Sony MZ-R900PC, MZ-R900DPC Operating Manual

3-220-298-24(1)

Portable MiniDisc Recorder

Operating Instructions

MZ-R900/R900PC/R900DPC

WARNING

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

To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to qualified personnel only.

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

Caution

The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard.

CAUTION RADIATION WHEN OPEN

AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM

Information

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.

— INVISIBLE LASER

For customers in the USA

DISPOSAL OF NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE BATTERY.

NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE BATTERY. DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.

You can return your unwanted nickel metal hydride batteries to your nearest Sony Service Center. Note: In some areas the disposal of nickel metal hydride batteries in household or business trash may be prohibited. For the Sony Service Center nearest you call 1-800-222-SONY (United States only).

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking nickel metal hydride battery

Owner’s Record

The serial number is located at the rear of the disc compartment lid and the model number is located at the top and bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product. Model No. MZ-R900 Serial No.

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.

For Customers in Australia

If the supply cord of the AC power adaptor is damaged, the AC power adaptor must be returned to the manufacturer or his agent for the cord to be replaced.

Certain countries may regulate disposal of the battery used to power this product. Please consult with your local authority.

WALKMAN and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

The CE mark on the unit is valid only for products marketed in the European Union.

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.

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

Looking at controls ...........................................8

Getting started! ..............................................13

Recording an MD right away! .........................16

Playing an MD right away! ..............................19

Various ways of recording ..............................21

Two ways of connecting to a sound source ..........................................21

Recording with analog input (line cable required) ...............................22

Recording for long times ......................................................................23

To start/stop recording in sync with the source player

(Synchro-recording) ........................................................................24

Recording without overwriting existing material .................................25

Recording from a microphone ..............................................................25

Adding track marks automatically at specified intervals (Auto Time

Stamp) ..............................................................................................26

Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual recording) ................27

Checking the remaining time or the recording position .......................28

On the recorder ...............................................................................28

On the remote control .....................................................................29

Setting the clock to stamp the recorded time ........................................30

Copying CD text information while recording (Joint Text) ................31

Various ways of playback .............................. 34

Selecting a track directly ...................................................................... 34

Changing the playback order ............................................................... 34

On the recorder .............................................................................. 34

On the remote control .................................................................... 35

To adjust the sound quality (Digital Sound Preset) ............................. 36

To change playback speed (Speed Control) ......................................... 38

Storing the settings for individual discs (Personal Disc Memory) ...... 38

On the recorder .............................................................................. 39

On the remote control .................................................................... 39

Checking the remaining time or the playing position .......................... 40

On the recorder .............................................................................. 40

On the remote control .................................................................... 41

Connecting to a stereo system (LINE OUT) ........................................ 41

Editing recorded tracks .................................. 43

Erasing tracks ....................................................................................... 43

To erase a track .............................................................................. 43

To erase the whole disc .................................................................. 43

Adding a track mark ............................................................................. 44

Erasing a track mark ............................................................................ 44

Moving recorded tracks ....................................................................... 45

On the recorder .............................................................................. 45

On the remote control .................................................................... 46

Labeling recordings .............................................................................. 46

On the recorder .............................................................................. 46

On the remote control .................................................................... 48

Storing phrases frequently used in labeling (Phrase Bank) ................. 49

On the recorder ............................................................................. 49

On the remote control .................................................................... 51

Other operation .............................................. 53

Setting the alarm (Melody Timer) ....................................................... 53

On the recorder .............................................................................. 53

On the remote control .................................................................... 53

Protecting your hearing (AVLS) .......................................................... 55

Locking the controls (HOLD) .............................................................. 55

Turning off the beep sound .................................................................. 56

Power sources ................................................57

Battery life ......................................................................................57

Additional information ....................................58

Precautions ............................................................................................58

Troubleshooting ....................................................................................61

System limitations .................................................................................64

Messages ...............................................................................................65

Specifications ........................................................................................68

What is an MD? ....................................................................................69

Looking at controls

See pages in ( ) for more details.

