4-230-661-11(1) MiniDisc Deck Operating Instructions MDS-PC3 2000 Sony Corporation
WARNING To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture. Do not install the appliance in a confined space, such as a bookcase or built-in cabinet. This appliance is classified as a CLASS 1 LASER product. The CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT MARKING is located on the bottom exterior. The number below is for the FCC related matters only. Declaration of Conformity Trade name: Model No.: Responsible Party: Address: Telephone No.: SONY CAV-MN10 Sony Electronics Inc.
Welcome! Table of Contents Thank you for purchasing the Sony MiniDisc Deck. Before operating the deck, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference. Location and Function of Parts About This Manual The instructions in this manual are for the MDS-PC3 MiniDisc Deck.
Location and Function of Parts Front Panel Parts Description This chapter tells you about the location and function of the various buttons and controls on the front panel and the supplied remote. Further details are provided on the pages indicated in the parentheses. It also tells you about the information that appears in the display window. 1 2 3 4 5 6 . > ?/1 z x/Z PUSHu g 7 1 ?/1 (power) switch (12, 21) Press to turn the deck on. When you turn the deck on, the switch indicator turns off.
9 AyB button (23) Remote Parts Description Press to select Repeat A-B Play. 0 REPEAT button (23) Press to play tracks repeatedly. qh qg Press to add the name or change the name of a track or MD. EJECT qf INPUT REC MODE 1/u 1 6 qs MENU/NO button (15, 25, 28) Press to display “Edit Menu” or “Setup Menu.” PLAY MODE ( P 2 p qd = + r FADER MUSIC SYNC 0 qs ) MENU/NO NAME EDIT/ YES + SELECT qa REPEAT AyB CLEAR LEVEL qd N button (13, 21) Press to start play or recording.
Using the Display The display window shows information about the MD or track. This section describes the information that appears for each deck status. N X x > z m M Press DISPLAY repeatedly to change the display. Each press of the button changes the display as follows: Total number of tracks and total recorded time (default display) ?/1 Z . While the deck is stopped 1 4 Tr 4 4 . 2 2 Press DISPLAY Remaining recordable time on the MD (recordable MDs only)* + – -63.
While the deck is recording While the deck is playing Press DISPLAY repeatedly to change the display. Each press of the button changes the display as follows: Each press of the button changes the display as follows: Track number and recorded time of the current track (default display) Track number and elapsed time of the current track (default display) 1 5 Tr 4 4 . 2 2 1 Tr 0 . 1 2 Press Press Track number and remaining time of the current track Remaining recordable time on the MD 1 Tr - 2 .
Getting Started Before You Start the Hookup z When to replace the battery Under normal conditions, the battery should last for about six months. When the remote no longer operates the deck, replace the battery with new one.
Connecting the MD deck with an audio component Hooking Up CD player or digital CS tuner, etc. with optical digital connection capability The MD deck is capable of recording from both analog and digital sources. When recording from an analog source Required connecting cord Audio connecting cord (supplied) Portable CD player, etc. Portable CD player, etc.
Hooking Up (continued) Connecting the MD deck to a system stereo or an amplifier Notes • Insert plugs into jacks firmly. Loose connections may be a cause of noise or malfunction in the MD deck. • When connecting an optical digital cable, take the caps off the connectors and insert the cable plugs straight in the jacks until you hear a click. When a plug is not completely inserted, “C71” and “Din Unlock” may alternate in the display.
Recording on MDs Notes on Recording About indications which appear while recording When “Protected” and “C11” alternate in the display When “Din Unlock” and “C71” alternate in the display • The digital component selected with INPUT is not connected correctly. Check the connection. • The selected digital component is not turned on. Turn on the component. When “Cannot Copy” and “C41” alternate in the display The MD deck uses the Serial Copy Management System.
