Marantz PMD680 User manual

1
SETTING UP
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your purchase of the Marantz
Professional PMD680 PC Card Recorder. The PMD680 is
the next generation of porta le digital recorders that
ridge the gap etween real-time audio recording and
computers — while keeping the size and functionality of
our renowned porta le cassette and MiniDisc recorders.
The PMD680 has een designed as a field acquisition
tool. This means that the unit itself is designed to record
audio in a computer compati le file format. The audio
files are then meant to e transferred to a computer for
editing or transmission.
The recording medium of the PMD680, PCMCIA
compati le PC Cards, allows plug-and-play
compati ility with desktop and laptop computers. Flash
PC Cards are ased on flash memory technology that
features no moving parts and is not affected y
movement and temperature. Flash memory cards are
availa le through most computer and digital
photography products resellers. For a complete list of
approved cards for the PMD680, please refer to the
Marantz Professional we site at www.marantz.com.
The MP2 (MPEG1 layer2) file format that is supported
y the PMD680 is a worldwide standard for compressed
digital audio storage and transmission. Many play ack
and editing systems are availa le commercially and
through the Internet. For more information on MP2
ased play ack and editing systems, please consult your
dealer.
Also supported y the PMD680, PCM (Pulse Code
Modulation) is the most widely used format for coding
uncompressed digital audio. The PCM system is used
on CD players, DAT recorders, and on computer editing
programs that support Wave (.wav) files. Recording in
the PCM format will provide the most universally
accepted storage format ut comes with the limitation
that it uses a lot of memory very quickly.
USING THIS MANUAL
Please read these operating instructions carefully. We
recommend that you read the entire user guide efore
you connect or operate the unit.
After you have reviewed the contents this manual, we
suggest that you make all system connections efore you
attempt to operate the unit.
FOREWORD
This section must e read efore any connection is made
to the mains supply.
WARNINGS
Do not expose the equipment to rain or moisture.
Do not remove the cover from the equipment.
Do not push anything inside the equipment through
the ventilation holes.
COPYRIGHT
Recording and play ack of any material may require
consent. For further information refer to the following:
—Copyright Act 1956
—Dramatic and Musical Performers Act 1958
—Performers Protection Acts 1963 and 1972
—any su sequent statutory enactments and orders
PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions should e considered when
operating the equipment.
When setting the equipment ensure that :
– air is allowed to circulate freely around the equipment
– the equipment is on a vi ration free surface
– the equipment will not e exposed to interference from an
external source
– the equipment will not e exposed to excessive heat, cold,
moisture or dust
– the equipment will not e exposed to direct sunlight
– the equipment will not e exposed to electrostatic discharges
• In addition, never place heavy o jects on the equipment.
• If a foreign o ject or water does enter the equipment, contact
your nearest dealer or service center.
Features
• Monaural (1 track) audio recording and play ack
• Recording onto various types of approved PC Cards
- Please refer to the Marantz Professional we site at
www.marantz.com for the complete list of approved
cards
• Two different recording formats:
- Compressed recording using MPEG1 Layer2 (MP2)
- Uncompressed recording using 16- it/48kHz Pulse
Code Modulation (PCM)
• MS-DOS and Windows compati le file system
• Selecta le file types:
- Wave (.wav)
- Broadcast Wave (. wf)
- Raw MP2 (.mp2)
• Manual, manual with limiter, and automatic (ALC)
record level control
• An ANC (Am ient Noise Cancel) switch for
eliminating unwanted ackground noises
• Pre-Recording memory uffer that records 2 seconds
prior to when recording is started
• Portions of multiple recordings can e played ack in
sequence using the EDL (Edit Decision List) system
• Three different ways to power the unit:
- Included AC adaptor
- 8 Alkaline AA atteries
- Optional rechargea le Ni-Cad attery pack
• Built-in Time and Date generator marks each
recording
• Telephone jack for recording and play ack using
standard analog telephone lines
• Remote input for pausing and un-pausing during
recording or play ack

2
SETTING UP
How to Use this Manual
This manual is divided into the 7 sections descri ed
elow. To find out how to use a specific control, refer to
the section "Index of Parts, Controls, and Display" on
page 26.
SETTING UP
This section descri es how to set up the unit in
preparation for recording and play ack.
PRESET MENU
This section provides information a out the various
preset menu options.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS
This section provides information a out the functions
and operations that are common for recording and
play ack.
