Sony Mzn10 Portable MiniDisc Recorder Operations Manual

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Your dealer may not handle some of the above 
listed accessories. Please ask the dealer for 
detailed information about the accessories in 
your country.
∗When using optional headphones, use only 
headphones/earphones with stereo mini 
plugs. You cannot use headphones/
earphones with micro plugs. 
						

							82
Troubleshooting and explanations
Troubleshooting
If a problem occurs during recorder operation, follow the steps described below before 
consulting the nearest Sony dealer. If any messages appear, it is recommended to take 
notes.
1Check to see if the problem is listed in, “Troubleshooting” (page 82).
Check “Messages” (page 90) for the problem as well.
2If after step 1 you still cannot solve the problem, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
While charging
Symptom Cause/Solution
The rechargeable 
battery does not 
start charging. The 
rechargeable battery 
cannot be fully 
charged. The BUILT-IN BATTERY switch at the rear is turned off.
,Turn the BUILT-IN BATTERY switch on.
 The terminals of the battery charging stand is dirty.
,Clean the terminals with a dry cloth.
 Because of the battery’s characteristics, the capacity of the built-in 
rechargeable battery may be smaller than normal when it is used 
for the first time or after a long period of disuse.
,Charge and discharge the battery several times. The normal 
battery life will be restored.
 The built-in rechargeable battery is drained (nothing appears in 
the display window).
,Charge the built-in rechargeable battery. It takes one minute 
after placing the recorder on the USB cradle for an indication 
to appear and charging to start. If charging does not start even 
after a minute, replace the recorder on the USB cradle again.
 The surrounding temperature is too high or too low 
(“CannotCHG” appears in the display).
,Charge the battery at a temperature of –0°C (+32°F) to 
+40°C (+104°F).
The internal 
rechargeable battery 
has become drained 
even when the 
recorder was not 
used for a while. The quick mode was set to “QUICK”.
,If you set the quick mode to “QUICK”, the power stays on 
inside recorder even when there is no operation, causing the 
battery life to shorten. If the battery is not fully charged, the 
internal battery may become drained after a while. If this 
happens, charge the internal battery again (page 67).
Even when fully 
charged, the life of 
the internal battery 
is only about half 
what it normally is. The useful life of the built-in rechargeable battery may be ending.
,Go to the nearest Sony dealer to have a new rechargeable 
battery installed. 
						

							83
While recording
The USB cradle and 
the recorder become 
hot during the 
charging procedure. This is normal and poses no danger.
Symptom Cause/Remedy
The recorder 
overwrites existing 
materials when record. The record starting-position setting (“REC-Posi”) is set to 
“From Here”.
,Set “REC-Posi” setting to “From End”.
The recording starts 
from the end of the 
disc even when “REC-
Posi” is set to “From 
Here”. The group recording (“ : REC”) is set to “ : REC ON”. 
(You cannot overwrite tracks when “ : REC” is set to “ : 
REC ON”.)
,Set the group recording setting to “ : REC OFF” 
(page 63).
“REC-Posi” (the 
record-starting point) 
cannot be set to “From 
Here”. The group recording (“ : REC”) is set to “ : REC ON”.
,Set the group recording setting to “ : REC OFF” 
(page 63), and then set “REC-Posi” to “From Here”.
Recording cannot be 
done correctly. Audio sources may not be securely connected.
,Disconnect the audio sources once and connect them again 
(pages 23, 29, 31).
 There is no digital signal from the portable CD player.
,When recording digitally from a portable CD player, use 
the AC power adaptor and disable the anti-skip function 
(such as ESP) on the CD player (page 25).
 The analog recording was made using a connecting cord with 
an attenuator.
,Use a connecting cord without an attenuator.
 Recording level is too small to record (when adjusting the 
recording level manually).
,Pause the recorder and adjust the recording level (page 34).
 The power sources was disconnected or a power outage 
occurred during recording.
,The recording result is not recorded on the disc. Make 
recording again.
 The premastered MD is inserted.
,Replace to the recordable MD.
 The remaining recordable time on the disc is 12 seconds or less 
(“DISC FULL” appears).
,Replace the disc. Symptom Cause/Solution 
						

