I
BATT
MIC
TAPE COUNTER
EAR
VOR
REC TIME
REC
DC IN 3V
REW/
REVIEW
STOP
PAUSE
REC
B
English
Cassette-Corder
3-234-084-72(1)
Operating Instructions
TCM-400DV
A
B
A
C
Tab for side A
Side A
© 2001 Sony Corporation Printed in China
C
A
Flat mic
D
A
B
(turn over)
Welcome !
Thank you for purchasing the Sony
Cassette-Corder.
This Cassette-Corder is equipped
with a REC TIME switch that lets
you record double the normal
length on any cassette.
Note
Tapes recorded with the REC TIME
switch in the DOUBLE position cannot
be played properly on a tape recorder
without the REC TIME switch
function.
BGetting Started
Preparing a Power
Source
Dry Batteries
(see Fig. A-
A
)
1 Open the battery compartment
lid.
2 Insert two R6 (size AA)
batteries 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 drained
when another power source is
connected.
To take out the batteries
(see Fig.
A
-B)
To attach the battery
compartment lid if it is
accidentally detached (see
Fig.
A
-C)
When to replace the
batteries (see Fig.
A
-D)
Replace the batteries with new ones
when the BATT lamp goes off and
the E lamp flashes.
Notes
• The unit will play back normally for
a while, even after the E lamp
flashes. However, replace the
batteries as soon as you can. If not,
the playback cannot be made with
normal sound, noise may be
recorded and the recorded sound
will not be loud enough.
•The E lamp flashes to indicate
battery replacement during
playback, recording and pause
(during paused by VOR function
also).
• In the following cases you do not
need to replace the batteries:
– if the BATT lamp flashes with the
playback sound when you turn up
the volume.
– if the E lamp lights momentarily
when the tape starts running or at
the end of the tape.
– if the E lamp flashes during FF/
CUE or REW/REVIEW.
To
Stop
recording
Pause
recording
Review the
portion just
recorded
Eject a
cassette
Press or slide
x STOP
PAUSE . in the
direction of the arrow
To release pause
recording, release
PAUSE .*.
Press and hold
m REW/REVIEW
during recording.
Release the button at
the point to start.
Press x STOP and open
the cassette
compartment lid.
Battery life
(Approx. hours) (JEITA*)
Sony Sony
alkaline R6P
LR6 (SG)** (SR)
Playback 16 3.5
Recording 24 6
* Measured value by the standard of
JEITA (Japan Electronics and
Information Technology Industries
Association). (Using a Sony HF
series cassette tape)
** When using a Sony LR6 (SG)
“STAMINA” alkaline dry batteries
(produced in Japan)
Note
The battery life may shorten
depending on the operation of the
unit.
For maximum performance we
recommend that you use alkaline
batteries.
BOperating the Unit
Recording
(see Fig.
B
-A, B)
You can record right away with the
built-in microphone.
Make sure that nothing is connected
to the MIC jack.
Place the unit on a hard surface
such as a desk with the cassette
holder side up so that the flat mic
can record effectively.
1 Press TAPE COUNTER to reset
the tape counter.
2 Insert a normal (TYPE I) tape
with the side to be recorded
facing the cassette holder.
3 Set REC TIME to the desired
mode.
NORMAL (4.8cm/s): for
optimum sound.
Recommended for normal
recordings.
DOUBLE (2.4cm/s): for double
recording time (for example,
120 minutes using both sides of
a 60-minute cassette). Suitable
for recording conferences,
dictations, etc. Not
recommended for recording
music.
4 Set VOR to: H or L to start and
pause recording automatically,
depending on the recording
condition.
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.
Set VOR to 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.
5 Press z REC.
N PLAY is pressed
simultaneously and recording
starts.
While the tape is running, the
REC lamp lights and flickers
depending on the strength of
the sound.
At the end of the tape, recording
stops and the unit turns off
automatically.
* PAUSE . will also be
automatically released when
x STOP is pressed (stop-pause-
release function).
To monitor the sound
Connect an earphone (not supplied)
firmly to the EAR jack.
You cannot adjust the monitoring
volume.
Notes
• Do not use a High-position (TYPE II)
or metal (TYPE IV) tape. If you do
so, the sound may be distorted when
you play back the tape, or the
previous recording may not be
erased completely.
• The SPEED CONTROL switch (see
reverse side) works in 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
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 the necessary
sound only.
• The VOR system depends on the
environmental conditions. If you
cannot get the desired results even
after adjusting VOR to H or L, set
VOR to OFF.
To prevent a tape from
being accidentally recorded
over (see Fig. B-C)
Break off and remove the cassette
tabs. To reuse the tape for
recording, cover the tab hole with
adhesive tape.
B
A A
1
2
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•
•
•
•
A B
A C
A D
E
• E
•
E
•
–
–
E
–
E
B
B A B
1
2
3
4
5 z
N
x
.
.
m
x
x .
•
•
•
•
B C
I
MIC (PLUG IN POWER)
FF/CUE
VOL
SPEED CONTROL
REC TIME
REW/
REVIEW
STOP
REC
PAUSE
PLAY
E
English
C
D
Capstan
Lever
Erase head
Pinch-roller
Cotton swab
Record/playback
head
Recording from
Various Sound
Sources
(see Fig. C)
Recording with an
External Microphone
Connect a microphone to the MIC
jack.
