Sony TCM-473V454VK435V User Manual

3-862-202-61(1)

0REW/
REVIEW

pSTOP

PAUSE

rREC

MIC VOR

EAR(TCM-455V/454VK/453V)

2(TCM-473V)

Cassette-Corder

Operating Instructions

TCM-473V/455V/454VK/453V

Sony Corporation  1998 Printed in Taiwan, R.O.C.

WARNING

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

Welcome!

Thank you for purchasing the Sony Cassette-Corder.
Some features are:

•VOR (Voice Operated Recording) system that starts and
stops recording automatically in response to the sound,
to save tapes and batteries.

•SPEED CONTROL function that lets you increase or
decrease the tape playback speed.

•Stereo playback function that lets you enjoy pre­recorded stereo tapes with the supplied headphones
(TCM-473V only).

About This Manual

The instructions in this manual are for 4 models. The
TCM-453V is the model used for illustration purposes.
Their differences are shown in the table below:

TCM-473V 454VK 455V/453V

EAR (earphone) jack — gg
2 (Stereo headphones) jack g ——
Battery charger adaptor — g —
Rechargeable batteries — g —
AC power adaptor — g —
g: provided or supplied —: not provided or not supplied

z Getting Started

Preparing a Power Source

Choose one of the following power sources.

Dry Batteries

Make sure that nothing is connected to the DC IN 3V
jack.

1 Open the battery compartment lid.
2 Insert two size R6 (AA) batteries (TCM-455V for

U.S.A.: supplied/Other models: not supplied) with
correct polarity and close the lid.

Notes

•Do not charge a dry battery.

•Do not use a new battery with an old one.

•Do not use different types of batteries.

•When you do not use the unit for a long time, remove the
batteries to avoid any damage caused by battery leakage and
subsequent corrosion.

•Dry batteries will not be expended when another power source
is connected.

To take out the batteries

To attach the battery compartment lid if it is
accidentally detached

Rechargeable Batteries (supplied to TCM-

454VK only)

Before using the rechargeable batteries, charge them with
the supplied battery charger adaptor and AC power
adaptor.

AC power adaptor

Battery charger
adaptor

DC IN 3V

Power indicator

1 Insert the rechargeable batteries (NC-AA) into the

battery charger adaptor with correct polarity.

2 Connect the AC power adaptor (supplied to TCM-

454VK) to the DC IN 3V jack of the battery charger
adaptor and to the wall outlet.
The power indicator lights up.

3 Unplug the AC power adaptor from the wall outlet

and from the battery charger adaptor after about
eight hours.

Notes

•The power indicator lights in green as long as the AC power
adaptor is plugged to the wall outlet and the DC IN 3V jack,
even when the charging has not been done.

•Use only the supplied or recommended AC power adaptor,
battery charger adaptor and rechargeable batteries.

•The rechargeable batteries can be charged approximately 500
times.

•Do not leave the battery charger adaptor plugged in for more
than 20 hours. Overcharging may damage the rechargeable
batteries.

When to replace the batteries

Replace the batteries
with new ones or charge
the batteries (TCM­454VK only) when the
BATT lamp dims.

Notes

•After the batteries have been used for a while, the BATT lamp
may flicker with the playback sound when you turn up the
volume; however, this does not mean that you need to replace
the batteries.

•The unit will play back normally for a while even after the
BATT lamp dims. However, replace the batteries as soon as
you can. If you do not, subsequent recording will not be done
correctly.

BATT lamp

Battery life (Approximate hours) (EIAJ*)

Playback Recording

Sony alkaline LR6 (SG) 11 11
Sony R6P (SR) 3 3
Sony rechargeable

battery (NC-AA)
fully charged (TCM­454VK only)

* Measured value by the standard of EIAJ (Electronic Industries

Association of Japan). (Using a Sony HF series cassette tape)

(Models for U.S.A. and Canada)

33

(Model for Europe)

3.5 4

Note

The battery life may shorten depending on the operation of the
unit.

House Current

AC power adaptor

DC IN 3V

Connect the AC power adaptor to DC IN 3V and to the
wall outlet. The AC power adaptor is supplied only with
the TCM-454VK. For other models, use the AC-E30HG
AC power adaptor (not supplied). Do not use any other
AC power adaptor.

Polarity of the plug

Note

Specifications for AC-E30HG varies for each area. Check your
local voltage and the shape of plug before purchasing.

z Operating the Unit

Recording

You can record right away with the built-in microphone.
Make sure that nothing is connected to the MIC jack.

Built-in
microphone

1 Insert a normal (TYPE I) tape with the side to start

recording facing the cassette holder.