RECORDING
This section descri es the various input controls, record
settings, and the asic recording procedure.
PLAYBACK AND EDITING
This section descri es the asic play ack procedure and
options, and details the editing options avail le to
recorded tracks.
THE EDL
This section descri es the EDL (Edit Decision List)
system and how to configure and manipulate EDL
marks in a recording to create a custom play ack
sequence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This section includes detailed information a out error
handling, the PC Card recording system,
trou leshooting, specifications, and the "Index of Parts,
Controls, and Display", which allows you to look up
operations of specific controls.
Contents
SETTING UP
AC Adaptor and Batteries .................................................... 3
Power On/Off ......................................................................... 4
Setting the Date and Time .................................................... 4
Understanding PC Card ....................................................... 5
Capacity of Files and Card ................................................... 5
Connecting Microphones...................................................... 6
Connecting Analog Components ........................................ 6
Connecting Digital Components......................................... 7
Other Connections ................................................................. 7
PRESET MENU
Preset Items.............................................................................. 8
Recording Time....................................................................... 8
Preset Operation ..................................................................... 8
GENERAL FUNCTIONS
Low Battery Warning and Auto Power Off.................... 10
Display Selections ................................................................ 10
Display Backlight ................................................................. 11
Key (Button) Lock ................................................................ 11
RECORDING
Input Controls ....................................................................... 12
Record Settings ..................................................................... 13
Recording Operation ........................................................... 14
PLAYBACK and EDITING
Play ack ................................................................................. 15
Track Editing ......................................................................... 16
THE EDL
EDL Marking ......................................................................... 18
Searching for EDL Marks ................................................... 19
Editing EDL Marks .............................................................. 20
EDL Play ack ........................................................................ 21
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Error Messages ...................................................................... 23
File Structure ......................................................................... 23
Trou leshooting.................................................................... 24
Care and Maintenance......................................................... 24
Specifications ......................................................................... 25
Index of Parts, Controls, and Display .............................. 26

3
SETTING UP
AC Adaptor and Batteries
AC Adaptor
When recording for extended periods, or using this unit
in a fixed environment, it is recommended to supply
power to the unit via the included AC adaptor.
to AC outlet
Note
• It is recommended to only use the Marantz Professional
rand AC adaptor (model DA600) for use with the
PMD680.
Alkaline Batteries
The PMD680 can operate using 8 standard AA size
alkaline atteries.
First load the atteries into the attery holder and then
load the holder as shown in the following illustration.
Battery Replacement
When the attery alert indicator ( ) appears steadily
in the display, replace all atteries with new ones. For
the complete description of the attery alert indiactor,
please refer to page 10.
Fresh alkaline atteries will provide at least 2 hours of
continuous recording or play ack (speaker and display
acklight off).
Notes
• When recording, to avoid pro lems caused y loss of
attery power, it is recommended to always use new
alkaline atteries.
• Use only AA size atteries for replacement.
• Be sure to insert the atteries with correct polarity (as
illustrated on the attery holder).
• Remove the atteries if the unit will not e used for an
extended period of time.
• Battery life may vary depending on the conditions under
which the unit is operated (environmental temperature,
humidity, speaker usage, etc.).
• If atteries leak, dispose of them immediately. Avoid
touching the leaking material or letting it come into
contact with clothing, etc. Clean the attery compartment
thoroughly efore installing new atteries.
• For optimum life and accurate attery display, make sure
the attery (" at") preset is set to "al". See page 9 for more
information on the preset menu.
Ni-Cad Rechargeable Battery (optional)
An optional Ni-Cad attery (model RB1100) is availa le
for use with the PMD680.
Refer to the following illustration to load the attery.
Battery Replacement
When the attery alert indicator ( ) appears steadily
in the display, charge the attery or replace the
rechargea le attery with a fully charged one.
A fully charged attery will provide at least 1 hour and
45 minutes of recording or play ack time.
Charging Battery
The optional Ni-Cad attery is charged only when:
• The AC adaptor is connected
• The Ni-Cad attery is loaded correctly in the attery
compartment
• The CHARGE slide switch is set to ON
• The power to the unit is off
While charging, the CHARGE LED will link.
When the charge cycle is complete, the CHARGE LED
will stay steadily on.
Notes
• The attery will not charge when the power to the unit is on.
Charging Time
Approximately 3 hours.
Notes
• Make sure to fully charge the attery efore first use.
• Battery life may vary depending on the conditions under
which the unit is operated (environmental temperature,
humidity, speaker usage, etc.).
