Sony ICD-SX68 Marketing User manual

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-14 (1)

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
2GB
For the customers in the United
States
The following FCC statement applies only to the version
of this model manufactured for sale in the USA. Other
versions may not comply with FCC technical regulations.
INFORMATION
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
o 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
dierent from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
You are cautioned that any changes or modications
not expressly approved in this manual could void your
authority to operate this equipment.
If you have any questions about this product, you may call:
Sony Customer Information Service Center 1-800-222-
7669 or http://www.sony.com/
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name : SONY
Model : ICD-SX68
Responsible Party : Sony Electronics Inc.
Address : 16530 Via Esprillo, San Diego, CA
92127 USA
Telephone Number : 858-942-2230
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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.
For the State of California, USA only
Perchlorate Material — special handling may apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Perchlorate Material : Lithium battery contains perchlorate
For the customers in the USA and
Canada
RECYCLING NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE
BATTERIES
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are recyclable.
You can help preserve our environment
by returning your used rechargeable
batteries to the collection and recycling
location nearest you.
For more information regarding recycling of
rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-8837, or
visit http://www.rbrc.org/.
Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking nickel
metal hydride batteries.
For customers in Europe
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic
Equipment (Applicable in the European
Union and other European countries
with separate collection systems)
This symbol on the product or on its
packaging indicates that this product
shall not be treated as household
waste. Instead it shall be handed over
to the applicable collection point for
the recycling of electrical and electronic
equipment. By ensuring this product is
disposed of correctly, you will help

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
3GB
prevent potential negative consequences for the
environment and human health, which could otherwise
be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this
product. The recycling of materials will help to conserve
natural resources. For more detailed information about
recycling of this product, please contact your local Civic
Oce, your household waste disposal service or the
shop where you purchased the product.
Disposal of waste batteries (applicable
in the European Union and other
European countries with separate
collection systems)
This symbol on the battery or on the
packaging indicates that the battery
provided with this product shall not be
treated as household waste. By ensuring
these batteries are disposed of correctly,
you will help prevent potentially
negative consequences for the environment and human
health which could otherwise be caused by
inappropriate waste handling of the battery. The
recycling of the materials will help to conserve natural
resources.
In case of products that for safety, performance or data
integrity reasons require a permanent connection with
an incorporated battery, this battery should be replaced
by quali ed service sta only.
To ensure that the battery will be treated properly,
hand over the product at end-of-life to the applicable
collection point for the recycling of electrical and
electronic equipment.
For all other batteries, please view the section on how
to remove the battery from the product safely. Hand the
battery over to the applicable collection point for the
recycling of waste batteries.
For more detailed information about recycling of this
product or battery, please contact your local Civic O
ce, your household waste disposal service or the shop
where you purchased the product.
Notice for the customers in the
countries applying EU Directives
The manufacturer of this product is Sony Corporation,
1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. The Authorized
Representative for EMC and product safety is Sony
Deutschland GmbH, Hedel nger Strasse 61, 70327
Stuttgart, Germany. For any service or guarantee matters
please refer to the addresses given in separate service or
guarantee documents.
Notice for users
Program © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008 Sony Corporation
Documentation ©2008 Sony Corporation
All rights reserved. This manual or the software
described herein, in whole or in part, may not be
reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine
readable form without prior written approval from
Sony Corporation.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE
FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL
DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT,
OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE
THEREOF.
Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any
modication to this manual or the information
contained herein at any time without notice.
The software described herein may also be governed
by the terms of a separate user license agreement.
This software is for Windows and cannot be used
for Macintosh.
The supplied connecting cable is for the IC recorder
ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88. You cannot connect other IC
recorders.
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ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
4GB
Table of Contents
Checking the contents of the
package ...............................................................7
Index to Parts and Controls.....................8
Getting Started
Step 1: Preparing a Power Source.......13
Charging the batteries......................13
When charging/replacing the
batteries......................................................14
Step 2: Setting the Clock...........................17
Step 3: Preparations Required
before Recording...........................................19
Basic Operations
Recording Messages....................................21
Various Recording Modes
Manual Recording Mode..........................25
Starting to Record Automattically
in Response to Sound
– the VOR Function ......................................26
Adding a Recording to a Previously
Recorded Message.......................................27
Adding an Overwrite Recording
during Playback..............................................29
Dividing a Message into Two
during Recording ..........................................30
Recording with an External
Microphone ......................................................31
Recording from Other Equipment......32
Recording sound from a
telephone or a cell phone ..............33
Playback/Erasing
Playing Back Messages...............................34
Adjusting the playback sound
by amplifying inaudible sound
– the Digital Voice Up function....37
Adjusting the playback speed
– DPC (the Digital Pitch
Control function) ..................................38
Playing Back a Specied Section
Repeatedly – A-B Repeat.................38
Adding a Bookmark ............................39