The recorder

A END SEARCH button (17) (47) B Battery compartment (13) C Jog lever (L) (MENU/ENTER) (11)

(20) (25) (34) (43) (53)

D VOL +/– button (19) (47) E REC MODE button (23) F REC indicator (29) G Terminals for attaching dry battery

case (14)

H SYNCHRO REC ON/OFF (synchro-

recording) switch (at the rear) (24)

I DC IN 3V jack (13) (16) J HOLD switch (at the rear) (14) (55) K REC (record) switch (17) (25)

L OPEN button (15) M X (pause) button (17) (19) (27) (31)

(44) (47) (51)

N Display window (24) (34) (53) O Jog lever (R) (N, ./> ) (12)

(17) (19) (44) (47)

P x (stop)/CHARGE button (13) (17)

(19) (23) (43)

Q LINE IN (OPT) jack (16) (22) R MIC (PLUG IN POWER) jack (25) S T MARK button (44) T i (headphones/earphones)/LINE

OUT jack (14) (31) (41)

The display window of the recorder

12 345

6 7 8 9 q; qa qs qd qf

A Alarm indication (53) B Character information display (29)

(34) Displays the disc and track names, date, error messages, track numbers, etc.

C AM/PM indication (30)

Lights up along with the time indication in the 12-hour system.

D Time display (29) (40)

Shows the recorded time, current time, elapsed time of the track or MD being recorded or played.

E Battery indication (13)

Shows approximate battery condition.

F Sound indication (36)

Lights up when Digital Sound Preset is on.

G Level meter (28)

Shows the volume of the MD being played or recorded.

H LP2, LP4, MONO (monaural)

indication (23)

I SYNC (synchro-recording) indication

(24) Lights up while synchro-recording.

J REC indication (17)

Lights up while recording. When flashing, the recorder is in record standby mode.

K REC DATE (recorded/current date)

indication (40) Lights up along with the date and time the MD was recorded. When only “DATE” lights up, the current date and time are displayed.

L REMAIN (remaining time/tracks)

indication (28) (40) Lights up along with the remaining time of the track, the remaining time of the MD, or the remaining number of tracks.

M Play mode indication (34)

Shows the play mode of the MD.

N Disc indication (24) (34)

Shows that the disc is rotating for recording, playing or editing an MD.

The headphones/earphones with a remote control

A B C DE

–

A DISPLAY button (29) (38) (46) (48)

(53)

B PLAYMODE button (35) (48) C RPT/ENT (repeat/enter) button (36)

(37)

D SOUND button (36) E Clip F X (pause) button (19) (48) (51)

G Control (./N>) (12) (19)

(36) (46) (48) (51) (53)

N> : play, AMS, FF . : REW

H Control (VOL +/–) (12) (19) (48)

Pull and turn to adjust the volume.

I Display window (29) (36) J HOLD switch (14) (55) K x (stop) button (19) (38) (46) (53)

The display window of the remote control

A Track number display (29) (36) (54) B Character information display (29)

(36) (54)

C Disc indication (29) (36) (54) D Alarm indication (54)

BCDE

E Play mode indication (36) F Battery indication (29) (36) (54) G REC indication (17) (29) H SOUND indication (36)

Before using the recorder

How to use the jog lever

The two jog levers on the recorder can be used to perform various operations during playback, recording, editing, and when the recorder is stopped.

Jog lever (L)

Flip to select

Jog lever functions

Jog lever (L) (MENU/ENTER)

• Selecting and entering the menu items.

You can use various functions using the menu items listed below.

EDIT Selecting editing operations (labeling tracks or discs, erasing tracks or

DISPLAY Displaying elapsed playing time, remaining playing time, etc. (page 28

PLAY MODE Selecting the play mode (repeat play, shuffle play, etc.) (page 34). RecVolume Selecting the automatic or manual recording level adjustment

M-TIMER Setting the alarm (Melody timer) (page 53). AUDIO OUT Selecting i/LINE OUT jack output (page 41). SOUND Selecting “SOUND1” or “SOUND2” (Digital Sound Preset)

PERSONAL Entering or erasing the disc information in the Personal Disc Memory

TIME MARK Selecting the Auto Time Stamp setting (page 26). MIC SENS Selecting the microphone sensitivity (page 25). AVLS Selecting “AV LS O N” or “AVLS OFF ” (AVLS (Automatic Volume

BEEP Selecting “BEEP ON” or “BEEP OFF” (headphones/earphones beep)

Push to enter

Jog lever (R)

Functions

discs, etc.)(page 43, 45 to 47 and 50).

and 40).

