Sony TCM-473V User manual

AC power adaptor
Battery charger
adaptor
DC IN 3V
Power indicator
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
zGetting 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.
1Open the battery compartment lid.
2Insert 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.
1Insert the rechargeable batteries (NC-AA) into the
battery charger adaptor with correct polarity.
2Connect 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.
3Unplug 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 (TCM-
454VK 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.
Battery life (Approximate hours) (EIAJ*)
Playback Recording
Sony alkaline LR6 (SG) 11 11
Sony R6P (SR) 3 3
(Models for U.S.A. and Canada)
33
(Model for Europe)
3.5 4
* Measured value by the standard of EIAJ (Electronic Industries
Association of Japan). (Using a Sony HF series cassette tape)
Note
The battery life may shorten depending on the operation of the
unit.
House Current
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.
zOperating the Unit
Recording
You can record right away with the built-in microphone.
Make sure that nothing is connected to the MIC jack.
Sony Corporation 1998 Printed in Taiwan, R.O.C.
Cassette-Corder
Operating Instructions
TCM-473V/455V/454VK/453V
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 pre-
recorded stereo tapes with the supplied headphones
(TCM-473V only).
3-862-202-61(1)
1Insert a normal (TYPE I) tape with the side to start
recording facing the cassette holder.
2Set 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.
3Press rREC.
Recording starts.
At the end of the tape, recording stops and the unit turns
off automatically.
To Press or slide
Stop recording pSTOP
Pause recording PAUSE cin the direction of the
arrow
To release pause recording, release
PAUSE c*.
Review the portion Press and hold 0REW/REVIEW
just recorded during recording.
Release the button at the point to start
playback.
* PAUSE cwill be also automatically released when pSTOP
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
BATT lamp
DC IN 3V
AC power adaptor
0REW/
REVIEW
pSTOP
PAUSE
rREC
MIC VOR
EAR(TCM-455V/454VK/453V)
2(TCM-473V)
Built-in
microphone
Sony rechargeable
battery (NC-AA)
fully charged (TCM-
454VK only)

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 /2in.)
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, Ni-
Cd)
(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
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.
Playing a Tape
1Insert a cassette with the side to start playing facing
the cassette holder.
2Adjust 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.
3Press (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 pSTOP
fast forward or rewind
Pause playback PAUSE cin the direction of the
arrow
To release pause playdack, release
PAUSE c*.
Search forward Press and hold )FF/CUE and
during playback (CUE) release it at the point you want
Search backward Press and hold 0REW/REVIEW
during playback and release it at the point you want
(REVIEW)
Fast forward** )FF/CUE during stop
Rewind** 0REW/REVIEW during stop
Start recording rREC
during playback
* PAUSE cwill be also automatically released when pSTOP
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 pSTOP.
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.
SPEED CONTROL
(PLAY
PAUSE
VOL
pSTOP
0REW/REVIEW
)FF/CUE
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).
MIC (PLUG IN POWER)
zAdditional 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 rREC.
mThe tab on the tape has been removed.
You cannot press (PLAY.
mThe tape has reached the end. Rewind the tape.
The unit does not operate.
mThe batteries have been inserted with incorrect
polarity.
mThe batteries are weak.
mPAUSE cis slid in the direction of the arrow.
mThe AC power adaptor or car battery cord is not
firmly connected.
mThe 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.
mThe earphone or headphones is plugged in.
mThe volume is turned down completely.
Tape speed is too fast or too slow in the
playback mode.
mSPEED CONTROL is set at a point other than the
center.
The sound drops out or comes with excessive
noise.
mThe volume is turned down completely.
mThe batteries are weak.
mThe heads are contaminated. See “Maintenance.”
Recording cannot be made.
mConnection is made incorrectly.
mThe batteries are weak.
mThe record/playback head is contaminated.
mVOR has been set to the improper position when
VOR function works.
Recording is interrupted.
mVOR is set to H or L. When you do not use VOR, set
it to OFF.
Recording cannot be erased completely.
mThe erase head is contaminated.
mRecording or erasing is being made using recorded
CrO2(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
Erase head Capstan
Record/playback
head
Pinch-roller
Cotton swab
A
Side A Tab for side A
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.
Recording from Various Sound
Sources
The sound is recorded in monaural.