Sony MDR-RF820RK User manual

Operating Instructions
Wireless Stereo
Headphone System
3-254-600-12(1)
© 2003 Sony Corporation
MDR-RF820RK
MDR-RF850RK

2
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
expose the unit to rain or moisture.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not
place objects filled with liquids, such as
vases, on the apparatus.
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.
Hereby, Sony Corp., declares that this equipment is
in compliance with the essential requirements and
other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
For details, please access the following URL :
http://www.compliance.sony.de/
This product is intended to be used in the
following countries.
CEK version: United Kingdom
CED version: Germany, Sweden, Denmark,
Finland, Norway, Belgium,
Switzerland, Austria,
Netherlands, France, Portugal,
Italy, Spain
To check for version, please refer to the barcode
label located on the top of the box.
Welcome!
Thank you for purchasing the Sony
MDR-RF820RK/RF850RK Wireless Stereo
Headphone System. Before operating the unit,
please read this manual thoroughly and retain it
for future reference.
Some features are:
•Wireless system that allows you to listen to a
program free from the restriction of a cord
•High fidelity sound reproduction
•Acompact transmitter with an AC power
adaptor (supplied) enables simple charging of
the headphone batteries. Just by placing the
headphones on the transmitter, headphone
batteries can be charged.
•Comfortable Circum-aural headphones with
self adjusting head band
•Automatic ON/OFF function on headphones
to preserve battery power

3
Notes on receiving
performance
This system utilizes very high frequency signals
in the 800 MHz band so the receiving
performance may deteriorate due to the
surroundings. The following examples illustrate
conditions that may reduce the reception range
or cause interference.
•Inside a building with walls containing steel
beams.
•An area with many steel file cabinets, etc.
•An area with many electrical appliances
capable of generating electromagnetic fields.
•The transmitter is placed on a metal
instrument.
•An area facing a roadway.
•Noise or interfering signals exist in the
surroundings due to radio transceivers in
trucks, etc.
•Noise or interfering signals exist in the
surroundings owing to wireless
communication systems installed along
roadways.
Table of contents
Getting started
Unpacking ......................................................4
Charging the supplied rechargeable
batteries ....................................................4
Setting up the transmitter ............................7
Operating the system
Listening to a programme ............................ 9
The effective areas of the transmitter ....... 11
Replacing the ear pads ...............................11
Additional information
Precautions ...................................................12
Troubleshooting ..........................................12
Specifications ...............................................13

4
NGetting started
Unpacking
Check that you have the following items:
• The headphones (1)
• The transmitter (1)
•AC power adaptor (1)
•Unimatch plug adaptor (1) (stereo mini jack
ystereo phone plug)
• Connecting cord (1) (phono plugs ystereo
mini plug), 1 m
• Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries (2)
Charging the supplied
rechargeable batteries
The supplied rechargeable nickel-metal hydride
batteries are not charged from the first time you
use them. Be sure to charge them before use.
To charge the headphones, place them on the
transmitter.
1Press the button of the left housing
to open the battery compartment
lid.
The battery compartment lid comes off.
2Insert the supplied rechargeable
nickel-metal hydride batteries into
the battery compartment matching
the 3terminals on the batteries to
the 3marks in the compartment.
Do not use rechargeable batteries other
than the supplied ones.
Button

5
When the indicator does not light in
green
Check if the right and left headphones are rested
on the transmitter correctly. The indicator will
not light up if the headphones’ contact point does
not meet the transmitter’s contact pin. Remove
the headphones and replace them on the
transmitter again so that the indicator lights in
green.
To recharge the headphone battery
after use
Place the headphones on the transmitter after
use. Since the built-in timer recognizes when
charging is complete, there is no need to remove
the headphones from the transmitter after
charging.
Notes
•The transmitter automatically turns off while charging
the batteries.
•This system is designed to charge only the supplied
rechargeable batteries type BP-HP550 for safety. Note
that other types of rechargeable batteries cannot be
charged with this system.
•If dry batteries are installed, they cannot be charged.
•Do not attempt to use the supplied BP-HP550
rechargeable batteries for other components. They are
for use with this system only.
•Charge in an environmental temperature of between
0˚C and 40˚C (between 32˚F and 104˚F).
3Close the battery compartment lid.
4Connect the supplied AC power
adaptor to the transmitter.
5Rest the headphones on the
transmitter so that the
headphones’ contact point meets
the transmitter’s contact pin while
making sure that the charging
indicator lights in green.
Charging is completed in about 16
hours and the charging indicator goes
off.
When placing the headphones on the
transmitter, be sure to hold them level
with both hands and that the right and
left housings are placed straight down
on the transmitter, and then tilt them
back as illustrated above.
AC power
adaptor
(supplied)
to DC IN 9V jack
to an AC outlet
Transmitter
Left housing
Right
housing
continue to next page