(page 27).

(page 37).

(page 39).

Limiter System)) (page 55).

(page 56).

Functions

REC-Posi Selecting the start point when recording (page 25). CLOCK SET Setting the clock (page 30)

The selectable menu items will vary according to the operating status of the recorder. Some menu items will be selectable only on the recorder, only on the remote control, or on both. For details, refer to the page number in the parentheses.

• Selecting a track directly. While playing an MD, you can select the next track by looking at the track number and track name in the display. To select a track, flip the jog lever (L) until the desired track appears, and then press the lever.

Jog lever (R) (N/./>)

• Play: Press the jog lever (R) (N).

• AMS: Flip the jog lever (R) towards

• FF/REW: Flip and hold the jog lever (R) towards

. or >.

How to use the control on the remote control

The control on the remote control can be used as follows.

Play/AMS/Search

Turn or turn and hold the control

Adjusting the volume (VOL +/–)

Pull

VOL+

Tu rn

–

VOL–

Push back

–

Getting started!

Charge the rechargeable battery before using. Even if the rechargeable battery is not charged, you can use the recorder as long as the AC power adaptor is connected.

1 Connect the supplied AC power adaptor.

2 Press x/CHARGE.

3 Disconnect the supplied AC power adaptor.

Insert the rechargeable battery

Insert the rechargeable battery minus end first.

Charging the rechargeable battery

x/CHARGE

to DC IN 3V

“Charging” flashes, e appears in the display, and charging starts. When charging is completed, the battery indication disappears. Full charging of a completely discharged rechargeable battery takes about 3.5 hours. To cancel charging, press x/CHARGE.

to a wall outlet

AC power adaptor

continued

Using the dry battery

Insert a LR6 (size AA) alkaline dry battery. To operate the recorder for the longest possible time, use the dry battery together with a fully charged rechargeable battery.

Attach the dry battery case to the recorder.

Make connections and unlock the control

connect firmly

To i/LINE OUT

Insert the battery minus end first.

HOLD

1 Connect the headphones/earphones

with the remote control i/LINE OUT.

2 Slide HOLD to the direction of the arrow

(.) in the illustration to unlock the controls.

Insert an MD

(Use a recordable MD for

recording.)

1 Press OPEN to open the lid. 2 Insert an MD with the label side facing

front, and press the lid down to close.

Notes

• If you press x/CHARGE immediately after charging has completed, charging will begin again. If this happens, press x/CHARGE again to stop the charging operation since the battery is already fully charged.

• Charging stops when you try to operate the recorder during charging.

• Be sure to use the supplied AC power adaptor.

• Charging time may vary depending on the

battery condition.

• When a rechargeable battery is charged for the first time or charged after a long period of disuse, battery life may be shorter than usual. Repeat discharging and recharging a few times. The battery life should return to normal.

• When the battery life of a fully charged rechargeable battery becomes about half the normal life, replace it.

• Remove the rechargeable battery from the recorder when it is not to be used for a long time.

Recording an MD right away!

Connect to a digital source using an optical cable to make digital recordings. Digital recording is possible even from digital equipment with different sampling rates, such as a DAT deck or a BS tuner, using the built-in sampling rates converter (see “Note on digital recording” (page 59)). To record from an analog source, see “Recording with analog input (line cable required)” (page 22). It is recommended to use the supplied AC power adaptor when recording.

Make connections

firmly and completely into the appropriate jacks.)

to a wall outlet

AC power adaptor

to DC IN 3V

CD player, MD player, DVD video player, etc.

Optical plug

to LINE IN (OPT)

(Insert the cables

Portable CD player, etc.

to DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL)

Optical cable

Optical mini-plug

Record an MD

1 Press and slide REC to the right.

END SEARCH

REC

To Pr ess

Record from the end of the previous recording

Record partway through the previous recording

Pause X

Remove the MD x and open the lid.

By setting “REC-Posi” to “From End”, recording operations will always start from the end of the previously recorded material (page 25).

