the deck, the remaining time will continue to appear when you begin playing the same MD again or a different one.

When you insert an MD

The display automatically changes as follows:

Disc name

SONGS

Total number of tracks

Total recorded time

Total number of tracks and total recorded time (default display)

14Tr 44.22

Press

Remaining recordable time on the MD (recordable MDs only)*

-63.51

Press

Order of the programmed tracks**

12t 4 t 61

Press

The number and total playing time of the programmed tracks**

3Tr 12.56

Press

Disc name

SONGS

* Not shown for the premastered discs. ** This display appears only when “PGM” appears.

Press

14Tr 44.22

While the deck is recording

Press DISPLAY repeatedly to change the display.

Each press of the button changes the display as follows:

While the deck is playing

Press DISPLAY repeatedly to change the display.

Each press of the button changes the display as follows:

Location and Function of Parts

Track number and recorded time of the current track (default display)

15Tr 44.22

Press

Remaining recordable time on the MD

-63.02

Press

Level of the input signal

Press

Track name

SONGS

Press

Track number and elapsed time of the current track (default display)

1Tr 0.12

Press

Track number and remaining time of the current track

1Tr-2.51

Press

Remaining recordable time on the MD

-45.25

Press

Order of the programmed tracks*

12t 4 t 61

Press

Track name

Track2

* The display appears only when “PGM” appears.

Press

Getting Started

Before You Start the Hookup

Checking the supplied accessories

This MD deck comes with the following items:

• AC power adaptor (1)

• Audio connecting cord

(stereo mini-plug × 1 y stereo mini-plug × 1) (1)

• Optical cable (1)

• Remote commander (remote) RM-D52M (1)

• PC connecting kit PCLK-MN10* (1)

* Required for operation by personal computer. For

details, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the PCLK-MN10.

Before using the supplied remote

The supplied remote already contains a battery. Before using the remote, pull out the insulating sheet to allow the power to flow from the battery.

When to replace the battery

Under normal conditions, the battery should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the deck, replace the battery with new one.

Notes on lithium battery

• Keep the lithium battery out of the reach of the children. Should the battery be swallowed, immediately consult a doctor.

• Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to assure a good contact.

• Be sure to observe the correct polarity when inserting the battery.

• Do not hold the battery with metallic tweezers, otherwise a short-circuit may occur.

WARNING

Battery may explode if mistreated. Do not recharge, disassemble, or dispose of in fire.

To avoid battery leakage

If you don’t use the remote for an extended period of time, remove the battery to avoid possible damage from battery leakage and corrosion.

Hooking Up

The MD deck can be connected to PCs with PC LINK capability (such as the VAIO-series of PCs), peripheral devices such as portable CD players, and active speakers. Make sure all devices are turned off before you hook them up.

CD player or digital CS tuner, etc. with optical digital

Portable CD player, etc.

LINE OUT

PHONES

Active speakers, etc.

l : Signal flow

Connecting the MD deck to a personal computer

Use the PCLK-MN10 PC connecting kit (supplied) to connect the PC to the MD deck through the PC LINK jack on the back of the MD deck. By connecting the MD deck to a PC, you will be able to select and play MD tracks and do various editing operations on the PC screen. For more details, refer to the manual supplied with the PC connecting kit.

connection capability

OPTICAL OUT

(VARIABLE)

IN OUTIN OUT

(OPTICAL)

LINE IN

OPTICAL IN

Amplifier, etc. with optical digital connection capability

For PC connecting kit PCLK-MN10

PC LINKDIGITALANALOG

DC IN

For AC power adaptor

Connecting the MD deck with an audio component

The MD deck is capable of recording from both analog and digital sources.