Notes on Recording (continued) You can make only a firstgeneration copy* through a digital-to-digital connection. Examples are given as follows: Recording on an MD The operations for normal recording are explained below. If the MD has recorded material on it, the deck will automatically start recording from the end of the recorded portion. • You can make a copy of a commercially available digital sound program (for example, a CD or MD), but you can’t make a second copy from the first-generation copy.
5 If necessary, locate the point on the MD to start recording from. If you want to record on a new MD or start recording from the end of the recorded portion, go to step 6. Press Stop recording x (or x/Z on the deck) Pause recording X (or NX on the deck) To record over from the beginning of an existing MD track Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until the number of the track to be recorded over appears.
Recording on an MD (continued) z To play from the first track of the MD after recording 1 Press x (or x/Z on the deck) again after stopping recording. 2 Press N (or NX on the deck). The deck starts to play from the first track of the MD. Adjusting the Recording Level Do the procedure below to adjust the recording level. ?/1 Z Note You can’t record over existing material when Shuffle Play (page 24) or Program Play (page 25) has been selected. “Impossible” appears in the display at this time. N X x .
6 To start recording, continue from step 8 of “Recording on an MD” on page 13. z You can adjust the recording level during recording or recording pause Press LEVEL +/– repeatedly. z To display the level of the In addition to normal stereo recording, this deck has two recording modes: LP2 and LP4. When recording in LP2 mode, you can record 2 times the normal recordable time, and in LP4 mode, you can record 4 times the normal recordable time.
Recording for Long Times (continued) Recording Tips Notes • Even if you press REC MODE during recording or recording pause, you cannot change the recording mode. • Even if you select the monaural recording mode, the sound from the speakers will be the same as the source sound (e.g. Stereo source sound will be as it is). z LP Stamp function works during Z r ./> N X x . > z m M g Checking the remaining recordable time on the MD Press DISPLAY repeatedly.
Monitoring the input signal (Input Monitor) You can monitor the selected input signal even when you’re not recording it. Press EJECT Z (or x/Z on the deck) to eject the MD. 2 Press INPUT repeatedly to select the jacks (connectors) which the signal you want to monitor is being input. 3 Press z. When “A-IN” is selected The analog signal input from the LINE (ANALOG) IN jacks is output to the DIGITAL (OPTICAL) OUT connector after A/D conversion, and then to the LINE (ANALOG) OUT jacks after D/A conversion.
Recording Tips (continued) Notes • If you start recording with no signal input, Smart Space and Auto Cut will not operate regardless of the setting. • Smart Space does not affect the order of the track numbers being recorded, even if the blank space occurs in the middle of a track. • If the deck stays in recording-pause for about 10 minutes after the Auto Cut operation, the recording operation will be automatically ended. • Auto Cut is automatically turned on or off in tandem with Smart Space.
1 While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice. “Setup Menu” appears in the display. Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until “T.Mark” appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck). 3 Press ./> (or turn ./> on the deck) to select a desired setting, then press YES (or ./> on the deck). 1 While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice. “Setup Menu” appears in the display. 2 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until “LS(T)” appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck). 3 Press .
Marking Track Numbers While Recording (continued) • Track marking may not occur in the following tracks: — Tracks that are less than 4 seconds long (in stereo, monaural, or LP2 stereo mode). — Tracks that are less than 8 seconds long (in LP4 stereo mode). • When recording from a component connected to the LINE (ANALOG) IN jacks with “T.Mark Off” selected or when recording from a DAT deck or DBS tuner connected to the DIGITAL (OPTICAL) IN connector, the entire material may be recorded as a single track.
Playing MDs Operations you may want to do during play Playing an MD The operations for normal play are explained below. ?/1 Z ?/1 X Z N N X x ./> . > z m M x + – g 1 2 Turn on the amplifier and select MD on the amplifier. Press Stop play x (or x/Z on the deck) Pause play X (or NX on the deck) Resume play after pausing N or X (or NX on the deck) Locate a succeeding track > repeatedly (or turn .