• It is recommended to only use the Marantz Professional
rand AC adaptor (model DA600) for use with the
PMD680.
• For optimum life and accurate attery display, make sure
the attery (" at") preset is set to "nc". See page 9 for more
information on the preset menu.
• When recording, to avoid pro lems caused y loss of
attery power, it is recommended to always use a fully
charged attery.
• Remove the attery if the unit will not e used for an
extended period of time.
• If the charge switch does not light when charging should
e taking place, remove and then restore power.
• The attery power should e completely used efore it is
re-charged ecause Ni-Cad type atteries have a memory
effect which will reduce the total power for the attery if it
is only partially used and re-charged.

4
SETTING UP
Power On/Off
Power On
Sliding the power switch to the right turns the power
on. If a correctly formatted card is in the slot, the
message elow will e displayed.
Note
• TOC stands for Ta le of Contents and it is a reference to
the eggining of the card that contains the information on
all the audio tracks on the card.
If the card in the slot has not een formatted to the
specifications of the PMD680, the Un-Format display
will appear as indiacted elow:
If there is no card in the slot, then the following message
will e displayed:
Power Off
Sliding the power switch to the right while the power in
on will turn the power off.
Note
• While the unit is recording or in the record-pause mode,
the power switch is disa led.
Setting the Date and Time
Before operating your PMD680, perform the following
operations to set the current date and time.
The current date and time are recorded automatically at
the eginning of each recording.
1 With the power off, slide POWER to the right
while holding down the DISPLAY (TIME/
DATE) utton.
The unit turns on and enters the date/time
setup mode.
2 Press 1˜4 or ¢˜¡ to set the month,
then press PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) to enter.
3 Press 1˜4 or ¢˜¡ to set the day, then
press PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) to enter.
4 Press 1˜4 or ¢˜¡ to set the year, then
press PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) to enter.
5 Press 1˜4 or ¢˜¡ to set the hour, then
press PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) to enter.
6 Press 1˜4 or ¢˜¡ to set the minute,
then press PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) to enter.
7 To save the input time/date information, press
the DISPLAY (TIME/DATE) utton. The
seconds will start counting from 00 and the
unit will enter the stop mode.
8 To return to the date setting display (step #2),
press the PLAY/PAUSE (3˜8) instead of the
DISPLAY (TIME/DATE) utton.
Notes
• Pressing the STOP (7) utton at any time during the time/
date setting mode will cancel any changes and return the
unit to the stop mode.
• The time is always displayed in 24-hour time. So for
example, 23:59:59 is equivalent to 11:59:59 PM.
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5
SETTING UP
Understanding PC Cards
The PMD680 records digital audio directly to PCMCIA
and ATA compata le PC Cards. The PC Card storage
system allows direct plug-and-play compati ility with
conputers equipped with a PC Card slot.
PC Cards come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The
PMD680 is compati le with all types as long as they are
PCMCIA compata le.
Even though any PCMCIA compati le PC Card can e
read y the PMD680, only certain types of cards can
sustain the record speeds required. Therefore, only
cards tested and approved y Marantz Professional
should e used with the PMD680.
The recommended card list for the PMD680 can e
found on the Marantz Professional we site at
www.marantz.com.
Inserting a Card
Push the PC Card into the PMD680 as follows.
Note
• Make sure the card is inserted with the correct side facing
up.
Ejecting a Card
Push the EJECT utton as indicated to eject the PC Card
from the PMD680.
Notes
• The EJECT utton is mechanical and ejects the PC Card
regardless of the unit’s power or operating status.
Do not press EJECT while recording (when the REC
indicator is lit). This may result in the loss of all data on
the PC Card.
• Also do not eject the card when the unit is checking the
card ("CHE card" display) or when the TOC is eing read
("toc" display).
PUSH
Formatting a PC Card
Before using a PC Card for the first time, perform the
following operations to format the PC Card so that it
can e used to record audio. This operation completely
erases any information stored on the card. Be sure to
ackup any important information efore formatting.
Note
You can also use this operation to completely erase a
previously used PC Card containing audio data you no longer
need.
Operation
1 Make sure the power is off.
2 Insert the PC Card to e formatted.
3 Slide the POWER switch to the right while
holding down the ERASE (FORMAT) utton.
4 The format message elow will e displayed.
5 After formatting the card and generating the
EDL file, the "done" message elow is
displayed for 3 seconds.