When recording from an analog source

Required connecting cord

Audio connecting cord (supplied)

Portable CD player, etc.MDS-PC3

ANALOG

(VARIABLE)

IN OUT

l : Signal flow

When recording from a digital source

Required connecting cord

Optical digital cable (supplied)

MDS-PC3

DIGITAL

IN OUT

(OPTICAL)

l : Signal flow

CD player, etc. with optical digital connection capability

LINE

OUT

OPTICAL

OUT

continued

Getting Started

Hooking Up (continued)

Notes

• Insert plugs into jacks firmly. Loose connections may be a cause of noise or malfunction in the MD deck.

• When connecting an optical digital cable, take the caps off the connectors and insert the cable plugs straight in the jacks until you hear a click. When a plug is not completely inserted, “C71” and “Din Unlock” may alternate in the display.

Do not bend or tie the optical cable.

Connecting the MD deck to active speakers, etc.

Required connecting cord

Audio connecting cord (stereo mini-plug × 1 y stereo mini-plug × 1) (supplied) or audio connecting cord (stereo mini-plug× 1 y pin-plug × 2)

Connecting the MD deck to a system stereo or an amplifier

By connecting the MD deck to a system stereo or to an amplifier with optical digital input jacks, you can enjoy listening to MDs on the speakers connected to the system stereo or the amplifier.

Required connecting cord

Optical digital cable (supplied)

You can change the output level

of the ANALOG OUT jacks

1While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice

to display “Setup Menu.”

2Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) until “Aout” appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

3Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) to change the output level, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

4Press MENU/NO.

You can also change the level with LEVEL +/–. In such a case, note that the output level of the PHONES jack will change with the output level of the ANALOG OUT jacks (page 21).

The example below shows the MD deck connected to active speakers with an audio connecting cord (stereo mini-plug × 1 y stereo mini-plug × 1) (supplied).

Active speakers, etc.MDS-PC3

ANALOG

(VARIABLE)

IN OUT

l : Signal flow

LINE

Connecting the AC power adaptor

Connect the AC power adaptor to the DC IN 9 V jack on the MD deck and to a wall outlet.

Notes

• Do not connect the AC power adaptor to a switched outlet.

• Use only the supplied AC power adaptor. Do not

use any other AC power adaptor.

Polarity of the plug

Recording on MDs

Notes on Recording

About indications which appear while recording

When “Protected” and “C11” alternate in the display

The record-protect slot is open and the MD is record-protected. To record on the MD, slide the tab to close the slot. For details, see “To prevent accidental erasure of the recorded material” on page 13.

When “Din Unlock” and “C71” alternate in the display

• The digital component selected with INPUT is not connected correctly. Check the connection.

• The selected digital component is not turned on. Turn on the component.

When “Cannot Copy” and “C41” alternate in the display

The MD deck uses the Serial Copy Management System. MDs recorded through the digital input connector can’t be copied to other MDs or DAT tapes through the digital output connector. For details, see “Guide to the Serial Copy Management System” on page 11.

When “Tr” flashes in the display

The MD deck is recording over existing track(s) (“Recording on an MD” on page 13). The indication stops flashing when the deck reaches the end of the recorded portion.

About indications which appear after recording

When “TOC” lights up in the display

Recording has finished but the TOC (Table of Contents) on the MD has not been updated to reflect the recording results. The recording will be lost if you disconnect the AC power adaptor while the indication is on. The TOC will be updated only when you eject the MD or turn off the MD deck.

When “TOC Writing” flashes in the display

The deck is updating the TOC. Do not disconnect the AC power adaptor or move the deck while the indication flashes.

Automatic conversion of digital sampling rates during recording

A built-in sampling rate converter automatically converts the sampling frequency of various digital sources to the 44.1 kHz sampling rate of the MD deck. This allows you to monitor and record sources such as 32- or 48-kHz DAT tapes or satellite broadcasts, as well as the CDs and MDs.

Please note that 22.05- or 96-kHz digital sources can’t be recorded on this deck.

Guide to the Serial Copy Management System

Digital audio components, such as CDs, MDs, and DATs make it easy to produce high-quality copies of music by processing music as a digital signal.