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
5GB
Playing Back a Message at a
Desired Time with an Alarm ...................40
Erasing Messages...........................................43
Erasing Messages one by one......43
Erasing All Messages
in a Folder..................................................44
Editing Messages
Dividing a Message into Two.................45
Moving Message to a Different
Folder....................................................................46
Adding Priority Mark(s)
– the Priority Mark Function ...................46
Utilizing the Menu Function
Making Settings for the Menu...............47
Using the IC Recorder with
Your Computer
Using the Supplied Digital Voice
Editor Software................................................58
What You Can Do Using the
Digital Voice Editor Software.........58
System Requirements........................59
Installing the Software ......................60
Connecting the IC Recorder to
your Computer.......................................64
Referring to the Help Files...............65
Playing Back MP3 Files Using the
IC Recorder........................................................66
Using the Digital Voice Editor
Software .....................................................66
Using Windows Explorer..................67
Construction of folders
and les.......................................................68
Using the IC Recorder as a
USB Mass Storage Device.........................69
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting.............................................71
Error Messages (IC recorder)..........79
System Limitations ..............................82

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
6GB
Additional Information
Recording with Other Equipment ......84
Using a USB AC Adaptor
(not supplied) ..................................................85
Precautions........................................................87
Specifications...................................................88
Index......................................................................90

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
7GB
Checking the contents
of the package
IC Recorder (1)
Rechargeable batteries (2)
Stereo headphones* (1)
USB connecting cable (1)
Application Software, Digital Voice
Editor (CD-ROM)
Cradle* (1)
Stand* (1)
Carrying pouch (1)
Operating Instructions
* The stereo headphones, the cradle and
the stand are supplied with some models
in some regions only.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Index to Parts and
Controls
Refer to the pages indicated in
parentheses for details.
Front
(headphone) jack* (21, 23, 34, 35,
84)
Built-in microphones (stereo/
directional) (21, 25, 26)
Operation indicator (21, 25, 27, 29, 53)
Display window (10, 11)
DIVIDE/ (bookmark) button (31, 34,
39)
 (folder)/MENU button
(record/pause) button (21, 25, 26,
27, 30)
(stop) button (18, 22, 26, 28, 30, 34,
41, 43, 46, 47)
(cue/fast forward) button (35)
 (play/stop/enter) button
(review/fast backward) button
(35)
VOL (volume) +/– button (23, 34)
 (repeat) A-B/ (priority) button
(34, 38, 46)
ERASE button (43)
Opning for a handstrap (A handstrap
is not supplied.)

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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* Connect stereo ear receiver or stereo
headphones supplied or not supplied to the
(headphone) jack. If unwanted noise is
heard, wipe the headphones plug clean.
Rear
Speaker
HOLD switch**
V-UP (Digital Voice Up) switch (37, 57)
DPC switch (38, 51)
DIRECTNL (directional) switch (24)
(microphone) jack (31, 32)
 (USB) connector (13, 64)
Battery compartment (13)
** Slide the HOLD switch in the direction of
the arrow to lock all the functions of all the
buttons. During stop, “POWER SAVING…”
will be displayed and the display will be
turned off to prevent battery power from
exhausting.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Remaining battery/Charging
indicator
When dry batteries are used, the
indicator shows the remaining
battery power.
While charging the rechargeable
batteries an animation appears.
Selected message number/Total
number of messages in the folder
Priority marks
Appear(s) when a message is set with
priority mark(s).
Bookmark indicator
Appears when a bookmark is set for
a message.
Alarm indicator
Appears when the alarm is set for a
message.
Sound eect indicator
Displays the EFFECT setting in the
menu.
BA1 : The bass sound is reinforced.
BA2 : The bass sound is further
reinforced.
Display window
Display during playback and stop
Operation mode indicator
Displays the following, depending on
the current operation mode
: playback
: stop
: review/fast backward,
cue/fast forward
: going backward/forward
continuously
Folder indicator
Elasped time/Remaining time
indication/Recording date and time
indication
Folder name/Message name/Artist
name indication