6 The unit then enters the stop mode
Notes
• Even if a PC Card was formatted in a Windows
compati le PC, formatting y the PMD680 is neccessary.
• After recording and erasing a card many times, it is
recommended to format the card so that new recording
can e stored in the optimum way.
• Do not eject the PC Card or turn this unit’s power off
while formatting is in progress.
Care of PC Cards
Please refer to the documentation included with your
PC card for proper care.
Capacity of Files and Card
Due to limitations in the MS-DOS compata le file
structure system, the maximum size of all the recorded
tracks on a card is 1,200MB (MegaBytes) or 1.2GB
(GigaBytes).
The maximum card size that can e read y the PMD680
is 2,150MB (MegaBytes) or 2.15GB (GigaBytes). Cards
larger than 2.15GB may not work correctly in the
PMD680.
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6
SETTING UP
To output analog audio signals to another
audio component
Connect the LINE OUT (RCA) jack on the PMD680 to
the analog input on the destination component.
Note
• To connect the mono PMD680 LINE OUT to a stereo input,
a Y-adaptor ca le can e used.
To record from or output through a telephone
line
Connect the phone line to the TELEPHONE IN/OUT
jack as follows.
Notes
• Please e advised that connecting the PMD680 to a
telephone line is illegal in some countries.
• Telephone calls must e placed and received with the
connected phone.
Connecting Microphones
A dynamic or an externally powered condensor
microphone can e connected to the PMD680 via a 1/4"
or XLR connection.
Connect microphones as shown elow.
Notes
• Take care not to connect or disconnect microphones while
recording. This may result in unwanted sounds in the
recording.
Connecting Analog
Components
The following illustrations show you how to connect
analog audio components for recording or play ack.
To record from analog audio components
Connect the source component’s analog line output
jacks to the PMD680's LINE IN (RCA) jack.
Note
• To connect a stereo source to the mono PMD680 LINE IN,
a Y-adaptor ca le can e used.
MIC (1/4")
MIC (XLR)
or
MIXER, TAPE DECK, etc.
MIXER, etc.
LINE OUT
LINE IN
Phone
RJ-11 splitter
Wall jack

7
SETTING UP
Connecting Digital Components
The following illustrations show you how to connect
digital audio components.
To output digital audio signals to another audio
component
Connect the DIGITAL OUT (RCA) jack on the PMD680
to the digital input jack on the destination component.
Turn the output on y placing the switch (next to the
output jack) in the ON position.
Notes
• Digital audio is only output during normal play ack and
EDL play ack. Digital audio is not output during
recording even if the output is turned on.
• When the digital output is not used, make sure to keep the
DIGITAL OUT switch OFF to save attery life.
• Make sure the destination component accepts the SPDIF
(or IEC-958-II) type digital audio format.
• Make sure the destination componet accepts a sampling
frequency of 48kHz or contains a digital sample rate
converter.
Other Connections
Headphones
Connect headphones to the HEADPHONE output as
indicated elow. Both recording and play ack can e
monitored through connected headphones.
Notes
• Use the HP/SPK VOLUME kno to control the volume of
the headphone.
• The sound from the internal speaker is muted
automatically when headphones are connected.
DAT, etc.
DIGITAL IN
Contact closure
switch
Open Close
Recording Pause recording Resume recording
Playback Pause playback Resume playback
Polarity of the REMOTE jack
Remote Control
Available Functions
The remote Pauses or Un-Pauses the unit during
play ack and recording.
REMOTE

PRESET MENU
8
Preset Items
The preset menu of the PMD680 allows many features
and functions of the unit to e customized for
individual requirements.
The following items can e accessed in the preset menu:
• Bitrates assigned to the SP/MP/LP switch
• Sound detection level of the silent skip function
• Detection time of the silent skip function
• Battery type used
• File format of the recorded tracks
• ID1
• ID2
• ID3
Notes 1)
• No two itrates can have the same value.
• The SP setting must e greater than the MP.
• The MP setting must e greater than the LP setting.
Note 2)
Please refer to the following section.
Recording Time
The amount of memory required per hour of recording
is as follows.
Preset Operation
1. While power is off, press and hold the AUTO
MARK (PRESET) utton and then slide the
power switch to the right.
2. The unit should enter the preset setting mode
and "Preset" should e indicated in the display.
3. The unit will then automatically display
(flashing) the first preset -- itrate for the SP
record mode.