							84
Recording stops 
automatically in the 
middle of a recording 
operation. You tried to overwrite a track which is checked out from the 
computer. (Tracks that are checked out from the computer 
cannot be overwritten. The recording stops automatically.)
,Check the checked-out track back into the computer.
,Record from the end of the disc.
Stereo sound is heard 
in the headphones/
earphones while 
recording in monaural. This is normal. During digital recording, the sound will be 
stereo in the headphones/earphones, even though the recorded 
sound is monaural.
Momentary noise is 
heard when recording. Due to the special digital audio compression technology used 
in LP4 stereo mode, momentary noise may occur on very rare 
occasions with certain sound sources.
,Record in SP or LP2 mode.
The lid does not open 
after recording. The lid does not open until “TOC Edit” disappears in the 
display.
“TR FULL” appears 
even before the disc 
has reached the 
maximum recording 
time (60, 74, or 80 
minutes) and the 
recording cannot be 
done. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitation. When 254 tracks 
have been recorded on the disc, “TR FULL” appears regardless 
of the total recorded time. More than 254 tracks cannot be 
recorded on the disc.
,To continue recording, erase unnecessary tracks.
The remaining 
recording time does 
not increase even after 
erasing numerous 
short tracks. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitation. Tracks of under 
12 seconds (in SP stereo), 24 seconds (in LP2 stereo mode or 
monaural), or 48 seconds (in LP4 stereo mode) in length are 
not counted and so erasing them may not lead to an increase in 
the recording time.
The total recorded 
time and the remaining 
time on the disc may 
not total the maximum 
recording time (60, 74, 
or 80 minutes). This is due to the MiniDisc system limitation. Normally, 
recording is done in minimum units of approximately 2 
seconds (in SP stereo), 4 seconds (in LP2 stereo mode or 
monaural), or 8 seconds (in LP4 stereo mode). When recording 
is stopped, the last unit of recording always uses this unit of 2 
seconds, 4 seconds, or 8 seconds even if the actual recording is 
shorter. Likewise, when recording is restarted after the stop, 
the recorder will automatically insert a blank space amounting 
to 2 seconds, 4 seconds, or 8 seconds before the next recording. 
(This is to prevent accidental erasing of a previous track 
whenever a new recording is started). Therefore, the actual 
recording time will decrease whenever a recording is stopped 
by a maximum of 6 seconds, 12 seconds, or 24 seconds. Symptom Cause/Remedy 
						

							85
While playing
You cannot check out 
tracks that will fill up 
the remaining 
recording time on the 
disc. The minimum recordable time on a disc is normally 2 seconds 
in stereo, 4 seconds in LP2 stereo mode, and 8 seconds in LP4 
stereo mode. When you check out a track from your computer, 
the recorder needs a 2-second (or 4- or 8-second) space for a 
track even if the track is under 2 seconds (or 4 or 8 seconds) in 
length. Also, the recorder inserts a 2-second (or 4 -or 8-second) 
space in between tracks during check out so as not to overwrite 
the previous track by mistake. For this reason, the recorder 
needs an additional 6 seconds (or 12 or 24 seconds) for each 
track. This reduces the maximum recording time for each track 
by 6 seconds (or 12 or 24 seconds) during check out.
“TR FULL” appears 
even before the disc 
has reached the 
maximum track 
number or recording 
time. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitation. Repeated 
recording and erasing may cause fragmentation and scattering 
of data. Although those scattered data can be read, each 
fragment is counted as a track. In this case, the number of 
tracks may reach 254 and further recording is not possible.
,To continue recording, erase unnecessary tracks.
Symptom Cause/Remedy
An MD is not 
played normally. Repeat play is selected.
,Use the jog dial on the recorder or press P MODE/  on the 
remote control to change back to the normal play (page 36).
 Playback mode is changed.
,Use the jog dial on the recorder or press P MODE/  on the 
remote control to change back to the normal play (page 36).
An MD is not 
played from the 
first track. Disc playing stopped before it came to the last track.
,Press N on the recorder or press the jog lever (NX) on the 
remote control for 2 seconds or more to start playing.
 The disc information has been stored to the Personal Disc Memory.
,Erase the disc information from the Personal Disc Memory 
(page 72).
Playback sound 
skips. The recorder is placed where it receives continuous vibration.
,Put the recorder on a stable place.
 A very short track may cause sound to skip.
,Try not to create a short track.
Sound has a lot of 
static. Strong magnetism from a television or such device is interfering 
with operation.
,Move the recorder away from the source of strong magnetism. Symptom Cause/Remedy 
						