There is a tactile dot beside the MIC jack.
Use a microphone of low
impedance (less than 3 kΩ) such as
the ECM-T6 (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 due to difference in
sensitivity.
Recording from Another
Equipment
Connect another equipment to the
MIC jack using the RK-G64HG
connecting cord (not supplied).
Playing a Tape (see
Fig. D)
1 Insert a cassette with the side to
be played facing the cassette
holder.
2 Set REC TIME to the same
position as that used for
recording.
To playback commercially
available music tape, etc., select
NORMAL.
3 Press N PLAY and then adjust
the volume.
The N PLAY button has a tactile
dot on it and the VOL control also
has a tactile dot beside it to show the
direction to turn up the volume.
4 Adjust the tape playback speed.
Turn SPEED CONTROL to:
SLOW (slow) to play back at a
slower speed.
Center position to play back at
normal speed.
FAST (fast) to play back at a
faster speed.
At the end of the tape, playback
stops and the unit turns off
automatically.
If you plug in headphones (not
supplied) to the EAR jack, you will
get monaural output from both left
and right channels.
* PAUSE . will also be
automatically released when
x STOP 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 press x STOP.
Note on REVIEW
Playback may not start automatically
even if you release
m REW/REVIEW at the end of the
tape. To start playback again, press
x STOP, then press N PLAY.
B Additional
Information
Precautions
On power
•Operate the unit only on 3 V DC.
Use two R6 (size 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 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 in the speaker.
•If the unit has not been used for a
long time, set it in the playback
mode to 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. This
may cause malfunction of the unit
or sound deterioration.
If you have any questions or
problems concerning your unit,
please consult your nearest Sony
dealer.
Maintenance
(see Fig. E)
To clean the tape heads and
path
Press z REC while pushing the
lever in the tape compartment.
Wipe the heads, pinch roller, and
the capstan with a cotton swab
moistened with alcohol after every
10 hours of use.
To clean the exterior
Use a soft cloth slightly moistened
in water. Do not use alcohol,
benzine or thinner.
Troubleshooting
Should any problem persist after
you have made these checks,
consult your nearest Sony dealer.
The unit does not operate.
•The batteries have been inserted
with incorrect polarity.
•The batteries are weak.
•PAUSE . is slid in the
direction of the arrow.
You cannot press z REC.
•The tab on the tape has been
removed.
Recording cannot be made.
•Connection is made incorrectly.
•VOR has been set to the improper
position when VOR function
works.
Recording is interrupted.
•VOR is set to H or L. When you
do not use VOR, set it to OFF.
Recording cannot be erased
completely.
•The erase head is contaminated.
•You are using a High-position
(TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.
You cannot press N PLAY.
•The tape has reached the end.
Rewind the tape.
No sound comes from the
speaker.
•The earphone is plugged in.
•The volume is turned down
completely.
To
Stop playback/
stop fast
forward or
rewind
Pause playback
Search forward
during
playback (CUE)
Search
backward
during
playback
(REVIEW)
Fast forward**
Rewind**
Start recording
during
playback
Eject a
cassette
Press or slide
x STOP
PAUSE . in the
direction of the
arrow
To release pause
playback, release
PAUSE .*.
Press and hold
M FF/CUE and
release it at the point
you want
Press and hold
m REW/REVIEW
and release it at the
point you want
M FF/CUE during
stop
m REW/REVIEW
during stop
z REC
Press x STOP and
open the cassette
compartment lid.
The sound drops out or has with
excessive noise.
•The volume is turned down
completely.
•The batteries are weak.
•Use the unit away from
radiowave-emitting devices such
as cellular phones.
•The heads need cleaning. See
“Maintenance.”
•Direct placement of the cassette
tape on the speaker resulted in
magnetization and deteriorated
tonal quality.
• You are using a High-position
(TYPE II) or metal (TYPE IV) tape.
Tape speed is too fast or too slow
in Playback mode.
•Improper setting of the REC TIME
switch. Set it to the same speed as
that used for recording.
•SPEED CONTROL is set at a point
other than the center.
•The batteries are weak.
Specifications
Recording system
2-track 1 channel monaural
Tape speed
4.8 cm/s or 2.4 cm/s
Frequency range
250 - 6 300 Hz using nomal (TYPE
I) cassette (with REC TIME switch
at “NORMAL”)
Speaker
Approx. 3.6 cm (1
7
/16 in.) dia.
Power output
250 mW (at 10 % harmonic
distortion)
Input
Microphone input jack (minijack)
sensitivity 0.2 mV for 3 kΩ or
lower impedance microphone
Output
Earphone jack (minijack) for 8 -
300 Ω earphone
Variable range of the tape speed
From approx. +30% to –15% (with
REC TIME switch at “NORMAL”)
Power requirements
3 V DC batteries R6 (AA) × 2
Dimensions (w/h/d) (incl. projecting
parts and controls)
Approx. 86.7 × 114.4 × 35.4 mm
(3
1
/2 × 4
5
/8 × 1
7
/16 in.)
Mass
Approx. 160 g (5.7 oz.) (main unit
only)
Design and specifications are subject
to change without notice.
C
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