To protect copyrighted music sources, this deck uses the Serial Copy Management System which allows you to make only a single copy of a digitally recorded source through digital-to-digital connections.

Recording on MDs

Getting Started/Recording on MDs

continued

Notes on Recording (continued)

You can make only a firstgeneration copy* through a digital-to-digital connection.

Examples are given as follows:

• You can make a copy of a commercially available digital sound program (for example, a CD or MD), but you can’t make a second copy from the first-generation copy.

• You can make a copy of a digital signal from a digitally recorded analog sound program (for example, an analog record or a music cassette tape) or from a digital satellite broadcast program, but you can’t make a second copy from the first-generation copy.

* A first-generation copy means the first recording of

a digital audio source through the deck’s digital input connector. For example, if you record from a CD player connected to the DIGITAL (OPTICAL) IN connector, that copy is a first-generation copy.

Note

The restrictions of the Serial Copy Management System don’t apply when you make a recording through the analog-to-analog connections.

Recording on an MD

The operations for normal recording are explained below. If the MD has recorded material on it, the deck will automatically start recording from the end of the recorded portion.

INPUT

Select

Optical In

?/1

–

Z X

./>

.> z

1 Press ?/1 to turn on the deck.

The switch indicator on the deck turns off.

2 Insert a recordable MD (page 4). 3 Press INPUT repeatedly to select the

input jack (connector) connected to the program source.

If the source is connected to the

DIGITAL (OPTICAL) IN connector

LINE (ANALOG) IN jack Analog In

4 If necessary, select the recording mode.

For details, see “Recording for Long Times” on page 15.

5 If necessary, locate the point on the MD

to start recording from.

If you want to record on a new MD or start recording from the end of the recorded portion, go to step 6.

To record over from the beginning of an existing MD track

Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until the number of

the track to be recorded over appears.

To record over from the middle of an MD track

Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until the number of

the track to be recorded over appears, then press N (or NX on the deck) to start playback. Press X (or NX on the deck), then z at the point you want to start recording from.

6 Press z.

The deck changes to recording pause.

7 If necessary, adjust the recording level.

For details, see “Adjusting the Recording Level” on page 14.

Operations you may want to do during recording

To Press

Stop recording x (or x/Z on the deck) Pause recording X (or NX on the deck) Resume recording

after pausing Eject the MD EJECT Z (or x/Z on the

N or X (or NX on the deck)

deck) after stopping recording

When you pause recording

The track number increases by one. For example, if you paused recording while recording track 4, the track number will be 5 when you resume recording.

To prevent accidental erasure of the recorded material

To make it impossible to record on an MD, slide the record-protect tab in the direction of the arrow (see illustration below) to open the slot. To enable recording, close the slot.

Bottom side of the MD

Record-protect tab

Recording on MDs

8 Press N or X (or NX on the deck).

Recording starts.

9 Start playing the program source.

Slide in the direction of arrow

To play the tracks you just

recorded

Press N (or NX on the deck) immediately after stopping recording.

The deck starts to play from the first track of the material just recorded.

continued

Recording on an MD (continued)

To play from the first track of the

MD after recording

1Press x (or x/Z on the deck) again after stopping

recording.

2Press N (or NX on the deck).

The deck starts to play from the first track of the MD.

Note

You can’t record over existing material when Shuffle Play (page 24) or Program Play (page 25) has been selected. “Impossible” appears in the display at this time.

Adjusting the Recording Level

Do the procedure below to adjust the recording level.

?/1

–

DISPLAY

LEVEL +/–

.> z

1 Do steps 1 to 6 of “Recording on an

MD” on pages 12 and 13.

2 Play the portion of the program source

with the strongest output.

3 Press DISPLAY repeatedly until the

peak level meters appear.

4 While monitoring the sound, press

LEVEL +/– repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) to adjust the recording level to its highest level without turning on the rightmost indicators on the peak level meters.

