Sony Mzn10 Portable MiniDisc Recorder Operations Manual

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Computer
 Manufacturer:
 Model:
 Type:  Desktop type / Laptop type
Name of operating system:  
RAM capacity:
Hard disk drive (containing SonicStage and audio data)
 Capacity of the drive:  
 Free space:  
Installed folder containing SonicStage (if other than the default folder)
1)
 Location of the installed folder:  
1)If you do not specify the destination, the software is installed at C:\Program Files\Sony\SonicStage.
Version of  the software (SonicStage Ver.1.5)2):  
2)To check the SonicStage software version, go to [Menu] - [About SonicStage] in the SonicStage 
window, or see the version information on the supplied CD-ROM.
Error Message (if one appeared):  
If an externally connected CD-ROM drive is used
 Manufacturer:  
 Model:  
 Type:  CD-ROM / CD-R/RW / DVD-ROM / Other (                 )
 Type of connection to the computer:  PC card / USB / IEEE1394 / Other (                 )
If another device with USB connection is used
 Name of the device (or devices): 
						

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If your computer does not recognize the Net MD
 Is the Net MD connected correctly to your computer?
— If the Net MD is not firmly connected to the computer, the Net MD will not be 
recognized by your computer.
— Reconnect the dedicated USB cable. If the computer still does not recognize the Net 
MD, disconnect the Net MD, restart the computer, and connect the dedicated USB 
cable again.
 Is an MD inserted in the Net MD?
Check if an MD is inserted in the Net MD.
 If your computer does not recognize your Net MD even when the Net MD is 
connected and a disc is inserted, the Net MD driver may not be correctly 
installed.
Go to the [USB Controller] in the Windows Device Manager window to verify that your 
Net MD is correctly recognized.
A [!] mark in the Device Manager window indicates that your Net MD is not correctly 
recognized. Reinstall the Net MD driver.
1Click 
[Start]–[Settings]–[Control Panel].1)
2Double click [System] in the control panel.2)
3Click the [Hardware]3) tab, and then click [Device Manager].
The Device Manager window appears.
1)In Windows XP, select [Start]–[Control Panel].2)In Windows XP, double click [System] if the control panel is in the “classic” format, or click 
[Performance and Maintenance] and then [System] if the control panel is in the “category” format.
3)Depending on your system, the [Hardware] tab may not be provided. In this case, click the [Device 
Manager] tab to display the Device Manager window.
If the installation was not successful
 Be sure to close all Windows applications before you start the installation.
If you start the installation while other programs are running, a malfunction may occur.  
This is especially true for programs that require large amounts of system resources, such 
as virus-check software.
 Be sure not to connect the Net MD to your computer before you start the 
installation.
If the dedicated USB cable is connected to your computer before the installation, the 
installation cannot be done correctly. Connect the dedicated USB cable after the 
installation completed.
 Make sure your computer has enough hard disk drive space.
120MB of free space or more on the hard disk drive is required. If your computer does 
not have enough space, the installation may not be possible. 
						

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 If the installation seems to be stopped
It may take 30 minutes or more for the installation to complete, depending on your 
computer or CD-ROM drive.
During the installation, watch out for the occurrence of any of the following problems.
 If the installation is still unsuccessful after all that you have done.
— The installation can be done by copying all files to the hard disk as follows:
1Create a new folder on the hard disc.
2Insert the supplied CD-ROM (SonicStage Ver.1.5) into the CD-ROM drive.
3When the installation window appears, click [Exit] to cancel the installation.
4Right-click the start menu and start up Explorer.
5Select [SS15E] on the CD-ROM drive, and then click [Edit] -[Select All].
6Click [Edit]-[Copy to Folder] (or [Edit]-[Copy]) to copy all files to the folder that you 
created in step 1.
7Remove the CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive, open the folder that was copied to the 
hard disk and double-click [setup.exe].
8When the installation window appears, follow the displayed instructions to install 
[SonicStage 1.5].
— The installation may be done by installing the software from [Start]-[Run]. Problem Cause/Remedy
The installation appears to have 
stopped before it has 
completed.Check for the appearance of an error message beneath 
the installation window.
t Press the [Tab] key while holding down the [Alt] 
key. If an error message has appeared, press the [Enter] 
key. The installation will resume. If there is no 
message, the installation is still in progress. Wait a little 
while longer.
The progress bar on the display 
is not moving. The access lamp 
has not lit for a few minutes.The installation is progressing normally. Please wait. 
						