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Recording mode indicator
Displays the recording mode set
using the menu when the IC recorder
is in the stop mode, and displays the
current recording mode when the IC
recorder is in the playback mode.
STHQ : Standard play stereo
recording mode with high quality
sound
ST : Standard play stereo recording
mode
STLP : Long play stereo recording
mode
SP : Standard play monaural
recording mode
LP : Long play monaural recording
mode
MP3 : MP3 mode (during playback
only)
Microphone sensitivity indicator
Displays the current microphone
sensitivity.
(high) : To record at a meeting or
in a quiet/spacious place.
(low) : To record for dictation or in
a noisy place.
MAN (manual) : To record with
microphone sensitivity set manually.
Remaining recording time indication
Display during recording
Operation mode indicator
Displays the following, depending
on the current operation of the IC
recorder.
: recording
: recording standby/recording
pause
: recording with the VOR
function
: recording pause with the
VOR function
Recording level meter

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Microphone sensitivity indicator
Displays the current microphone
sensitivity when recording with AGC
(Automatic Gain Control).
(high) : To record at a meeting or
in a quiet/spacious place.
(low) : To record for dictation or in
a noisy place.
Displays the recording level during
manual recording.
Elapsed recording time indication
Alarm indicator
Recording mode indicator
Displays the recording mode (STHQ,
ST, STLP, SP, and LP) set in the menu.
LIM (limiter) indicator
Displays the LIMITER setting in the
menu.
When “REC LEVEL” is set to “AUTO-
AGC,”“---” is displayed.
Remaining recording time indication
Remaining battery/Charging
indicator
LCF (Low Cut Filter) indicator
Displays the LCF setting in the menu.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Getting Started
Getting Started
Step 1: Preparing a
Power Source
Charging the batteries
To use the supplied Digital Voice Editor
software, it is recommended that you
install the software before step 3.
1 Slide and lift the battery
compartment lid.
2 Insert two rechargeable batteries
with correct polarity, and close the
lid.
3 Charge the batteries by connecting
the USB connector of the IC
recorder to your computer.
USB connecting
cable (supplied)
While the batteries are charging,
“CONNECTING” and the charging
indicator are displayed in an animation.
When the charging indicator indicates
“ ,” charging is completed. (Charging
time: approx. 4 hours*)
When you use the IC recorder for the
rst time, or after you have not used
the IC recorder for a certain time, it
is recommended that you charge
the batteries repeatedly until“ ” is
displayed.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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If the charging indicator is not displayed,
charging has not been done properly.
Proceed from step 1 again.
* This is an approximation for the time it takes
to charge from no remaining battery power
to full battery power at room temperature.
It varies depending on the remaining
power and the condition of the batteries.
It also takes more time if the temperature
of the batteries is low, or if the batteries are
changed while you are transferring data to
the IC recorder.
When using fully charged
batteries or LR03 (size AAA)
alkaline batteries
Follow the steps 1 and 2.
Tip
You can charge the rechargeable batteries by
connecting the IC recorder to an AC outlet
using a USB AC adaptor (not supplied) (page
85).
Notes
While “ ” or “ ” is being displayed
instead of the remaining battery/charging
indicator, you cannot charge the batteries.
Charge the batteries in an environment with
a temperature of 5 °C – 35 °C (41 ˚F – 95 ˚F).
If “USB CHARGE” in the menu “DETAIL
MENU”is set to “OFF,” you cannot charge
the batteries using your computer. Set“USB
CHARGE” to “ON” (page 57).
Do not use manganese batteries for this IC
recorder.
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Clock setting display appears when you
insert batteries for the rst time, or when
you insert batteries after the IC recorder
has been without batteries for a certain
period of time. Please refer to step 4 in
“Step 2: Setting the Clock” on page 18 to
set the date and time.
When charging/replacing
the batteries
The battery indicator on the display
window shows the battery condition.
Battery remain indication
: Charge both batteries or replace the
old batteries with new ones.