Occasional lighting of the indicators is acceptable.

Make sure that those indicators do not always turn on.

5 Stop playing the program source.

?/1

.> z

–

REC MODE

6 To start recording, continue from step 8

of “Recording on an MD” on page 13.

You can adjust the recording level during recording or recording pause

Press LEVEL +/– repeatedly.

To display the level of the strongest signal

The Peak Hold function continuously displays the level of the strongest signal that has been input. Do the procedure below to turn Peak Hold on. 1While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice

to display “Setup Menu.”

2Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) until “P.Hold” appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

3Press ./> (or turn ./> on the deck)

to select “P.Hold On,” then press YES (or ./ > on the deck).

4Press MENU/NO.

To turn Peak Hold off, selecte “P.Hold Off” in step 3 above.

You can also change the input level of the ANALOG IN jacks or DIGITAL IN connector by accessing the “Setup Menu”

1While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice

to display “Setup Menu.”

2Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) until “Ain” (for the analog input) or “Opt” (for the digital input) appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

3Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) to change the input level, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

4Press MENU/NO.

Note

The maximum recording level is + 18.0 dB for digital recordings, and +12.0 dB for analog recordings. The maximum recording level may still be inadequate for producing a proper recording if the output level of the source component is extremely low.

Recording for Long Times

In addition to normal stereo recording, this deck has two recording modes: LP2 and LP4. When recording in LP2 mode, you can record 2 times the normal recordable time, and in LP4 mode, you can record 4 times the normal recordable time. In addition, the recordable time for monaural recording is approximately double the stereo recording time.

Note

MDs recorded in LP2 or LP4 mode can be played back only on decks that support the MD LP format. Conventional MD decks cannot play MDs recorded in LP2 or LP4 mode.

1 Do steps 1 to 3 of “Recording on an

MD” on page 12.

2 Press REC MODE repeatedly to select

the recording mode.

To record in Select to light up

Stereo (factory setting) no indicator LP2 stereo LP2 LP4 stereo LP4 Monaural Mono

Recording on MDs

3 Do steps 5 to 9 of “Recording on an

MD” on page 13.

continued

Recording for Long Times (continued)

Notes

• Even if you press REC MODE during recording or recording pause, you cannot change the recording mode.

• Even if you select the monaural recording mode, the sound from the speakers will be the same as the source sound (e.g. Stereo source sound will be as it is).

LP Stamp function works during

recording in LP2 or LP4 mode

A track recorded in LP2 or LP4 mode is given an identification code which is displayed only when you attempt to play that track on an MD deck which does not support LP modes. “LP:” appears in the display at this time. To turn off this function, do the procedure below. 1While the deck is stopped or playing, press MENU/

NO twice. “Setup Menu” appears in the display.

2Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on

the deck) until “LPstamp On” appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck).

3Press ./> (or turn ./> on the deck)

to select “LPstamp Off,” then press YES (or ./ > on the deck).

4Press MENU/NO.

To turn on the LP Stamp function again, select “LPstamp On” in step 3 above.

Notes

•“LP:” does not appear when the track is played back on the MD deck that supports the MD LP format.

• When the LP Stamp function is on, the maximum number of text characters that can be stored on the MD decreases.

• When you divide a track that was recorded with the LP Stamp function on, the “LP:” code is copied to the newly created track.

Recording Tips

INPUT

./>

Checking the remaining recordable time on the MD

Press DISPLAY repeatedly.

While the deck is The following information

Stopped Total number of tracks and

Recording Recorded time of the current

For details, see pages 6 and 7.

?/1

DISPLAY

YESMENU/NO

–

appears

total recorded time t Remaining recordable time on the MD t Order of the programmed tracks t Number of the programmed tracks and total playing time the programmed tracks t Disc name

track t Remaining recordable time on the MD t Input level indication t Track name

+ 36 hidden pages