Playing a Specific Track You can use the following procedure while the deck is playing, stopped, or paused to quickly find the beginning of the next track you want to play. Locating a Particular Point in a Track You can locate a particular point in a track during play or play pause. ?/1 Z ?/1 Z N N X x ./> . > z m N X x . > z m M M m/M + + – – g g Locating a track To go to Do the following: The next or a succeeding track during play Press > repeatedly (or turn .
To stop Repeat All Play Playing Tracks Repeatedly Press x (or x/Z on the deck). To resume normal play You can play an entire MD repeatedly. This function can be used with Shuffle Play to repeat all the tracks in random order (page 24), or with Program Play to repeat all the tracks in the program (page 25). You can also repeat a specific track or portion within a track.
Playing Tracks Repeatedly (continued) To stop Repeat A-B Play and resume normal play Press REPEAT or CLEAR. z You can set a new starting point and ending point during Repeat A-B Play You can change the current ending point to a new starting point, then specify a new ending point to repeat a portion right after the current portion. 1 During Repeat A-B Play, press AyB. The current ending point changes to the new starting point (point A). “REP A-” lights up and “B” flashes in the display.
Creating Your Own Program (Program Play) You can pick out the tracks that you like and specify the playback order in a program containing up to 25 tracks. 4 Repeat step 3 to enter other tracks. 5 Press YES. “Complete!!” appears and the program is completed. 6 Press PLAY MODE repeatedly until “PGM” lights up in the display. 7 Press N (or NX on the deck). p ?/1 Z N X x PLAY MODE ./> . > z DISPLAY m/M m M + YES Program Play starts. To stop Program Play Press x (or x/Z on the deck).
Creating Your Own Program (continued) Checking the contents of the program While the deck is stopped and “PGM” lights up, press DISPLAY repeatedly. The first several tracks in the program appear in the display. To see the rest of the program, press > repeatedly (or turn ./> clockwise on the deck).
Tips for Recording From MDs to Tape ?/1 Pausing after each track (Auto Pause) You can set the deck so that it pauses after each track to give you time to locate the next track to be recorded. Z ./> N X x . > z m M 1 “Setup Menu” appears in the display. + MENU/NO While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice. YES 2 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until “Auto Off” appears, then press YES (or ./ > on the deck). 3 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn .
Editing Recorded MDs About indication which appears while editing ?/1 Z N X x ./> . > z m/M m M MENU/NO When “Protected” and “C11” alternate in the display + YES – The record-protect slot is open. To edit the MD, slide the tab to close the slot. For details, see “To prevent accidental erasure of the recorded material” on page 13. g Brief descriptions of buttons used to edit MDs The buttons below are used to erase, divide, move, or combine tracks on the MD.
To cancel the operation Erasing Tracks Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck). You can erase a track or part of a track simply by specifying the number of the track or the portion within a track to be erased. You can also erase all the tracks on an MD at one time. Erasing a track Example: Erasing the second track 2 BBB The track has been record-protected on another MD deck. If you still want to erase the track, press YES (or ./> on the deck) again while the indication appears.
Erasing Tracks (continued) 4 Erasing a portion of a track You can easily erase a portion of a track by specifying the starting and ending points of the erasure. You can shift point A one frame at a time.* The time indication (“m (minute),” “s (second),” and “f (frame = 1/86 second)”) of the current point is displayed and several seconds of the track from that point play back repeatedly. This is useful for erasing the unnecessary portions of a track recorded from a satellite or FM broadcast.
9 Press YES (or ./> on the deck) to enter point B. Dividing Tracks “Complete!!” appears for a few seconds and the portion between point A and B is erased. You can divide a recorded track at any point simply by adding a track mark at that point. This is especially useful when you want to divide recorded material which contains multiple tracks but only one track number (see page 18), or when you want to locate a certain point in the track. To cancel the operation Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck).