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Information and explanations
Net MD FAQ
This section introduces frequently asked questions and answers on the Net MD.
On the Net MD
What is a “Net MD”?
Net MD is a specification that allows audio data in a computer to be transferred to a 
MiniDisc through a USB cable.
Till now, MiniDiscs could be used to record only analog sources (through a microphone or 
analog input) or PCM sources such as CDs. Recording audio files on a computer was 
impossible. However, thanks to SonicStage and other music management software based 
on such copyright protection technology as  “OpenMG”
1) and “MagicGate”2), conversion 
of audio files to the ATRAC or ATRAC33) format used on MDs became possible, enabling 
the recording of computer files to MDs.
1)Copyright protection technology for managing audio data recorded on computers, etc.2)Technology for verifying the copyright-protection status of audio data in check-out/check-in 
operations between a computer and a Net MD device.
3)File type for recording to an MD.
How does the SonicStage software make using MDs more convenient?
It allows you to record audio data from your computer to your MD.
Editing operations are easily done using on-screen operations.
— Labeling: Allows use of keyboard for easy labeling of contents.
— Moving tracks or groups: Allows tracks or groups to be moved simply by dragging 
and dropping. Track movements are easy to see.
— Group settings: Groups are easy to create or release.
These operations can be used to edit tracks on a disc in the Net MD. If you want to edit 
the contents of an MD, connect the Net MD to your computer, and edit the tracks in the 
SonicStage Device/Media window.
Can tracks recorded on the Net MD be checked in to a computer?
No, they cannot.
Audio data that was originally checked out from a computer can only be checked back into 
the same computer. Tracks that are recorded on the Net MD using a microphone or through 
an analog or digital connection cannot be transferred to the computer or copied.
Computer k MiniDisc : OK.
MiniDisc k Computer : OK only for tracks originally checked out from the computer. 
						

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On Editing
Can checked-out tracks be edited on the Net MD?
Things you can do on the Net MD:
— Label contents.
— Assign or release groups
— Move tracks or groups.
Things you cannot do on the Net MD:
— Add track marks (divide)/erase track marks (combine).
— Delete tracks, groups, or the entire disc contents. 
						

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On copyright protection
The OpenMG technology* allows you to enjoy digital music, while maintaining the 
copyrights of its holders. OpenMG Jukebox encrypts audio files in OpenMG format and 
stores them on the hard disk of your computer to prevent unauthorized distribution.
* The copyright protection technology of this software conforms to SDMI (Secure Digital Music 
Initiative) specifications.
This software places some restrictions on recording and playback to protect copyrights. 
You can check in audio files only to the same computer from which they were checked out.  
They cannot be copied or checked in to other computers.
For details, see “Features by copyright protection by OpenMG” (page 127).
You can check-in audio files 
only to the computer which 
they were checked out.
You cannot copy or 
move audio files to 
another computer.Check-out can 
be made for 
three times. 
						

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Restrictions on audio content
High-quality digital audio content is widely available through music distribution services 
on the Internet. To protect the copyrights of its holders from unauthorized distribution, 
some audio content is distributed with certain restrictions on recording and playback. For 
example, the playback period or playback count for the data may be limited. In such cases, 
checking out of the audio contents may not be possible. 
Depending on the contents, some audio data that could be checked out are subject to 
editing restrictions on the Net MD; e.g., audio contents cannot be erased or track marks 
cannot be added or erased.
It is not possible to check in tracks other than those that were checked out from your 
computer (for example, tracks recorded using a microphone or through analog or digital 
connection).
Features by copyright protection by OpenMG
The SonicStage software features OpenMG, a copyright protection technology developed 
by Sony to protect music copyrights. OpenMG uses high-level cryptographic technology to 
protect music contents with computers. 
Users should be aware of the restrictions described below.
Music recorded on the hard disk using the SonicStage software cannot be played when 
copied to other computers.
Installation of the same SonicStage software to other computers is not permitted.
Usage Rules
If Usage Rules are included in the music by way of the copyright holder or the distributor, 
operation will be restricted to use permitted by the Usage Rule. For music, such as 
compact discs, that does not contain a Usage Rule, the Default Usage Rule of SDMI will 
apply. This Default Usage Rule states that one file can be checked out up to three times 
only.
On music contents that are not compatible with the SonicStage software
Under the supervision of SDMI, this software prohibits recording of music with a copy 
prohibition signal.
Upgrading SonicStage software
This software was developed in accordance with the current arrangement between Sony 
and SDMI. If this arrangement is modified in the future, some of the software functions 
may become unavailable. Sony may offer an upgrade kit in this case at additional user 
expense. 
						