							86
The volume of the 
recorded track is 
low. The track was recorded in analog mode (in digital mode, the 
recording level is automatically set to the same level as that of the 
sound source). Or you used a connecting cord with an attenuator.
,Use a correct connecting cord without an attenuator.
 The recording level was low.
,Adjust the recording level manually while recording (page 34).
Volume cannot be 
turned up. AVLS is on.
,Release AVLS settings (page 68).
No sound comes 
through the 
headphones/
earphones. The headphones/earphones plug is not firmly connected.
,Plug in the plug of the headphones/earphones firmly to the 
remote control. Plug in the plug of the remote control firmly to 
i/LINE OUT.
 The plug is dirty.
,Clean the plug.
VOL + or –, 
Virtual Surround, 
or 6-Band 
Equalizer does not 
function or noise is 
heard. The “AUDIO OUT” parameter is set to “LINE OUT”.
,Set to “HeadPhone”.
The volume from 
connected speaker 
or amplifier is low 
(when analog 
connection)  The “AUDIO OUT” parameter is set to “HeadPhone”.
,Set to “LINE OUT”.
The volume from 
the headphones/
earphones is too 
loud. The “AUDIO OUT” parameter is set to “LINE OUT”.
,Set to “HeadPhone”.
The recorder skips 
several tracks 
ahead or behind 
whenever you try 
to fast forward or 
rewind on the 
recorder. The group skip is on.
,The recorder returns to normal if no operation is made for 5 
seconds.
The edited tracks 
may exhibit sound 
dropout during 
search operations. This occurs due to the MiniDisc system limitation. The 
fragmentation of data may cause sound dropout while searching 
because the tracks are played in higher speed than normal 
playback. Symptom Cause/Remedy 
						

							87
While Editing
There is no R-
channel sound 
output when 
playing a track 
recorded from a 
cassette deck or 
through an 
amplifier, or when 
listening to sound 
from a cassette 
deck or amplifier. There is no R-channel output if the cassette deck or an amplifier is 
connected with a monaural cord.
,Make sure to use a stereo connecting cord. If, however, the 
connected equipment is monaural, there will be no R-channel 
sound output even with a stereo connecting cord.
Symptom Cause/Remedy
The lid does not 
open. The power sources have been disconnected during recording or 
editing, or the battery have been exhausted.
,Set the power sources again, or replace the exhausted battery 
with new ones.
Editing cannot be 
done. The power source has been disconnected or a power outage has 
occurred during editing.
,The editing done to that point is not saved to the disc. Do the 
editing operation again.
You cannot erase a 
track checked out 
from your 
computer. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitations. To erase a track that 
has been checked out from your computer, check it back in first, 
and then erase it using the SonicStage software.
Track marks 
cannot be erased. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitations. When the data of a 
track is fragmented, the track mark of a fragment under 12 seconds 
long (in SP stereo), 24 seconds long (in LP2 stereo mode or 
monaural mode), or 48 seconds long (in LP4 stereo mode) cannot 
be erased. You cannot combine tracks recorded in different 
recording modes, e.g., a track recorded in stereo and a track 
recorded in monaural; nor can you combine a track recorded with 
digital connection and a track recorded with analog connection.
The disc cannot 
edit on other 
component. The component does not support MDLP.
,Edit on other component that support MDLP. Symptom Cause/Remedy 
						

							88
While using group function
Others
Symptom Cause/Remedy
The group 
function does not 
operate. While using a disc without group setting, an attempt was made to 
select some group-related menu.
,Use a disc with group setting.
A track cannot be 
recorded to a new 
group. A new 
group cannot be 
created. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitations. Group information 
has been written to the area where the disc name is stored. The disc 
name and track names are recorded in the same area, which can 
store a maximum of approximately 1,700 characters. If the total 
number exceeds this amount, a new group cannot be created even 
though group mode is on. It is also impossible to make group 
settings at this time.
Symptom Cause/Remedy
The recorder does 
not work or works 
poorly. The BUILT-IN BATTERY switch at the rear is turned off.
,Turn the BUILT-IN BATTERY switch on.
 The built-in rechargeable battery is not charged.
,Charge the built-in rechargeable battery.
 The volume is low.
,Turn up the volume.
 No disc is inserted.
,Insert a recorded disc.
 The HOLD function is turned on (“HOLD” appears in the display 
when you press an operation button on the recorder).
,On the recorder, disable HOLD by sliding the HOLD switch to 
the opposite direction of the arrow 
(pages 15, 20).
 The lid is not firmly closed.
,Close the lid until it clicks. Then slide OPEN to open the lid.
 Moisture has condensed inside the recorder.
,Take the MD out and leave the recorder in a warm place for 
several hours until the moisture evaporates.
 The AC power adaptor is not firmly connected.
,Connect the AC power adaptor firmly to the DC IN 6V jack on 
the USB cradle or the dry battery case and to the house current.
 The built-in rechargeable battery or dry battery is weak (“LOW 
BATT” flashes or nothing appears).
,Charge the built-in rechargeable battery or replace the dry 
battery with a new one (page 18), or use the supplied AC 
power adaptor.
 The dry battery have been inserted incorrectly.
,Insert the battery correctly (page 19). 
						