2 Set VOR to: H or L to start and pause recording

automatically to the sound.

H (high) to record at meetings or in a quiet and/
or spacious place.
L (low) to record for dictation or in a noisy place.
OFF to start and stop recording manually.

Note

When the sound to be recorded is not loud enough, set the
VOR switch to OFF, or the unit may not start recording.

3 Press r REC.

Recording starts.
At the end of the tape, recording stops and the unit turns
off automatically.

To Press or slide

Stop recording p STOP
Pause recording PAUSE c in the direction of the

arrow
To release pause recording, release
PAUSE c*.

Review the portion Press and hold 0 REW/REVIEW
just recorded during recording.

Release the button at the point to start
playback.

* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP

is pressed (stop-pause-release function).

To monitor the sound

For TCM-473V: Connect stereo headphones (supplied)

firmly to the 2 (headphones) jack.

For TCM-455V/454VK/453V: Connect an earphone (not

supplied) firmly to the EAR jack.

Continue to the reverse side m

Notes

•Do not use a CrO2 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape, otherwise
the sound may be distorted when you play back the tape, or
the previous recording may not be erased completely.

•The SPEED CONTROL switch works in the playback mode
only. Recording will be made independent of this control.

Notes on VOR (Voice Operated Recording)

•When you use the VOR system in a noisy place, the unit will
stay in the recording mode. If the sound is too soft, on the
contrary, the unit will not start recording. Set VOR to H (high)
or L (low) depending on the conditions to pick up necessary
sound only.

•The VOR system depends on the environmental conditions. If
you cannot get the desired results even though you adjust
VOR to H or L, set VOR to OFF.

To prevent a tape from being accidentally
recorded over

Break out and remove the cassette tabs. To reuse the tape
for recording, cover the tab hole with adhesive tape.

A

Side A

Tab for side A

Recording from Various Sound
Sources

The sound is recorded in monaural.

MIC (PLUG IN POWER)

Recording with an External Microphone

Connect a microphone to the MIC jack. The raised dot
near the MIC jack identifies as the jack for a microphone,
not an earphone. For TCM-455V for U.S.A.: Use the
supplied microphone. For other models: Use a
microphone of low impedance (less than 3 kilohms) such
as ECM-T110 (not supplied).
When using a plug-in-power system microphone, the
power to the microphone is supplied from this unit.

Note

When recording with an external microphone, the VOR system
may not work properly because of the difference in sensitivity.

Recording from Another Equipment

Connect another equipment to the MIC jack using the
RK-G64HG connecting cord (not supplied).

Playing a Tape

VOL

p STOP

( PLAY

SPEED CONTROL

0 REW/REVIEW

) FF/CUE

PAUSE

1 Insert a cassette with the side to start playing facing

the cassette holder.

2 Adjust the tape playback speed.

Set SPEED CONTROL to:
SLOW (slow) to play back a tape slower.
Center position to playback a tape at normal speed.
FAST (fast) to play back a tape faster.

3 Press ( PLAY then adjust the volume. There is a

raised dot to show the direction to turn down volume
beside VOL.

At the end of the tape, playback stops and the unit turns
off automatically.

To Press or slide

Stop playback/stop p STOP
fast forward or rewind

Pause playback PAUSE c in the direction of the

Search forward Press and hold ) FF/CUE and
during playback (CUE)

Search backward Press and hold 0 REW/REVIEW
during playback and release it at the point you want
(REVIEW)

Fast forward** ) FF/CUE during stop
Rewind** 0 REW/REVIEW during stop
Start recording r REC

during playback
* PAUSE c will be also automatically released when p STOP

is pressed (stop-pause-release function).

**If you leave the unit after the tape has been wound or

rewound, the batteries will be consumed rapidly. Be sure to
depress p STOP.

To play back a tape recorded in stereo
(TCM-473V only)

The built-in speaker on this unit is monaural.
To enjoy stereo sound, use the supplied headphones.

arrow
To release pause playdack, release
PAUSE c*.

release it at the point you want

z Additional Information

Precautions

On power

•Operate the unit only on 3V DC. For AC operation, use
the AC power adaptor recommended for the unit. Do
not use any other type. For battery operation, use two
size R6 (AA) batteries.

On the unit

•Do not leave the unit in a location near heat sources, or
in a place subject to direct sunlight, excessive dust or
mechanical shock.

•Should any solid object or liquid fall into the unit,
remove the batteries or disconnect the AC power
adaptor, and have the unit checked by qualified
personnel before operating it any further.