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Glossary
ATRAC3
ATRAC3, which stands for Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding3, is audio compression 
technology that satisfies the demand for high sound quality and high compression rates.
The ATRAC3 compression rate is approximately 10 times higher than that of the Audio 
CD, resulting an increased data capacity for the media.
“Check-In /Check-Out”
Check-out is to transfer music files from a personal computer to an external device/media 
(such as a Network Walkman). Returning checked-out music files to the same computer is 
to check in. (You cannot move checked-out music files to another computer.)
You can check out a music file, check it back in, and then check it out again an infinite 
number of times. The SDMI rules provide that up to four copies of a music file can be 
checked out at one time. OpenMG employs a method whereby three copies of a song can 
be checked out simultaneously, while the fourth copy is maintained as a master on your PC. 
Electronic Music Distribution (EMD) service
EMD is a website that distributes music files which are available for purchase.
MP3
MP3, which stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer3, is a standard for audio file compression 
determined by the Motion Picture Experts Group, an ISO (International Organization for 
Standardization) working group. It enables compression of audio files to about 1/10 of the 
data size of a standard compact disc. Since the MP3 encoding algorithm is disclosed, there 
are various encoders/decoders that are compliant with this standard, including freeware that 
is available for no charge. The MP3 standard is therefore widely used in the computer field.
Music Drive
Music Drive is a music database for managing audio data on a computer. In Music Drive, 
audio files can be managed along with such information as artist names, track names, and 
CD jacket images, or can be combined and categorized in different playlists.
OpenMG
Copyright protection technology for the import and management of musical content from 
distribution services or CDs. By using software that are compliant with OpenMG, audio 
contents can be encrypted before storage on a hard disk drive to allow playback of those 
audio files on that computer. OpenMG also prevents the unauthorized distribution of the 
contents via the Internet or other networks.
Playlist
A playlist is like a container that can be used to hold and categorize files stored in Music 
Drive. For example, by making a “jazz” playlist and then putting your favorite jazz tracks 
into the playlist, you can play all of the tracks repeatedly or check them all out at the same 
time. 
						

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Recording mode (Bit rate)
This is a measure of data volume per second. The rate is expressed in bps (bits per second). 
In SonicStage, the bit rate can be selected for recording an audio CD or converting MP3 
and WAV format audio files into ATRAC3 format from among three rates: 132 kbps, 105 
kbps or 66 kbps. In the case of 105 kbps, 105,000 bits of information is processed per 
second. If the bit rate is large, that means a large amount of information is used to play the 
music. Thus, 105 kbps data produces better sound quality than 66 kbps data, and 132 kbps 
data provides better sound quality than 105 kbps data. However, audio files in formats such 
as MP3 have different encoding methods, and so the sound quality is not determined by the 
bit rate alone.
SDMI
SDMI, which stands for Secure Digital Music Initiative, is a forum that consists of over 
130 companies in the fields of recorded audio content, computers, and consumer 
electronics. It is dedicated to the development of integrated copyright protection 
technology that can be used worldwide.
SDMI is working to create a framework for preventing the improper usage of audio files 
and to promote legal music distribution services. The copyright protection technology 
OpenMG is based on the SDMI standard.
Windows Media Audio
This is an audio compression technology that includes the management system called 
“Windows Media Rights Manager”.
Windows Media Technology
This is a technology that includes a contents management system called Windows Media 
Rights Manager which encrypts contents and distributes music contents along with their 
conditions for usage, distribution, etc. Audio files supporting Windows Media 
Technologies (WMT) downloaded via EMD* can be imported into and managed by 
OpenMG Jukebox.
* EMD may not be available in certain areas of the world. 
						

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Index
Numerics
6-Band Equalizer 38
A
Accessories
optional
 80supplied 13ATRAC3 124, 128Audio CD 96, 105
Auto Time Stamp 33AVLS 68
B
back up 117
Backlight 69Battery
battery life 20built-in battery 18dry battery 19BEEP 62
Bookmark
add 37play 37C
CD-ROM 99
Charging 18Check-in 124, 128Checking
clock
 62playing position 35remaining time 28, 35Check-out 108, 124, 128Cleaning 79Clock 62
Combining tracks 48Connecting 103analog 31digital 23when charging 18Connection 42
Contrast 69copyright protection 126
D
delete (software) 118Device/Media 108, 113
Digital Pitch Control 39Digital Sound Preset 38Divide
directly
 47rehearsal 47DSP TYPE-S 95
E
EMD services 128
Erasing
a whole disc 49groups 56tracks 49G
G-PROTECTION 95Group
erasing
 56moving 56play 51recording 50releasing 54setting 53skip 51Group Program Play 52
H
hard disk
free space 99, 117storing 105HOLD 15
I
Installing 101
L
Labeling
a disc 44tracks 44labeling 107