4. Use 1˜4 and ¢˜¡ uttons select
which preset item you would like to change.
The order of the preset menu items is the same
as indicated on a preset chart on this page.
5. Use the PLAY/PAUSE utton to alternate
etween changing the preset item and the
availa le options for the currently displayed
preset (the preset item options will flash).
6. Use 1˜4 and ¢˜¡ uttons to then
select which option you would like for the
current preset item.
7. When finished making a change to a preset
item, press the PLAY/PAUSE utton to select
another preset item to change (preset item will
flash).
8. When finished setting all the presets, press the
AUTO MARK (PRESET) utton to save all the
changes and exit the preset menu mode.
9. If you do not want to save the changes made to
the preset menu, press the STOP utton to exit
without saving the changes.
10. After exiting the preset menu mode, the unit
will return to normal operation in the stop
mode.
Preset Display Available Options Default
Setting
Bit rate of SP
1)
br 7 68, 192, 128, 64 kbps
2)
128 kbps
Bit rate of MP
1)
br 192, 128, 64, 48 kbps
2)
64 kbps
Bit rate of LP
1)
br 128, 64, 48,32 kbps
2)
48 kbps
Sound level for silent skip SL -50dB to -10dB, 5dB step -40 dB
Silent time for silent skip St 1 to 5 second 3 seconds
Battery type bat Alkaline, Ni-Cad Alkaline
File format For Wave (.wav), MP2 (.mp2), MP2
Broadcast Wave (.bwf)
ID1,2,3 Id1 000000 to 999999 000000
Id2
Id3
AUTO MARK
PRESET
1/ 4¢/ ¡
STOP (7)
PLAY / PAUSE
(6)
Bit Rate (kbps) MB/Hour
32 16 MB
48 25 MB
64 33 MB
128 67 MB
192 100 MB
768 (PCM) 400 MB

PRESET MENU
9
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ID Number Presets
The ID num ers are saved in the 'Extension Chunk' of
the Broadcast WAVE (BWF) file format. The IDs are
defined as follows:
ID1 :Description
ID2 :Originator
ID3 :Originator Reference
Example:
If the IDs are used in a roadcast station situation:
• ID1 could e used for the ID of the roadcasting
station
• ID2 could e used for the department code
• ID3 could e used for the adge num er of the
reporter
ID Number Setting Operation
• The PLAY/PAUSE utton will cycle through each
digit of the selected ID#.
• The 1 /4 and ¢ / ¡ uttons will increase or
decrease the digit that is flashing.
Example: Changing the battery type preset
Display for Alkaline
battery.
1 /4, ¢ / ¡
Display for Ni-Cad battery.
Example: Changing the file format preset
Display for Wave
(.wav) file format.
1 /4, ¢ / ¡
Display for MP2
(.mp2) file format.
1 /4, ¢ / ¡
Display for Brodcast Wave (.bwf) file format.
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GENERAL FUNCTION
10
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞
TRACK TIME
12
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Display Selections
Changing the Displayed Information
Pressing the DISPLAY (TIME/DATE) utton will
change the displayed information as follows.
During Stop Mode
qTotal Track # Total Track Time
wTotal Track # Total Remain Time
(time availa le for recording
at the selected it rate)
eCurrent Time
Note
• The time is always displayed in 24-hour time. So for
example, 23:59:59 is equivalent to 11:59:59 PM.
rCurrent Date
Low Battery Warning and
Auto Power Off
The PMD680 has uilt-in power management and
emergency shut-down system when Alkaline atteries
or the optional Ni-Cad attery is used.
To make sure this system operates correctly, make sure
the attery preset (" at") in the preset menu is set
correctly. Please refer to page 9 for more information
on how to set the presets.
1st Warning
When the remaining attery time starts running low, a
1st warning will appear. The 1st warning is when the
low attery indicator appears in the display as follows.
2nd Warning
When the remaining attery time ecomes extremely
low, the 2nd warning will appear. The 2nd warning is
when the attery indicator egins to flash together with
the REC LED (when in the recording mode) as follows.
Shut-Down
If the unit continues to operate after the 2nd warning
appears, the unit will enter an automatic shut-down
procedure efore all power is lost. Recording or
play ack will stop and the unit will automatically
power itself off.
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞
TRACK TIME
12
OVER
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞
TRACK TOTAL TIME
12
OVER
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞
TRACK REMAIN TIME
12
OVER
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞ 12
OVER
-dB 50 40 24 6 2 0∞ 12
OVER