A track mark is added at the point where you press X again to resume recording while pausing; thus the remainder of the track will be counted as a new track.

If you open the lid while “REC-Posi” is set to “From Here”, recording will begin with the first track the next time you record. Check the point to start recording on the display.

If the recording does not start

• Make sure the recorder is not locked (page 55).

• Make sure the MD is not record-protected (page 59).

• Premastered MDs cannot be recorded over.

For models supplied with the AC plug adaptor

If the AC power adaptor does not fit the wall outlet, use the AC plug adaptor.

“REC” lights up and recording starts.

2 Play the CD or tape you want to record.

To stop recording, press x.

After you press x, the recorder will automatically turn off in about 10 seconds (when using batteries) or about 5 minutes (when using AC power adaptor).

END SEARCH, and then press and slide REC to the right.

Press jog lever (R) (N), or flip the jog lever (R) towards > or . to find the start point of recording and press x to stop. Then press and slide REC to the right.

Press X again to resume recording.

while “TOC Edit” flashing in the display.)

Notes

• “Data Save” or “TOC Edit” flashes while data of the recording (the track’s start and end points, etc.) is being recorded. Do not move or jog the recorder or disconnect the power source while the indication is flashing in the display.

• The lid does not open until “TOC Edit” disappears in the display.

• If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the battery is removed or becomes exhausted or the AC power adaptor is disconnected) during a recording or editing operation, or while “TOC Edit” appears in the display, then it will not be possible to open the lid until power is restored.

(The lid does not open

• You can make digital recording only from an optical type output.

• When recording from a portable CD player, set the CD player to pause, and then do the recording procedure on the recorder.

• Note the following when recording from a portable CD player: —Some portable CD players may not be

capable of digital out unless powered by the AC power.

—Connect the AC power adaptor to the

portable CD player and use it on AC power as the power source.

—Disable any anti-skip function (such as

ESP*) on the portable CD player.

∗ Electronic Shock Protection

• LINE IN (OPT) jack is for both digital and analog input. The recorder automatically recognizes the type of line cable and switches to digital or analog input.

• The level of the recorded sound is adjusted automatically.

• You can monitor the sound during recording. Connect the supplied headphones/earphones with remote control to i/LINE OUT and adjust the volume by pressing VOL +/–. This does not affect the recording level.

Playing an MD right away!

Play an MD

1 Press the jog lever (R) (N). Turn the

VOL +/–

Jog lever (R)

control towards N> on the remote control.

A short beep sounds in the headphones/ earphones when you operate on the remote control.

2 Press VOL +/– to adjust the volume.

Pull and turn the control towards VOL +/ – on the remote control.

The volume will be shown in the display. After you adjust the volume, push back the control.

Control

To Press (Beeps in the headphones/earphones2))

Find the beginning of the current track

Find the beginning of the next track

Go backwards while

playing Go forward while playing

Pause X (Continuous short beeps)

Remove the MD x and open the lid.

To go backward or forward quickly without listening, press X and flip and hold the jog lever towards . or towards > on the recorder, or press and hold the control towards . or N> on the remote control.

Flip the jog lever (R) towards .. Turn the control towards . on the remote control. (Three short beeps)

Flip the jog lever (R) towards >. Turn the control towards N> on the remote control. (Two short beeps)

Flip and hold the jog lever (R) towards .. Turn and hold the control towards . on the remote control.

Flip and hold the jog lever (R) towards >. Turn and hold the control towards N> on the remote control.

Press X again to resume play.

To stop play, press x.

A long beep sounds in the headphones/ earphones when you operate on the remote control. Playback starts from the point you last stopped playing. After you press x, the recorder will automatically turn off in about 10 seconds (when using batteries) or about 5 minutes (when using AC power adaptor).

You can turn off the beep sound (page 56).

Once you open the lid, the point to start play will change to the beginning of the first track (except when the disc information is stored to the Personal Disc Memory).

G-PROTECTION function

The G-PROTECTION function has been developed to provide excellent protection against sound skipping during many active uses. This function provides a higher level of shock protection during playback than the traditional one.

If the play does not start

Make sure the recorder is not locked (page 55).