							89
The recorder does 
not work or works 
poorly. The disc is damaged or does not contain proper recording or 
editing data.
,Reinsert the disc. Rerecord the disc. If the error message still 
appears, replace it with another disc.
 There is an internal malfunction in the system.
,Remove the recorder from the USB cradle, restart your 
computer, and then place the recorder on the USB cradle again.
,Set the BUILT-IN BATTERY switch to OFF, and set back to 
ON.
 While operating, the recorder received a mechanical shock, too 
much static, abnormal power voltage caused by lightning, etc.
,Restart the operation as follows.
1Turn off the BUILT-IN BATTERY switch.
2Leave the recorder for about 30 seconds.
3Turn on the BUILT-IN BATTERY switch and connect the 
power source.
The clock does not 
work correctly, the 
clock does not 
appear, or time and 
date stamping did 
not occur when 
recording. The built-in rechargeable battery becomes all drained.
,Charge the built-in rechargeable battery, and then set the clock 
again.
 The clock is not set.
,Set the clock (page 62).
 The BUILT-IN BATTERY switch is set to OFF causing the clock 
to return to its factory setting.
,Set the clock again (page 62).
 Time and date will not be stamped on tracks which are checked out 
from a computer.
The display 
window is not 
normal. The recorder was disconnected from the power source.
,Let the recorder sit for a while, or disconnect the power source, 
reconnect it, and then press any of the operation buttons.
When using with 
the AC power 
adaptor, the display 
window of the 
recorder will 
remain faintly lit 
for some time even 
after the recorder is 
stopped. This is due to the MiniDisc system limitation. The recorder turns 
off 3 minutes after the recorder has stopped in order to allow the 
charging time on the dedicated USB cradle to be calculated.
The playing time of 
a checked-out track 
is different from 
the time that 
appears on your 
computer monitor.This is due to a calculation discrepancy between the recorder and 
the computer. Symptom Cause/Remedy 
						

							90
Messages
If the following error messages flash in the display window, check the chart below.
Error message Meaning/Remedy
FULL  You tried to set a 21st bookmark.
,You can set only up to 20 bookmarks. Keep the number of 
bookmarks within 20.
AVLS  AVLS is set to “AVLS ON” and so the volume cannot rise higher.
,Set AVLS to “AVLS OFF” (page 68).
BLANKDISC  An MD with no recording on it is inserted.
BUSY  You tried to operate the recorder while it was accessing the 
recorded data. 
,Wait until the message goes out (in rare cases, it may take a 
few minutes).
CannotCHG  You tried to charge the battery at a place with a temperature 
outside the specified range for the recorder.
,Charge the battery at a temperature of 0°C (+32°F) to +40°C 
(+104°F).
Charging  The internal battery is being charged.
DISC FULL  The remaining recording time on the disc is 12 seconds (SP 
stereo), 24 seconds (LP2 stereo or monaural), 36 seconds (LP4 
stereo), or less.
,Replace the disc.
ERROR  There is an internal malfunction in the system.
,Restart the operation by doing steps 1 to 3 on page 89. If the 
message appears again, please consult your nearest Sony 
dealer.
GroupFULL  You tried to create a 100th group.
,You can create only up to 99 groups on a disc. Keep the group 
number within 99.
Hi DC in  Voltage of the power supply is too high (The supplied AC power 
adaptor or the recommended car battery cord is not used).
,Use the supplied AC power adaptor or the recommended car 
battery cord.
HOLD  The recorder is locked.
,Slide HOLD against the arrow to unlock the recorder 
(page 20).
LINE OUT  You pressed VOL+, – while the “AUDIO OUT” parameter was set 
to “LINE OUT”. 
,Use the jog dial to set the “AUDIO OUT” parameter to 
“HeadPhone”.