6
Charging and usage hours
*1at 1kHz, 1mW+1mW output
*2hours required to fully charge empty batteries
*3Time stated above may vary, depending on
the temperature or conditions of use.
Using the headphones with dry
batteries (sold separately)
Commercially available (size AAA) dry batteries
can also be used to power the headphones.
Install the batteries in the same manner as
described in steps 1 through 3 of “Charging the
supplied rechargeable batteries.”
When dry batteries are installed, the battery
charge function is not activated.
Battery life
(Using Sony alkaline battery LR03/AM-4(N))
*1 at 1kHz, 1mW+1mW output
*2Time stated above may vary, depending on
the temperature or conditions of use.
Notes on Batteries
•Do not charge a dry battery.
•Do not carry a dry battery together with coins
or other metallic objects. It can generate heat if
the positive and negative terminals of the
battery accidentally come into contact with
metallic objects.
•If you are not going to use the unit for a long
time, remove the battery to avoid damage
from battery leakage or corrosion.
Checking the remaining battery
power
Pull up the self-adjusting band and check the
power indicator located on the upper part of the
right housing. The batteries are still serviceable
when the indicator lights in red.
Charge the rechargeable batteries or install new
dry batteries if the power indicator light dims,
flashes, or the sound becomes distorted or noisy.
Note
The rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries should
be replaced with new ones when they last only half the
expected time after a proper recharging. The
rechargeable batteries type BP-HP550 are not
commercially available. You can order the batteries from
the store where you purchased this system, or at your
nearest Sony dealer.
Battery
MDR-RF820RK
MDR-RF850RK
Approx. hours*1
28 hours*2
24 hours*2
Approx.
changing hours
1 hour
16 hours*2
MDR-RF820RK
80 minutes*3
18 hours*3
MDR-RF850RK
75 minutes*3
15 hours*3
Approx. usage time*1

7
INPUT
A
INPUT
DC IN 9V
!
L
R
B
NOISE FILTER
ON
OFF
CHANNEL 1
2
3
INPUT
A
INPUT
DC IN 9V
!
L
R
B
NOISE FILTER
ON
OFF
CHANNEL 1
2
3
Setting up the
transmitter
1Connect the transmitter to audio/
video equipment.
Select one of the hookups below
depending on the jack type:
ATo connect to a headphones jack
*WALKMAN is a registered trademark of Sony
Corporation to represent Headphone Stereo
products.
BTo connect to LINE OUT or REC OUT
jacks
Transmitter
to INPUT A
jack
Stereo system, VCR,
etc.
Left channel
(white)
Connecting cord
(supplied)
Right channel
(red)
to LINE OUT or REC
OUT jacks
Transmitter
WALKMAN*,
TV, VCR, etc.
to INPUT B
jacks
Unimatch plug
adaptor
(supplied)
to headphones
jack (stereo
phone jack)
Connecting cord
(supplied)
to headphones
jack (stereo
mini jack)
Left channel
(white)
Right channel
(red)
continue to next page

8
CTo connect to TV, etc.
If noise occurs when the transmitter is
connected to your TV or VCR, set the
NOISE FILTER switch to ON.
Notes
•If you connect the transmitter to LINE OUT or
REC OUT jacks of an audio reproducer such as an
MD player or CD player, do not set the NOISE
FILTER switch to ON. Otherwise, volume will be
limited.
•The NOISE FILTER switch is active only in the
case of the connection shown in diagram Aon
page 7 and C. In diagram B, the switch has no
effect.
•When the transmitter is placed on or near a TV, it
may pick up a noise.
In such case, place the transmitter away from the
TV.
INPUT
A
INPUT
DC IN 9V
!
L
R
B
NOISE FILTER
ON
OFF
CHANNEL 1
2
3
2Connect the supplied AC power
adaptor to the transmitter.
Notes
•Use only the supplied AC power adaptor. Do not use
any other AC power adaptor.
•If the connected equipment has the AVLS (Automatic
Volume Limiter System) function, be sure to turn the
function off when using the transmitter. Otherwise,
you will have to turn up the volume of the
headphones, and that may cause noise.
TV, etc.
to stereo mini jack
to INPUT B
jacks
Right channel
(red)
Left channel
(white)
Polarity of the plug
Connecting cord
(supplied)
Transmitter
Transmitter
AC power
adaptor
(supplied)
to an AC
outlet
to DC IN 9 V jack

9
NOperating the system
Listening to a program
Before listening
To prevent your ears from being damaged, first
lower the volume.
1Turn on the audio/video equipment
connected to the transmitter.
If the transmitter is connected to the
headphone jack, set the volume control
of the audio source equipment as high
as possible but not so high that the
audio signal becomes distorted.
2Remove the headphones from the
transmitter.
The transmitter’s power indicator will
light in red.
continue to next page
3Select the radio frequency with the
CHANNEL selector switch.
4Put on the headphones.
The power indicator on the upper part
of the right housing glows red. Be sure
to put the right housing (R) on your
right ear and the left housing (L) on
your left ear. Wear the headphones
vertically on your head so that auto
power on function is properly activated.
CHANNEL 1
2
3

10
5Turn up the volume to a moderate
level with the VOL control.
AMDR-RF850RK
Press the TUNE button briefly for
automatic tuning of the headphones.
If you do not receive a clear audio
signal, press it again.
BMDR-RF820RK
Tune the headphones in to the
frequency of the transmitter with the
TUNE control until you can hear the
audio signal loud and clear.
Follow steps 3 and 5 above until the
receiving performance becomes better.
Sending RF signals from the transmitter
The transmitter starts sending RF signals
automatically when it detects an audio signal
from the equipment connected.
If it does not detect an audio signal for more than
about four minutes, the transmitter will stop
sending RF signals, and the power indicator will
turn off.
When the transmitter receives an audio signal
again, it starts sending the RF signals, and the
power indicator will light in red again.
If the audio signal is very weak, the transmitter
does not send RF signals. If the transmitter is
connected to a headphone jack, make sure the
volume of the equipment connected is set to 5 – 6
or higher.
You may not hear the beginning of the sound
from the headphones until the transmitter starts
sending the RF signals after detecting an audio
signal.
The headphones automatically turn
off when they are taken off
— Auto power on/off function
Do not pull up the self-adjusting band when not
in use, as this will consume the battery power.
Notes
•If hiss is heard, move closer to the transmitter.
•You may hear some noise when you disconnect the
AC power adaptor from the transmitter before taking
off the headphones.
VOL control
VOL control
TUNE
TUNE
TUNE
button
TUNE
control