: “LOW BATTERY“ appears and the IC
recorder will stop operation.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
15GB
Getting Started
Battery life*1
When using Sony NH-AAA rechargeable
batteries
Recording
mode
STHQ*3 ST*4
Recording Approx. 13 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 14 hr.
30 min.
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 16 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 22 hr. Approx. 23 hr.
Recording
mode
STLP*5 SP*6
Recording Approx. 16 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 17 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 19 hr.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 24 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 27 hr.
30 min.
Recording
mode
LP*7 MP3 (128 kbps/
44.1 kHz)
Recording Approx. 19 hr. –
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 19 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
30 min.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 28 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 24 hr.
(hr. : hours/min. : minutes)
When using Sony LR03 (SG) (size AAA)
alkaline batteries
Recording
mode
STHQ*3 ST*4
Recording Approx. 13 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 14 hr.
30 min.
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 16 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 22 hr. Approx. 23 hr.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
16GB
Recording
mode
STLP*5 SP*6
Recording Approx. 16 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 17 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 19 hr.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 24 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 27 hr.
30 min.
Recording
mode
LP*7 MP3 (128 kbps/
44.1 kHz)
Recording Approx. 19 hr. –
Playback*2
through
speaker
Approx. 19 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 17 hr.
30 min.
Playback
using the
headphones
Approx. 28 hr.
30 min.
Approx. 24 hr.
(hr. : hours/min. : minutes)
*1 The battery life may shorten depending on
how you operate the IC recorder
*2
When playing back music through the internal
speaker with the volume level set to VOL19
*3 STHQ : Stereo high quality recording mode
*4 ST : Stereo standard recording mode
*5 STLP : Stereo long play recording mode
*6 SP : Standard play recording mode
*7 LP : Long play recording mode
Note on the“UPDATING
DATABASE…” message
The IC recorder is accessing data while
“UPDATING DATABASE…“ appears in
the display window or the operation
indicator ashes in orange. While
accessing, do not remove the batteries or
USB AC adaptor (not supplied). Doing so
may damage the data.
Note
If the IC recorder is required to process
excessive amount of data,“UPDATING
DATABASE…” may be displayed for an
extended period of time. This is not a
malfunction of the IC recorder.
Wait until the message disappears before
starting operation.
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ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
17GB
Getting Started
1 Select “DATE & TIME” in the menu.

Press and hold /MENU.
The menu mode will be displayed in
the display window.

Press or to select “DETAIL
MENU” and press .

Press or to select “DATE &
TIME” and press .
2 Press or to select “AUTO”
or “MANUAL” and press .
When you selected “AUTO,” the clock is
automatically adjusted using the clock
in the computer connected to the IC
recorder and on which the supplied
Digital Voice Editor software is started.
When you select “MANUAL,” proceed
to the next steps.
Step 2: Setting the
Clock

/

/MENU
You need to set the clock to use the
alarm function or record the date and
time.
Clock setting display appears when you
insert batteries for the rst time, or when
you insert batteries after the IC recorder
has been without batteries for a certain
period of time. In this case, proceed from
step 4.

ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
18GB
3 Press or to select
“08y1m1d” and press .
4 Press or to set the year,
month, day, hour, and minute in
sequence, and then press .
“EXECUTING….” appears and the clock
is set.
5 Press to return to the normal
display.
Note
If you do not press  within one minute
of entering the clock setting data, the clock
setting mode is cancelled and the window
will return to the normal display.
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ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
19GB
Getting Started
Step 3: Preparations
Required before
Recording
Recording at a meeting
Set “MIC SENS”to “HIGH ” in the menu
(page 50).
Slide the DIRECTNL switch to “ON” to
record a voice coming from a specic
direction (page 24).
Set “LCF (LOW CUT)” to “ON” in the
menu to prevent noise caused by a
projector, etc. (page 50).
By placing the IC recorder on the
stand*, you can record with clear
sound, without accidental noise caused
when you rub a desk, etc.
* The stand is supplied with some models in
some regions only.
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Recording a musical
performance
Set “REC LEVEL”to “MANUAL” in the
menu (page 51) to record more realistic
sound, distinguishing dynamic sound
and soft sound.
Set “LIMITER” to “ON” in the menu (page
55), to prevent distortion when a loud
sound is suddenly input.
By attaching a tripod (not supplied)
using the stand*, you can adjust the
angles of the IC recorder and the built-
in microphones more precisely.
Tripod
(not supplied)
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ICD-SX68/SX78/SX88 GB 3-297-851-13 (1)
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Recording dictation (using the
voice recognition software)
Set “MIC SENS”to “LOW ” in the menu
(page 50).
Slide the DIRECTNL switch to “ON” to
record a voice coming from a specic
direction (page 24).
To transcribe a message recorded on
the IC recorder using voice recognition
software (not supplied), set “REC MODE”
to “STHQ,”“ST,”“STLP,” or “SP” (page 50).
Microphone
Before you can transcribe recorded
messages, you have to create a user file
specifically adapted to the sound of your
recorded speech. This procedure is called
“training.”For details on “training,” refer to the
help files supplied with the voice recognition
software you are using.
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To obtain maximum recognition accuracy,
hold the IC recorder so that the microphone
is about an inch (2 - 3cm) from the corner of
your mouth.
To minimize the sound of your breath in the
recordings, do not hold the microphone
directly in front of your mouth.
To obtain maximum recognition accuracy,
avoid recording in a noisy place.
You cannot transcribe a message recording
the voices of more than one person.
You can transcribe the following messages
recorded using your IC recorder or files saved
on your computer.
Messages recorded in the STHQ, ST, STLP
or SP mode (DVF)
44.1/16/11kHz 16-bit WAV files saved on
the computer
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