When using the headphones/ earphones connect them directly to the recorder

The VOL +/– buttons and the Digital Sound Preset function may become inoperative. In this case, do the procedure below.

1 Press the jog lever (L), flip the lever until

“AUDIO OUT” flashes in the display, and then press the lever again.

2 Flip the jog lever (L) until “HeadPhone”

appears in the display.

3 Press the jog lever (L) again.

The playback mode will switch automatically to match the recording mode of the material (stereo, LP2, LP4, or monaural).

Notes

• If the power supply is disrupted (i.e. the battery is removed or becomes exhausted or the AC power adaptor is disconnected) when the recorder is operating, the lid may not open until the power is restored.

• Sound may skip if: —the recorder receives stronger continuous

shock than expected.

—a dirty or scratched MiniDisc is played.

Various ways of recording

Two ways of connecting to a sound source

The input jack of this recorder works as both digital and analog input jacks. Connect the recorder to a CD player or a cassette recorder using either digital (optical) input or analog (line) input. To record, see “Recording an MD right away!” (page 16) to record using digital (optical) input, and “Recording with analog input (line cable required)” (page 22) to record using analog (line) input.

Difference between digital (optical) and analog (line) inputs

Difference Digital (optical) input Analog (line) input

Connectable source

Usable cord Optical cable (with an optical or an

Signal from the source

Recorded track numbers

Recorded sound level

Note

Track marks may be copied incorrectly:

• when you record from some CD players or multi disc players using digital (optical) input.

• when the source is in shuffle or program play mode while recording using digital (optical) input. In

this case, play the source in normal play mode.

• when recording BS or CS programs through digital (optical) input.

Equipment with an digital (optical) output jack

optical-mini plug) (page 16) Digital Analog

Marked (copied) automatically

• at the same positions as the source (when the sound source is a CD or an MD).

• after more than 2 seconds of blank or low-level segment (with a sound source other than a CD or an MD).

• when the recorder is paused during synchro-recording (the recorder pauses automatically when it encounters a section with no audio signal for 3 seconds or more).

You can erase unnecessary marks after recording. (“Erasing a track mark”, page 44).

Same as the source. Can also be adjusted manually (Digital

REC level control) (“Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual recording)”, page 27).

Equipment with an analog (line) output jack

Line cable (with 2 phono plugs or a stereo-mini plug) (page 22)

Even when a digital source (such as a CD) is connected, the signal sent to the recorder is analog.

Marked automatically

• after more than 2 seconds of blank or low-level segment.

• when the recorder is paused while recording.

• automatically at specified intervals when the Auto Time Stamp is on.

You can erase unnecessary marks after recording (“Erasing a track mark”, page 44).

Adjusted automatically. Can also be adjusted manually (“Adjusting the recording level manually (Manual recording)”, page 27).

Recording with analog input (line cable required)

The sound will be sent from the connected equipment as analog signal but will be recorded digitally on the disc.

CD player, cassette recorder, etc. (source)

to LINE OUT

L (white)

Line cable*

REC

R (red)

1 Insert a recordable MD, and then

press and slide REC to the right. “REC” and the REC indicator light

up in the display and the recording starts.

2 Play the source you want to record.

For other recording operations, see “Recording an MD right away!” (page 16).

LINE IN (OPT) jack is for both digital and analog input. The recorder automatically recognizes the type of line cable and switches to digital or analog input.

Note

If you temporarily stop a recording operation by pressing X, a track mark will be added at that point when you press X again to resume recording. The recording continues from on a new track.

∗ Use the connecting cords without an

attenuator. To connect to a portable CD player having a stereo mini-jack, use the RK-G136 connecting cord. For more information on connecting cords, see “Optional accessories” (page 69).

to LINE IN (OPT)

REC indicator

+ 50 hidden pages

Sony MZ-R900PC, MZ-R900DPC Operating Manual

WARNING

Table of contents

Looking at controls

The recorder

The display window of the recorder

The headphones/earphones with a remote control

The display window of the remote control

Before using the recorder

Getting started!

Recording an MD right away!

Playing an MD right away!

Various ways of recording

Two ways of connecting to a sound source

Recording with analog input (line cable required)