Dividing Tracks (continued) To cancel the operation Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck). 4 While monitoring the sound, press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./ > on the deck) to locate the dividing point. You can shift point A one frame at a time.* The time indication (“m,” “s ,” and “f ”) of the current point is displayed and several seconds of the track from that point play back repeatedly. * Or 2 frames in LP2 stereo mode, or 4 frames in LP4 stereo mode.
4 Combining Tracks This function allows you to combine any two tracks into a single track. The two tracks need not to be consecutive nor chronological. You can combine several tracks into a single medley, or several independently recorded portions into a single track. When you combine two tracks, the total number of tracks decreases by one and all tracks following the combined track are renumbered. “Complete!!” appears for a few seconds and the tracks are combined.
To cancel the operation Moving Tracks Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck). This function lets you change the order of any track. Example: Moving the second track after the third track 1 AAA 2 BBB 1 AAA 2 CCC 3 CCC 4 DDD 3 BBB 4 DDD After you move a track, the tracks are renumbered automatically. 1 While the deck is stopped, playing, or paused, press MENU/NO. “Edit Menu” appears in the display. 2 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until “Move ?” appears, then press YES (or .
Naming Tracks or MDs 4 You can enter a name for a recorded MD as well as for individual tracks. Names can consist of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A total number of 1,700 characters can be stored for all the names on the MD. The cursor begins to flash in the display and it becomes possible to type in the name. In step 4, when the track number that you select begins to flash, the track will automatically begin to play, allowing you hear the track as you name it. ?/1 Z N X x .
Naming Tracks or MDs (continued) 7 Copying a track or disc name Press YES (or ./> on the deck). You can copy an existing track or disc name and use it to name another track on the same disc or the disc itself. The flashing character is entered and lights continuously and the cursor shifts to the right. 1 D If you’ve selected numbers Press the corresponding number button. The number is entered and the cursor shifts to the right. 8 Repeat steps 5 to 7 to enter the rest of the name.
To cancel the operation Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck). z When “Overwrite ??” appears in Erasing a track or disc name Use this function to erase the name of a track or disc. step 5 above The track or the disc selected in step 5 already has a name. If you wish to replace the name, press YES (or ./> on the deck) again while the indication appears in the display. z You can undo the copying of a track or disc name 1 While the deck is stopped, playing, recording, or paused, press MENU/NO.
Naming Tracks or MDs (continued) Erasing all the names on the MD You can erase all the track names and the disc name on an MD in a single operation. 1 While the deck is stopped, playing, or paused, press MENU/NO. “Edit Menu” appears in the display. 2 Undoing the Last Edit You can undo the last edit operation and restore the contents of the MD to the condition that existed before the operation.
3 Press YES (or ./> on the deck). One of the following messages appears depending on the last edit operation. Last edit operation Changing the Track Level After Recording Message (S.F Edit) Erase Undo? You can change the volume of recorded tracks using S.F (Scale Factor) Edit. The original track is recorded over at the new recording level.
Changing the Track Level After Recording (S.F Edit) (continued) 4 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./> on the deck) until the track number whose level you want to change appears, then press YES (or ./> on the deck). “Level 0dB” appears in the display. 5 While monitoring the sound, press ./> repeatedly (or turn ./ > on the deck) to change the track level without turning on the rightmost indicators on the peak level meters.
7 Press YES (or ./> on the deck). The deck starts recording over the specified portion of the original track. “S.F Edit: XX%” appears to show the recording progress while the portion is being recorded over. When the process finishes, “Complete!!” appears in the display for a few seconds. To cancel the operation Press MENU/NO or x (or x/Z on the deck) in steps 1 to 6 above. After you press YES (or ./> on the deck) in step 7, you can’t cancel the operation.
Other Functions Fade In and Fade Out Recording/Playback Fade-in Recording/playback gradually increases the signal level at the start of recording/playback. Fade-out Recording/playback gradually decreases the signal level at the end of recording/playback. ?/1 Z N X x . > z m M FADER + – Fade-in and Fade-out Recording/ Playback 1 While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice. “Setup Menu” appears in the display. 2 Press ./> repeatedly (or turn .