•Keep personal credit cards using magnetic coding or
spring-wound watches etc. away from the unit to
prevent possible damage from the magnet used for the
speaker.

•If the unit has not been used for a long time, set it in the
playback mode and warm it up for a few minutes
before inserting a tape.

On tapes longer than 90 minutes

We do not recommend the use of tapes longer than 90
minutes except for a long continuous recording or
playback. They are very thin and tend to be stretched
easily.

Troubleshooting

Should any problem persist after you have made these
checks, consult your nearest Sony dealer.

You cannot press r REC.

m The tab on the tape has been removed.

You cannot press ( PLAY.

m The tape has reached the end. Rewind the tape.

The unit does not operate.

m The batteries have been inserted with incorrect

polarity.

m The batteries are weak.
m PAUSE c is slid in the direction of the arrow.
m The AC power adaptor or car battery cord is not

firmly connected.

m The batteries have been inserted, but simultane-

ously the AC power adaptor is connected and not
to be done to the wall outlet.

No sound comes from the speaker.

m The earphone or headphones is plugged in.
m The volume is turned down completely.

Tape speed is too fast or too slow in the
playback mode.

m SPEED CONTROL is set at a point other than the

center.

The sound drops out or comes with excessive
noise.

m The volume is turned down completely.
m The batteries are weak.
m The heads are contaminated. See “Maintenance.”

Recording cannot be made.

m Connection is made incorrectly.
m The batteries are weak.
m The record/playback head is contaminated.
m VOR has been set to the improper position when

VOR function works.

Recording is interrupted.

m VOR is set to H or L. When you do not use VOR, set

it to OFF.

Recording cannot be erased completely.

m The erase head is contaminated.
m Recording or erasing is being made using recorded

CrO

2 (TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.

Specifications

Recording system

2-track 1 channel monaural

Frequency range

TCM-473V: Recording: 250-6,300Hz

TCM-473V: Playback: 100-8,000Hz

TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 250-6,300Hz

Speaker

Approx. 3.6 cm (17⁄16 in.) dia.

Power output

TCM-473V: 130mW (at 10 % harmonic distortion)
TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 300mW (at 10 % harmonic
distortion)

Input

TCM-473V: Microphone input jack (minijack) sensitivity 0.2
mV for 3 kilohms or lower impedance microphone
TCM-455V/454VK/453V: Microphone input jack (minijack)
sensitivity 0.14 mV for 3 kilohms or lower impedance
microphone

Output

TCM-473V: 2 (headphones) jack (stereo minijack) for 8-300
ohms headphones
TCM-455V/454VK/453V: Earphone jack (minijack) for 8 - 300
ohms earphone

Variable range of the tape speed

from +30% to –15%

Power requirements

•Two size R6 (AA) batteries (TCM-455V for U.S.A.: supplied.
Other models: not supplied): 3V DC

•Two NC-AA rechargeable batteries (1.2 V) (supplied to
TCM-454VK)

DC IN 3 V jack accepts:

•Sony AC power adaptor (supplied to TCM-454VK) or
AC-E30HG AC power adaptor (not supplied) suitable in
the country where the unit is to be used.

•Sony DCC-E230 car battery cord (not supplied) for use on
12 V car battery.

Dimensions (w/h/d) (incl. projecting parts and controls)

113 × 91 × 37 mm (41/2 × 3 5/8 × 11/2 in.)

Mass (not incl. batteries)

TCM-473V: 185g (6.6 oz.)
TCM-455V/454VK/453V: 170g (6.0 oz.)

Supplied accessories

Hand strap (1) (attached to the unit)
AC power adaptor (1) (TCM-454VK)
Battery charger adaptor (1) (TCM-454VK)
Rechargeable batteries (TCM-454VK) (2)

(Models for U.S.A. and Canada: NC-AA, 1.2V, 600mAh, Ni­Cd)
(Model for Europe: NC-AA, 1.2V, 700mAh, Ni-Cd)

Cassette tape DC-90 (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1)
Sony alkaline battery LR6 (SG) (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (2)
Microphone (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1)
Carrying pouch (TCM-455V for U.S.A.) (1)
Headphones (1) (TCM-473V)

Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Maintenance

Erase head Capstan

Pinch-roller

Record/playback
head

To clean the tape heads and path

Wipe the heads, pinch rollers, and the capstans with a
cotton swab moistened with alcohol every 10 hours of
use.

To clean the exterior

Use a soft cloth slightly moistened in water. Do not use
alcohol, benzine or thinner.

Note (TCM-473V only)

Clean the headphones plug periodically.

Cotton swab