Additional Information Precautions On safety • Should any solid object or liquid fall into the cabinet, unplug the deck and have it checked by qualified personnel before operating it any further. • The use of optical instruments with this product will increase eye hazard. On power sources On condensation in the deck If the deck is brought directly from a cold to a warm location, or is placed in a very damp room, moisture may condense on the lenses inside the deck.
Handling MDs System Limitations The MD is enclosed in a cartridge to protect the disc from debris or fingerprints and to make it easy to handle. The recording system in your deck is radically different from those used in cassette and DAT decks and is characterized by the limitations described below. Note, however, that these limitations are due to the inherent nature of the MD recording system itself and not to mechanical causes.
The total recorded time and the remaining recordable time on the MD may not total the maximum recording time Track numbers are not marked correctly Recording is done in minimum units of 2 seconds* each, no matter how short the material. The contents recorded may thus be shorter than the maximum recording capacity. Disc space may also be further reduced by scratches. Incorrect assignment or marking of track numbers may result when CD tracks are divided into several smaller tracks during digital recording.
Troubleshooting If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the deck, use this troubleshooting guide to help you remedy the problem. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer. The deck does not operate or operates poorly. • The MD may be dirty or damaged. Replace the MD. • Only ?/1 is operable while the MD deck is being controlled by a personal computer. The deck does not play. • Moisture has formed inside the deck.
Specifications System Disc Laser Laser output Laser diode Revolutions (CLV) Error correction Sampling frequency Coding Modulation system Number of channels Frequency response Signal-to-noise ratio Wow and flutter MiniDisc digital audio system MiniDisc Semiconductor laser (λ = 780 nm) Emission duration: continuous Less than 44.6 µW* * This output is the value measured at a distance of 200 mm from the objective lens surface on the Optical Pick-up Block with 7 mm aperture.
Display Messages The following table explains the various messages that appear in the display. Messages are also displayed by the deck’s Self-Diagnosis function (see page 49). Message Meaning Auto Cut The Auto Cut function is on (page 17). Blank Disc A new (blank) or erased MD has been inserted. Cannot Copy An attempt was made to make a second copy from a digitally dubbed MD (page 11).
Edit Menu Table The following table provides a quick guide to the various editing functions that you can perform using the Edit Menu. To access the Edit Menu Press MENU/NO to display “Edit Menu.” Note The available menu items may vary according to the current status of the deck. Menu item Sub-item Function Reference page(s) Name ? Nm In ? Names a track or an MD. 35 Nm Erase ? Erases a name. 37 Nm All Ers ? Erases all the names on an MD. 38 Copies a name to a track or an MD.
Setup Menu Table The following table provides an overview of the various Setup Menu items, including their parameters, factory settings, and reference page in the manual. To access the Setup Menu While the deck is stopped, press MENU/NO twice to display “Setup Menu.” Menu item Function Parameters Factory Reference setting page(s) Program ? Creates a program. — — 25 T.Mark Turns Automatic Track Marking on or off. Off/LSync LSync 19 LS(T) Changes the trigger level for Automatic Track Marking.
Self-Diagnosis Function The deck’s self-diagnosis function automatically checks the condition of the MD deck when an error occurs, then issues a three-digit code and an error message on the display. If the code and message alternate, find them in the following table and perform the indicated countermeasure. Should the problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer. Three-digit code/Message Cause/Remedy C11/Protected The inserted MD is record-protected.
Index I, J, K Input Monitor 17 L A Accessories 8 Audio connecting cord 8, 9, 10 Auto Cut 17 Auto Pause 27 Auto Space 27 Automatic Track Marking additional information 19 how to 18 trigger level 19 B Battery 8, 43 Blank erasing during recording. See Smart Space and Auto Cut inserting during play. See Auto Space C Combining 33 Connection. See Hookups Level input signal 7 output signal.
